A Spectacular Compendium of S Songs

Reading Time: 30 min read

A Spectacular Compendium of S Songs features songs by Chappell Roan, Chief Keef & Mustard, Kendrick Lamar, Mariah Carey, Noah Kahan, and Tate McRae.

Ah, S, the 19^th letter of the alphabet! Following other alphabet playlists A through R (excluding I), S gets its time to shine on A Spectacular Compendium of S Songs. Each of the 25 songs that appear on A Spectacular Compendium of S Songs begins with an S-word. The only exception is A or THE preceding the S-word, etc. A Spectacular Compendium of S Songs features songs by Chappell Roan, Chief Keef & Mustard, Kendrick Lamar, Mariah Carey, Noah Kahan, and Tate McRae. So, without further ado, let us all embrace the power of S on A Spectacular Compendium of S Songs!

~ Table of Contents ~

1. Kendrick Lamar, “squabble up”	2. Tate McRae, “Sports Car”	3. Chief Keef & Mustard, “Shake Dat”	4. Mariah Carey, “Sugar Sweet” (Ft. Shenseea & Kehlani)
5. Saja Boys, “Soda Pop”	6. Chappell Roan, “The Subway”	7. Noah Kahan, “Stick Season”	8. Kali Uchis, “Sugar! Honey! Love!”
9. The Kid LAROI, “SHE DON’T NEED TO KNOW”	10. Ethel Cain, “Sun Bleached Flies”	11. Ruel, “The Suburbs”	12. Laufey, “Snow White”
13. Tsatsamis, “Sweet Praise”	14. Miley Cyrus, “Something Beautiful”	15. Behemoth, “The Shit Ov God”	16. Ari Lennox, “Soft Girl Era”
17. Oliver Anthony Music, “Scornful Woman”	18. Latto, “Sunday Service”	19. serpentwithfeet, “Safe Word”	20. SZA, “Saturn”
21. Benson Boone, “Slow It Down”	22. NLE Choppa, “SLUT ME OUT 2”	23. Jason Derulo & Michael Bublé, “Spicy Margarita”	24. Omar Apollo, “Spite”
25. Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Suck My Kiss”		The Alphabet Playlist Series 2025-26 🔻

1. Kendrick Lamar, “squabble up”

GNX » pgLang / Interscope » 2024

“God knows / I am reincarnated / I was stargazin’ / Life goes on, I need all my babies.”

Kendrick Lamar kicks off “squabble up”, a gem from his sixth studio album, GNX, with a bang. “Squabble up” is fun and funky, and finds K-Dot impressive with his pen, personality, cadence, and flow: “Woke up lookin’ for the broccoli / High-key, keep a horn on me, that Kamasi / IP, ownership, the blueprint is by me / Mr. Get Off, I get off and mop feet.” Each line deserves decoding and annotation. Lamar produced it with Scott Bridgeway, Jack Antonoff, Sounwave, and M-Tech. “Squabble Up” earned a special distinction: it debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100! Squabble up, Los Angeles lingo, has two meanings: to fight (square up) or to dance. Kendrick captures both meanings superbly in “Squabble Up.” At the end of the clever first verse, Lamar asserts, “I got the money and the power both gyratin’.” The second and third verses continue to show how impressive the second track from GNX is. “I got friends, I got foes, but they all sitting ducks,” he asserts in the second, adding, “Hit his turf and get crackin’, double back like deluxe.” Oh, snap! In the third verse, some colorful lines address his beef with Drake: “It was woof tickets on sale ‘til I silenced it / Pipe down, young, these some whole other politics / Bitch with him and some bitch in him, that’s a lot of bitch / Don’t hit him, he got kids with him, my apologies.” The crème de la crème is the chorus. It is infectious lyrically, not to mention the personality K-Dot shows:

“I feel good, get the fuck out my face

Look good, but she don’t got no taste

I walk in, walked out with the safe

Mando, let me know what the play.”

Kendrick Lamar killed it on “squabble up”!

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2. Tate McRae, “Sports Car”

So Close To What » RCA » 2025

“Where’d you put those keys? / We can share one seat.”

Hmm, wonder what Tate McRae is getting at on “Sports Car”? No deep analysis is necessary – she’s being naughty! “Sports Car” is the third single and seventh track from her third studio album, So Close To What. McRae, Julia Michaels, and producers Ryan Tedder and Grant penned “Sports Car.” It features mammoth drums and some whacky synths. The sound is clubby with its hip-hop-infused pop vibes. McRae does a little bit of everything vocally – breathy vocals, ‘falsetto,’ and sexy whispers. The keyword is ‘sexy’ as the big takeaway from “Sports Car” is naughtiness – sexual endeavors. “In the alley, in the back / In the center of this room / With the windows rolled down / Boy, don’t make me choose,” she sings in the pre-chorus regarding ‘where’ it ‘goes down.’

The crowning achievement is the chorus:

“I think you know what this is

I think you wanna uh

No, you ain’t got no Mrs.

Oh, but you got a sports car

We can uh-uh in it

While you drive it real far

Yeah, you know what this is

Yeah, you know what this is.”

Oh, the innuendo! “Sports Car” is a ‘thrill.’ McRae is having fun with him on this fun and titillating pop banger.

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3.Chief Keef & Mustard, “Shake Dat”

“Shake Dat” » 10 Summers / 43B » 2025

“Mustard on the beat, ho!”

