20 Songs About Apparel: Clothes & Shoes Reloaded | Playlist 🎧

“20 Songs about Apparel: Clothes & Shoes Reloaded” features music courtesy of Beyoncé, City Girls, Justin Timberlake, Myylo & NoMBe.

“(Tell me your name, not your brand) / Clothes don’t make a man.” Totally agree Angie Stone, and the same goes for women as well! If the aforementioned writing sounds familiar, well, that’s because it is – I copied from myself.  Why? Well, the playlist at hand, 20 SONGS ABOUT THE APPAREL: CLOTHES & SHOES RELOADED, serves as an expansion of a previously published playlist, 9 Songs About Clothes and Shoes, from August 2018. Yes, #Time 2 Update!

That playlist, along with this re-upped version, is all about articles of clothing – jeans, shirts, dresses, suits, and shoes.  Furthermore, brands (Balenciaga or Timberland) or a pattern/design (camouflage), also fit the criteria. SONGS ABOUT THE APPAREL: CLOTHES & SHOES RELOADED features music courtesy of Beyoncé (“6 Inch”), City Girls (“Panties An Bra”), Justin Timberlake (“Flannel” and “Suit & Tie”), Myylo (“Doc Martens”), and NoMBe (“Heels”) among many others.  Without further ado, let’s get dressed…or undressed in some cases! Yeah, I also ‘jacked’ that line from myself 😉.

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1. NoMBe, “Heels”

“Heels” • TH3RD BRAIN • 2020 

“Silk and high fashion / Only the best / She wears Chanel’s finest / Mixed with coffee and sex…” It’s always great when something is refreshing in any context.  From a musical context, an artist who is refreshing makes you excited and reinvigorated about the possibilities of music. NoMBe brings those refreshing vibes to the table with his brand of electric soul (he’s branded under the umbrella of ‘alternative’).  The musician whose real name is Noah McBeth kicks off SONGS ABOUT APPAREL with a bang with “Heels.”

“Heels” possesses an alternative R&B sound, which instantly pleases the ears. I adore the use of guitar throughout, but particularly how overt it is during the chorus section. Complementing the production, with its pop electronic, and 80s elements are soulful vocals by McBeth. Perhaps that’s where the ‘alternativeness’ comes into play – he doesn’t merely sound like a contemporary soul singer.  Furthermore, the harmonic progression, while simple overall, has a couple of quirks, particularly chromaticism.

Lyrically, sex is loud and clear, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.  “My baby’s she’s blessed / Ready for action / And dressed for revenge,” McBeth sings on the first verse.  On the second, he adds, “I wish we could make up / Maybe undress / Just like mother earth made us / No fabric, no tags.” Damn, it’s getting hot in here, like, Sean Paul “Temperature” hot! Of course, the best part of the song is the infectious, kinky chorus:

“So, go on put your favorite heels on
So, go no put your favorite heels on
Go put your favorite heels on and walk all over me.”

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2. Greyson Chance, “Boots”

“Boots” • Arista • 2019

“Ooh, I feel like I’m running…” Fresh off his comeback LP, Portraits, Greyson Chance blessed us with “Boots”, a single where he shows us what a legitimate cowboy looks like as opposed to faux ones constructing faux ‘Western imagery.’ From the jump, it’s pretty clear that Chance has a gem on his hands.  At under three minutes in duration, the record is brief but incredibly effective.  Bram Inscore, a co-writer alongside Chance and Sean Kennedy, construct a fine backdrop (canvas if you will) for Chance to paint upon.

