Best | 5ive Songs

On the 91^st edition of 5ive Songs (2021), we select five songs that are associated with the word BEST in some form or fashion.

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elcome to 5ive Songs, where we keep things short and sweet – no extra calories or needless fluff! There’s a theme/topic, five songs, and a short blurb.  Yes, it’s a playlist, but it’s a miniature playlist that shouldn’t take much time to consume.  On the 91^st edition of 5ive Songs (2021), we select five songs that are associated with the word BEST in some form or fashion.  Okay, let’s get into it!

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1. Alicia Keys, “Best of Me”

Keys • RCA • 2021

One of the biggest surprises of 2021? Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter Alicia Keys releasing a new album a mere year after releasing ALICIA!  In advance of Keys, Keys released singles “Best of Me (Originals)” and “Best of Me (Unlocked)” – two distinct versions of the same song.  One of the big things that stands out about “Best of Me” is the vibe.  Keys seems to be channeling a certain aesthetic – sound more than poetic, transcendent songwriting.

“Best of Me” takes its time establishing itself, never feeling like it’s in a rush.   There’s a sense of enigma initially.  Lyrically, Keys keeps it simple on the verses, pre-chorus, as well as the centerpiece, the chorus:

“Baby, baby
We gonna rock forever
Ah-ha, ah-ha, ah
You get the best of me
...You got a way to make me feel.”

Vocally, Keys sounds nice, not doing anything game changing with her pipes but again, embracing feel and vibe.  She produces the original version while the ‘unlocked’ version adds Mike WiLL Made-It to the fold.

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2. Saweetie, “Best Friend” (Ft. Doja Cat)

“Best Friend” • ICY / Warner • 2021

Rapper Saweetie, assisted by Grammy-nominated female rapper, Doja Cat, brings the heat (and friendship) on the enjoyable “Best Friend”. Despite running just two-and-a-half-minute, that’s enough time for Saweetie and Doja to be unapologetic! With numerous songwriters on deck, it’s Dr. Luke and Rocco Did It Again that do work behind the boards.  They give the rappers a minimalist backdrop: 808s/trap drums and a minor key synth.  It’s perfect fuel for the fire as we’re made aware of the ‘bad bitch’ status from the jump.

The centerpiece is the chorus:

“That my best friend, she a real bad bitch
Got her own money, she don’t need no nig’
On the dance floor, she had two, three drinks
Now she twerkin’, she throw it out and come back in...”

Each rapper has their own one-liners whether it’s “I hit her phone with the tea, like ‘Bitch, guess what? / All the rich-ass boys wann fuck on us!” (Saweetie) or “That’s my best friend, if you need a freak / I ain’t dumb, but motherfucker, she my Tweedledee” (Doja Cat).  With these two on the track, the expectation was a banger, and that’s the result, PERIOD!

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3. Surfaces, “Sunday Best”

Where the Light Is • Surfaces Music / TenThousand Projects • 2019

“Ayy, feeling good, like I should / Went and took a walk around the neighborhood,” Forrest sings on the vibe that is “Sunday Best.”  “Sunday Best” appears on Surfaces’ 2019 album, Where the Light Is.  Even so, the record wouldn’t ‘blow up’ until 2020. Forrest continues the vibe on the ultra-catchy, infectious chorus: “Feeling blessed, never stressed / Got that sunshine on my Sunday best.”

As intended, listening to “Sunday Best” makes you feel good.  This is an inoffensive, pleasant pop record.  Furthermore, Surfaces uplifts listeners with positivity.  No, there’s no brand-new revelations we haven’t heard, but what Forrest does serve up resonates.  For example, “Every day can be a better day, despite the challenge / All you gotta do is leave it better than you found it” is wise.  Also true is the assertion made on the pre-chorus that “Everyone falls down sometimes / But you just gotta know it’ll all be fine.” Sure, it’s not as easy as just saying some words that’ll magically make everything alright, but Forrest and Colin Padalecki deliver a strong, must-hear message.

Also appears on :
11 Superb Sunday Songs

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4. Machine Gun Kelly & blackbear, “My ex’s best friend”

Tickets to My Downfall • Bad Boy / Interscope • 2020

On his 2020 album, Tickets to My Downfall, Machine Gun Kelly did an ‘about face’ shifting from rap to pop-punk.  All in all, it wasn’t a far-fetched shift considering Kells looks the part and has always had a rock star aesthetic.  Furthermore, Tickets to My Downfall has some intriguing moments including “My ex’s best friend” featuring blackbear.

Naturally, him and blackbear are a perfect match.  Both possess that rock energy (and ample tattoos). The listener, additionally, is treated to a rad chorus:

“I swear to God, I never fall in love
Then you showed up and I can't get enough of it
I swear to God, I never fall in love
I never fall in love, but I can't get enough of it.”

While I’ve emphasized the rock lane, this song does feature some hip-hop, particularly during bear’s verse.  Those drums – NOT ROCK, that’s for sure! Furthermore, bear’s melody is rhythmic, like rap and melodic rap.  Ultimately, the results of this sub-two-and-a-half-minute joint are successful.

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5. Sofi Tukker, “Best Friend” (Ft. NERVO, The Knocks & ALISA UENO)

Treehouse • Ultra • 2018

It’s all good for dance duo Sofi Tukker ( Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern) on “Best Friend”, among the best songs of 2017.  Released in advance of their 2018, Grammy-nominated album, Treehouse, “Best Friend” features great production, solid vocals (gimmicky and natural), and catchy songwriting.

“Best Friend” commences with a bang. The friendship begins with an abrupt intro (the eventual chorus), backed by a sick percussion groove.

“I think that I’ll keep loving you, way past 65
We made a language for us two, we don’t need to describe
Every time you call on me, I drop what I do
You are my best friend and we’ve got some shit to shoot.”

It’s followed by a more aggressive instrumental, with biting horns leading the charge.  The groove intensifies, setting up the infectious pre-chorus, performed by The Knocks (“Yo, you wanna meet me at the bar?).  In addition to The Knocks, NERVO and Alisa Ueno get in on the infectious, groovy action.

Also appears on :
11 Thrilling Best Friend Songs

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Best: 5ive Songs No. 91 (2021) [: Atlantic, Bad Boy, Brent Faulkner, Clovis Cheminot, ICY, Interscope, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay, Pexels, RCA, RODNAE Productions, Surfaces Music, TenThousand Projects, Ultra, Warner]

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