Indeed, Mustard is on the beat, collaborating with drill rapper Chief Keef on the short but utterly infectious rap joint, “Shake Dat”. Despite the brevity, it is the irresistible chorus that went viral on TikTok, which earns “Shake Dat” its highest marks. “Baby girl, shake that (Goddamn) / You gon’ make me spank that, I’m tryin’ not to break that (Oh, yeah),” Keef raps, and continues, “It’s the big paycheck / Your momma gave you all that, you better not waste that.” That sound bite alone was sufficient to secure Keef and Mustard a surefire banger. Keef also drops a verse, filled with naughtiness that amplifies the carefree, party vibes. “She do a split on the dick (I ain’t lyin’) / Lil’ freaky-ass bitch always showin’ her tits (God, bitch),” he raps, and adds, “Yesterday, I was in the club, it was crazy / I know these bitches backs hurt from all that shaking (Goddamn).” It’s no poetic masterpiece but Keef is highly effective conveying an ass-shaking good time. As for the production (Mustard, GYLTTRYP, and Mr. Collipark), it most notably samples the Ying Yang Twins classic, “Whistle While You Twurk”, released in 2000. No, the backdrop doesn’t significantly change from the 2000s hit, but it doesn’t need to. “Shake Dat” is what it is, a fun, kick-ass rap banger.

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4. Mariah Carey, “Sugar Sweet” (Ft. Shenseea & Kehlani)

Here For It All » MARIAH / gamma. » 2025

“I’ma keep it nice, nice, neat, neat, sugar, sugar, sweet, sweet.”

Iconic, Grammy-winning R&B/pop singer/songwriter Mariah Carey keeps things sugar and sweet on her single, “Sugar Sweet”. “Sugar Sweet” is the fourth track from Carey’s 2025 comeback album, Here For It All. The single was released near the end of July 2025. She tapped Grammy-nominated Jamaican 🇯🇲 singer Shenseea (Chinsea Lee) and Grammy-nominated R&B standout, Kehlani, for assistance on this sugary sweet R&B track. Featuring multiple songwriters, including Carey, she produced it with HARV.

“Sugar Sweet” features a sleek contemporary R&B backdrop with a hint of tropical flavor. Carey sounds smokier here, singing in her lower and middle registers. “Walk to the car and there you are / Can’t explain the rush that I feel,” Carey sings, and continues, “Open up the door, you pull me towards you / Then you put your lips on me.” In the pre-chorus, Carey asserts, “Baby, I’m / Gonna use my expertise / I’ma keep it nice, I’m a keep it neat / I’ma keep it sugar, I’ma keep it sweet.” Word. Indeed, the memorable chorus, excerpted earlier, is sugary sweet. Kehlani sings the second verse, memorably referencing Carey’s 2005 The Emancipation of Mimi single, “It’s Like That” (“‘Cause I wanna take a ride / Let me blow your mind / Ride it from the passenger side (Side) / It’s like that y’all (That y’all)”). Shenseea sings the third and final verse, where she asserts, “And mi guarantee to love you proper (And mi guarantee) / So sweet, like a gizzada.” Ultimately, Mariah Carey, Shenseea, and Kehlani make a formidable trio that makes music that is indeed “Sugar Sweet”!

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5. Saja Boys, “Soda Pop”

KPop Demon Hunters (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film) » Republic » 2025

“You’re my soda pop / Gotta drink every drop.”

Ooh-wee! “Soda Pop” is the third track from KPop Demon Hunters (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film). The song is attributed to Saja Boys (Mystery, Abby, Jinu, Baby, and Romance), Andrew Choi, Neckwav, Danny Chung, KEVIN WOO, samUIL Lee, and, of course, the KPop Demon Hunter Cast. Although brief, “Soda Pop” catches the ear the first time you hear it. 24, Dominsuk, and Ian Eisendrath produce a mean-sounding K-pop bop!

By mean, I mean that “Soda Pop” is sleekly produced. The sound is bright and exuberant. This talented collective of singers delivers youthful, energetic vocals, beginning with Jinu in the first verse. “Don’t want you, need you / Yeah, I need you to fill me up,” he sings, and adds, at the end of the verse, “Every sip makes me want your, yeah.” Oh, yeah! The second verse features contributions from Mystery, Romance, and Abby. Mystery concludes, “When you’re in my arms, I hold you so tight / Can’t let go, no, no, not tonight.” Oh, the bubblegum-laden feels! The rhythmic, tuneful melodic lines are alluring. So is the lush pre-chorus that builds up to the infectious chorus. The chorus is the crème de la crème. It is the centerpiece of this pop bop!

“You’re all I can think of

Every drop I drink up

You’re my soda pop

My little soda pop

Cool me down, you’re so hot

Pour me up, I won’t stop

You’re my soda pop

My little soda pop.”

The soda pop remains potent in the third verse, a rap with a darker, more hard-nosed sound. Baby swears by her: “You hit the spot / Every little drip and drop, fizz and pop, ah.” Abby needs a second round: “And pour a lot and don’t you stop / ‘Til my soda pop fizzles out.” The second pre-chorus sets up an epic key change in the final chorus. The fizz is lofty with some sick high-flying vocal ad-libs. Ultimately, “Soda Pop” is delightful. This K-pop bop is fun, innocent, and inoffensive.

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6. Chappell Roan, “The Subway”

“The Subway” » KRA International Inc. / Island » 2025

“She’s got, she’s got away.”

