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“8 Songs That Certainly Won’t Leave You Bored” features music courtesy of Ariana Grande, Matt Fishel, Tyler, the Creator, and Wallows.

If you are bored, you’ve come to the right place.  The Musical Hype has ample playlists to ‘tickle your fancy’ or at least stimulate you mind for a hot minute.  Specifically, for the bored folks of the world, if you need a break from your boredom, well, this playlist is for you. 8 Songs That Certainly Won’t Leave You Bored is comprised of a tight eight songs, all of which feature some form of the word ‘bore’ in their respective title.  Actually, only one of the songs doesn’t featured the word ‘bored’ if we’re getting technical – looking at you Tyler, the Creator (“Boredom”). Musicians fueling the fire of this totally non-bored soundtrack in addition to Mr. “Boredom” himself include Ariana Grande (“Break up with your girlfriend, I’m bored”), Matt Fishel (“Bored of Straight Boys”), and Wallows (“Are You Bored Yet?”). Prepare for total mind stimulation!

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1. Ariana Grande, “Break up with your girlfriend, I’m bored”

Thank u, next • Republic • 2019

“You got me some type of way / Ain’t used to feelin’ this way / I do not know what to say / But I know I shouldn’t think about it.” Hmm, yield not to temptation! In the context of thank u, next, the fifth studio album by Ariana Grande, “Break up with Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored” has the monstrous task of following number one hits “7 Rings” and “Thank U, Next”. Nonetheless, this girlfriend-driven single is another worthwhile moment from thank u, next in all respects.

Grande continues to shine with stunning vocals, while the production remains slick, and the songwriting entertaining and ultimately, sound.  The theme and point of the record is pretty obvious, right? Right.

“Break up with your girlfriend
Yeah, yeah, ‘cause I’m bored
You could hit it in the mornin’
Yeah, yeah, like it’s yours
I know it ain’t right
But I don’t care
Break up with your girlfriend
Yeah, yeah, ‘cause I’m bored.”

2. Wallows, “Are You Bored Yet?”

Ft. Clairo

Nothing Happens • Atlantic • 2019

“I’m still thinking, let’s pretend to fall asleep now / When we get old, will we regret this? / Too young to think about all that shit / And stalling only goes so far when you’ve got a head start.” The frontman of rising alternative rock band Wallows should be familiar.  Who is it? Actor and singer Dylan Minnette, perhaps best known for his role as Clay Jensen on the polarizing, yet thrilling Netflix series, 13 Reasons Why.  Minnette, along with fellow members Cole Preston and Braeden Lemasters drop their debut album, Nothing Happens, via Atlantic in 2019.  “Are You Bored Yet?” featuring Clairo naturally fits the bored theme of this particular playlist, sigh.

“Are You Bored Yet?” is alluring from start to finish.  The record keeps things short, sweet, chill, and enigmatic among other things.  Dylan Minnette and Clairo have excellent vocal chemistry, never losing their poise.  You can say, they both deliver performances that ‘float along’ as opposed to being incredibly assertive or commanding.  Likewise, the production maintains similar composure, with its gentle, but totally fitting palette of sounds: piano, warm synths, and light, rhythmic drums.  Just to reiterate, the chill is real on “Are You Bored Yet?”

“‘Cause we could stay at home and watch the sunset
But I can’t help from asking, ‘Are you bored yet?’
And if you’re feeling lonely you should tell me
Before this ends up as another memory
Will you tell the truth, so I don’t have to lie?
Will you tell the truth, so I don’t have to lie?”

Well, will you?

Wallows Socials: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • YouTube

3. Matt Fishel, “Bored of Straight Boys”

M/F • Young Lust • 2018

“And he can’t help himself from explaining / All the things he does to girls during sex.” Uh oh… We have an anti-straight boy anthem on our hands – nothing boring about that, right? Right!  Matt Fishel isn’t feeling the actions and despicable attitude of straight guys.  On the infectious chorus he proclaims, “And I’m so bored of straight boys / Who only wanna talk football, down alcohol, and hassle women.”

Fishel also incorporates same-sex references, including, “Somebody didn’t get enough bromance in as a teen, I suppose / Finally getting your chance to enjoy some same sex action with all of your bros.”  And to all the straight boys out there, he’s “…Not calling all hetero boys out/…But we all know those bros who act like dickheads.” Colorful joint to say the least… maybe not for straight boys though.

Matt Fishel Socials: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • YouTube

4. Bea Miller, “bored”

Aurora • Hollywood • 2018

“But you don’t satisfy the hunger in my mind / ‘Cause our bodies are predictable.” Wow… Although Aurora, the 2018 LP by actress and pop artist Bea Miller didn’t receive the album review treatment from The Musical Hype, a couple of songs from the album have landed on our playlists. Those songs include “crash&burn” (11 Songs Where the ‘Crash’ is Real) and “girlfriend” (10 Alluring Boyfriend or Girlfriend Songs).  Now, there’s a third entry, “bored,” which perfectly fits the central topic of this playlist.

On the slick “bored,” the relationship seems to be utterly predictable – boring in effect.  Throughout the verses, Bea Miller highlights a connection that transcends beyond the bedroom.  On the second verse she sings, “I just want some company / When I’m not between your sheets.”  Unfortunately, the chorus finds Miller and her ‘boyfriend’ essentially ‘going through the motions’ again – hooking up ultimately.