Following his ‘running’ intro, he wastes no times cowboying it up like the Oklahoma-bred boy he is, dissing the fake cowboys of California.  “I’ve been western before all of these punks,” he sings, continuing, “These punks in California who think they can punch.” Later, he trades ‘punks’ for ‘stars,’ singing, “These stars in California who think that they are hard.”  That, of course, goes beyond the cowboy lifestyle. Of course, he couldn’t have a killer boot song without referencing Nancy Sinatra, right? Right! “Boots with the big heels, hot like I’m Nancy” is the perfect way to commence the second verse.  Also, concluding the verse with the confident line “‘Cause I’ve been making people mad since the start / And making too much money to be wasted in this bar,” is pretty sick as well.  Don’t think Chance is totally ‘old fashioned’ – he gets a weed reference in towards the end (“I’m smoking way too loud; I’m feeling good high now”).  “Boots” previously appeared on the playlist, 11 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy in November 2019.

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3. Davis Mallory, “Shirtless”

“Shirtless” • Lionboy • 2019

“So, like a tall glass of water / Got me thirsty / Can’t take my eyes off of ya / when you’re shirtless, when you’re shirtless…” As the saying goes, “If you got it, flaunt it.” No, I’m not a fan of cocky guys, let alone those godawful, hedonistic, fuckboys. That said, like Davis Mallory on “Shirtless,” I can appreciate legitimate eye candy that’s being served up.  In this case, that eye candy is quite decadent from Mallory’s perspective.  He appreciates the confidence of the hotties, definitely the view, and how that view makes him feel, if you catch my drift.  A proud member of the LGBTQ+, let me remind you that the singer, songwriter, and DJ previously appeared on The Real World: Denver and The Challenge.

As expected, “Shirtless” features slick production work, courtesy of Joakim Buddee, who writes alongside Mallory.  The sound of the record is fittingly bright, energetic, and enthusiastic. Regardless of sexual preference, think about how you feel when you see someone who’s fine as hell… That’s what “Shirtless” encapsulates.  The lyrics are ‘over the top’ and dramatic, yet, when you think about it, we’re all ‘over the top,’ dramatic, and extra when it comes to crushes, fantasies, and such.  Sure, it’s not the most poetic record, but there are some memorable moments lyrically including “All of your muscles and your veins / Oh, they’re driving me insane / Raise my hands and singing praise / Thanking God for what he made / And the sun’s out / And your guns out.” Jesus!

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4. Myylo, “Doc Martens”

I’m a Nice Boy (EP) • Myylo • 2019

“My music is pretty preoccupied with boys and love,” Myylo answers when I inquired about what makes him distinct or unique as a musician.  The Nashville-based LGBTQ pop musician ‘knocked it out of the park’ on his alluring, independently released, second EP, I’m a Nice Boy, in 2019. One hell of a unique artist, he “mixes idiosyncratic lyricism, janky classical guitar, lo-fi saxophone licks, and sky-high falsettos to create something truly special.” Comprised of five singles released between 2018 and 2019, “Doc Martens” gets our undivided attention on SONGS ABOUT APPAREL: CLOTHES & SHOES RELOADED.

“Doc Martens and cotton Ts / Blessed to death with his daddy’s genes / Skinny body by creatine / I think I’ll make him fall in love with me.” Have shoes ever sounded as hot as they do in Myylo’s hands on “Doc Martens”? That’s rhetorical, so, of course not! The stellar “Doc Martens” isn’t really about the shoes, but more about the man that Myylo is digging.  He definitely does sound like a hunk! There’s so much to love about “Doc Martens” – the exuberant production, the tongue-n-cheek songwriting – everything! That said, if you could pinpoint one indisputable selling point, it’s the flawless, ripe falsetto. The vocals are definitely ‘on fire’ here. One of my favorite parts of the song besides the aforementioned verse:

“Get him back him to my house
Kiss him up in my bedroom
Spilling all of our secrets
Curled up on my pillows
Make him bacon in the AM
So, we don’t break up till the world end.”

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5. Gnash, “T-shirt”

We • Atlantic • 2019

Alternative artist Garret Nash, better known as gnash, had a huge ‘come-up’ in 2016, thanks to the release of hit single, “I hate u, I love u”. It was likely the unique, hipster vibe along with singing about the ups and downs of love that made the record “kind of a big deal.”  Post-‘hate/love,’ the versatile musician released several singles (“The broken hearts club” and “Imagine if” among them), leading up to tthe release of his official debut album, We (2019), which features plenty of pleasant, well-crafted records about love.

