Because | 3 to 5 BOPS

Because: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 69 (2023), features musical BOPS courtesy of Deniece Williams, Kelly Clarkson, Ne-Yo, Sabrina Carpenter, and Vicki Yohe. 

Ah, you know what time it is! It’s 3 to 5 BOPS time – WOO! On 3 to 5 BOPS, it’s all about brevity and sweetness… for the most part! There’s a theme/topic, 3, 4, or 5 songs, and a blurb – two paragraphs or less.  3 to 5 BOPS, hence, is a mini playlist that shouldn’t take much time to consume.  In the 69^th edition of 3 to 5 BOPS (2023), we select songs that are associated with BECAUSE (or ‘CAUSE) in some form or fashion. The BOPS arrive courtesy of 🎙 Deniece Williams, 🎙 Kelly Clarkson, 🎙 Ne-Yo, 🎙 Sabrina Carpenter, and 🎙 Vicki Yohe. Okay, let’s get into it!

1. Sabrina Carpenter, “because I liked a boy”  

💿 emails I can’t send fwd: • 🏷 Island • 📅 2023  

Ah, the love triangle – always an intriguing thing to watch unfold. Disney had a juicy love triangle play out for the ages between 🎙 Olivia Rodrigo, 🎙 Joshua Bassett, and 🎙 Sabrina Carpenter, which The Daily Beast expounds upon.  The drama involving these three has been nothing short of a hot mess. Bassett has received plenty of heat, but as Carpenter suggests on 🎵 “because I liked a boy” from her 2022 album, 💿 emails I can’t send, she’s received the ire of fans. In the chorus, she bluntly sings, “Now I’m a homewrecker, I’m a slut / I got death threats fillin’ up semitrucks / Tellme who I am, guess I don’t have a choice / All because I liked…” Wow 😯 – well, that sort of sums it up, doesn’t it?  

Besides the chorus, Carpenter cites other instances of the ramifications of her relationship with Joshua Bassett.  “Who knew cuddling on trampolines could be so reckless?” Indeed! Far more tied into the triangle are the lyrics, “Was only tryna hold you close while your heart was failing.” Literally, Bassett experienced heart failure, seemingly a result of all this mess, which he himself has sung about on his song, 🎵 “Lifeline”. Essentially, Carpenter was trying to be supportive, yet, again, the backlash has been horrific.  One thing is for sure, on 🎵 “because I liked a boy”, Carpenter has learned a valuable life lesson: “Dating boys with exes / No, I wouldn’t recommend it.” At least Sabrina delivers a colorful pop bop out of this shee-it, written alongside 🎼 ✍ John Ryan (who also produces), Julia Michaels, and JP Saxe.    

Appears in 🔻:

• Sabrina Carpenter, because I liked a boy: FIERCE Pop + Rock 🔥🤘 18 (2023)
• BOY, These Songs Are About You (2023)

2. Deniece Williams, “Cause You Love Me Baby” 

💿 This Is Niecy • 🏷 Columbia • 🗓 1976 

“There’s nothin’ better that I like to do / Than sitting here cuddle up next to you / ‘Cause you love me, baby / Just the way I want to be loved.” Aww 🥰, that’s so romantic, 🎙 Deniece Williams!  Williams is one of my personal favorite soul musicians, period.  She possesses the voice of an angel 😇.  Her range, technical skills, and her ability to be commanding without over singing is incredibly impressive. 🎵 “Cause You Love Me Baby” marks another stellar song from her catalog, appearing as the fourth track on her 1976, gold certified album,  💿 This Is Niecy.  Of course, if you are familiar with This Is Niecy, you’ll know the biggest hit is the song that follows in the track list, 🎵 “Free”.  Even if “Cause You Love Me Baby” peaked modestly at no. 74 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, it still has ample Niecy magic.  Part of the magic of “Cause You Love Me Baby” is the classy, colorful, and soulful production.  This backdrop is comprised of lovely keys, guitar, and winds. The sound is idiomatic of the 1970s brand of R&B/soul.  Furthermore, the melody is tuneful throughout. Of course, it is the talented Deniece Williams who brings that melody to life.  Her vocals are incredibly nuanced and smooth. Even as she ascends into her potent upper register, she does so with ease, barely breaking a sweat.  Furthermore, she’s supported by superb backing vocals, complementing the soulfulness of her pipes and the record itself.  The big takeaway: “‘Cause you love me, baby / Just the way I want to be loved.” PERIOD!   

