15 Songs That Incorporate Virtues | Playlist 🎧

In a more ‘virtuous’ turn, The Musical Hype handpicks 15 songs that incorporates virtues including faith, love, and prudence.

Believe it or not, sometimes The Musical Hype delivers a thoughtful, transcendent evergreen/playlist.  It’s not all offensive death metal, serial killers/mass murderers/cult leaders, or disturbing paraphilias.  Yes, we’ve covered those controversial, dark, and twisted subjects, but we do the good, more wholesome stuff as well…sometimes.  In the case of 15 Songs that Incorporate Virtues, we handpicked 15 songs with themes embodying various virtues.

The virtues covered on this particular playlist are: charity, courage, diligence, faith, fortitude, hope, humility, justice, kindness, liberality, love, patience, prudence, and temperance.  Musicians helping to fuel the fire include the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Linkin Park, and Muse among many others.

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1. Kendrick Lamar, “Humble.”

DAMN. • Interscope • 2017

Virtue: Humility

From the jump, “HUMBLE.” is energetic. Kendrick Lamar testifies about his come-up, but he’s not bragging – he’s thankful.  He emphasizes being humble, with a brilliant, gimmicky hook. Possessing numerous meanings, some believe it’s a diss track directed to specific rappers.  Most likely, it’s more transcendent than a cocky rapper.  The best line references cellulite, though it runs deeper than such.

“I’m so fuckin’ sick and tired of the Photoshop
Show me somethin’ natural like afro on Richard Pryor
Show me somethin’ natural like ass with some stretch marks...”

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2. Logic, “1-800-273-8255”

Ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid

Everybody • Def Jam • 2017

Virtue: Fortitude; Hope

With the release of “1-800-273-8255”, Logic released the biggest, heaviest, and most meaningful song of his career.  What makes “1-800-273-8255” so heavy? The title is the phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Logic approaches the song as a progression, starting from the suicidal perspective, encouraging the suicidal person to embrace life, and the suicidal person coming to the desire to live. He’s assisted by an angelic Alessia Cara and Khalid, who provides the punctuation mark, as the suicidal person who’s seen the light.

Suicide is a major issue. Originally appearing on another playlist (26 Notable LGBTQ Songs Since 2010), “1-800-273-8255” doesn’t explicitly mention the LGBTQ community, but it’s a key component of the accompanying music video.  The video focuses on a black gay teen struggling with his sexuality. He contemplates suicide, but gets the proper help, as well as acceptance. Can you say feels?

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3. Bastille, “World Gone Mad”

Bright: The Album • Atlantic • 2017

Virtue: Fortitude; Justice

“If half the world’s gone mad / The other half just don’t care, you see.” “World Gone Mad” commences with acoustic guitar accompaniment.  As always Bastille frontman Dan Smith blesses the track with his robust vocals, heavy in British accent.  He beams with British pride, asserting on the pre-chorus, “You don’t want to fuck with us / British to the very last.”  Ah, how fortitudinous! His falsetto is ripe during the pre-chorus section, providing some sweetness to his profane assertion that shows incredible resolve.

The chorus is signature Bastille:

“When it feels like the world’s gone mad
And there’s nothing you can do about it
No there’s nothing you can do about it.”

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4. Linkin Park, “Battle Symphony”

One More Light • Warner Bros. • 2017

Virtue: Fortitude

“Battle Symphony” is about showing incredible resolve, despite adversity.  On the verses, Bennington reflects on his deficiencies: “Blood on the floor / Sirens repeat / I been searching for the courage / To face my enemies…” By the chorus, he’s determined he’ll overcome everything that’s holding him back – “…Just don’t give up on me.” Chilling words, considering this would be the final Linkin Park album with Chester Bennington. 

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5. Kelly Clarkson, “Move You”

Meaning of Life • Atlantic • 2017

Virtue: Love

“Move You” is an uplifting, thoughtfully written ballad about moving one another in regards to a relationship. Essentially, Clarkson wants to ‘complete’ her husband and ‘be his everything.’ ­­­­­The tempo is slow, but heavy pop/rock drums add some punch.  Overall, the production is a selling point, including gospel choral vocals, guitar, and strings.  Those choral vocals truly elevate “Move You,” providing more fuel for Clarkson’s lead.  Not that she needed it – she’s inspired all on her own.

