16.

P is for “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran.

Album: ÷

Atlantic

On “Perfect,” a standout from ÷, Ed Sheeran keeps in step with love, a subject that graces some of his best, most thoughtful songs.

“Baby I’m dancing in the dark with you between my arms / Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song / When you said you looked a mess, I whispered under my breath / But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight.”

“Perfect” has an endearing, soulful quality that hearkens back to years before Sheeran was even born.  He’s sincere, exhibiting authentic, genuine emotions, carried by his personality.  “Perfect” doesn’t break new ground, but he executes it near-perfectly.  The feels are here ladies and gents.

17.

Q stands for “QB Blitz” by Weezer.

Album: Pacific Daydream

Atlantic

Weezer isn’t the first artist one would associate with sports.  However, on their 2017 album Pacific Daydream, Rivers Cuomo schools us about football on “QB Blitz.”  In the context of the album, “QB Blitz” continues to feature solid production work.  The lyrics are ‘emo’ to the nth degree… yeah, this isn’t really about football! The chorus is catchy, if incredibly corny:

“This intercom is broken into pieces / I gotta call my QB Blitz, blitz / Out on the ice fields of Hoth / I’ll be / I’ll be missing you like oxygen…”

18.

R stands for “Running Back” by Wale.

Ft. Lil Wayne

Album: Shine

Atlantic

Wale didn’t play a great game this year.  Shine was one of the year’s flops.  However, the album had its moments, including a nod to football on “Running Back,” featuring Lil Wayne.  While “Running Back” is atypical of what we hear from Folarin, it’s slick AF and ends up working out well.  Essentially, this standout is a hard-hitting, flex-fest for both rappers.  Wale is on autopilot, using football-speak to his advantage:

“B*tches want money stacks, I just want my percent / She told me to hit the hole, I used to play running back / You n*ggas be fumbling, don’t give ‘em no gun again / These b*tches be flying out, yeah, ‘cause money be coming in.”

The part about hit the hole is just what you think it is.