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After completing two thirds of the challenge, The Musical Hype presents 30-Day Song Challenge : The Playlist, Part 2 .

Born out of the COVID-19 pandemic was a new trend, the 30-Day Song Challenge . According to

Bustle:

The 30-day song challenge is a trending activity that allows Instagram users to share their favorite music along with a little information about themselves. Each day on the challenge’s calendar describes what type of song someone taking part in the challenge should post for that day.

30-Day Song Challenge : The Playlist works much like the IG trending activity. The Musical Hype releases a song a day, at 12 PM ET, based on the prompt for that respective day, for 30 consecutive days.  At the end of 30 days, the full-fledged 30-Day Song Challenge playlist will bow, in all of its glory (and it will be glorious).  After completing two thirds of the Challenge – The 30-Day Song Challenge : The Playlist, Part 1 arrived May, 21 – The Musical Hype presents 30-DAY SONG CHALLENGE : THE PLAYLIST, PART 2.  PART 2 features the first 10 songs, including music courtesy of  Alicia Keys, Demi Lovato, Drake, Marvin Gaye, and Pearl Jam among others. Without further ado, dive into 30-DAY SONG CHALLENGE : THE PLAYLIST, PART 2!  Just Click on the arrows ↔ and buttons below ↓.

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Day 11: Drake, “Nice for What”

Day 11 Prompt: A song you never get tired of

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Drake had a huge year in 2018 with his double album, Scorpion. “God’s Plan” was certainly his ‘ace in the hole,’ but the superb “Nice for What” replaced “God’s Plan” at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Nice for What” brilliantly samples the beloved, Lauryn Hill classic, “Ex-Factor” (“Care for me, care for me, you said you’d care for me / There for me, ther for me, said you’d be there for me…”). The producers soundly use the sample, speeding it up, yet retaining its original glory. Furthermore, an excellent, old-school, hip-hop soul beat anchors down the record. Yes, I could’ve picked either “God’s Plan” or “In My Feelings” for Day 11 of the 30-Day Song Challenge – A song you never get tired of – but I opted for “Nice for What.”

Drake drops a compelling, rhythmic flow, oscillating between pop-rap and un-pitched rhymes. Musically, he makes good choices, specifically the use of space allowing Hill’s sampled vocals to shine.  Pretty ‘nice’ ear candy from this ‘what’ song you ask me! Among my personal favorite rhymes:

“Gotta hit the club, gotta make that ass jump
Gotta hit the club like you hit them motherfuckin’ angles
With your phone out, snappin’ like Fabo
And you showin’ off, but it’s alright
And you showin’ off, but it’s alright
It’s a short life.”

I selected “Nice for What” as the 10^th best song on 100 Best Songs of 2018.  Furthermore, the song appeared on the ‘nice’ playlist Prepare to Feel the Kindness of These 8 ‘Nice’ Songs as well as the what-centric A Playlist Comprised of 13 ‘What’ Songs.

Day 11: Drake, Nice for What | 30-Day Song Challenge

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Drake • Scorpion • Young Money / Cash Money • 2018

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Day 12: Lauryn Hill, “Ex-Factor”

Day 12 Prompt: A song from your preteen years

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“Tell me, who I have to be / To get some reciprocity.” Ah, YES, those timeless lyrics hail from one of the great classics about exes, “Ex-Factor” by Grammy-winning hip-hop/R&B musician, Lauryn Hill.

Even north of two decades since the release of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998), both the album, and that particular song carry ample weight.  Worth noting, “Ex-Factor” was sampled in Drake’s “Nice for What”, which appeared as the song of the day for Day 11 of the 30-Day Song Challenge (A song you never get tired of). Focusing only on “Ex-Factor,” it is a prime example of the plight of love, as well as how potent songs incorporating break ups can truly be.  It’s role in the 30-Day Song Challenge? Well, it fits Day 12: a song from your preteen years (more on that a little later).