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6. Charlie Wilson, “Smile”

Ft. Robin Thicke

In it to Win It • RCA • 2017

Virtues: Faith; Fortitude; Kindness; Patience; Prudence

Okay okay – “Smile for Me” is more mid-tempo than ballad. Nonetheless, the ‘feels’ are definitely here! “Smile for Me” gives Uncle Charlie one of his most soulful, exceptional moments from In It to Win It. Paired with neo-soul standout Robin Thicke, “Smile for Me” is simple in concept, but reaps massive benefits of being so simplistic.  Essentially, Wilson and Thicke tout the power of a smile and showing resolve through the hardest of times.  The vocal chemistry between the two is magnificent – two truly gifted musicians.

“Maybe the rent ain't paid
Or the car note's late
And you're working hard
Like every single day, yeah
But you can make it through
Ain't nothing you can't do
Yeah, I believe in you
Let me break it down
I'm here to say
When everything ain't okay
I promise it's gonna change
So won't you smile for me
I know it's hard (I know it's hard)
'Cause I've been right where you are
You can light up the dark
If you just smile for me.”

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7. Keith Urban, “Female”

Graffiti U • Capitol • 2018

Virtue: Justice

Keith Urban returns with a timely, new single, entitled “Female”. “Female” just isn’t any regular old song – it has deeper meaning that’s relevant to the times. It’s co-written by Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, and Nicolle Galyon. “Female” possesses light country production that’s anchored by a pop beat.  Urban delivers solid, emotional vocals, which capture the feminine sensibilities of the lyrics.  On the verses, various questions are posed, related to the female experience and being treated with the utmost respect. The chorus sums up the theme perfectly:

“Sister, shoulder
Daughter, lover
Healer, broken halo
Mother nature
Fire, suit of armor
Soul survivor, Holy water
Secret keeper, fortune teller
Virgin Mary, scarlet letter
Technicolor river wild
Baby girl, woman, child
Female.”

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8. Reba McEntire, “Back to God”

Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope • Big Machine • 2017

Virtues: Faith; Prudence

Reba McEntire blessed the world with her first gospel album in 2017, Sing It now: Songs of Faith & Hope.  While the entire album is incredibly uplifting, “Back to God” ranks among the most moving moments.  With all the problems that plague the world, Reba asserts, “We gotta give this world / Back to God.” This is a song that certainly appeals to the Christian base, embracing the power of faith and prayer above all. Even though “Back to God” isn’t a new song (Randy Hauser composed and sang it originally in 2008), Reba makes it her own, giving it new life.

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9. Machine Gun Kelly, “At My Best”

Ft. Hailee Steinfeld

Bloom • Bad Boy/ Interscope • 2017

Virtues: Courage; Fortitude; Prudence

“At My Best” featuring Hailee Steinfeld is soundly produced, fusing elements of pop and rap.  This is pop-rap, but Machine Gun Kelly retains his toughness.  He doesn’t merely sing rhythmically, but still musters up grit with unpitched rhymes. The message is a selling point.  MGK uplifts, rapping with the utmost prudence.

As for Steinfeld, she shines on the uplifting hook:

“I shout, I swear, I get angry, I get scared
I fall, I break, I mess up, I make mistakes
But if you can’t take me at my worst
You don’t deserve me at my best.”

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10. Muse, “Dig Down”

Simulation Theory • Warner Bros. • 2018

Virtue: Courage; Fortitude; Diligence; Justice

Muse returned in 2017 with a new single, “Dig Down” (Simulation Theory, 2018). Like so many musicians, Muse aims for a trendy topic – political corruption.  In the eyes of Muse, society is currently screwed up, but we can fix it.  From the jump, frontman Matthew Bellamy is charged up.

On the first verse, he’s discouraged by the state of the world, yet resolute to find a fix.

“When hope and love has been lost and you fall to the ground
You must find a way…
When God decides to look the other way and a clown takes the throne
We must find a way.”

Notably, Muse references a clown (President Trump), as well as taking a shot at God (Bellamy is unapologetically atheist). The chorus is grand, in all its neo-prog rock glory, simply but effectively delivering Muse’s message. The chorus is both musically and lyrically more optimistic.  There’s a sense of resilience despite the ugliness that’s pervading the world. Bellamy lists the misfortunes of society, urging us to, well, “dig down.”

