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Artists compelling with their songs on “9 Songs Referencing the Word ‘Cross’ in Various Ways” include Maxwell, Mike Shinoda, Sabrina Claudio, and Sufjan Stevens.

Ah cross, defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary in a variety of ways. (1) “a structure consisting of an upright with a transverse beam…”  (2) “An affliction that tries one’s virtue, steadfastness, or patience.” (3) “A figure or mark formed by two intersecting lines crossing at their midpoints.”  The meanings go on and on.  On this brief playlist, we have selected a few songs that feature cross or some form of the word in their respective title.  Musicians contributing to 9 Songs Referencing the Word ‘Cross’ in Various Ways include Maxwell, Mike Shinoda, Sabrina Claudio, and Sufjan Stevens.

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1. Mike Shinoda, “Crossing a Line”

Post Traumatic • Warner Bros. • 2018

“They’ll tell you I don’t care anymore / And I hope you know that’s a lie / ‘Cause I’ve found what I have been waiting for / But to get there means crossing a line.” What does “Crossing a Line” mean for Mike Shinoda on his debut solo album, Post Traumatic? Specifically, it means opting for a solo career as opposed to a new Linkin Park or Fort Minor album according to his Genius verifications.  He also expresses his feelings about his decision and the reaction to it.

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2. Sabrina Claudio, “Cross Your Mind”

Fifty Shades Freed • Republic • 2018

“I can’t stop wondering if you’re there at home / Wakin’ up beside her / And does she feel the way I felt under you?” Sabrina Claudio appears on the Latin-tinged “Cross Your Mind,” among the best moments from the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack. Claudio sings with incredible poise, with nothing being forced in the slightest. Regardless of maintain her composure, she still manages to pack a punch. Her tone is simply gorgeous. “Do I ever, do I ever cross your mind? / When you’re kissing her / Touching her, staring in her eyes…”

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3. Wingtip, “Cross Your Mind”

Ft. morgxn

Cross Your Mind – Single • Republic • 2018

“I try so hard / To keep the words upon your lips / I hold on / Really by my fingertips.” Okay, first things first – who are these guys? Wingtip is a multi-instrumentalist, and producer originally from San Francisco, California.  As for morgxn, he’s an alternative/indie-pop artist from Nashville, Tennessee, based in Los Angeles, California. On standout “Cross Your Mind,” co-written by Lauv, Morgxn asks his crush, who’s dating someone else, if a relationship with him was ever considered (“Did we cross your mind?”).  He sings on the second verse, “Now tell me who / Who’s been there for you, yeah, all along.” Besides awesome vocals by morgxn, Wingtip, assisted by Lauv, do work on the production end of things, particularly during the chorus.

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4. Stryper, “Take It to the Cross”

God Damn Evil • Frontiers • 2018

“We try to carry the weight of the world / We could just lay it all down / After we’ve buried the hatchet within / As we sink to drown.” Michael Sweet has a point there. After first appearing on 13 Songs That Reference Water, Vol. 1, Christian metal band Stryper makes its second appearance on The Musical Hype. “Take It to the Cross” serves as the opener on the band’s uniquely titled 12^th studio album, God Damn Evil.  Expectedly, the record sounds incredibly dark, foreboding, and mysterious at the beginning.  Once Sweet begins singing the aforementioned verse, there’s a stable groove, a moderate tempo, and still plenty of minor key aggression.  Obviously, ‘cross’ in this context would be Jesus.

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5. 3LAU, “Star Crossed”

Ultraviolet • BLUME • 2018

DJ/Dance producer 3LAU makes his debut appearance on The Musical Hype with the slick record “Star Crossed.”  Originally released in 2017, profits for “Star Crossed” were donated to Hurricane relief in Puerto Rico and Houston.  How awesome is that! “Star Crossed” fittingly appears on the EDM wiz’s 2018 debut album, Ultraviolet.  Featuring uncredited vocals by VÉRITÉ, what is the context of ‘cross’ on this gem? VÉRITÉ asserts on the chorus: “We’re not star-crossed lovers / Falling over each other / Every little thing that you do to me, asking for apologies / Oh, don’t tell me that it feels like love when it’s not.” There you go.

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6. Senses Fail, “Double Cross”

If There is Light, It Will Find You • Pure Noise • 2018

“While you were watching from the window waiting / I’ve been spilling my guts on the stage.” Wow. New Jersey-bred post-hardcore band, Senses Fail adds “Double Cross” to our cross-oriented compilation. Notably, the band represented the state of New Jersey on our 50 Songs About the 50 States playlist with the song “New Jersey Makes, The World Takes”. “New Jersey Makes, The World Takes” and “Double Cross” both hail from the intriguingly-titled, 2018 LP, If There is Light, It Will Find You.  What’s interesting about “Double Cross” is the fact that the titular lyric is never mentioned in the song.  The key takeaway is passion for life. For frontman Buddy Nielsen, music is his life, confirmed by a tweet regarding the song’s meaning.

Double Cross ( our new song) is about remaining passionate in life despite the struggles we all face. Music to me has been my life and while so many have moved on, I can never. Remember the passion that you used to have. Remember when life was endless wonder……it still is.

— Senses Fail (@SensesFail) December 3, 2017

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7. Maxwell, “Fingers Crossed”

blackSUMMERS’night • Columbia • 2016

“Fingers Crossed” earns the distinction of following the crowning achievement of blackSUMMERS’night, the Grammy-winning “Lake by the Ocean.” A tall task, but ultimately, it’s no big deal considering its consistency of “Fingers Crossed” and the lush orchestration. Maxwell opens himself up to a relationship, hoping the object of his affection will do the same:

“Maybe your love is just a big mistake / Maybe our love was just a world away / If you get the courage baby / One day, someday, probably, maybe / you’ll be mine, all mine.”

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8. Sufjan Stevens, “No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross”

Carrie & Lowell • Asthmatic Kitty • 2015

“No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross,” the penultimate record from Carrie & Lowell, is among the most autobiographical.  “I slept on my back in the shade of the meadowlark / Like a champion,” Sufjan Stevens sings, “Get drunk to get laid / I take one more hit when you depart.”  Dealing with the relationship and aftermath of the death of his mother, Stevens chose to become a bit rebellious, questioning his Christianity, and overall morality.  This is most apparent as he sings, “There’s blood on that blade / F**k me, I’m falling apart.”  Notably,“No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross” also appears on the playlist, 7 Songs Where ‘Shade’ Plays a Role.

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9. Pusha T, “Crutches, Crosses, Caskets”

King Push – Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude • GOOD / Def Jam • 2015

“Crutches, crosses, caskets / All I see is victims.” Long before destroying Drizzy on “The Story of Adidon”, Pusha T was in beast mode on “Crutches, Crosses, Caskets,” a highlight from his relatively short 2015 LP, King Push – Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude.  Interestingly, we never got the follow-up for this project, though, DAYTONA more than sufficed. “Crutches, Crosses, Caskets” follows the stellar “M.F.T.R.” within the track list, keeping the momentum going strong.  Expectedly, there’s references to hustling throughout.

“The church of criminology, teaching my chemistries / Woo, I’m the L. Ron Hubbard of the cupboard / To some certain motherf*****s gotta love it.”

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Photo Credits: Asthmatic Kitty, BLUME, Columbia, Def Jam, Frontiers, GOOD, Pure Noise, Republic, Warner Bros.

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