A Hodgepodge of Place Songs

Reading Time: 16 min read

A Hodgepodge of Place Songs features songs by Chappell Roan, Dr. John, Fred again.., Janet Jackson, Käärijä & Hooja, and The Weeknd.

As defined by Merriam-Webster, a hodgepodge [noun] is a heterogeneous mixture: jumble. In the 13-song music compendium, A Hodgepodge of Place Songs, I have provided a random mix of place-related songs. The word place can be featured in the song title. But, place (the word) DOES NOT have to be featured in the title at all. A specific place is acceptable to meet the place criterion of this playlist. Also, in several instances, anyplace is acceptable too! A Hodgepodge of Place Songs features songs by Chappell Roan, Dr. John, Fred again.., Janet Jackson, Käärijä & Hooja, and The Weeknd. So, without overanalyzing or unnecessarily belaboring, let’s embrace A Hodgepodge of Place Songs, shall we?!

~ Table of Contents ~

1. Chappell Roan, “Pink Pony Club”	2. Käärijä & Hooja, “San Francisco Boy”	3. Matt Maltese, “Anytime, Anyplace, Anyhow”	*4. NSYNC, “Better Place”**
5. Luh Tyler, “Florida Boy”	6. Quavo, Luke Bryan & Teddy Swims, “Georgia Ways”	7. The Weeknd, “São Paulo” (Ft. Anitta)	8. Fred again.., Anderson .Paak, CHIKA, “places to be”
9. Antonio Liranzo, “Berlin”	10. Janet Jackson, “Any Time, Any Place”	11. Iggy Pop, “Butt Town”	12. Dr. John, “Right Place Wrong Time”
13. The Drifters, “Under the Boardwalk”

1. Chappell Roan, “Pink Pony Club”

The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess // KRA International Inc. / Island / UMG Recordings, Inc. // 2023

“I know you wanted me to stay / But I can’t ignore the crazy visions of me in L.A.” Understandable, considering Los Angeles is much more progressive than the South and much of the Midwest. Grammy-winning Pop singer/songwriter Chappell Roan (Kayleigh Rose Amstutz) continues singing in the first verse of “Pink Pony Club”, “And I heard that there’s a special place / Where boys and girls can all be queens every single day.” Yaasss, Queen 👸! The lesbian musician performed “Pink Pony Club,” the superb 11^th track from her Grammy-nominated debut LP, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, at the 67^th Annual GRAMMY Awards. “Pink Pony Club” dates back to 2020. Amstutz and producer Dan Nigro penned the gem, which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

So, does this Pink Pony Club exist in real life? No, but the fictionalized gay bar is based on a gay bar where Chappell Roan visited in Santa Monica (The Abbey). In this escapist song, the protagonist wants to (and does) leave the South (Tennessee, specifically) for Santa Monica. But her aspirations won’t be well-received by Mama… The South is different (I know from experience). Despite what Mama thinks, Roan asserts, “Oh, Mama / I’m just having fun / On the stage in my heels, it’s where I belong.” That leads to the centerpiece, the chorus:

“Down at the

Pink Pony Club, I’m gonna keep dancing at the

Pink Pony Club, I’m gonna keep on dancing down in

West Hollywood, I’m gonna keep on dancing at the

Pink Pony Club, Pink Pony Club.”

West Hollywood is a prominent LGBTQ+ area 🏳️‍🌈. In the second verse, Roan’s character’s confidence is ‘through the roof.” She feels more comfortable, memorably asserting, “Every night’s another reason why I left it all.” Still, she has not forgotten where she came from: “Still love you [Mama] and Tennessee, you’re always on my mind.” Chappell Roan sings beautifully, bringing the memorable melodies to life. The production and sound of “Pink Pony Club” is awesome as well (keys, synths, groove, and a guitar solo). It is not surprising that this pop record caught the ears of the world.

Appears in:

Chappell Roan, Pink Pony Club: Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 No. 22 (2025)

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2. Käärijä & Hooja, “San Francisco Boy”

“San Francisco Boy” // Warner Finland // 2025

“I wanna have fun.” Indeed, Käärijä (Jere Mikael Pöyhönen) 🇫🇮 and I happily co-sign! The Finnish rapper, singer, and songwriter collaborates with Swedish electronic duo, Hooja (Hooja and DJ Mårdhund) 🇸🇪 on the infectious dance single, “San Francisco Boy”. Käärijä continues singing in the chorus of “San Francisco Boy,” “I’m a party boy / I’m a cool boy / I’m a dance boy / I’m a disco boy / San Francisco boy / I’m a dance boy.” Noted! Pöyhönen, Hooja, Aleksi Nurmi, and Mårdhund wrote “San Francisco Boy.” Nurmi and Mårdhund also produced it. The backdrop sounds like a dance/electro musical paradise, set in a hellish, minor key 😈.

