A Kool Kollection of K Songs

Reading Time: 25 min read

A Kool Kollection of K Songs features songs by Angie Stone, j-hope, Roberta Flack, Seal, SZA, and The Beach Boys.

Ah, ‘K,’ the 11^th letter of the alphabet! Following the A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and J songs, K gets its time to shine on A Kool Kollection of K Songs. Each of the 20 songs that appear on A Kool Kollection of K Songs begins with a k-word. The only exception is THE preceding the k-word, etc. A Kool Kollection of K Songs features songs by Angie Stone, j-hope, Roberta Flack, Seal, SZA, and The Beach Boys. So, without further ado, let us all embrace the power of K on A Kool Kollection of K Songs!

The Alphabet Playlist Series 2025

~ Table of Contents ~

1. The Beach Boys, “Kokomo”	2. BRONSON, “KEEP MOVING”	3. j-hope, “Killin’ It Girl” (Ft. GloRilla)	4. SZA, “Kill Bill”
5. Benjamin Ingrosso, “Kite”	6. ADONXS, “Kiss Kiss Goodbye”	7. Angie Stone, “Kiss You”	8. Alicia Keys, “Karma”
9. Luke Combs, “The Kind of Love We Make”	10. Jared Vasquez, “Keep Me Awake”	11. Amii Stewart, “Knock On Wood”	12. Medium Build, “Knowing U Exist”
13. ericdoa, “kickstand”	14. Seal, “Kiss From A Rose”	15. Eminem, “Kim”	16. Radiohead, “Karma Police”
17. Crime Mob, “Knuck If You Buck” (Ft. Lil Scrappy)	18. Roberta Flack, “Killing Me Softly With His Song”	19. Philip Glass, “Koyaanisqatsi”	20. Wynonie Harris, “Keep On Churnin’ (Till the Butter Come)”

1. The Beach Boys, “Kokomo”

The Very Best of The Beach Boys: Sounds of Summer » Capitol » 2003

“Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take you to / Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama.” In 1988, iconic pop/rock collective The Beach Boys earned their final number one hit: “Kokomo” (Still Cruisin’). “Kokomo” arrived years after the band’s heyday, which makes the ascent to the top of the pop charts such a big deal. Also, notably, Brian Wilson is NOT on “Kokomo” 🤯! The infectious, love-oriented gem was also written by John Phillips, Mike Love, Scott McKenzie, and Terry Melcher (Melcher also produced the track). From a first listen – even if, somehow, your first time hearing the records is in the 2020s – “Kokomo” is tuneful to the nth degree. The chorus, indisputably, is the centerpiece, continuing as follows: “Key Largo, Montego / Baby, why don’t we go / Ooh, I wanna take you down to Kokomo / We’ll get there fast / And then we’ll take it slow / That’s where we wanna go / Way down in Kokomo.”

As alluring as the instrumental backdrop is, and as memorable as the chorus is lyrically and tunefully, the verses are interesting too. The Beach Boys construct an idyllic aesthetic: “Bodies in the sand / Tropical drink melting in your hand.” Of course, more important is “We’ll be falling in love,” with bonus points going for lyrics like, “To the rhythm of a steel drum band / Down in Kokomo.” The love is high, and honesty, just listening to “Kokomo”, you’ll get that “Tropical contact high” that the collective references. Are the lyrics genuinely clever? No. This song has received its fair share of critical disdain. It does sound, in all honesty, sound different than vintage Beach Boys songs. Still, this innocent 80s pop record is inescapable.

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2. BRONSON, “KEEP MOVING”

BRONSON » Foreign Family Collective LLC / Ninja Tune » 2020

“Go ahead / Keep moving / Go ahead / Don’t be afraid / Yeah, okay, blackout.” What happens when you put electronic music acts ODESZA and Golden Features together? Why, BRONSON, of course! BRONSON released their self-titled album in the midst of COVID-19, 2020. One of the songs that stood out is the mostly instrumental “KEEP MOVING”. This electronic gem gets a truly clever, intriguing music video. Little Black Book discusses how the visual was constructed during the lockdown of 2020.