Who, Chappell Roan (Kayleigh Rose Amstutz)? An ex. Enough said! The Grammy-winner shines on “The Subway”, which she penned with producer and multi-instrumentalist Dan Nigro. Beyond standard pop instrumentation (keys, guitar, bass, drums), which sounds striking, strings are incorporated into the musical backdrop. The soundscape supporting Amstutz is celestial. Roan sings beautifully and expressively. Matters of the heart, specifically heartbreak, fuel the fire. In the first verse, she sees her ex-girlfriend on the subway. Recognizing her specific features, she asserts, “I nearly had a breakdown.” Relatable. Later, after someone else wears the same perfume, she adds, “It almost killed me / I had to leave the room.” In the second verse, she still can’t get past her: “If in four months this feeling ain’t gone / Well, fuck this city / I’m movin’ to Saskatchewan.” In the chorus, she sings, “It’s just another day and it’s not over / ‘Til it’s over, it’s never over.” She adds in the post-chorus, “But I’m still counting down the days / ‘Til you’re just another girl on the subway.” Some of Roan’s biggest, baddest, and most expressive vocals arrive during the outro, excerpted earlier. If no other section of “The Subway” gives you the feels, the outro certainly will. Superb from start to finish, Chappell Roan put her foot, and her heart, into this one.

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7. Noah Kahan, “Stick Season”

Stick Season » Mercury / Republic » 2022

“And I love Vermont, but it’s the season of the sticks.”

Season of the sticks sounds like a bit of a sus time, Noah Kahan. The lyric hails from “Stick Season” the second track off Stick Season, released in 2022, and the expanded Stick Season (Forever), released in 2024. “Stick Season” was a massive hit for the Vermont singer/songwriter, peaking at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2024 – his first top-10 single. Kahan penned “Stick Season” and produced it alongside Gabe Simon.

The lyrics are fantastic on this folk, singer/songwriter song. Furthermore, Noah Kahan sings terrifically. Matters of the heart rear their ugly head in the first verse where Kahan has lost someone special and struggles to cope. To make matters even worse, it’s during a bad time: “Now I am stuck between my anger and the blame that I face / And memories are somethin’ even smoking weed does not replace /… Doc told me to travel, but there’s COVID on the planes.” Facts! In the second verse, he’s still in a funk: “No, I am no longer funny ‘cause I miss the way you laugh / You once called me ‘forever,’ now you still can’t call me back.” The crowning achievement is the chorus.

“And I love Vermont, but it’s the season of the sticks

And I saw your mom, she forgot that I existed

And it’s half my fault, but I just like to play the victim

I’ll drink alcohol ‘til my friends come home for Christmas

And I’ll dream each night of some version of you

That I might not have, but I did not lose

Now you’re tire tracks and one pair of shoes

And I’m split in half, but that’ll have to do.”

Word. Backed by a folksy backdrop (acoustic guitar fuels the fire), and singing heartfelt, passionate lyrics with a gorgeous tone and tuneful melodies, the multiplatinum “Stick Season” is the sugar honey iced tea.

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8. Kali Uchis, “Sugar! Honey! Love!”

Sincerely, » Kali Uchis, LLC / UMG Recordings, Inc. » 2025

“Swear at this point, I’ve seen it all,”

Grammy-winning R&B/Latin singer/songwriter Kali Uchis sings in the first verse of “Sugar! Honey! Love!”. She continues singing, honestly and sincerely, “So, nothing shocks me anymore / Sick and tired of betrayal, tell me, who can I trust?” Oh, snap! In the second track from her 2025 album, Sincerely, she recollects and reflects on life, love, and trauma. In the second verse, she acknowledges the past but also turns the page: “Every day was gray, you put color back to my world / Sugar honey, you gave me so much more to live for.”

Uchis penned “Sugar! Honey! Love!” and produced it with The Outfit. This is a song that floats along – it hypnotizes you. It begins with a silky smooth intro. The musical backdrop is calm, chill, cool, and collected. The sound is incredibly sophisticated, featuring gorgeous guitars, keys, and strings, as well as prominent bass and a solid groove from the drums. Uchis delivers lovely vocals. She sounds as cool as a cucumber for most of the song. Does she break a sweat? Barely, if at all! The chorus, the centerpiece, soars as Uchis acknowledges her come-up, which is authentic, meaningful, and thoughtful.

“And I did all my time for a crime that wasn’t mine

Made it out alive, now I’m letting the sun

Shine on me and my sweet sugar honey love

Shine all your light to this world, sugar, honey, love.”

Ultimately, “Sugar! Honey! Love!” is a fabulous gem from Kali Uchis. Her expressive vocal performance, honest delivery, and vulnerable lyricism shine.

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9. The Kid LAROI, “SHE DON’T NEED TO KNOW”

“SHE DON’T NEED TO KNOW” » Columbia » 2025

“She wanna be in love (Ayy, ayy, ayy) / She need to let it go (Ayy, ayy, ayy) / She know? I got a girl, but she say, ‘She don’t need to know’ (Ayy, ayy, ayy).”

The Kid LAROI (Charlton Howard) has evolved as an artist, landing stylistically on R&B-infused pop. He dropped a vibe-laden single, “SHE DON’T NEED TO KNOW”, in 2025. Howard penned “SHE DON’T NEED TO KNOW” with Jon Bellion, Pete Nappi, Antonio Zito, and Xplicit. Bellion, Nappi, Zito, Rogét Chahayed, and Tenroc produced it.