Fun is the modus operandi for Käärijä, Hooja, and the listeners. Käärijä feels confident from the get-go, expressing his desire to dance. Not only is he a “dance boy,” but he informs us, “Everybody’s dancing / Everybody feel the beat.” Ooh-wee, it’s giving a surefire vibe! Most of the song is in English. However, where some of us merely listen and nod our heads, sans comprehension, is when he drops some Swedish lyrics: “Om du vill va’ med mig / Får du ta och skärpa dig.” Say what, now?! Translated into English, Pöyhönen tells this nameless person, “If you want to join me / You better get your act together.” Lyrically, “San Francisco Boy” isn’t complex or deep. It doesn’t need to be. This unique Finnish and Swedish collaboration is infectious, carefree, and ready-made for the clubs.

Appears in:

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3. Matt Maltese, “Anytime, Anyplace, Anyhow”

“Anytime, Anyplace, Anyhow” // Tonight Matthew / The Orchard // 2025

“I picture you naked at the worst time / Eating with my family, playing live / I don’t care for Spain when you’re in Shanghai.” Matt Maltese is crazy about her in his marvelous song, “Anytime, Anyplace, Anyhow”. Even at the most inappropriate and inopportune time, he thinks about her particularly physically. The London 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 singer/songwriter composed and produced “Anytime, Anyplace, Anyhow.” The song has many positive attributes. The songwriting is terrific. Maltese writes honestly and vulnerably; he’s incredibly relatable. In the centerpiece, the chorus, he sings:

“Anytime, anyplace, anyhow

You’re allowed to call me to your hotel suite

I don’t care who you’re with or where you’ve been

Anytime, anyplace, anyhow

You’re allowed to treat me like a piece of meat

I don’t care if it’s been a year or if it’s been 16.”

Man, oh, man. Beyond the clever songwriting (“I’m apoplectic looking at the stars”), with its dedicated, romantic, and sentimental vibes, Maltese delivers gorgeous, distinct vocals. He sings with incredible expression yet never gets too low or too high. The melodies he brings to life are tuneful from start to finish. The harmonic progression and the musical underpinnings add to the excellence. The production work is stunning; Maltese is backed by gorgeous musical accompaniment. There is a clarinet solo, which you rarely hear in popular music. Matt Maltese ‘put his foot into’ “Anytime, Anyplace, Anyhow” capturing longing, love, and lust. Bravo!

Appears in:

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**4.*NSYNC, “Better Place”**

TROLLS Band Together (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) // RCA // 2023

“Just let me take you to a better place / I’m gonna make you kiss the sky tonight.” Justin Timberlake and the TROLLS film franchise just can’t seem to quit each other. Timberlake appears throughout TROLLS Band Together (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack). His first appearance is on the soundtrack opener, “Better Place” which features JT’s old group, *NSYNC. Timberlake penned “Better Place” alongside Amy Allen and producer Shellback. As a children’s song, the positive, feel-good vibes are ‘turned up to 💯’ in “Better Place”. In the first verse, we get a heaping dose of positivity from Justin: “I’m already up, but you lift me higher.” In the second verse, “Don’t want it any other way, tell all your friends you’re gonna stay / When we’re together you know that we do it better.” WOO! Togetherness is the key, which is why it makes sense that *NSYNC reunites for this one. Besides the positive lyrics, “Better Place” thrives off its groove, first appearing during the chorus and continuing throughout the remainder of the song. “Better Place” is a fun, inoffensive pop bop.

Appears in:

13 More Magnificent BETTER Songs (2024)

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5. Luh Tyler, “Florida Boy”

“Florida Boy” // Luh Tyler / Motion Music, LLC // 2025

According to Luh Tyler, “This that real Florida music, get you in that mode.” Woo! The rapper keeps it short and sweet on his banger, “Florida Boy”. Backed banging, colorful production (Yakree, Casio5k, and Mike Wavvs), southern rap, and trap are alive and well. The beat sounds like Gucci Mane’s “Rich Niggaz”. Tyler brings a ‘cool energy’ to his performance, rapping in an undertone. Even if he’s not ‘dynamic,’ his rhymes are ‘rough around the music’ and unapologetic. In the chorus, he spits, “Fuck her with my chains on while she watch ‘em swang (Ugh) / Could’ve bust that bitch down, but I kept it plain (Ice).” Wow! In the verse, he remains confident, asserting, “This that shit that make a nigga wanna beat the road (Beat the road) / This that shit that make a nigga feel like fuck these hoes (Fuck these hoes).” What more is there to say? Not much! “Florida Boy” is enjoyable without daring to move the needle.