On “T-Shirt,” Gnash is experiencing quite the emotional toll, blamed on that four-letter word, specifically the plight of that four-letter word, sigh. In the context of We, prior to T-Shirt (“Nobody’s home”), The relationship has expired, and he’s feeling the aftershocks you might say.  On “T-Shirt,” the garment plays a significant role because it’s the only thing that remains with him from their relationship.  By the end, he cusses the inanimate object, which serves as a reminder of how she broke his heart:

“You broke my heart and all I got was this t-shirt
T-shirt, this stupid, fucking t-shirt.”

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6-7. Ryan Beatty, “God in Jeans” / “Camo”

Boy in Jeans • Boy in Jeans • 2018

“God is real, he was sleeping in my bed last night / We were naked with the radio on / Played him my favorite song.” Ryan Beatty gets blasphemous on the chorus of “God in Jeans,” one of a countless number of highlights from his debut album, Boy in Jeans.  Sorry God… but it’s difficult not to “yield to temptation” for this bop. “God in Jeans” features a sick, hard-hitting, soulful beat.  This provides as a great anchor to the alt-pop/rock sound. Notably, it’s different from anything else on Boy in Jeans.  Besides the aforementioned, there are more spiritual references on the verses including prayer, joy, preaching, and choir.

On the second verse, he seems to address both his boyfriend, and judgmental people as he sings, “Oh my God, you know I need ya / If I’m going to hell, I’m taking you with me.”  There are Christians (not all) who don’t approve of homosexuality and consider it a ticket to hell.  We don’t have a visual, unfortunately, but the boy definitely wears those jeans well – at least if we go by the audio. “God in Jeans” has appeared on numerous playlists: 15 Songs Where Guys Sing About Guys; God is in the Midst of These 11 Secular Songs; A Compendium Comprised of 100 Notable LGBTQ+ Songs.

With god sounding so fierce in the jeans, Beatty had another clothes-oriented number Boy in Jeans, “Camo”, which actually precedes “God in Jeans” on the track list. “Camo print depression / I keep my feelings hidden / No pills, no thrills / I’m not used to winning / But that’s life, that’s life.” As the aforementioned lyrical excerpt suggests, as a teen, Beatty tried to ‘blend in’ – play it straight if you will – despite being gay. Obviously, this affected him mentally, before living his truth.

In addition to the theme of the record, “Camo” benefits from fresh production that’s mysterious, slick, and urban-tinged.  The beat helps “Camo” to stay afloat with its driving rhythm.  Beyond the superb backdrop fueling him, Beatty sounds absolutely terrific.  He blesses the track with a mixture of compelling, mid-range tenor and sweet falsetto. The results are a quirky, yet incredibly intriguing and personal record. “Camo,” like “God in Jeans,” has appeared on previous playlists: 13 Awesome Songs That Highlight Mental Health; 19 Songs That Reference Coming Out; A Compendium Comprised of 100 Notable LGBTQ+ Songs.

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8. Cheat Codes, “Balenciaga”

Level 1 (EP) • Too Easy / 300 Entertainment • 2018

“I wonder, baby, do I even bother? / Do you ever think about me? / Bought you Balenciaga and Prada / That boujee kinda love ain’t cheap.” The lux clothes are in play, courtesy of Los Angeles production team Cheat Codes (Trevor Dahl, Kevin Ford, and Matthew Russell). “Balenciaga” tends to favor the smooth vibes of urban contemporary/urban-pop music, though still firmly under the umbrella of dance music.

Thematically, this luxurious song focuses on materialism and superficiality, regarding a man buying expensive things for his girl. The instrumental section, post-drop, is clearly EDM-oriented – readymade for the dance floor. Notably, the synths are hard and biting, particularly one patterned after low brass.  Furthermore, Cheat Codes anchors things down with a punchy, danceable beat.  Dance on bros, dance on.