“SHE DON’T NEED TO KNOW” sounds bright, fun, and youthful, set in a major key. The Kid LAROI brings ample swagger to the track. “No, I can’t have you out here fuckin’ up the motion,” he sings in the first verse, and continues, “She on her knees, but she prayin’ to the Lord.” Oh, really? In the second verse, he asserts, “My baby told her how I get her right in that mode,” and continues, “How she don’t got a budget, she get right when she wants / How quick I put her in and get her right out them clothes.” D-d-damn! The melodic lines are quick and rhythmic. For the most part, Howard sings with ease, barely breaking a sweat – he has a cool but potent delivery. When he ascends higher, he sings with more oomph. With so many cooks in the kitchen writing and producing, it is no surprise that the backdrop is sweet. The accompaniment is R&B-styled (keys, pads, synths, percussive drum programming), somewhat reminiscent of the R&B of the 00s. Catchy, fun, memorable, and tuneful, The Kid LAROI shines on the two-and-a-half-minute “SHE DON’T NEED TO KNOW”.

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10. Ethel Cain, “Sun Bleached Flies”

Preacher’s Daughter » Daughters of Cain » 2022

“Sun-bleached flies sitting in the windowsill / Waiting for the day they escape,”

Ethel Cain (Hayden Silas Anhedönia) sings in the first lines of the first verse of “Sun Bleached Flies”. “Sun Bleached Flies” is the 12^th track from the trans musician’s 2022 album, Preacher’s Daughter. Before singing, the song commences minimally with piano accompaniment. Specifically, it sounds like an upright piano. There is a vintage, old-school aesthetic that instantly perks up the ears. Cain is the daughter of a deacon and was reared in the Southern Baptist church. While she no longer considers herself Christian, the church still plays a sizable role in her music. It influences this conceptual project, and specifically, this song. “What I wouldn’t give to be in church this Sunday / Listening to the choir, so heartfelt, all singing,” she sings nostalgically in the first verse, adding, “God loves you, but not enough to save you.” This is thought-provoking.

“But I don’t mind ‘cause that’s how my daddy raised me (How my daddy raised me)

If they strike once then you just hit ‘em twice as hard

But I always knew that in the end, no one was coming to save me

So, I just prayed, and I keep praying and praying and praying.”

“Sun Bleached Flies” is a complex, deep record. From the conceptual perspective of Preacher’s Daughter, this is a reflective song from Ethel (also, the protagonist), who appears to be deceased. Revisit other songs from the LP, such as “A House in Nebraska” (referenced in this song) and “Ptolemaea”, and there’s more backstory and clarity. From the beginning, Cain sings authentically and expressively. You buy what she is selling, particularly the most personal lyrics. The songwriting is stupendous. “And I spend my life watching it go by from the sidelines,” she sings in the second verse, adding, “And God, I’ve tried, but I think it’s about time I put up a fight.” After initial accompaniment by piano, the instrumental expands including the organ. Additionally, Cain receives support from background vocals. As the sub-eight-minute cut progresses, it grows grander and more dynamic. Even without the context of the concept, “Sun Bleached Flies” explores life, specifically trauma, love, and religion.

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11. Ruel, “The Suburbs”

Kicking My Feet » Recess Records Pty Ltd / Giant Music » 2025

“I could see us in the suburbs.”

Oh, really, Ruel (Ruel Vincent Van Dijk)? By us, it’s not us, the listener, but rather, his lover! “The Suburbs” marks the second single from the Australian pop heartthrob’s second studio album, Kicking My Feet. Van Dijk penned “The Suburbs” with Chelsea Lena, Fran Hall, and producers M-Phazes (Mark Landon) and Elias Danielson. The sound of “The Suburbs” is winning. I love how the guitar is used within the accompaniment. Later, in the centerpiece, the suburb-envisioning chorus, the sounds are bigger. The 1980s cues are prevalent, specifically the synths and the drum programming. While the musical backdrop is ear-catching, more striking is the performance by Ruel. His vocals are always on point! Do you remember when he was the kid with that special voice beyond his years? Welp, that hasn’t changed on “The Suburbs.” He wows with his chest voice, while also blessing us with a dash of falsetto. The melodies he sings are tuneful, with the chorus upping the ante. The theme is L-O-V-E. Ruel confesses in the pre-chorus, “I feel at home around you / Look what you’ve done to me, me.” Oh, snap – that boy is head over hills! He confirms this even more in the second verse, where he wants to “Swap the sires for the birds / In our house, it’ll feel like the only place on Earth.” Is it giving schmaltz for a 22-year-old? Maybe, but Ruel seems to be singing from his heart, and the fact that he has experienced love, something not everybody does, speaks volumes. All in all, “The Suburbs” is an enjoyable, heartfelt pop song.

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12. Laufey, “Snow White”

A Matter Of Time » Vingolf Recordings / AWAL Recordings America, Inc. » 2025

“Can’t help but notice all of the ways / In which I failed myself, I failed the world all the same.”

That is depressing, downtrodden, and negative, Laufey (Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir). She continues singing in the first verse of “Snow White”, “I don’t think I’m pretty, it’s not up for debate / A woman’s best currency’s her body, not her brain.” Again, depressing, but darkly poetic, and undoubtedly, relatable. I’m a man, and I find myself co-signing these self-deprecating, don’t feel good enough lyrics. The good news is that “Snow White,” the fourth single from the Grammy-winning, Icelandic-Chinese singer/songwriter’s third studio album, A Matter Of Time, is utterly sublime. Laufey penned “Snow White” and produced it with Spencer Stewart.