At one point, Hill sings, “And when I try to walk away / You’d hurt yourself to make me stay / This is crazy.” Crazy indeed Ms. Lauryn Hill, but, again, exes and broken-off relationship serve among the preeminent topics in music regardless of genre. Yes, “Doo Wop (That Thing)” remains the crowning achievement (and number one hit) from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, but you can totally feel Hill’s struggle with love – it’s so relatable on “Ex-Factor.” My favorite section of the song is the ‘breakdown’:

“(Care) Care for me, care for me
I know you care for me
(There) There for me, there for me
Said you’d be there for me
(Cry) Cry for me, cry for me
You said you’d die for me
(Give) Give to me, give to me
Why won’t you live for me?”

“Ex-Factor” previously appeared on Throwback Thursday from Weekly Gems No. 3: Week of 4-13-2020.  Also, it was another song I curated as a track of the week on Music to Atone to. And, showing my age (ugh), the song and album arrived when I was 12 years old – that’s a preteen!’

Day 12: Lauryn Hill, Ex-Factor | 30-Day Song Challenge

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Lauryn Hill, “Ex-Factor” • The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill • Ruffhouse • 1998

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Day 13: Marvin Gaye, “The World is Rated X” 

Day 13 Prompt: A song you like from the 70s

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The late, great Marvin Gaye previously appeared on my ‘X-Rated’ playlist – say it ain’t so Marvin! Well, it’s not so… really.  The only reasons why “The World is Rated X” appeared on 11 Songs That are X-Rated, to Some Extent is because of (1) its song title and the fact that (2) it’s a damn good song.

Honestly, “Let’s Get it On” or “Sexual Healing” are much more risqué than “The World is Rated X” could ever hope to be.  “The World is Rated X” fits the criteria for Day 13: A song you like from the 70s.

“The World is Rated X” keeps Marvin Gaye’s ‘lost’ album, You’re the Man, going strong early on. A superb, socially charged standout, the production is masterful, led by the agile, robust bass lines, and the lush, dramatic strings. Gaye is locked-in, showing incredibly authenticity as he laments the corrupt state of the world.  Particularly at the end, he’s totally disturbed and totally riled up:

“Where’s the love? Where’s the peace?
Where’s the joy? Where’s the hope for us all?
God is watching, He knows where you’re at
Yes, he’s watching the situation, that’s a fact.”

Sure, “The World is Rated X” has appeared as a bonus track on various Marvin Gaye reissues, as well as You’re the Man, but is 70s through and though.

Day 13: Marvin Gaye, The World is Rated X | 30-Day Song Challenge

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Marvin Gaye • You’re the Man • Motown • 2019

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Day 14: Alicia Keys, “If I Ain’t Got You”

Day 14 Prompt: A song you’d love to be played at your wedding

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Back in the day, I had mad love for Alicia Keys – that was definitely my GF… in my mind.  Anyways, her very best albums arrived in the aughts, particularly debut album Songs in A Minor (2001) and my personal favorite, her sophomore album, The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003).

The Diary of Alicia Keys is where my potential wedding song hails from, “If I Ain’t Got You.” I’m still mad that John Mayer beat her for the Grammy for Song of the Year (“Daughters” is a great song too).

The reason why “If I Ain’t Got You” fits the prompt for Day 14 (a song you’d love to be played at your wedding) is the fact that it’s a love song.  Alicia Keys is singing to her lover on this neo-soul classic.  The only thing that my girls wants is him – her boo.  This is best exemplified on the chorus, one of the most timeless of the aughts from my perspective:

“Some people want it all
But I don’t want nothing at all
If it ain’t you, baby
If I ain’t got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain’t got you, yeah.”