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9. City Girls, “Panties An Bra”

Girl Code • Quality Control Music • 2018

“When you come to the spot (Come to the spot) / I’m takin’ it off (Takin’ it off) …” City Girls certainly don’t play around – understatement.  Much like Davis Mallory on the aforementioned “Shirtless,” Yung Miami and JT enjoy fewer garments, sigh.  And with those fewer garments, well, you could say that certain events – certain acts – are bound to happen.  “Panties An Bra,” the apparel song at hand, appears on the duo’s 2018 album, Girl Code.

There’s not much song with “Panties An Bra.” This brief cut clocks in at just under two minutes.  Even so, that’s enough for both Yung Miami – who handles most of the song – and JT to express their ‘desires.’  I featured the beginning of the chorus, performed by Miami, but left out a key portion lyrically:

“…Open the door (Open the door)
Just panties and bra (Panties and bra)
Just panties and bra (Comin’ right off)
Panties and bra (“Comin’ right off) …”

Pretty obvious where “Panties An Bra” was going with the title alone, but the chorus confirms it.  The sound is quite hardnosed, sexed-up, and of course, unapologetic. Let’s explore some of the other lyrical highlights, shall we? Well, sticking with Yung Miami, she definitely enjoys ‘the stick’

“‘Bout to make a porn (Porn, porn, get it, get it)
Boy, I love it when you get right to the business
Lick it, stick it, damn, nigga
Yeah, you got me spoiled (Damn, nigga).”

Damn, indeed.  Can’t leave JT out: “Bitin’ on my neck with a lil’ ass grippin’ / Meet me at the spot, let’s say around three / Just bring that dick, a Plan B, and Hennessey (We fuckin’).” Wow… told you those Girls don’t play!

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10. Marlon Williams, “Beautiful Dress”

Make Way for Love • Dead Oceans • 2018

“Didn’t you lay beside me / In my mother’s home? / Hung like a pendant / My little heart of stone.” Oh, how poetic Marlon Williams – sigh. The soulful “Beautiful Dress” commences with guitar, a key instrument throughout Williams’ awesome sophomore LP, Make Way for Love.  On this gorgeous ballad, Williams paints the backdrop with his buttery-smooth, dignified, pipes. I might even go so far to say Williams’ vocals resemble a three-letter word… is that too much?

Anyways, after exhibiting restraint throughout the first verse and chorus, the intensity picks up on the second – more oomph dynamically, instrumentally, and vocally.  The chorus is a major selling point.

“Ooh!
Let me wear you like a beautiful dress
Let me love you
Let me wear you like a beautiful dress, yes!”

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11. Yung Bans, “In My Underwear”

Yung Bans • Yung Bans / Foundation • 2018

Underwear is a clothing item, so Yung Bans, you are definitely covered on “In My Underwear” (Yung Bans, 2018).  Rappers have been known to reference boxers and such, so, it’s not that far-fetched with have an undies song that’s not panties related.  That said,  if you were expecting something sexually stimulating with “In My Underwear,” well, you’ll be utterly disappointed, sigh.

“Yeah, slidin’ down yo block, big Glock in my underwear
Police pull me over right now, I’m gon’ get the chair
This a dirty game, if you gon’ play, you gotta stay aware
Niggas doin’ all that talkin’, ain’t no action, how I know you scared.”

Yeah, other than referencing a big Glock in his underwear, Yung Bans eschews discussing what he’s wearing… We know he doesn’t wear designer…  He does reference that ‘Glock’ and sex on the sole verse, but it’s definitely NOT romantic:

“No love for a bitch, I just bust in her jaw
Fuck that bitch so good I can cheat, she ain’t goin’ nowhere.”