The groove is electrifying on “KEEP MOVING.” Furthermore, the synths are colorful, rhythmic, and striking. Rhythm is integral to the song. There are few lyrics, but they amplify the listening experience nonetheless: “I can see how it moves / Don’t be afraid / I can see how it moves / Blackout again.” Catacomb Kid (Harrison Mills) of ODESZA comments about the vision of “KEEP MOVING” to Apple Music:

“This song is really about pushing through and the inner dialogue you have with yourself when facing an obstacle or opponent. Instrumentally and lyrically, we wanted to convey that intense emotion and the experience of channeling all of your energy to conquer whatever you’re facing. One interesting element of this track is that we sampled an army marching to give it this pulsing, percussive drive at its core. It just grew from there.”

ODESZA and Golden Features make a formidable team as BRONSON. “KEEP MOVING” is the sugar, honey, iced tea.

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3. j-hope, “Killin’ It Girl” (Ft. GloRilla)

“Killin’ It Girl” » BIGHIT MUSIC » 2025

“You are now tuned in to the one and only, j-hope!” And thus, South Korean rapper j-hope is gassed TF up on “Killin’ It Girl”. In the most intriguing version of the song, he collaborates with, Grammy-nominated rapper, GloRilla. Although brief, it is a surefire banger, nonetheless. Cirkut, Blake Slatkin, and inverness produced it. That beat is S-I-C-K! “Killin’ It Girl” earned j-hope his first top 40 single as a solo artist on the Billboard Hot 100. After being gassed up, j-hope brings plenty of energy and swagger. He eats in the repetitive, but infectious chorus over the minimalist beat: “You killin’ it, girl / You killin’ it, girl / Ten out of ten / …Baddest out your friends.” Woo! He brings an equally alluring melodic rap performance in the first verse. “It should be a crime just to look that fine / Girl, if you single, let me make you mine,” he raps, adding, “Call a nurse before it gets worse / I’ma really, really need first aid.” Oh, snap! During the second chorus, we get a more melodic, pitched performance by j-hope, alongside the unpitched bars he excelled at earlier in the song. GloRilla brings the heat in the second verse, with her signature, hard-nosed, tough-as-nails Memphis rap sound. “Murder for hire (Split), Mike Glo Myers (Who?) / I keep my foot up on their necks and my heels high (Hey),” she spits, continuing confidently and unapologetically, “Might take your man and tell you go take it to trial (Bitch) / I’m dead serious, the baddest chick alive (Hey).” No over-analysis is necessary for “Killin’ It Girl”, which, all in all, is fun, fun, fun!

Appears in:

j-hope, Killin’ It Girl: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 No. 64 (2025)

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4. SZA, “Kill Bill”

SOS / “Kill Bill (Remix)” » Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA » 2023

“I might kill my ex, not the best idea,” Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter SZA (Solana Rowe) asserts on “Kill Bill”, one of the best songs from her critically acclaimed sophomore LP, SOS. In the record, she sings gorgeously despite being pissed off. In the first verse of the original, she asserts, “I’m still a fan even though I was salty / Hate to see you with some other broad, know you happy / Hate to see you happy if I’m not the one drivin’.” Like the Quentin Tarantino films she references, she’s angry at her ex, eventually confirming she kills him and his new girlfriend.

Ultimately, her love pain, and violence, is our listening pleasure, accentuated even more on “Kill Bill (Remix)” featuring fellow Grammy winner, Doja Cat. Doja appears at the beginning of the remix, replacing the original verse by SZA. It is colorful, painting a violent picture, because of her ex-boyfriend being a dick. Doja ends up going to his new house, the new girlfriend is angry, and ultimately, after the new girlfriend charges at Doja, she shoots her. Memorably, she closes the verse with a bang: “Y’all crisscrossed, saw her fall to the floor / Then you paused there in horror, that shot wasn’t for her.” From there, we get the rest of the original “Kill Bill,” beginning with the unforgettable, ex-killing chorus, and second verse by SZA (“I try to ration with you, no murders, no crime of passion / But, damn, you was out of reach”). “Kill Bill” is a stellar track.