Further making “If I Ain’t Got You” the bop that it is – the music and the production work.  That’s all Alicia Keys. She delivers a passionate, soulful vocal, while the piano accompaniment is simply perfect. As a pianist myself, the arpeggiated lines are fun to play as well as lovely to the ears.  Beyond the piano, there’s additional ear candy:  a relatively simple drum groove, bass, smooth electric guitar, horns… Yeah, this just screams love, matrimony, and of course, Day 14.  Now, do I envision marriage? Eh…

Day 14: Alicia Keys, If I Ain’t Got You | 30-Day Song Challenge

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Alicia Keys • The Diary of Alicia Keys • RCA • 2003

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Day 15: Kygo & Whitney Houston, “Higher Love” 

Day 15 Prompt: A song that’s a cover by another artist

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“Bring me a higher love / Where’s that higher love I keep thinking of?” In June 2019, the great Whitney Houston sung once more, albeit posthumously.  How so? Well, via a previously unreleased cover of a Steve Winwood song, “Higher Love”, remixed by Norwegian DJ/producer Kygo.

Cover is a key component of Day 15 of the 30-Day Song Challenge – a song that’s a cover by another artist. In its original ‘cover’ form, “Higher Lover” was recorded in 1991. The Kygo remix features some of the cues we’re accustomed to hearing from his production style/music including vocal loops, bright synths, keyboards, and an anchoring, danceable beat.  Furthermore, there are some pitch-shifted vocals, used in moderation as a cool effect.

What’s great about this recording is that it sounds like classic Whitney Houston, while also sounding like what she might’ve sounded like in 2019.  Houston passed away at the age of 48 in 2012. Clearly, “Higher Love” showcases Houston at her peak. Her voice sounds amazing – high-flying as it did during her heyday. All in all, “Higher Love” is an energetic, upbeat, uplifting song; definitely a feel-good pop-soul record.  “Higher Love” previously appeared on two playlists: 11 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy in June 2019 and 14 Songs Sure to Lift You Higher.

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Kygo & Whitney Houston • “Higher Love” • RCA • 2019

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Day 16: Prince, “Little Red Corvette” 

Day 16 Prompt: A song that’s a classic favorite

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“I guess I must be dumb ‘cuz you had a pocket full of horses / Trojan and some of them used…” Hmm, Prince definitely knew the power of sexual innuendo… or just sex in general. Exhibit B: “I guess I should’ve closed my eyes when you drove me to the place / Where your horses run free / Cuz I felt a little ill when I saw all the pictures / Of the jockeys that were there before me.”

The aforementioned lyrics confirm his knack for being suggestive without necessarily being explicit.  Sure, the lyrics from “Little Red Corvette” would never be welcomed in church or maybe even some extremely devout folks’ homes, but Prince has been more overt… This song is tailor made for Day 16 of the 30-Day Song Challenge: A song that’s a classic favorite.

If it wasn’t crystal clear, “Little Red Corvette” isn’t really about a car! It’s all about sex, something that Prince put into song so, um, sexually.  Examining the aforementioned lyrics under a microscope, this woman who he plans to hook up with has been with plenty of guys.  Two of my favorite words are quite the source of suggestiveness: horses and jockeys.  Of course, I can’t mention “Little Red Corvette” without highlight the chorus, which is the centerpiece of the iconic record:

“And honey, I say, Little Red Corvette
Baby, you’re much too fast (Oh)
Little Red Corvette
You need a love that’s gonna last.”

“Little Red Corvette” previously appeared on the playlist, In Remembrance: 13 Provocative Songs from Prince.

Day 16: Prince, Little Red Corvette | 30-Day Song Challenge

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Prince • 1999 • Warner • 1982 

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Day 17: Demi Lovato, “Sorry Not Sorry” 

Day 17 Prompt: A song you’d sing a duet with someone on karaoke

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“Payback is a bad bitch / And baby, I’m the baddest / You fuckin’ with a savage…” Demi Lovato definitely drops a sarcastic oops regarding her unapologetic feelings on the feisty, soulful “Sorry Not Sorry”.