The songwriting is top-notch. The lyrics are thoughtful and sincere: “But mirrors tell lies to me, my mind just plays along / The world is a sick place, at least for a girl.” (Un-pretty boys, too, Laufey)! Laufey digs in and shows off her vulnerable side. Brilliantly, as she shares her insecurities, she references the fairy tale, Snow White: “Sometimes, I see her, she looks like Snow White / She’s everything I am, but my wrongs are turned to rights.” Her vocals are authentic and beautiful. She sounds incredibly refined every time she sings. She always seems to sing the right notes, with the appropriate dynamics, expression, and emphasis at just the right time. As “Snow White” progresses, Laufey steps up her game, singing more dynamically, giving a bigger performance. Beyond Laufey’s top-notch musicianship, the musical accompaniment is elite. Initially, she’s accompanied by rhythm guitar. The backdrop expands, adding the lush, rich sound of the cello, one of the instruments Laufey plays. “Snow White” is a homerun for Laufey. The only rub: the insecurities she feels! She is beautiful, gifted, and talented!

Appears in:

White is the Color of These 13 Songs (2025)

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13. Tsatsamis, “Sweet Praise”

Sweet Praise » Tsatsamis » 2025

You can’t find the sweet praise that Tsatsamis sings about in a church! The handsome and talented London-based singer, songwriter, and producer dropped a surefire bop with the summery, sweaty “Sweet Praise”. Get your dancing shoes on because there is no way you will listen to this joint and not dance. “Sweet Praise” was written, recorded, and produced by Tsatsamis and Strath. They put in some serious work. “Sweet Praise” deserves ample praise for so many reasons. The production is sleek. The driving, pulsating synths and hard-hitting beat, which hits you right in the chest, are striking. The soundscape is giving gay club vibes to the nth degree, and we S-T-A-N! With a picturesque backdrop fueling his fire, Tsatsamis brings the house down with his vocal performance. Early on, he delivers clear, gorgeous vocals, informing us of this “Sweet way to pray / On my knees / The cleanest love / Pure energy.” Woo! Yes, sir, down on my knees sending those prayers up! Memorably, in the chorus, he admits that he, “Thought I would die before I had you / Now I would kill just to keep you safe / Such a sweet way to praise, sweet, sweet way to pray.” Tsatsamis also showcases the power and versatility of this voice, towards the end of this dynamic dance joint when he sings, “Oh, no, no, no, no, no / So I live for your praise.” “Sweet Praise” slays, PERIOD!

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14. Miley Cyrus, “Something Beautiful”

Something Beautiful » MCEO Inc. / Columbia » 2025

“Tell me something beautiful, yeah, tonight / Until your lips turn blue.”

Miley Cyrus ‘comes out swinging’ on “Something Beautiful”, the second track from her ninth studio album, Something Beautiful. “Beautiful” finds Cyrus delivering stunning vocals with a top-notch tone and gorgeous balladry. If you are musically eclectic, “Something” thrives off sounds associated with various genres, including pop, rock, jazz, and R&B. Each section embraces a different stylistic identity while meshing seamlessly when it’s all said and done. “Something Beautiful” features poetic, ear-catching lyrics. “Ah, water to red wine, kissing to kill time / Oh my, yeah / Ah, watching the doves cry into the sunrise,” Cyrus sings in the first verse. In the second, she asserts, “I drown in devotion (Devotion), as deep as the ocean (The ocean) / So don’t let me go, no, no, no.” Marvelous, jazzy touches (horns, harmonic progression) occur during the varied pre-choruses (“Flash, bang, spark / Lighting up the dark / Bomb, bomb”). This section differentiates itself from the verses. During the chorus, there are some experimental cues (big distorted, noisy guitars). Cyrus’ vocals are distorted and even more playful:

“Boy, I’m losing my breath, yes

Boy, you’re marking up my necklace

Boy, I’m losing my breath

I’m undressing, I’m confessing that I’m so obsessed, yes.”

The loud, distorted section continues into the outro, expanding its wildness (“Eat my heart, break my soul / Take my parts, let me go…”). So much can be said regarding “Something Beautiful”. It is a beautiful, epic song from Miley.

Appears in:

Bops from 2025 That Make You Beam with Pride

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15. Behemoth, “The Shit Ov God”

The Shit Ov God » Nuclear Blast » 2025

“Eat my flesh, drink my blood / I am the shit ov God.”

‘Holy shit’ is an appropriate reaction to the intro of “The Shit Ov God”. The Polish metal band Behemoth is fascinating. They have consistently embraced anti-Christian, blasphemous, and satanic elements in their music. That is part of their allure. Behemoth remains ‘infernal as hell’ on the promo single and third track from their 13^th studio album, The Shit Ov God. “The Shit of God” is dark, heavy, and hellish. Who would have it any other way or expect something different? This shit that Nergal (Adam Darski) sings about, as well as the rest of the band plays, hits you right in the chest. Nergal’s vocals are coarse and unrefined, while the lyrics are damning. “You brighten the north, I rage down south,” Nergal sings in the first verse, continuing, “This heretic’s homily I offer thee now.” And, holy shit, the homily, which appears in the chorus, is heretical to the nth degree. Behemoth scrambles the letters of Jesus and In His Service, transforming them into pessimistic, unholy things:

“I for ingrate

E to eradicate

S for scorn

U for useless

S for the shame

J for the joyless

H to humiliate

S for thy son unloved

We are the shit ov God

We are the shit ov God.”

Wow… In the second verse, Nergal continues embracing the left-hand path: “They say you’re almighty, an illusion I quell / You serve up in Eden, I reign in hell.” Behemoth remains firmly committed to its renowned atheistic, satanic vibes on “The Shit Ov God”.

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16. Ari Lennox, “Soft Girl Era”

“Soft Girl Era” » Interscope » 2025

“Baby, that’s a million dollars in the mirror (Yeah) / Step back, get back, can’t get near her.”