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5. Benjamin Ingrosso, “Kite”

Pink Velvet Theatre » Universal Music AB » 2024

“I can fly, it’s the real thing / I’m a kite, I, I get high on you.” Handsome 😍 and talented Swedish pop musician Benjamin Ingrosso released his fifth studio album, Pink Velvet Theatre. The high-flying single, “Kite”, serves as a highlight. Ingrosso, Jon Shave, Salem Al Fakir, Vincent Pontare, and Anya Jones penned it while Shave and Vargas & Lagola produced it. Clocking in under three minutes, Benjamin puts his foot into this one! He delivers a sensational vocal performance. He is exuberant, filled with personality from start to finish. He sings in his lower, middle, and upper registers, showing off his versatility. Perhaps his best moments are his dynamic falsetto. The melodies are tuneful while the lyrics are memorable. The chorus is the best section of the song (excerpted above), where Ingrosso adds, “I fall in love on the ceiling / Now, call you mine, it’s all I want to do.” The infatuation is real: “You’re sweet like chocolate on my tongue / Let’s dig in deep, while we’re still young.” Yeah! The musical backdrop is on point, too! Those hard-hitting drums at the beginning set the tone with their heaviness and percussiveness. That bass line is EVERYTHING! And, fitting for the chorus, the backdrop is backdropping at its best! Benjamin Ingrosso does the damn thing on “Kite”.

Appears in:

Bops That Pop: February 2024

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6. ADONXS, “Kiss Kiss Goodbye”

“Kiss Kiss Goodbye” » Warner Music Czech Republic s.r.o. » 2025

“Oh, you seemed so holy, it almost fooled me / Truly, when you said you love me, it almost moved me.” Oh, snap, ADONXS! The dashing 😍, deep-voiced, openly gay Slovak singer (real name, Adam Pavlovčin) piques our ears with his Eurovision Song Contest 2025 single, “Kiss Kiss Goodbye”. Pavlovčin wrote “Kiss Kiss Goodbye” with CHAiLD (LUX), Maella, and Ines Coulon. Ronald Janeček, George Masters-Clark, and Lorenzo Calvo produced it. As the title and the excerpted lyrics from the pre-chorus suggest, matters of the heart play a sizable role. In the first verse, ADONXS mentions two kisses representing love and desperation. “There’s no other place to hide / Only one survives, when the night arrives / Will you be my ride or die?” In the second verse, before asking the same question, he sings, “Caught in a motion, you’re wearing me out / Tainted devotion, heart on the ground.” The section to beat, the centerpiece, is the chorus:

“Kiss, kiss goodbye (Kiss, kiss goodbye)

Kiss, kiss goodbye (Kiss, kiss goodbye)

Now keep your half apologies, drunken apathy

Over and over again

Kiss, kiss.”

ADONXS is fierce AF throughout “Kiss Kiss Goodbye.” His robust bass voice is the sugar, honey iced tea. The melodies he brings to life with his voice, including some falsetto, are nicely contoured and tuneful to the nth degree. The musical backdrop is sleekly produced. Set in a minor key, the dramatic, choral, and orchestral music cues are epic. The keyboards, synths, and programming are top-notch, too. “Kiss Kiss Goodbye” is not an overtly queer song, but it feels like a necessary addition to an ever-growing queer music catalog. ADONXS slays!

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7. Angie Stone, “Kiss You”

Love Language » Conjunction Entertainment / SoNo Recording Group » 2023

“Ooh, boy your lips (Boy your lips), the way they sittin’ (Sittin’) / I can’t focus, I can’t even pay attention.” Grammy-nominated R&B singer/songwriter Angie Stone (1961 – 2025) is turned TF on by this boy on “Kiss You”, a highlight from her 10^th studio album, Love Language. She continues in the steamy pre-chorus, “I lick my lips (Lick my lips), they start to glisten (Glisten) / You wanna bite ‘em every time they’re in your vision.” Woo! So enticing! For “Kiss You,” Stone samples the Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes’ “I Miss You”.  A popular source for many contemporary R&B/neo-soul joints, with the help of the producers, “Kiss You” gets some modern swagger thanks to those epic drums anchoring things down 💪. “Kiss You” is a classy sex song. In the verses, Stone establishes sensual vibes.  In the first, she wants his hands on her body – ooh la-la! In the second, she wishes to “go somewhere low-key and private.” Hmm, wonder why! In the third, this man has her feeling some type of way – “I find it hard to keep my composure.” Angie, a good man will do that to you… or so I’ve heard!

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8. Alicia Keys, “Karma”

The Diary of Alicia Keys » RCA / Jive Label Group » 2003

“‘Cause what goes around, comes around / What goes up, must come down.” Say that Alicia Keys – say that! Sure, the Grammy-winning R&B artist had bigger hits off of her blockbuster sophomore album, The Diary of Alicia Keys, but “Karma” marked one of the album’s truly elite moments. Thematically, this dude wronged Alicia, now wants her back, and Keys, rightfully, dumps his foolish ass. That’s right – it’s that K-A-R-M-A, bi-otch!