Appears in:

BOY, These Songs Are About You, Part 4 (2025)

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6. Quavo, Luke Bryan & Teddy Swims, “Georgia Ways”

“Georgia Ways” // Quality Control Music, LLC / UMG Recordings, Inc. // 2024

Unlikely collaborations can yield unexpected successes or be odd. Quavo collaborating with Teddy Swims and Luke Bryan is somewhere between. What is the connection between these three starkly different musicians? Georgia 📍, period. They combine forces to inform us about those good ole “Georgia Ways”. Some will eat it up with its southern charm and countrified vibes, anchored by a trap beat, while others will be slightly baffled. Jeffrey Garrison, Jackson Nance, and Westen Weiss produced it. Quavo, the lead artist, is the first voice heard on this ode to Georgia. “Georgia boys pullin’ out sideways / In the south we ball, how about them Dawgs?” Beyond the first verse, Quavo also delivers the catchy if somewhat corny, chorus, where “Some shit won’t never change / That’s just how I was raised / Stuck in my Georgia ways.” The middle-aged Bryan appears in the second verse, where he sings of quail birds, peanuts, and those Lee County Trojans – Titletown, baby! Teddy Swims brings the most punch in the third and final verse. His voice is distinct and soulful. I love his raspiness, ad-libs, and runs. He doesn’t say much either but his “Finna turn this bitch up sideways / G-E-O-R-G-I-A” is fun. “Georgia Ways” is entertaining if nothing else.

Appears in:

13 Fabulous Songs That Lead the Way (2025)

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7. The Weeknd, “São Paulo” (Ft. Anitta)

Hurry Up Tomorrow // The Weeknd XO Music ULC / Republic //2025

“Bota na boca, bota na cara, bota onde quiser.” Those lyrics hail from Brazilian musician Anitta (Larissa de Macedo Machado) 🇧🇷, who assists Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) 🇨🇦 on “São Paulo”, a single and the fourth track from his 2025 album, Hurry Up Tomorrow. From the start, “São Paulo” marked a different sound for The Weeknd. Gone is the 80s-infused synthpop sound, replaced with an overt Brazilian flavor. Anitta plays a distinct role in the song even though Tesfaye leads the charge. She performs the intro, refrain, and bridge. With a shit-ton of songwriters, Tesfaye, MIKE DEAN, and Sean Solymar produce.

The beat is infectious, while the rhythm is consistent from start to finish. Vocally, The Weeknd remains a force. His falsetto remains ripe and ear-catching. The melodies sung are beautiful and match the instrumental with rhythmic sensibilities. Still, Abel also gives us more legato moments. “Hit it from the back, she louder than two sold-out nights,” he sings in the second verse, continuing, “I think she fell in love, she said she trusts me with her life, oh.” Oh, snap! In the chorus, Tesfaye is in familiar territory thematically: “Baby, turn me on (I love it when you turn me on) / I love it when you turn me on (I love it when you turn me on).” Ultimately, although different from The Weeknd’s past music, “São Paulo” is still a surefire vibe.

Appears in:

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8. Fred again.., Anderson .Paak, CHIKA, “places to be”

“places to be” // Atlantic UK // 2024

“When I get home I want you.” Noted, CHIKA. The Grammy-nominated rapper adds, “Hello, I got places to be / Places to be.” Fred again.. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿, Anderson .Paak, and CHIKA join forces for the ill dance/electronic/pop single, “places to be”. Grammy-winning producer Fred again.. produced “places to be” with Boo and Skrillex. The sounds ‘kick ass and take names.’ It begins with the sick percussive groove. Also, there are awesome, creative, and picturesque synths. A vibe, a vibe, a vibe!

“Places to be” thrives off repetition, at least initially. There are few lyrics in the first verse, or the chorus, performed by CHIKA. Still, she brings the heat. This heat continues in the drop in all its glory. Grammy winner Anderson .Paak enters the mix in the second verse, bringing more lyrics and lyrical variance. He rides the production like a champ. “Baby girl, there’s nothin’ that could keep me from you (And you know I love you),” he sings in the second verse, continuing, “Haters always wanna keep me from you (Wanna keep me from you) / Got me pickin’ out my speed now for ya / Please be loyal.” Woo! He collaborates with CHIKA in the subsequent chorus and performs a bridge that leads to another drop. CHIKA gets the last word in: “I be adjustin’ my speed.” No extensive analysis is necessary for “places to be”, a fun collaboration between three incredibly talented individuals.

