Playlist “9 Songs Focused on ‘Want’” features songs courtesy of 5 Seconds of Summer, Taylor Swift, and Lil Yachty among others.  

Ah want – what does it mean? According to Merriam-Webster, want has several meanings, including “to desire to come, go, or be.” On this playlist, as the title makes crystal clear, the want is key.  There are no deep messages or hidden frills – this list truly is what it is.  “9 Songs Focused on ‘Want’” features songs courtesy of 5 Seconds of Summer, Taylor Swift, and Lil Yachty among others. Prepare to want to spin these songs over and over!

1. 5 Seconds of Summer, “Want You Back”

Youngblood • Capitol • 2018

Initially “Want You Back” commences with ambient production work, signaling the stylistic transformation for 5 Seconds of Summer on their third studio album, Youngblood. Luke Hemmings sings smoothly, matching the cool, calm, and collected production of the first verse.  Following the mellower, smooth first verse, the chorus is driven by a more commanding groove, which continues for the remainder of the song.  Likewise, Hemmings becomes more aggressive vocally.  The chorus is the centerpiece of “Want You Back.” While nothing brand-new or revolutionary, 5SOS clearly articulates their point. Selling points include the groove, the falsetto, and an enjoyable chorus.

2. Lil Yachty, “Who Want That Smoke?”

Ft. Cardi B & Offset

Who Want That Smoke? – Single • Quality Control / Capitol / Motown • 2017

Lil Yachty returned with a banger, “Who Want the Smoke?”, assisted by Cardi B and Offset. While Yachty is the lead artist, dropping an infectious hook, it is Cardi B who steals the show on the first verse.  Showcasing ‘that attitude,’ she goes H.A.M. asserting boldly, “Their pussy need potpourri, these bitches is 0-3 / And their ain’t a lower league, all in my ovaries.” While those lyrics are ‘something else,’ my personal favorite comes when she bites, “I get the money, I am the king of New York.” Lil Yachty also drops a verse in between Cardi B and Offset.  It’s odd and shallow (sex, two-seater, music turned up loud), but the quirkiness actually works well enough. As for Offset, it’s strictly business, as his flow is on fire without being as memorable as his wifey or left-of-center like Yachty.

3. Taylor Swift, “Call It What You Want”

Reputation • Big Machine • 2017

“My castle crumbled overnight / I brought a knife to a gunfight / They took the crown, but it’s alright / All the liars are calling me one / Nobody’s heard from me for months / I’m doin’ better than I ever was…” Oh boy… “Call It What You Want” features a nice introduction to set the tone of the record, which is cool, calm, and collected.  Taylor Swift delivers sexy vocals. While she doesn’t go ‘above and beyond’ or do anything special vocally, she meets expectations on this standout from Reputation. It sounds as if she never has to break a sweat, but still nails that romantic, intimate sound.  In addition to the vibe and pleasant vocals, she’s backed by sleek, modern and, balanced production work, with the drum programming and synths leading the charge.  The catchy chorus is one of the best features of “Call It What You Want.”  Swift references her current boyfriend and being in a happy place following adversity.

“My baby’s fit like a daydream / Walking with his head down / I’m the one he’s walking to / So call it what you want, yeah / Call it what you want to / My baby’s fly like a jet stream / High above the whole scene / Loves me like I’m brand new…”

4. Russ, “What They Want”

There’s Really a Wolf • Columbia • 2017

“What they want, what they want, what they want / Dollar signs, yeah, I know it’s what they want.” There’s Really a Wolf marked the debut album by do-it-yourself, rapper and singer Russ, who has carved success in the industry slowly but steadily. “What They Want” serves as the crowning achievement from his debut LP. It’s a relatively brief, simplistic record with minimal production.  Nonetheless, it’s charming, unveiling the rationale for its success.  Once more, Russ touts his self-made status – his “start from the bottom.”

“I Been at this shit for nine years, now they start to call / I’m a DIY pioneer, they try to get involved.”