“Weren’t you the one that said that you don’t want me anymore

And how you need your space and give the keys back to your door

… Now you, talkin’ ‘bout a family

Now you, saying I complete your dream.”

Anyways, when The Diary of Alicia Keys arrived in late 2003, the R&B landscape was far different than it is today. Both contemporary R&B and neo-soul coexisted, and Alicia Keys took advantage. On “Karma,” the sound is contemporary yet still has one foot in the door of the past. Keys wrote this karma-laden joint alongside Kerry “Krucial” Brothers Jr. and Taneisha Smith (“Krucial” also produces). The resulting record is one of the best in her illustrious catalog.

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9. Luke Combs, “The Kind of Love We Make”

Growin’ Up » River House Artists LLC / Sony Music Entertainment » 2022

“So, I’ve been thinkin’ we need / A little time alone / So what you say we cancel our plans? / Tonight, I’m only gonna be your man.” Ooh-la-la! Country music can be sexy. No, not just those hunky, rough and tumble men 😍, or the gorgeous women 😍, but the music itself. Luke Combs is not the first country musician that comes to mind when sex is involved but he sings about the universal three-letter word on “The Kind of Love We Make”. “The Kind of Love We Make” served as a single from Combs’ 2022, third studio album, Growin’ Up. He penned the record alongside Dan Isbell, Jamie Davis, and Reid Isbell. Sex sells, or at least, can fuel a top 10 pop hit. “The Kind of Love We Make” peaked at no. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, which is a big deal for a country single.

Luke Combs doesn’t get nasty on “The Kind of Love We Make” but him and his wifey do get down. In the chorus, the tone is set with “candles burning / And some records turning / All the lights down low…” Of course, beyond setting the mood, Combs touches on the pleasure when he sings, “The way your body’s moving / Keep doing what you’re doing to me all night long /… Girl, I want it, gotta have it / Let the passion take us to a higher place / Makin’ the kind of love we make.” Ooh wee, child! Honestly, it is a self-explanatory song. Furthermore, with sex being universal, it does not require translation. What more is there to say about “The Kind of Love We Make”? Luke Combs and his wife are having bomb-ass sex – period. Combs does not get raunchy about it, but he does not have to. Combs doesn’t seem to have a problem with love making 😈.

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10. Jared Vasquez, “Keep Me Awake”

“Keep Me Awake” » Oakwood Ave Music » 2024

“In my dreams at night / All up in my mind / Takes me for a ride / Never meant to try.” Jared Vasquez is a man in love… or lust… maybe both. In “Keep Me Awake” there is no sleeping. Vasquez is enamored by him. How could he not be? He admits his partner is persuasive and understands “I wouldn’t make it.” By not making it, Vasquez simply can’t resist. We’ve all experienced that feeling. Bringing this gorgeous track to life is a warm, sensual backdrop and high-flying, passionate vocals by Vasquez.

Things have developed rapidly between them. “And I know this all began so quick / And your touch has left me so lovesick,” Vasquez sings in the second verse, adding, “And I know I got you here right now / So, I’ll keep, keep you around.” It leads the chorus where Jared is fully dedicated and believes in their bond:

“Keep me awake

And never lose faith in what we create

Don’t mistake

I’ll never let go and this shit won’t break

… We’re never gonna sleep so keep me awake.”

The bridge adds to the ‘midnight heat’ you might say: “Know my body, like a map / Taking over, now that’s a fact / Cross the cosmos, and ride along / Cuz if I touch you it’s not gon’ take too long.” Jared Vasquez titillates something fierce throughout “Keep Me Awake”. If you’re single, listening makes you want to get boo’d up and have your back blown out 🤫 😈.

Appears in:

Jared Vasquez, Keep Me Awake: Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥 No. 104 (2024)

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11. Amii Stewart, “Knock On Wood”

Knock on Wood: The Anthology » Sanctuary » 2016

Amii Stewart took her cover of the Eddie Floyd classic, “Knock on Wood” to higher heights. How high, you ask? No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Stewart did something special… once. She charted on the Billboard Hot 100 twice after “Knock on Wood” but failed to reach the top 40. If you’re going to be a one-hit wonder though, wouldn’t you relish in the fact that your one hit topped the pop charts and remains a bop to this day?