Oh, snap, Ari Lennox (Courtney Salter)! The Grammy-nominated R&B singer/songwriter is in her “Soft Girl Era”! “Ain’t tryna do nothing but look pretty in here,” she continues singing in the centerpiece, the chorus, adding, “Hurry up and put me in my soft girl era.” Lennox penned “Soft Girl Era” alongside Ant Clemons, Gabrielle Rodgers, and producers Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox. The sound of the “Soft Girl Era” is terrific. It thrives off an awesome percussive groove and is anchored by a big, soulful bass line. There is nothing ‘soft’ about Lennox’s vocal performance. She ‘brings the heat’ as she touts her new era: “I can be your passenger princess / Move quick for a bitch, add interest / Don’t you tell nobody what you witnessed / ‘Cause what we doin’ ain’t no one’s business but you.” Yeah, Lennox is not too soft, particularly later when she asserts, “I can’t let you fuck me out the bonnet.” Woo! Throughout, “Soft Girl Era” features ear-catching, rhythmic, tuneful melodies. Lennox also gets a lift from lovely background vocals that deliver sickening harmonies. All in all, Lennox’s “Soft Girl Era” is not ‘soft’ in quality. Once more, Ari ‘brings it.’

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17. Oliver Anthony Music, “Scornful Woman”

“Scornful Woman” » Ollywoo Family Farms Music » 2025

A lot of people connected with Oliver Anthony Music in 2023 when he released the single, “Rich Men North of Richmond”. I respected his passion and sincerity when reviewing what I considered a polarizing song, but stated, ‘Personally, I don’t agree with some of his takes. I enjoyed the less heralded “Scornful Woman”100% more than the polarizing “Rich Men North of Richmond”. “Scornful Woman” was written and produced by Oliver Anthony Music. The writing is authentic, heartfelt, and honest. From the beginning, the connotation is negative. Oliver even gets Biblical: “Well, Eve grabbed the apple / And Adam took a bite / And now, all these years later / And the math still ain’t right / With a scornful woman / A scornful woman.” Oh, snap! Given that “Scornful Woman” is from the perspective of a divorced man experiencing pain, it hits differently. Vocally, Anthony is raw, showing off cracks and incredible nuances that can only be the product of a lived, painful experience. “And the court says fifty-fifty / But the math don’t seem right,” he sings in the second verse, concluding in the third, “She can have all the money / And they can keep all the fame / I’d go back to being broke as a joke / If I could just get a break from the pain.” Real talk! Beyond Oliver Anthony’s stellar vocals, the music is incredible too. The violinist kicks ass and takes names, period! The guitar roars – RAWR!!! “Scornful Woman” features epic vocals, thrilling music, and sincere writing.

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18. Latto, “Sunday Service”

Sugar Honey Iced Tea » Streamcut / RCA » 2024

“I don’t sing R&B but, bitch, I’m really her, fuck wrong with niggas?”

Grammy-nominated rapper Latto gets into the female rap beef with her 2024 single, “Sunday Service”. “Sunday Service,” appears on her 2024 album, Sugar Honey Iced Tea, features slinky-sounding production courtesy of Go Grizzly, Pooh Beatz, and Bankroll Got It. The sound catches the ear, featuring a banging beat. It’s fuel for the fire of Latto, who disses Miss, “Think U The Shit (Fart)”, Ice Spice.

Post-intro, the chorus is the first major section of the song heard. Latto is hard-nosed and unapologetic, serving up plenty of unique lines. “You ain’t my daddy, bitch, I’m big mama (Bitch) / Every time y’all book me with them hoes, it’s gon’ be big drama (Grrah),” she asserts, before dropping the gem of the chorus – maybe the whole song: “Twenty black Suburbans, we pull up like Sunday Service (Skrrt) / I just want a one on one, don’t know why she so nervous (Boop, ha) / Fuck what these hoes sayin’ ’cause my nigga say I’m perfect.” Well, damn! Expectedly, Latto performs with a unique flow to match her biting, scathing bars. Besides the colorful chorus, she also serves up two verses with no shortage of one-liners. “You a clown and I’m allergic, niggas straight up out the circus (Haha),” she spits in the first, adding in the second, “He can’t tell if it’s authentic or it’s surgery, please, Lil Nas X the only nigga curvin’ me.” Wow! And one more insult for good measure, also from the second verse: “Do you rap, or do you tweet? ‘Cause I can’t tell, get in the booth, bitch.” “Sunday Service” is nothing short of entertaining.

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19. serpentwithfeet, “Safe Word”

GRIP » Secretly Canadian » 2024

“I’m your shelter.”

That’s what serpentwithfeet (Josiah Wise) proclaims on “Safe Word”, the second single from his 2024 album, GRIP. Wise is feeling frisky, surprising given the title of the song. Besides being the shelter for his partner, he is also “the safe word.” Wise penned this sub-three-minute, sensual joint, while I Like That produces. I Like That gives the Baltimore musician a fine backdrop, characterized by the tasteful use of guitar and a sweet groove. Of course, it is serpentwithfeet that steals the show on “Safe Word.” Wise’s vocals are stunning; his falsetto is to die for. The tone and approach on this contemporary /alternative R&B record is fitting. Notably, the single cover art features Wise locking lips with his boyfriend. Before even listening, it’s hinted that safeness hits a bit different. “A penny saved might be a penny earned / But if you save that freaky shit for later, you’ll never learn,” Wise sings, serving up a slight variation in the next two lines. “Safe Word” encompasses love but also exhibits explicit passion: “Choke me now, fuck me now / Upload that dick into the cloud / I’m insatiable, make it conversational /… Oh, by the way, my nigga’s carryin’ a log.” Whoa! Ooh-la-la! “Safe Word” is not safe for work, but it’s safe to say that it is a vibe – a sexual vibe – from the onset.