5. HAIM, “Want You Back”

Something to Tell You • Columbia • 2017 

“We were on one endless road / But I had a wandering heart.” California sister trio HAIM returned in 2017 their highly anticipated sophomore album, Something to Tell You. “Want You Back” serves as the album’s opener, arriving energetically and setting the tone.  There’s a successful blend of 80s pop and R&B, with soft rock sensibilities.  While the record never quite roars, it’s hip – cool to the nth degree.  The chorus represents the best moment, hands down.

“But just know that I want you back / Just know that I want you back / Just know that I want you / I’ll take the fall and the fault in us / I’ll give you all the love I never gave before I left you.”

6. Walk the Moon, “All I Want”

What If Nothing • RCA • 2017

“I am my own sanctuary / I am my own hero / I am my own teacher / I am my own best friend.” Nicholas Petricca is his own man, judging by the above-mentioned lyrics. Ohio alternative band Walk the Moon sounds potent on “All I Want,” a highlight from their third studio album, What If Nothing. Petricca sings, but he also busts a rhyme, which is a neat change of pace (“How well do you know yourself? / How clear without the mirror of someone else…”).  No, he’s not dropping ‘hard bars,’ but the spoken word section, performed in an undertone, stands out.  The pre-chorus, which features a number of “Maybe if I” scenarios, also stands out.

“Maybe if I had a little more money / Maybe if I had a little more sex / Maybe with a little more peace and quiet / Maybe I could make a little more sense of it.”

This song is about individual resolve, strength, and validation.

7. Zak Abel, “Still Want UUU”

Only When We’re Naked • Atlantic • 2017

“I give you loving, you give me nothing / Till I’m black and blue inside…” Uh-oh! “Still Want UUU,” performed by Zak Abel, appears on his 2017 debut LP, Only When We’re Naked.  The rising British pop artist notably exhibits superb vocal poise on the verses.  Even so, clearly, he’s struggling – experiencing that difficult thing known as the plight of love. “Broken, bruised, and burned / But the lesson’s never learned,” he sings on the first verse, continuing, “Twisted, tight, and turned / But I like the way it hurts.” The intensity level and vocal register ascend on the pre-chorus.

“I don’t know what to do with myself right now / I can’t think about nobody else right now.”

The chorus, excerpted at the very beginning of this blurb, is catchy, powerful, and assertive chorus. He continues, “…You keep me falling, but I’m going all in / Cause I still want you tonight.”

8. Jason Derulo, “Want to Want Me”

Everything is 4 • Warner Bros. • 2015

“Girl, you’re the one, I want to want me / And if you want me, girl, you got me.” Simple, but Jason Derulo easily makes his point. An artist known for his success with singles as opposed to albums, that’s the case once more on his 2015 LP, Everything is 4. Don’t get it twisted – it’s a well-rounded affair – but it’s clearly highlighted by Top-five Hot 100 hit, “Want to Want Me.” For a man who has no shortage of hits, “Want to Want Me” is among his best and most successfully, thanks to its infectious, upbeat vibes, not to mention some of the most elite falsetto of his entire career.

9. Sufjan Stevens, “All of Me Wants All of You”

Carrie & Lowell • Asthmatic Kitty • 2015

“All of Me Wants All of You” maintains the consistency of Sufjan Stevens’ emotional 2015 album, Carrie & Lowell.  He’s emotional because he’s reflecting on his relationship with his estranged mother, as well as her death.  Throughout the majority of his career, Stevens hasn’t ‘rocked the boat’ with much with profanity or sexual matters. It was shocking when he sung, “I’m not f**king around” on the “I Want to Be Well” from his Age of Adz album.  Once again, he raises eyebrows, but not with any four-letter words: “You checked your texts while I masturbated.” While on the surface level it’s sexual, in the bigger scheme of things, it’s another emotional reaction from Stevens regarding the relationship and lack thereof he experienced with his mother.  That relationship lacked closeness – lacked the intimacy it should’ve possessed.

Photo Credits: Asthmatic Kitty, Atlantic, Big Machine, Capitol, Columbia, Motown, Quality Control, RCA, Warner Bros.