Written by Floyd and Steve Cropper, Amii Stewart, and producer Barry Leng transformed “Knock On Wood” into a disco/pop gem for the ages. Polychromatic keys and synths rule the roost on this 1979 highlight from her LP – wait for it – Knock on Wood. The drums play a crucial role too – that beat is ill! The tempo is quick, contrasting the laid-back, soul-drenched original. In Stewart’s hands, she’s ready to own the discotheque 💃 🪩! She brings attitude and mad energy to the vocals. “I’m not superstitious about ya,” she asserts in the second verse, adding, “But I can’t take no chance.” Ooh-wee! In the third and final verse, “It’s no secret about it / ‘Cause with his lovin’ touch / He sees to it / That I get enough.” Ooh-la-la, girl! The chorus is electric. Do you know what’s even more electric? The post-chorus: “Think I better knock, knock, knock on wood.” Indeed, Amii, and her supportive background vocalists! “Knock on Wood” is sickening, PERIOD. No surprise it earned Stewart a platinum plaque and a Grammy nomination.

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12. Medium Build, “Knowing U Exist”

Country » Medium Build, LLC / Island » 2024

“Fuck, I just love laughin’ with you / The way your face gets all scrunched up.” What better way to start a song than the f-bomb? That’s how Medium Build (Nicholas Carpenter) rolls on “Knowing U Exist”. He adds in the first verse, “Fuck, I just love starin’ at you / When you’re chewin’ on your tongue.” Carpenter is having a fuckin’ blast, you might say! “Knowing U Exist” is the sixth track from his 2024 LP, Country. Medium Build, Abby Gundersen, Andy Park, and Laiko penned the country track. Medium Build, Laiko, and Park produced too. Short but sweet, “Knowing U Exist” clocks in under two-and-a-half minutes. That’s enough time for more f-bombs in the second verse.

“Fuck, I just love snackin’ with you,” Carpenter sings, adding, “Fuck, I just love teasin’ on you / And calling you a ‘bitch.’” Ooh, wee! Beyond being profane, Carpenter also seems to be turned on, judging by the refrain:

“And when the nasty thoughts come rushin’ into me

Knowing you exist takes a load off me.”

A load, huh? Clever word choice! The Anchorage-based queer musician delivers a surefire vibe with “Knowing U Exist”. He sings well, bringing a ‘cool energy,’ despite his potty mouth. The accompaniment is celestial, with the guitar as well as radiant strings. No deep analysis is necessary for this song. Its excellence speaks for itself!

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13. ericdoa, “kickstand”

DOA » LISTEN TO THE KIDS / Interscope » 2024

“I was leanin’ like a kickstand with your bitch, man / Never heard one song but she still a big fan.” Ericdoa (Eric Lopez) is a ball of energy! The Connecticut-based musician represents the eclectic, electric, fresh, and quirky hyperpop style. He also incorporates emo-rap and trap. On the brief “kickstand”, he brings mad energy. Venny’s unusual production helps “kickstand” kick ass and take names. The sound is fresh, lush, and picturesque. Lopez’s flow is rhythmic and dripping in swagger. He delivers no plenty of one-liners. In the first verse, he asserts, “I’ma just keep it direct (I’ma keep it a buck) / F&N and it’s aimed at your head (Bow).” He delivers another bullet in the second verse when he sings, “I’m makin’ hits, and these boys makes songs (Makes songs) / They been tryna take my sauce (Oh, yeah).” The crème de la crème is the memorable, unapologetic chorus:

“I was leanin’ like a kickstand with your bitch, man

Never heard one song, but she still a big fan

Heard the beef not squashed, you can be the big man

Got ‘em all choked up like he fell in quicksand

I’m a grown-ass man, girl, I don’t need you

I can never tell a lie, girl, I’m too see-through

Know I came off strong, but I didn’t mean to

Got a couple little things I can really teach you.”

“Kickstand” is incredibly fun.

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14. Seal, “Kiss From A Rose”

Seal » Warner » 1994

“Ba-ya-ya, ba-da-da-da-da-da, ba-ya-ya.” British singer/songwriter Seal scored big with “Kiss from a Rose,” a ‘once in a lifetime’ pop song. The song to beat from his 1994, multiplatinum album, Seal, marks the most successful moment in his career. The gold-certified single spent one week at atop the Billboard Hot 100. It earned three Grammys: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Seal composed the ‘90s classic. “Kiss” is elite thanks to top-notch musicianship. Selling points include a unique harmonic progression, a sublime, wide-ranging vocal performance, and a brilliant arrangement, orchestration, and production (Trevor Horn produced). The songwriting is stunning, accentuated by Seal’s magnificent vocals. The chorus is the crowning achievement:

“Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray

Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, yeah

And now that your rose is in bloom

A light hits the gloom on the gray.”