Appears in 🔻:  

• Deniece Williams, Cause You Love Me Baby: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 122 (2023)
• Deniece Williams: 3 to 5 BOPS 65 (2023)

3. Ne-Yo, “Because of You”

💿 Because of You • 🏷 The Island Def Jam Group • 📅 2007

“And I know this much is true / Baby, you have become my addiction / I’m so strung out on you / I can barely move, but I like it.” Oh my! 🎙 Ne-Yo (Shaffer Smith) has had an incredibly successful run in R&B. The singer/songwriter’s most successful period of his career was undoubtedly in the mid-late aughts where he released hit after hit.  Smith won three 🏆 Grammys, including a win for Best Contemporary R&B Album for 💿 Because Of You. The platinum certified album debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard 200. 🎵 “Because of You,” the opening track and single, was a big pop hit, peaking at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 💪. “Because of You” shined because of chill and cool potent vocals by Ne-Yo, memorable songwriting (Smith, 🎼 ✍ Tor Erik Hermansen, and Mikkel Storleer Eriksen), tuneful melodies, particularly in the chorus, and sweet production work (🎛 StarGate – Hermansen and Eriksen).  There’s no extensive analysis necessary as “Because of You” speaks for itself. Matters of the heart dominate the script. Ne-Yo is addicted – he can’t get enough or stop thinking of her: “And it’s all because of you /… Never get enough / She’s the sweetest drug.” Not only was he addicted to her, we – the listeners – were addicted to this song. Even 16 years later, “Because of You” is truly a fierce pop record. Fabulous singing, cool harmonic scheme (specifically the bridge), and a sophisticated, well-rounded ‘pop & B’ styled R&B record.

4. Kelly Clarkson, “Because of You”  

💿 Breakaway • 🏷 19 Recordings Ltd. • 📅 2004 

“Because of you / I never stray too far from the sidewalk / Because of you / I learned to play on the safe side, so I don’t get hurt.”  When you really analyze those lyrics from 🎵 “Because of You,” among the best songs from the 🎙 Kelly Clarkson catalog, they hit immensely hard.  Without any additional context, Clarkson has experienced something that has affected her throughout her entire life. “Because of You” marks a sadder moment from her multiplatinum, 🏆 Grammy-winning sophomore album, 💿 Breakaway. “I will not make the same mistakes that you did / I will not let myself cause my heart such misery.” Oh, boy, what is Clarkson getting at? A difficult childhood thanks to the d-word, DIVORCE.  Clarkson’s parents divorced when she was six, and she wrote “Because of You” when she was 16 reflecting on the experience. Essentially, Clarkson doesn’t want to repeat the mistakes made by her parents.  Also, how she’s been affected as a child has made her extremely careful as an adult about pursuing love. She’s seen the misery firsthand, and apparently, she felt forced to suppress her own emotions:  

“I lose my way 

And it’s not too long before you point it out 

I cannot cry 

Because I know that’s weakness in your eyes 

I’m forced to fake a smile, a laugh, every day of my life 

My heart can’t possibly break 

When it wasn’t even whole to start with.” 

Heavy but powerful.  While no one doubted Clarkson’s ability to sing after winning American Idol, they didn’t have faith in her was a songwriter.  Clarkson had to fight to get “Because of You” on an album.  It didn’t make the cut on her debut, Thankful, but remaining persistent, she secured the cut, which she refined with 🎼✍ 🎛 Ben Moody and David Hodges on Breakaway.  It was top 10 hit and a worldwide success.   

Appears in 🔻:  

• Bad, Bad Parents: The Playlist (2022)
• 13 B Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2 (2022)

5. Vicki Yohe, “Because Of Who You Are”

💿 I Just Want You • 🏷 Pure Springs • 📅 2003

“Because of who You are, I give You glory / Because of who You are, I give You praise.” Those are powerful words that gospel singer 🎙 Vicki Yohe sings on 🎵 “Because Of Who You Are”.  Yohe has an incredibly powerful voice.  It’s simultaneously beautiful and powerful, perfect to deliver a meaningful, rousing, and spiritual gospel record.  It should be noted that Yohe didn’t pen this beloved classic – that was the great 🎼 ✍ Martha Munizzi. This record, penned by Munnizi, and brought to life by Yohe, truly captures the power and the glory of The Most High, God.  Yohe goes on to sing, “Because of who You are, I will lift my voice and sing / Lord I worship You, because of who You Are.”

The A section of the record is marvelous in its own right. Just as moving if not more so is the One of the B section of the record, where Munizzi highlights different names given to God.  During this section, Vicki Yohe truly ups the ante spiritually, digging in more.  “Jehovah Jireh, my Provider / Jehovah Nissi, Lord You reign in victory,” she sings, continuing, “Jehovah Shalom, My Prince of Peace / And I worship you because of who You are.” This section truly speaks to how great, how powerful, and how Omniscient God is, with those specific names hailing from The Bible.  By the end, Yohe modulates, riffing over the tuneful melody, and further accentuating the spirit built throughout the course of the song.  All told, 🎵 “Because Of Who You Are” is a simple, but truly awesome song that gives all honor and glory to G-O-D 👏 👏 👏 !!!

Appears in 🔻:

• Vicki Yohe, Because Of Who You Are: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 49 (2023)

Because: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 69 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 19 Recordings, Ltd., Columbia, Island, The Island Def Jam Music Group, Pure Springs]