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20. SZA, “Saturn”

SOS Deluxe: LANA » Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA » 2024

“If there’s a point to losing love / Repeating pain (Why?) / It’s all the same (Same) / I hate this place.”

Grammy-winning R&B artist SZA has outer space on her mind in her single, “Saturn”… to an extent. She needs a change of pace, one that doesn’t seem like an option on Earth or in her current trajectory. In the pre-chorus, she asserts, “Stuck in this paradigm / Don’t believe in paradise / This must be what hell is like.” She adds that she’s “Sick of this head of mine / Intrusive thoughts, they paralyze.” Getting inside of your dome can mess you up! What isn’t a mess in the least is “Saturn” from a musical perspective. The lyrics and instrumental are fabulous. The backdrop matches the introspective nature of the lyrics with a recurrent, string-like rhythmic synth, robust bass line, and soulful groove. The melodies are tuneful and rhythmic in the verses, where SZA is critical of her current status and has questions. In the second verse, she asks, “If karma’s really real / How am I still here?” As she sings, she sounds radiant, with that signature, expressive and warm tone. The section to beat is the chorus, where Saturn arrives, ‘rings’ and all: “Ooh / Life’s better on Saturn / Got to break this pattern / Of floating away / Ooh / Find something worth saving / It’s all for the taking / I always say.” Ultimately, “Saturn” is nothing short of delightful.

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21.Benson Boone, “Slow It Down”

Fireworks & Rollerblades » Night Street / Warner » 2024

“Oh, now you’re crying, you’re in pieces / ‘Cause the only love you’ve ever known is Jesus / I can feel it / Oh, I hate that I’m the reason that you’re…”

Benson Boone has had a fabulous year in 2024. Following the success of “Beautiful Things”, Boone released a second compelling single, “Slow It Down”, which appears on his debut album, Fireworks & Rollerblades. “Slow It Down” was penned by Boone alongside Jack LaFrantz and producers Jason Evigan, Connor McDonough, and Riley McDonough. Benson begins singing abruptly on the track, supported by piano accompaniment. As always, his voice is stunning – he possesses a dynamic instrument. As he sings, you buy what he sells; he’s incredibly authentic. In the first verse, he speaks about this budding relationship and her fears of commitment. In the chorus, he switches from the ‘powered-up’ vocals to falsetto which is ripe – delightful to the nth degree. Thematically, he speaks about taking things slowly within the relationship sans pressure. The second verse adds additional instrumentation, sounding more developed than the first. He continues to sing his face off as he speaks on his anxiety regarding love (“I could lose you like the others / Only girl that’s never left me is my mother”). Despite the fever pitch reached, in the end, he indeed ‘slows it down’ and turns the volume down too. It’s a fitting ending to another fabulous pop song by the handsome, talented musician. “Slow It Down” is a winner.

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22. NLE Choppa, “SLUT ME OUT 2”

“SLUT ME OUT 2” » NLE Choppa Entertainment Inc. / Warner » 2024

“I need all the bad bitches to the floor.”

After he requested her to “SLUT ME OUT” in 2022, rapper NLE Choppa (Bryson Potts) desires more sluttiness in his two-minute-and-change single, “SLUT ME OUT 2”. “SLUT ME OUT 2” was written by Potts and producers EMRLD and Synthetic. The result – utter sluttiness, of course! The instrumental bangs. Following the intro, NLE Choppa drops the slutty chorus. “If I was a bad bitch, I’d wanna fuck me too, hmm,” he spits, continuing, “I’d wanna suck me too, hmm / I’d wanna slut me too, hmm.” Point made. While Potts is cocky, is he wrong? He’s a handsome, young, rich, and famous rapper. Beyond the chorus, there’s a verse and it’s purely sex. Some of the highlights include the carnal, “Ayy, let me nut on your butt / Ayy, put my face in your thighs, bitch,” “Suck on my Glock ‘til I bust / Suck on my balls, a must,” and “I’m tryna eat that ass and the pussy / I’m tryna take her to pound, pound, pound town (Baow, baow).” Holy she-it! NLE Choppa is horny AF on “SLUT ME OUT 2”. The single lacks depth – it’s pure pornographic rap – but his passion for lust and sex is, entertaining and titillating.

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23. Jason Derulo & Michael Bublé, “Spicy Margarita”

Nu King » Derulo, Inc. / Atlantic » 2024

Who saw a collaboration between Jason Derulo and Michael Bublé coming? No one! Despite this unlikely pairing, Derulo, an R&B-infused pop artist, and Bublé, an easy listening, traditional pop/jazz artist, join forces on the spicy single, “Spicy Margarita”, which appears on Derulo’s 2024 album, Nu King. “Spicy Margarita” keeps things short and sweet. Notably, this refreshing alcoholic drink – I mean, single – features multiple songwriters. Even with many cooks in the kitchen on the writing end, there are three producers: duo Mac & Phil, and Stryv. There are plenty of colorful production touches. It commences with a sultry Latin jazz sound.

Bublé sets the tone, singing an excerpt of the chorus:

“You’re my spicy margarita, babe

Burn my tongue, make me shake

Mix it up or give it to me straight

Turn me on, make me say.”