Beyond the chorus, the verses have no shortage of lyrical highlights. “There used to be a greying tower alone on the sea,” he sings quietly but expressively in the first verse, continuing, “You became the light of the dark side of me.” In the second, Seal asserts, “To me, you’re like a growing addiction that I can’t deny / Won’t you tell me is that healthy, baby?” More than three decades old, “Kiss from a Rose” is timeless.

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15. Eminem, “Kim”

The Marshall Mathers LP » Interscope » 2000

“Baby, you’re so precious, daddy’s so proud of you,” Eminem (Marshall Mathers) asserts in the intro of “Kim”. He continues, “Sit down, bitch! You move again, I’ll beat the shit out of you!” 😳 In the latter line, Eminem addresses his ex-wife, Kim Scott. That is just one of many instances he calls her a bitch. It’s eyebrow-raising, foul language referencing a woman, particularly the mother of your child. “Kim” is the 16^th track from Eminem’s controversial but critically acclaimed, Grammy-winning 2000 album, The Marshall Mathers LP. Eminem has a lot to say, and it’s not family-friendly! Mathers, Jeff Bass, and Mark Bass wrote it while F.B.T. produced it.

Judging by the lyrics of the song, the relationship was a train wreck. “Quit crying, bitch! Why do you always make me shout at you?” Eminem asks Kim in the first verse, continuing, “How could you just leave me and love him out the blue?” By the end of the verse, Em informs Kim, “Come on! We’re going for a ride, bitch! /… We’ll be right back, well, I will, you will be in the trunk.” Gah-day-um, Eminem! Again, it is hard to keep up with how many times he refers to her as a bitch. There are many reasons why “Kim” is considered controversial. For one, he doesn’t change names. Kim Scott was his ex-wife. She’s not disguised here or protected, which feels like an asshole move. Eminem, portraying his wild alter ego Slim Shady, doesn’t hold back. He goes whole hog! The biggest reason why “Kim” is controversial is the misogynistic lyrics. The unsettling chorus is contradictory:

“So long, bitch, you did me wrong

I don’t wanna go on

Living in this world without you.”

Beyond the first verse and chorus, Eminem continues to be twisted. In the second verse, he raps, “There’s a **** year old little **** / Laying dead with a slit throat in your living room.” In the same verse, he admits, “You really fucked me, Kim, you really did a number on me / Never knew me cheatin’ on you would come back to haunt me.” The third verse is no tamer. There’s a “double homicide and suicide with no note.” Yikes 😬. Angrily, at the end of the verse, Eminem bites, “Now shut the fuck up, and get what’s comin’ to you / You were supposed to love me / Now bleed, bitch, bleed! Bleed, bitch, bleed! Bleed!” Is there any reason to explain why “Kim” is controversial? It is self-explanatory. The song doesn’t appear on the edited version of The Marshall Mathers LP, replaced by “The Kids”. It’s not family-friendly nor for the faint of heart. Eminem was straight-up savage 😳 😈!

Appears in:

Eminem, Kim: Controversial Songs No. 17 (2025)

16. Radiohead, “Karma Police”

OK Computer » XL Recordings » 1997

“This is what you’ll get / When you mess with us.” “Karma Police” is a highlight from Grammy-winning alternative rock band Radiohead. “Karma Police,” of course, appears on the iconic collective’s 1997 masterpiece, OK Computer. Written and produced by all members of the band (Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, Johnny Greenwood, Philip Selway, and Thom Yorke), Nigel Godrich also lends a hand behind the boards. “Karma Police” is striking the first time you hear it. The lyrics are incredibly sharp and colorful from the get-go:

“Karma police, arrest this man

Het talks in maths, he buzzes like a fridge

He’s like a detuned radio.”

Yes, yes, YES! Furthermore, Thom Yorke masterfully performs the creative lyrics. His tone is superb. Yorke even provides more oomph during the awesome outro, where he asserts, “For a minute there / I lost myself, I lost myself.” Adding to the sheer sublimeness that is “Karma Police” is the music itself. The harmonic scheme is intriguing, going beyond the standard progression. As for the overall timbre. I heart the rhythmic acoustic guitar, keys, and some of the electronics/sound effects incorporated. #Timeless.