“Know I’m gonna call you on the phone
Know I’m gonna ask when you get home
I already know what’s next
I end up in your bed
Then you gonna put back on your clothes
Then I’m gonna wish I was alone
But we never change a step
And do it all again
I’m bored.”

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5. Tyler, the Creator, “Boredom”

Ft. Rex Orange County & Anna of the North

Flower Boy • Columbia • 2017

“Boredom got a new best friend / Cause boredom got a new best friend.” Rex Orange County, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Anna of the North handle vocal duties at the beginning of “Boredom”, one of many highlights from Flower Boy, the critically-acclaimed, Grammy-nominated 2017 album by rapper/producer Tyler the Creator. The bulk of the vocals are handled by Rex Orange County. Over the course of an intro, hook, and verse, they set up ‘boredom’ as a contradiction: “Find some time / Find some time to do something.”

“Boy, my bedroom floor is a cereal burial, I’m serious / I ate ‘em all, dry boxes, bodies, yeah, I caught ‘em…” Hmm, interesting. Tyler, the Creator enters the picture on the second verse, getting down to business as usual. He is, indeed bored, by his own admission, followed by the aforementioned play on words, as well as exaggerated lyrics such as, “I’ve been in this fuckin’ room so long / My eyes are turning to drywall.” Eventually, Tyler, joined by the supporting cast close things out.  It’s no rush, as the jazzy, lush, production work isn’t shortchanged over the course of its five-and-a-half-minute duration.

6. Billie Eilish, “Bored”

13 Reasons Why (A Netflix Original Series Soundtrack) • Paramount / Interscope • 2017

“The games you played were never fun / You’d say you’d stay but then you’d run.” That’s the brief first verse, and the ‘second is like unto it’ – “I’m home alone, you’re God knows where / I hope you don’t think that shit’s fair.” Ah, matters of the heart seem to come into play on the song “Bored” which isn’t the least bit boring to say the least. Rising alternative pop phenom Billie Eilish sounds incredible on the low-key record, produced by FINNEAS, who just happens to be her brother BTW.  “Bored” was a highlight from the soundtrack for the Netflix Original Series, 13 Reasons Why, released in 2017.

Vocally, Eilish sounds poised, polished, silky smooth, and enigmatic, all accurate characterizations of her sound and vibe so far in her career.  Much like the aforementioned Bea Miller song of the same title, there’s no progression whatsoever occurring in the relationship.  On the pre-chorus, Eilish asserts, “Giving you what you’re begging for / Giving you what you say I need, say I need,” clearly suggesting she’s skeptical to the nth degree. Such skepticism is confirmed on the chorus, where she sings:

“I’m not afraid anymore
What makes you sure you’re all I need? (I need)
Forget about it
When you walk out the door and leave me torn
You’re teaching me to live without it
Bored, I’m so bored, I’m so bored, so bored.”

7. Blink-182, “Bored to Death”

California • BMG Rights Management • 2016

“And it’s a long way back from 17 / The whispers turn into a scream / And I… I’m not coming home.” Okay… Despite the fact that Tom DeLonge may or may not have been focusing his energies on UFOs, beloved punk-pop band Blink-182 made a comeback in 2016 with California.  Replacing DeLonge was Matt Skiba (The Alkaline Trio) on vocals and guitar, while Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker remained on board.  California didn’t contain material supplanting classics by the trio such as “All the Small Things,” “Dammit,” or “What’s My Age Again,” but proved to be an enjoyable, well-rounded affair. Among the highlights of the project is the song at hand, “Bored to Death.”

“Save your breath, I’m nearly
Bored to death and fading fast
Life is too short to last long.”

“Bored to Death” gloriously commences with Travis Barker’s signature drum groove, sigh. The record references the past, present, and future.  Apparently, the energetic standout also takes a jab at the aforementioned, supposed UFO-exploring Tom DeLonge, on the chorus, excerpted at the beginning of this paragraph.  There was clearly tension between DeLonge and blink-182, while there have also been rumors of his return.  Take it all with a grain of salt.  Notably, Steve Aoki dropped a remix of the standout, which can be seen below.

8. Father John Misty, “Bored in the USA”

I Love You, Honeybear • Sub Pop • 2015

“Bored in the USA,” a highlight from the 2015 album I Love You, Honeybear, is seemingly absurd from the start: “How many people rise and say, ‘My brain’s so awfully glad to be here for yet another mindless day’.”  Ultimately, Father John Misty (Josh Tillman) seems to be painting a portrait that many feel about their lives as they get older.  Things change from being youthful and vivacious to being nothing short of a drag – a total bummer filled with bills, “beauty warps and fades,” and keeping “my prescriptions filled.” That ultimately includes the problems suffered in the USA with joblessness, economic issues, etc.

Most notably, “Bored in the USA” is a play on Bruce Springsteen’s more enthusiastic-sounding classic, “Born In the USA”.  It should be noted that even the Springsteen record is critical of certain facets of life in the U.S.A. “Bored in The U.S.A.” just adds fuel to the fire.

[Photo Credits: Atlantic, BMG Rights Management, Columbia, Hollywood, Interscope, Paramount, Pexels, Pixabay, Republic, Sub Pop, Young Lust]

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