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11. Imagine Dragons, “Whatever it Takes”

Evolve • Interscope • 2017

Virtue: Diligence

Clearly, Dan Reynolds and Imagine Dragons are willing to do “Whatever It Takes”. That is sheer diligence for sure! On the verses, Reynolds approaches the vocals rhythmically, in pop-rap fashion.  It works, but doesn’t provide the most tuneful melody.

Regardless, the band flexes on the chorus:

“Whatever it takes
‘Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins
I do whatever it takes
‘Cause I love how it feels when I break the chains…”

The bridge is rich in vocabulary.  Of course, all the words rhyme, compromising the integrity of the vocabulary a smidge. All though a bit different from other songs by the band, “Whatever It Takes” still features the signature cues associated with the Nevada collective.

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12. Kanye West, “Ultralight Beam”

Ft. Kelly Price, Kirk Franklin, The-Dream & Chance the Rapper

The Life of Pablo • G.O.O.D. / Def Jam • 2016

Virtue: Faith 

“Ultralight Beam” commences The Life of Pablo hauntingly, embracing the spiritual side of the ever-polarizing Kanye West.  “Ultralight Beam” is by far the best song from the album. West taps a star-studded guest list that includes Kelly Price, Kirk Franklin, The-Dream, and Chance the Rapper. Minimalistic yet epic, Kanye West has crafted a spiritual masterpiece assisted by a chilling gospel choir, a rousing Price, and the fiery, pitch-perfect rhymes from Chance the Rapper.

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13. Kendrick Lamar, “How Much a Dollar Cost”

Ft. Ronald Isley & James Fauntleroy

To Pimp a Butterfly • Interscope • 2015

Virtue: Charity; Faith; Liberality; Prudence

One of the darkest, most haunting productions helps to fuel “How Much a Dollar Cost,” not to mention the vocal contributions of both James Fauntleroy and Ron Isley. Kendrick Lamar tells a story about a homeless man, whom he refuses to give money, hence showing a shallow side. At one point Kendrick raps:

“I looked at him and said, ‘Every nickel is mines to keep’
He looked at me and said, ‘Know the truth, it’ll set you free
You’re lookin’ at the Messiah, the son of Jehovah, the higher power.”

By the end of the verse, listeners find out just “How Much a Dollar Cost”: “The price of having a spot in Heaven, embrace your loss, I am God.”

Heady!

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14. Marvin Sapp, “Close”

Close • Provident • 2017

Virtue: Faith; Hope; Patience; Prudence

Marvin Sapp showcases a beautiful vocal tone throughout the course of “Close”, the crowning achievement of his album of the same title.  As the song progresses, the performance grows progressively more rousing, thanks to authentic, emotional lead vocals, backing choral vocals, and dynamic production.  Gospel music is naturally filled with the spirit, meant to uplift its recipients, much like the minister at the church “fills up” the parishioners.  “Close” packs the same punch, giving the listener the utmost hope and conviction to make it through life’s hardships and many tribulations.  In that regard, “Close” is pitch perfect.

“I must be close to my destiny
Extremely close to my victory
'Cause here comes Trials and troubles, jealousy and envy
I must be close to what You have for me
I must be close to my overflow
Extremely close to my miracle
Because here comes
Confusion, problems and enemies
I just believe
That I must be close to what You have for me.”

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15. John Legend, “One Woman Man”

Fifty Shades Darker • Republic • 2017

Virtues: Love; Temperance

Among the best songs from the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack is “One Woman Man,” courtesy of John Legend (co-written with Toby Gad).  Legend gives the soundtrack a timely lift when he arrives.  As soulful as ever, he shows his knack for nuance and emotionally-driven vocal performances.  Ultimately, “One Woman Man” ranks among the crème de la crème because of its authenticity.  This could easily appear on a John Legend album and feel right in place.

 

“A one-woman man
A one-woman man, oh
Want you all to myself
Don’t want nobody else…”

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[📷 : Interscope, Def Jam, Atlantic, Warner Bros., RCA, Capitol, Bad Boy, Big Machine, G.O.O.D., Provident, Republic]

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