Appears in:

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9. Antonio Liranzo, “Berlin”

Lover Boy // Nana Tingz // 2024

“Light / Vibes / Dick / Drink every last drop / Only in Berlin.” Oh, snap! Antonio Liranzo raises the temperature on his sexy, queer electro-pop single, “Berlin”. Liranzo is from New York originally but resides in Los Angeles. Berlin in his hands is depicted as a sexy, ‘gay’ getaway for him and this nameless fella. Notably, Berlin is famous for gay clubs. Helping to fuel the ‘sex on the track’ is a sleek, seedy-sounding electronic backdrop (Steven Esposito produced). It’s safe to say that those vibes are vibing hard on the fifth track from Liranzo’s 2024 album, Lover Boy.

Antonio is playful with his performance. We get pitched and un-pitched vocals. In both instances, he brings a big personality as well as a heightened libido. “Feeling high in these neon lights / With your mouth on my / I’m your slut tonight.” He continues singing in the naughty first verse, “Chains on my body / Pop my cherry lolli / Grab me by the ass / Like a hoe / Only in Berlin.” Damn… Of course, that’s just the ‘tip,’ and Antonio desires the whole thing: “Found you at the bar / Feeling horny and hard / Fuck me in the back of the club.” Before that, he makes it clear they are attending an underwear party, and of course, the man he wants to fuck him “look(s) hot in that jock.” “Berlin” is an entertaining, utterly naughty gay sex track. Ooh-wee 🥵😮‍💨!

Appears in:

Antonio Liranzo, Berlin: Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 No. 70 (2024)

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10. Janet Jackson, “Any Time, Any Place”

Janet. // Black Doll Inc // 1993

“In the thundering rain / You stare into my eyes / I can feel your hand / Moving up my thighs.” Oh, snap, Janet Jackson. For good measure, Janet later asserts, “With the lights down low / I was thinking maybe we could / Well, you know.” Yeah, you TOTALLY know! The Grammy-winning pop/R&B artist has long excelled at singing about sex. “Any Time, Any Place”, the 25^th track from her 1993 album, Janet., is a prime example of the sexy, sexual vibes being elevated to the nth degree. On this platinum, number two Billboard Hot 100 hit, co-produced with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, IT can go down anywhere, anytime.

The chorus sums things up perfectly:

“Any time

And any place

I don’t care who’s around

No, no, no, no, no.”

So, Janet is willing to have sex with him anywhere, regardless of privacy? Holy she-it! Prior to the chorus, in the pre-chorus, she makes it clear, “I don’t give a damn what they think,” adding, “You feel so good inside of my love.” Hmm, inside, huh? We’ll leave it at that! As much as a song like “Any Time, Any Place” can be read into, Jackson remains far less explicit than she’d become. Still, she’s certainly not that innocent on this slick, sensual seven-minute record.

Appears in:

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11. Iggy Pop, “Butt Town”

Brick By Brick // Virgin Records America, Inc. // 1990

“The cops are well-groomed with muscled physiques / In Butt Town,” Iggy Pop sings in the first verse of “Butt Town”. “Butt Town” is the spirited fifth track from his 1990 album, Brick By Brick. Beyond muscled cops in tan uniforms, Iggy informs us, “Any young black male who walks down the street / Is going to get stopped by a car full of meat.” Sounds accurate, even 35 years after the song was released. Pop wrote “Butt Town” while Don Was produced it. Notably, Slash (guitar) and Duff McKagan (bass) provide a sickening punch to the instrumental.

“Butt Town” rocks hard from the get-go 🤘, particularly the fierce, beefy guitar. Iggy Pop has ample fuel for his fire. He delivers a strong, playful vocal performance. He superbly brings the tuneful melodies to life. The lyrics shine throughout. After a mean first verse, Iggy keeps the momentum going in the second: “I’m telling you, it’s a motley crew / In Butt Town / Monday you’re new and Friday you’re through / In Butt Town.” It’s giving ’15 minutes of fame.’ Iggy speaks about the sacrifices made in Butt Town (Hollywood, perhaps) to advance:

“All over Butt Town

Dreams have a show down

All over Butt Town

Values are thrown down.”