Ugh, sounds like a dick that’s only worried about the pleasure he receives via his dick.  I guess we’ll leave it on this apparel-themed list but damn Yung Bans, at least tells us if you’re a boxer, boxer-brief, or briefs guy!

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12. Justin Timberlake, “Flannel”

Man of the Woods • RCA • 2018

“Right behind my left pocket / That is where you’ll feel my soul / It’s been with me many winters / It will keep you warm.” Man of the Woods, the highly-anticipated comeback album by Justin Timberlake, is an enjoyable and inoffensive effort that suffers from blurry vision. “I think the album has a wide range of sonics to it, but, I guess I would describe it as modern Americana with 808s.” Hmm… You can decide for yourself if the album is nearsighted or farsighted or perhaps worse, like myself, has an astigmatism. The Americana concept doesn’t work consistently.  That said, we do get some Americana flavor, much closer to the ‘JT vision,’ on “Flannel.”

“And in her face, she knew I wasn’t staying / I was leavin’ with my flannel on.”  Initially, Timberlake serves this record up without any pop trickery – it sounds purely country. Soon enough, the trickery – 808s – come in.  During the last minute-and-a-half of “Flannel,” his wife, actress Jessica Biel, provides additional narration during an enigmatic, unexpected production switch-up.

“Do you see?
Look at all of it from up here
It’s beautiful, it’s beautiful
Do you see it?”

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13. The National, “Turtleneck”

Sleep Well Beast • 4AD • 2017

“Oh my mother, let your daughter dance with me / I’d like to spin her wild around the cottonwood tree / There’s something about her eyes, I think her roots are rotten / This must be the reason she wears her hair up in knots, oh no…” Yes, I honestly considered The Lonely Island single, “Turtleneck & Chain”, but I thought better of it.  Well, honestly, I knew there was a more accomplished, deeper “Turtleneck” by Grammy-winning alternative collective, The National.  “Turtleneck” appears as the sixth track on their brilliant, 2017 album, Sleep Well Beast.  No, “Turtleneck” doesn’t eclipse the ‘ace in the hole’ from Sleep Well Beast (“The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness”), but it’s another well-rounded, totally enjoyable record that brings out the best in Matt Berninger musically.

In the context of Sleep Well Beast, “Turtleneck” directly contrasts the sweetness of the song that precedes it, “Born to Beg.” The lyrics, as excerpted above, are quite colorful, intense, and intriguing.  The pre-chorus and chorus that follow are absolutely ferocious.  More notably, they are symbolic, referencing politics (Trump in particular), religion, society, and such.

“This is so embarrassing
Ah, we’re pissing fits
Crying on our doorsteps in t-shirts loose and ripped
Some of them so out of style I cannot save them
They’ll just get whatever my salvation gave them
… Hide your backbone, shrug your shoulders
Give the gift that fits your head
You have to get this turtleneck.”

There are more awesome lyrics, but you can check them out for yourself.  Worth mentioning is that harmonically, Turtleneck” has similarities to “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness.” The assertiveness of the band, led by Berninger, stands out here.   The guitar solo is pretty sweet as well, in the most kick ass way possible that is!

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14. Taylor Swift, “Dress”

Reputation • Big Machine • 2017

There’s been a lot of dudes on this list, but girls enjoy their clothes as well – or at least songs named after articles of clothing.  Getting right down to it, Taylor Swift gets sexy on “Dress.” Yes, you read correctly, but just in case you missed it, I’ll repeat myself: Taylor Swift gets sexy on “Dress.” We don’t necessarily associate Swift with sexiness where her music is concerned, even though she’s attractive herself and encompasses love throughout most of her albums in some capacity.  Here, on “Dress,” the sexiness unveils itself!

On “Dress,” Swift asserts that she “Only bought this dress so you could take it off / Take it off, o-o-off.” Again, prior to her 2017 album, reputation, the pop star  had never been so overt.  Still, at the same time, there’s no reason whatsoever to overreact or over sensationalize. Yeah, she’s being suggestive, but she definitely does so without explicitly crossing any lines. She’s much classier than some of her contemporaries, that’s for sure. Furthermore, if she wants to be sexy, who’s to stop her and why should they need or want to?