Appears in:

13 Thrilling Songs About Karma (2021)

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17. Crime Mob, “Knuck If You Buck” (Ft. Lil Scrappy)

Crime Mob » Reprise » 2004

“Knuck if you buck, boy.” Oh, snap! Brace yourself for a fight, as the Atlanta rap collective Crime Mob asserts on the banger, “Knuck If You Buck”. The Mob enlists Lil Scrappy for the catchy and repetitive hook excerpted above. “Knuck” appeared on Crime Mob’s self-titled 2004 album. Despite a modest showing on the pop charts (number 76 on the Billboard Hot 100), it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2006. Fun fact: This is the only song by Crime Mob that has received a plaque from the RIAA.

“Knuck” features hardcore, dirty south production from Lil Jay and Doc Jam. The instrumental is dark, set in a minor key. Minimalist, the colorful looped synth and banging beat pack a mean punch. Each member unapologetically delivers compelling cadences and flows. Following Scrappy’s hook, Lil Jay kicks off the first verse. Memorably, he’s “Throwin’ them ‘bows up at these hoes / They screamin’, they bleedin’ from they nose.” Elbows can cause some serious damage! In the second verse, Princess “Pack heat like Saddam Hussein, Hitler, and Osama bin Laden.” Damn, girl! M.I.G. brings the fight to the fourth verse, spitting, “In my eyes, you wasn’t wise, I think it’s time I knuck you, ho.” In the fourth verse, Diamond raps, “Now we knuckin’ and buckin’ ‘cause I got a nine / I’ll blow you away, ‘cause you wastin’ my time.” Killa C caps things off, “Fuckin’ with no hoes, ain’t never been no lames / Ain’t never been no pussy, niggas scared to throw them things, mane.” Crime Mob brings the fire on “Knuck If You Buck”, no cap!

Appears in:

Crime Mob, Knuck If You Buck: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 No. 67 (2025)

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18. Roberta Flack, “Killing Me Softly With His Song”

Killing Me Softly » Atlantic » 1973

“Strumming my pain with his fingers / Singing my life with his words / Killing me softly with his song… / Telling my whole life, with his words…” Back in the day – the late 60s and 70s – Roberta Flack (1937 – 2025) had a fabulous run.  She had solo hits in addition to striking gold in the duets department.  One of her crowning achievements is “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” which, amazingly, wasn’t originally recorded by her.  Even so, “Killing Me Softly…” in her hands became the ‘IT’ version – the definitive recording.  Why is the Roberta Flack version so good? First and foremost, her voice is angelic, radiant, and incredibly soothing.  Flack has a way of ‘packing a punch’ without having over-singing. She doesn’t need gospel histrionics to sell the pain that she sings about, even considering this isn’t an original by herself.  It also helps that the songwriting by (Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel) is impeccable.  “I felt all flushed with fever / Embarrassed by the crowd,” she sings expressively, on the second verse, adding, “I felt he found my letters / And read each one out loud.”  Throw in colorful production work (Joel Dorn) that plays well to both pop and soul crowds, and you have a Grammy-winning, number one hit.  Hard to imagine anyone topping this ultra-successful version, right? Well, Fugees remade this gem with their epic rendition.

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19. Philip Glass, “Koyaanisqatsi”

Koyaanisqatsi (Complete Original Soundtrack) » Orange Mountain Music » 2009

Philip Glass (1937 – ) is the man. He is one of the most influential and prolific composers to ever live. Uniquely, Glass is renowned as a proponent of a simpler, minimalist style of composition and music, which has earned him universal acclaim. He paved the way for future composers to embrace simplicity. Minimalism still carries incredible weight and produces incredibly accomplished, distinct, and fulfilling music. Among my favorite Glass compositions is “Koyaanisqatsi”, the opener from the soundtrack to the 1982 non-narrative documentary film, also titled Koyaanisqatsi (directed by Godfrey Reggio). This Hopi word means Life out of balance, which is also the film’s subtitle. Glass composed the soundtrack for the film, and the Philip Glass Ensemble performed it. There are two Koyaanisqatsi albums. The soundtrack that accompanied the film features six tracks (“severely truncated form”). In 2009, Glass released Koyaanisqatsi (Complete Original Soundtrack), which features movements not found in the film.