The third and final verse offers much of the same, with emphasis on ‘shaking butt’… in Butt Town! The chorus is the centerpiece: “But in Butt Town, I’m learning / In Butt Town, I’m earning / In Butt Town, I’m turning / Into my worst nightmare.” Facts! That’s the price of fame! “Butt Town” remains an unforgettable Iggy Pop song 🤘.

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12. Dr. John, “Right Place Wrong Time”

In The Right Place // Atlantic Recording Corp. // 1973

“I been in the right place, but it must have been the wrong time / I’d have said the right thing, but I must have used the wrong line.” Woo! Six-time Grammy-winning, New Orleans musician Dr. John (Malcolm John Rebennack Jr., 1941 – 2019) was one of a kind. The biggest hit of the versatile singer and pianist’s career was “Right Place Wrong Time”, the opening track from his 1973 album, In the Right Place. Notably, John only charted four songs on the pop charts. “Right Place Wrong Time” is his only top 40 hit, peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. Rebennack wrote “Right Place” while the legendary Allen Toussaint (1938 – 2015) produced it.

“Right Place Wrong Time” is funky as albeit from the beginning. The opening keyboard riff is killer. Adding to the lofty musicianship is a robust bass line, warm organ, mean-sounding horns, and an epic groove comprised of drums and percussion. Throughout, the riffs kick ass and take names. Dr. John delivers an honest and playful vocal performance infused with plenty of personality. “Just need a little brain salad surgery (oooh) / Got to cure this insecurity,” he sings, adding, “Slipping, dodging, sneaking, creeping, hiding out down the street (oooh) / See me life shaking with every ho’ I meet.” The lyrics are memorable to the nth degree. The crème de la crème – the crowning achievement – is the chorus, which is varied throughout:

“I been in the wrong place, but it must have been the right time
I been in the right place, but it must have been the wrong song
I been in the right vein, but it seems like the wrong arm
I been in the right world, but it seems wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong.”

Not only are the vocals and lyrics playful, but so is the music. One of the best features of “Right Place Wrong Time” is the rad electric guitar solo 🤘. Dr. John put his foot into this classic, which wasn’t even one of his six Grammy wins or 16 Grammy nominations.

Appears in:

Dr. John, Right Place Wrong Time: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 87 (2025)

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13. The Drifters, “Under the Boardwalk”

Under the Boardwalk // Atlantic Recording Corp. // 1964

“And your shoes get so hot / You wish your tired feet were fireproof,” Johnny Moore (1934 – 1998), the lead vocalist of The Drifters, sings, “Under the boardwalk / Down by the sea / On a blanket with my baby / Is where I’ll be.” “Under the Boardwalk” is the second track from The Drifters’ 1964 album, Under the Boardwalk. The classic was penned by Artie Resnick (Arthur Resnick) and Kenny Young. Mike Leander and Bert Berns produced it. A success on the pop charts, “Under the Boardwalk” peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. It is a magical song that thrives off its old-school charm – those classic vibes. It features a sickening groove and refined production work. The rhythm section cooks while the brilliant string orchestration ups the ante. Moore wows with his classy, refined lead. His falsetto is gorgeous. Of course, The Drifters provide marvelous background vocals. For those who have never experienced a boardwalk, or don’t live near one, The Drifters capture the magic superbly. “From the park you hear / The happy sound of a carousel,” Moore sings in the second verse, adding, “Mmm, you can almost taste / The hot dogs and French fries they sell.” Dining is associated with boardwalks. Also, the chorus gives us a bit of a risqué happening that will be ‘going down’ under the boardwalk:

“(Under the boardwalk) Out of the sun

(Under the boardwalk) We’ll be having fun

(Under the boardwalk) People walking above

(Under the boardwalk) We’ll be making love

Under the boardwalk, boardwalk.”

“Under the Boardwalk” is one of the best songs from The Drifters. It is also one of the greatest songs from the 1960s soul catalog. It’s vintage – old-school to the nth degree – but its charm and magic never fade.

Appears in:

The Drifters, Under the Boardwalk: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 24 (2025)

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ intro ~

A Hodgepodge of Place Songs (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic Recording Corp., Atlantic UK, Black Doll Inc, Island, KRA International Inc., Luh Tyler, Motion Music, LLC, Nana Tingz, Quality Control Music, LLC, RCA, Republic, The Orchard, The Weeknd XO Music ULC, Tonight Matthew, UMG Recordings, Inc., Virgin Records America, Inc., Warner Finland; AcatXIo, Maicon Fonseca Zanco, OpenClipart-Vectors, from Pixabay]

A Hodgepodge of Place Songs | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on June 18, 2025June 18, 2025