“And if I get burned, at least we were electrified
I’m spilling wine in the bathtub
You kiss my face and we’re both drunk
Everyone thinks that they know us
But they know nothing about – ”

I’ll leave it there.

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15. Foo Fighters, “T-Shirt”

Concrete and Gold • RCA • 2017

“I don’t wanna be ‘queen’ / Just trying to keep my t-shirt clean…”  In 2017, Grammy-winning rock collective Foo Fighters made a highly anticipated return with their ninth studio album, Concrete and Gold.  On Concrete and Gold, Dave Grohl and company offer the listener plenty of ear candy.  At times, they hit hard, while at other times, they scale things back.  As a whole, it’s quite intriguing.  The album begins with an article of clothing – rather a brief song, “T-Shirt.”

When I say brief, I mean “T-Shirt” doesn’t even make it to one-and-a-half minutes in duration.  Furthermore, rather than commencing in hard hitting fashion, it initiates more reservedly.  Of course, Foo Fighters aren’t known for prolonged subtlety. This lasts a mere 30 seconds, before the Foo Fighter-ness comes out roaring.  I find it quite interesting that the above mentioned lyrics initiate the shift, with a sound that has some Queen influence…

“There’s one thing that I have learned
If it gets much better, it’s going to get worse
And you get what you deserve.”

Well, the aforementioned lyrics that grace that epic second verse are definitely prudent.  Also, worth noting, “T-Shirt” foreshadows a number of songs to come on Concrete and Gold.

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16. Tuxedo, “Fux with the Tux”

Tuxedo II • Stones Throw • 2017

“You got to fux with the tux / Are you ready?” Or course Tuxedo, of course! Any time that an album opener begins with a profane song title that also includes profanity lyrically, it’s all good!  Sure, the catchphrase that the R&B duo (Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One) devised is risqué, but it’s also absolutely clever.

For a throwback, funky R&B joint, “Fux with the Tux” is chocked-full of swagger, amplified by an appearance by the one-and-only Snoop Dogg. According to Snoop, “‘Cause the only time you wear a tuxedo / Is when it’s time to party / You don’t need to flex / It’s just the T-U-X / Ho!” If you didn’t know who Tuxedo were prior to the ‘fux-ing,’ well, you know them now, so ‘fux with them.’ Too much? Fux!

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17. Blackbear, “Bright Pink Tims”

Ft. Cam’ron

Cybersex • Interscope • 2017

“Yeah, I make money, I start trends / My first car, it was a Benz / My whole closet, your whole crib / See through shirt on, bright pink Tims.” Blackbear gets specific about his clothing on banger “Bright Pink Tims”, among the highlights from his 2017 mixtape, cybersex. “Bright Pink Tims” opens with dark, mysterious, foreboding production work, including trap drum programming. Ultimately, the backdrop sets the tone for the record.

As aforementioned, blackbear flexes from the jump.  He pop-raps the first verse. While he doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking, he’s effective with the cocky, confident hip-hop clichés (“Your main chick a 6, a 7 at best / She leave with me, she turned to a 10…”).  The chorus is confident and assured, intact with blackbear’s natural vocals, as well as pitch-shifted, hip-hop vocals. Cam’ron drops the second verse, starting slow at first, before coming into his own including, “And don’t even ask / These shoes I got on, you could never pronounce.”

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18. Migos, “T-Shirt”

Culture • 300 Entertainment • 2017

“Mama told me not to sell work / Seventeen five, same color T-shirt.” “T-Shirt” marks the final rap joint on this apparel-themed list, even if there’s some ‘hip-hop’ to come… to some extent.  Anyways, who better to rap us out, and help us to ‘wrap up’ than the Migos, schooling us on the Culture? “T-Shirt” features slick production work, embracing the southern hip-hop sound that is naturally drenched swag.