From the start, “Koyaanisqatsi” is dark, enigmatic, and hypnotic. Even though it is set in a minor key, it is tonal – no dissonance to be found. Still, it is quite somber. Composed in Glass’s signature minimalist style, the simplistic, repeated lines captivate and mesmerize. An organ bass line dominates the music early, performed in four-bar phrases, establishing an anchor and clear foundation. Basso profondo (deep bass vocals) performed by Albert de Ruiter, repeats the titular lyric, beginning around the 30-second mark. The deep vocals, calm and poised instrumental, and repeated titular lyrics create a mysterious and somewhat unsettling aesthetic. After one minute in, we begin to get more development, a distinct, higher rhythmic line, also performed on keyboards/organ. After establishing the new idea and maintaining the bass notes in the keys, the basso profondo returns just before the one-minute mark. The increased rhythmic motion feels like Glass is digging deeper into the music, yet he maintains poise: a cool energy. Following the second round of vocals, a higher, varied organ/keyboard line enters the mix, just before the 2:00 mark. All parts come together with the basso profondo entering for the third and final time near the two-and-a-half-minute mark. Although not technically difficult from a compositional or performance perspective, “Koyaanisqatsi” feels as accomplished, cerebral, and prodigious as the most challenging and demanding pieces of classical music. Hear this opening gem once, and you will never be able to escape its minimalist brilliance.

Appears in:

Philip Glass, Koyaanisqatsi: Wacky Wednesday No. 25 (2025)

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20. Wynonie Harris, “Keep On Churnin’ (Till the Butter Come)”

Lovin’ Machine » Gusto » 2020

“Keep on churnin’ ‘til the butter comes / Keep on churnin’ ‘til the butter comes / Keep on pumpin’ make the butter flow / Wipe off the paddle and churn some more.” Was Wynonie Harris (1915 – 1969) really singing about churning butter, or is he getting at something else? Without a doubt, “Keep On Churnin’ (Till The Butter Come)”, recorded in 1952, thrives off its double entendre. Playing devil’s advocate, perhaps it’s my own dirty, perverted mind that makes “Keep On Churnin’” sound like a passionate sexual experience. But, pump can be slang for *cough* ejaculation. If you pump gas, it is inserted into the vehicle’s fuel tank, gassin’ it up 🤭! But surely, such pumping never crossed the R&B singer or the songwriters’ (Henry Glover, Jester Hairston, and Syd Nathan) minds, right? Well, I doubt Harris was that excited about butter… And when he sings, he is exuberant – each note is a bust, I mean, a burst of joy 💦 🤭 😈!

Harris does mention cows, as well as sheep, which brings up another potential double meaning. Harris sings, “Take the sheep, leave ‘em be / Bring the finest brown cow straight to me.” In the butter production scenario, he wouldn’t need the sheep – only the cow. But, is that fine brown cow a fine woman with a darker complexion? Typically, a cow, when referencing women specifically, has a negative connotation. The innuendo feels strong, particularly lines that feel less innocent. “Daddy needs butter for his shortnin’ bread.” Oh, does he, now 😈? “Ooh, now moo cow keep on swishin’ your tail…” Oh, yeah, sounds like he enjoys a big juicy peach 🍑! “First comes the milk, then comes the cream / Takes good butter to make your daddy scream.” There is no way that this is not about sex! It’s smooth like butter 🧈, baby! And the double entendre and innuendo never seem to end! “I’ll milk you cow / ‘Til my pail is full / Look out heifer / Here comes your bull.” What more of “Keep On Churnin’ (Till The Butter Come)” can you say but, MOOO 🐄!

Appears in:

The Alphabet Playlist Series 2025

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A Kool Kollection of K Songs (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic, BIGHIT MUSIC, Capitol, Conjunction Entertainment, Foreign Family Collective LLC, Gusto, Interscope, Island, Jive Label Group, LISTEN TO THE KIDS, Medium Build, LLC, Ninja Tune, Oakwood Ave Music, Orange Mountain Music, RCA, Reprise, River House Artists LLC, Sanctuary, SoNo Recording Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Top Dawg Entertainment, Universal Music AB, Warner, Warner Music Czech Republic s.r.o., XL Recordings; Armin Rimoldi from Pexels; AcatXIo, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay; Glodi Miessi on Unsplash]

A Kool Kollection of K Songs | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on September 22, 2025September 22, 2025