“Sorry Not Sorry” kicks off her 2017 album, Tell Me You Love Me (which deserved more love than it received) with a serious bang.  This is a slick, urban-pop joint with crossover written all over it.  I’d definitely sing a duet with someone on karaoke with this fierce cut! This has Day 17 of the 30-Day Song Challenge written all over it!

“Sorry Not Sorry” is comprised of plenty ear candy. There are pitch-shifted vocals, hard anchoring drums, soulful, gospel-tinged piano, and of course synths. Lovato shows off her chops throughout, soaring to the highest of heights.’ Her best moments come on the chorus, where she’s supported by backing vocals.

“Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)
Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry)
Bein’ so bad got me feelin’ so good
Showin’ you up like I knew that I would
Baby, I’m sorry (I'm not sorry)
Baby, I’m sorry (I'm not sorry)
Feelin’ inspired ‘cause the tables have turned
Yeah, I'm on fire and I know that it burns.”

Something else worth noting about this song is there’s a sick video where producer Oak Felder goes through the recording process in detail. I selected “Sorry Not Sorry” as the 7^th best song of 2017 on my list of 100 Best Songs of 2017. It also previously appeared on the playlist, 13 Oops, Sorry & Other Mistakes Songs.

Day 17: Demi Lovato, Sorry Not Sorry | 30-Day Song Challenge

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Demi Lovato • Tell Me You Love Me • Island / Hollywood • 2017

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Day 18: Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald, “Own My Own”

Day 18 Prompt: A song from the year you were born

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So, Day 18 of the 30-Day Song Challenge makes me reveal my age – ugh! The prompt: A song from the year you were born.  Well, since I’m trying to keep things authentic, and even though I’ve been told I have a babyface and can pass for younger, I was born in 1986. Yeah, now that’s totally out there.

1986 does have some great music, though I will say, there were bigger, better years during the 80s but, can’t change my birth year unless I lie.  So, with that said, I go for one of my favorite duets of all time, “Own My Own” courtesy of Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald.

Patti LaBelle definitely experienced a resurgence of sorts in 1986.  She’d had success prior to this, most notably with LaBelle before going solo (“Lady Marmalade” is iconic).  Even so, “Own My Own” gave the R&B vet a number one hit – on the pop charts! Clearly, this gorgeous, lush duet between two awesome, distinct, and powerful voices propelled her album, Winner in You, to no. 1 on the Billboard 200, and her sole platinum-certified album from the RIAA.

Not only does “On My Own” feature two legendary musicians, it’s written and produced by a legendary team: Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager.  The form features standard sections (verses, chorus, bridge), but isn’t written ‘predictably’ either.  Patti LaBelle sings the first verse, singing incredibly expressively while also showing tremendous control. She follows with an abbreviation of the chorus essentially. As for Michael McDonald, he matches her on the second verse, also singing with great expression, followed by the full-fledged chorus:

“On my own
Once again, now
One more time
By myself.”

They then sing collaboratively on the bridge, followed by a Patti chorus, another McDonald verse, and the most powerful chorus yet, performed jointly.  Both vocalists let loose on that extended closing chorus, and who would have it any other way! We know Patti can blow the rafters off! Mike too honestly!

Day 18: Patti LaBelle, Own My Own | 30-Day Song Challenge

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Patti LaBelle • Winner in You • MCA • 1986

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Day 19: Pearl Jam, “Jeremy” 

Day 19 Prompt: A song that makes you think about life

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“Jeremy spoke in class today / Clearly, I remember / Pickin’ on the boy / Seemed a harmless little fuck / But we unleashed a lion / Gnashed his teeth.” One of the heaviest songs from both Songs Centered Around or Referencing Suicide, Vol. 1 and the 30-Day Song Challenge is  “Jeremy.”