“Spicy” turns into Latin-tinged pop, with Derulo taking over lead vocal duties. Like Bublé, Derulo sings with an excellent tone. Lyrically, the innuendo, and sex are pronounced! In the first verse, he sings, “Snuck into the bathroom / She might be a problem / I should probably stay away.” Oh, my! Then there’s the pre-chorus, where he asserts, “Girl, you crazy, couldn’t even wait for the room / Shakin’, shakin’ tryin’ to keep up with you.” Woo! Perhaps the most memorable moment hails from the second verse: “She think I’m Jordan / But she scream, ‘Derulo’ (Derulo) / My ego enormous / Fillin’ up your body, babe.” Oh, snap! Fabulous singing, steamy lyrics, and colorful production make “Spicy Margarita” a fun and sexy pop song. This is the collaboration we didn’t know we needed!

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24.Omar Apollo, “Spite”

God Said No » Omar Apollo / Warner » 2024

“Why you gotta ruin every night? / Fifty K, I spend it out of spite / Every time. I see you on my phone / Hate that I still need you in my life.”

Handsome, talented, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Omar Apollo channels his anger into magnificent pop. He penned “Spite” (God Said No) while Blake Slatkin and Teo Halm produced the record. The groove catches the ear from the onset, setting the tone of “Spite.” The pummeling beat, prominent bass line, and rhythmic guitar stand out. Early on, a soulful, pop/rock vibe is established. There’s an alternative/indie vibe that Omar excels at. He sounds terrific in the verses, expressing his feelings. “I’m too far, I’m across the boat now / Ain’t been the same since I left my hometown,” he sings in the first verse, continuing, “I’ve been thinking ‘bout moving by you / It’s been nice having somewhere to fly to.” Ah, matters of the heart, specifically, a long-distance relationship. By the second verse, however, things are more tenuous: “Why you going out your way to hide me? / Every night that you spent beside me / It don’t matter, in my head, it’s working / Ain’t been picturing another person…” The pre-chorus is a fantastic build-up to the chorus, the crème de la crème, that is grander in sound. Omar’s vocals are especially expressive during the chorus – he ups the ante. Additionally, some synths amplify the sound. The post-chorus (“oohs”) shines as well. Ask yourself this question: does Omar Apollo ever make a bad song? The answer is a resounding, HELL NO.

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25. Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Suck My Kiss”

Blood Sugar Sex Magik » Warner » 1991

“Shoulda been, coulda been, shoulda been dead / If I didn’t get the message goin’ to my head.”

Anthony Kiedis is honest and transparent in “Suck My Kiss”. The Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman adds in the first verse of the Blood Sugar Sex Magik highlight, “I am what I am / Most motherfuckers don’t give a damn.” Ooh-wee, Anthony! For good measure, he drops the MF bomb later in the verse. As intriguing as his swearing is, the sexual nature of “Suck My Kiss” is most captivating.

“Someone full of fun do me ‘til I’m well done / Little Bo Peep comin’ from my stun gun.”

Dirty! It doesn’t stop with comin’ either. In the second verse, he playfully sings, “Chicka chicka dee, do me like a banshee.” A banshee screams, which is what Anthony wants her to do when they’re having sex. Horny as albeit, he wants some badly: “Hit me, you can’t hurt me, suck my kiss / Kiss me, please pervert me, stick with this.” Damn! Besides the entertaining lyrics and Kiedis’ terrific vocals, the music is fantastic. The band is in the pocket with their infectious, funky brand of rock. The drums (Chad Smith) groove hard, the bass (Flea) is active, funky, and robust, while John Frusciante kills it on guitar. RHCP constructed a gem. Rick Rubin poured in his expertise in the production seat. “Suck My Kiss” is one of the most badass, ‘sucking’ songs of all time!

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The Alphabet Playlist Series 2025-26 🔻
21 Randomly Curated, Amazing A Songs (2025)	A Buffet of Randomly Curated B Songs (2025)	A Collection of Randomly Curated C Songs (2025)
A Dazzling Drove of D Songs (2025)	An Epic Compendium of E Songs (2025)	A Fvckin’ Fantastic Bunch of F Songs (2025)
A Gripping Cluster of G Songs (2025)	A Heaping Dose of H Songs (2025)	Jam Out To This Jampacked List of J Songs (2025)
A Kool Kollection of K Songs (2025)	A Laudable List of L Songs (2025)	A Marvelous Sampling of M Songs (2025)
A Noteworthy Compendium of N Songs (2025)	An Outstanding Collection of O Songs (2025)	A Poppin’ Compendium of P Songs (2025)
A Quirky Collection of Q Songs (2025)	A Riveting Collection of R Songs (2025)	A Spectacular Compendium of S Songs (2025)

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A Spectacular Compendium of S Songs (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 10 Summers, 43B, Atlantic, AWAL Recordings America, Inc., Columbia, Daughters of Cain, Derulo, Inc., gamma., Giant Music, pgLang, Interscope, Island, Kali Uchis, LLC, KRA International Inc., MARIAH, MCEO Inc., Mercury, Night Street, NLE Choppa Entertainment Inc., Nuclear Blast, Ollywoo Family Farms Music, Omar Apollo, RCA, Recess Records Pty Ltd, Republic, Streamcut, Top Dawg Entertainment, Tsatsamis, UMG Recordings, Inc., Vingolf Recordings, Warner; Dave Naranjo, Nathan J. Hilton from Pexels; AcatXIo, David Dillon, Kate, OpenClipart-Vectors, Samuel Jiménez, Soufiane Design from Pixabay]

A Spectacular Compendium of S Songs | Playlist

Published by the musical hype on December 31, 2025December 31, 2025