The production is malicious sounding, featuring a hard-hitting beat.  Essentially, the M.O. is a tough-minded, gives no flips record. Notably, Takeoff raps the first verse, approaching it in a broken, staccato style of rap.

“Neck water faucet, mockingbirds mocking (woo)
Act pint, stocking, nats keep thotting (nat)
Wrist on hockey, wrist on rocky (rocky)
Lotta niggas copy (huh), name someone can stop me (no one).”

Ultimately, it’s a solid banger – a great example of Culture… the album that is.

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19. Beyoncé, “6 Inch”

Ft. The Weeknd

Lemonade • Sony • 2016

“Six-inch heels, she walked in the club like nobody’s business / Goddamn, she murdered everybody, and I was her witness.” Well, the woman that is the subject of “6 Inch” is confident AF to say the least – fierceness exemplified.  “6 Inch,” of course, appears on the superb Grammy-winning Beyoncé album, Lemonade, which arrived in all its illustrious glory in 2016.  The most fascinating part of “6 Inch” is the aforementioned sultry chorus, sung in her low register over an Isaac Hayes sample (“Walk on By”). Also, worth mentioning, she enlists The Weeknd for the assist.  Safe to say, he’s a perfect match.

“She stack her money, money everywhere she goes / She got that Sake, her Yamazaki straight from Tokyo,” Beyoncé sings ono the second verse, continuing, “Oh baby you know, she got them commas and them decimals / She don’t gotta give it up cause she professional.” Clearly, this woman is on the grind, working hard for her money.  Of course, all said and done, it’s the ‘inch’ that earns “6 Inch” a spot on this measurement-driven, quantification list. “6 Inch” previously appeared on the playlist, 10 Intriguing Measurement, Quantification Songs.

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20. Justin Timberlake, “Suit & Tie”

Ft. Jay-Z

The 20/20 Experience • RCA • 2013

Ah, we close out 20 SONGS ABOUT APPAREL with “Suit & Tie” – how totally dashing and stylish! “Suit & Tie” served as the promo single for The 20/20 Experience, the long-awaited, comeback album from Grammy-winning pop superstar, Justin Timberlake. Prior to The 20/20 Experience, it had been seven years since FutureSex/LoveSound was among the most commercially dominant, memorable albums of 2006.  The 20/20 Experience wouldn’t end up supplanting FutureSex/LoveSound, but, with standouts like “Suit & Tie,” it certainly had its fair share of moments.

Notably, Timberlake enlisted the talents of Jay-Z for “Suit & Tie.” He’d reciprocate Jay’s guest spot on the Grammy-winning Best/Rap Sung Collaboration, “Holy Grail” (Magna Carta… Holy Grail, 2013).  I actually find JT’s feature on “Holy Grail” to be bigger than Hov’s on “Suit & Tie.” Sure, Hov comes along for the ride, and serves up a successful contribution, but Timberlake ‘holds it down’ all by himself.

The beginning of the cut is chopped-n-screwed, with Timberlake asserting, “I be on my suit and tie shit / Can I show you a few things…Let me show you a few things.” Yes lawd – puh-lease do Justin!  Anyways, refocusing, the style is sunny-sounding pop soul, with Timberlake eating that shit up (he’s on his “Suit and tie shit” after all), amplifying schmaltziness. Regardless, his falsetto is incredibly impressive, while his performance has ample swagger. “Suit & Tie” – now that’s some good ‘shit’ right there!

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20 Songs about Apparel: Clothes & Shoes Reloaded [Photo Credits: 4AD, 300 Entertainment, Arista, Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Big Machine, Boy in Jeans, Dead Oceans, Foundation, Interscope, Lionboy, The Musical Hype, Myylo, Pixabay, Pexels, Quality Control, RCA, Sony, TH3RD BRAIN, Yung Bans] 

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