“Jeremy” is a gem from Ten, the 1991 debut album by Pearl Jam.  “Jeremy” is a song, written in narrative form, depicting a teenage boy, clearly unappreciated in his life, who ultimately commits suicide.  Hmm, definitely feels perfect for Day 19, a song that makes you think about life.

“Dead lay in pools of maroon below
Daddy didn’t give attention
To the fact that Mommy didn’t care
King Jeremy the wicked
Ruled his world.”

A powerful music video helps to make “Jeremy” feel even more authentic. Even more powerful is that the song was inspired by a real-life Jeremy who committed suicide in front of his teacher and classmates by gun.  The music video finds Jeremy kill himself, but in the censored, distributed version, it confusingly ends with his classmates covered in blood.  Is there a school shooting, mass murder vibe here? No, Rob Galluzzo clarifies that director Bruce Ashley’s “intention is that his blood is literally on their hands”.

Perhaps the reason why “Jeremy” makes me think about life is that too often, we don’t mind how we treat others.  By bullying someone else, we a literally making their life a living hell.  There are many “Jeremys” in the world and rather than treat them badly or ignore them, we must be better, kinder, and more compassionate people.

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Pearl Jam • Ten • Epic • 1991

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Day 20: Bon Iver, “21 M◊◊N WATER” 

Day 20 Prompt: A song that has many meanings to you

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Grammy-winning alternative collective Bon Iver, led by Justin Vernon, deliver the eclectic 22, A Million in 2016.  Incorporating electronic cues and acoustic cues alike, 22, A Million is nothng short of intriguing.  While its lyrics can be challenging – drenched in spirituality, numerology, and the most accessibly, romance – 22, A Million makes listeners think.

For Day 20 in the 30-Day Song Challenge, I borrowed “21 M◊◊N WATER” – fittingly the seventh track from 22, A Million – from 13 Wet Songs About Water, Water, Water!. “21 M◊◊N WATER” perfectly fits the prompt: A song that has many meanings to you.  In this case, I’m not so worried about the personal meaning, but the fact that this song has lots to unpack, literally, lots of meanings.

“21 M◊◊N WATER” is filled with thought-provoking lyrics and references.  Like much of 22, A Million, the record embraces numerology. Interestingly, Justin Vernon sings: “The math ahead / the math behind it / it’s moon water.”  What is particularly significant about those lyrics, as well as “21 M◊◊N WATER” isn’t water itself, but the number 7.  First of all, it appears as the seventh track on 22, A Million.  21, the number referenced in the title, is a product of 7. Also, 21 is comprised of three sevens, and 777 is a key Biblical number.

Here’s the thing.  While Bon Iver makes ‘spiritual’ references, “21 M◊◊N WATER” isn’t Christian.  Numerology certainly isn’t associated with Christianity in the least.  It is numbers based, hence why the reference to math signifies its use here.  Why are two opposite ends of the spectrum – Christianity and numerology – referenced within one song? Duality, which is a key component of 22, A Million and runs rampant on “21 M◊◊N WATER.” A prime example? “I’m not sinking – I’m not synching.”  Wow – how clever is that? Backtracking to spiritual association, if you need further evidence that “21 M◊◊N WATER” isn’t Christian, let’s talk about that ‘M◊◊N WATER,’ shall we?  Moon water, per Witchipedia is:

“Moon water is water that has been charged with the energies of the moon. It is a popular way to charge water to be used during a ceremony or spell working or to brew magical potions and may be used for anything you are directed to use water for.”

“21 M◊◊N WATER” is nothing short of intriguing, period. I also used it as Wacky Wednesday on Weekly Gems No. 2: Week of 4-6-2020.

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Bon Iver • 22, A Million • Jagjaguwar • 2016

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30-Day Song Challenge : The Playlist, Part 2 [Photo Credits: Brent Faulkner, Cash Money, Epic, Hollywood, Island, MCA, Motown, The Musical Hype, Jagjaguwar, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Ruffhouse, Warner]

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