Best of the United States… in Most Cases | Playlist 🎧

1. Jay-Z, “Empire State of Mind”

Ft. Alicia Keys

💿 Blueprint 3 • 🏷 Roc Nation • 📅 2009 

“Catch me at the X with OG at a Yankee game / Shit, I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can…” What happens when you put two 🏆 Grammy-winning musicians on the same track? Excellence, at least that’s the case with 🎙 Jay-Z and 🎙 Alicia Keys, who joined forces in 2009 to create a new anthem for the state/city with 🎵 “Empire State of Mind.”  “Empire State of Mind” marked one of the brightest spots of Hov’s 💿 The Blueprint 3, his final album of the aughts.  Keys would go on to record a solo version, 🎵 “Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down” to conclude her own 2009 album, 💿 The Element of Freedom.   

Keys gets the honor of performing the most memorable part of the song, the chorus:

“In New York
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There’s nothin’ you can’t do
Now you’re in New York
These streets will make you feel brand-new
Big lights will inspire you
Let’s hear it for New York, New York, New York.”

Even if she’s the star in that regard, Jay-Z is on-point, dropping some of the best rhymes of his career.  Looking back on this gem, which is more than a decade old, it’s not surprising why it was so beloved at the time and still garners plenty of praise.

Also appears on 🔽:

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2. Shawn Mendes, “305”

💿 Wonder • 🏷 Island • 📅 2020 

“It’s 3:05 / I’m on a rollercoaster ride,” 🎙 Shawn Mendes sings on the chorus of 🎵 “305.” “305” appears as the tenth track on his fourth studio album, 💿 Wonder.  He continues (in his feelings), “Hoping you don’t change your mind / I don’t wanna let go, never been so sure in my life.”

“305” brings a taste of old-school into Wonder, hearkening back to the 1960s.  Even so, it’s still sounds fresh and idiomatic of 2020.  The number is most significant here because it’s the Miami area code.  Obviously, that’s where Mendes’ bae is from (Camila Cabello was born in Cuba), and where he’s spent a significant amount of time.  It’s an enjoyable, up-tempo cut. A successful area code song all in all.

“If there’s a door to heaven, baby, you’re the key
And if I had to beg, I'd be on my knees.”

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3. Enrique Iglesias & Pitbull, “Move to Miami”

🎵 “Move to Miami” • 🏷 Sony • 📅 2018

Madrid and Miami are in the house – 🏆 Grammy-winning Spanish icon 🎙 Enrique Iglesias and 🏆Grammy-winning pop-rap sensation 🎙 Pitbull. The two artists have joined forces numerous times over the years. 🎵 “Move to Miami” keeps things brief, clocking in south of the three-minute mark.

Regarding depth, there’s little on “Move to Miami,” where Iglesias and Pitbull are simply enamored with the women of Miami.  On the first verse, Iglesias, sings, “This girl got me feelin’ risky.” On the pre-chorus, Pitbull raps, “She got that ass, she make it clap / She’ll leave you shook.” The chorus, performed solely by Iglesias, is all about moving to Miami – duh.

“She gon’ make you
She gon’ make you move
She gon’ make you move to Miami.”

Yeah, this electro-pop, Latin pop, reggaetón joint is utterly ridiculous.  But just because it’s ridiculous doesn’t strip it of being enjoyable or fun.

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4. Azealia Banks, “212”

Ft. Lazy Jay

💿 Broke with Expensive Taste • 🏷 Prospect Park • 📅 2014

“You could see I been that bitch since the Pamper / And that I am that young sis the beacon.” Well, da-yum, lol. For most of her career, 🎙 Azealia Banks has spent her time beefing with any and everybody. If she ever happens to read this blurb, she’ll probably start beefing with me.  Nonetheless, the controversial rapper and singer does have at least one nice tune under her belt in 🎵 “212,” a perfect fit for this 🎧 Best of the United States… in Most Cases. “212” appears on her sole album (to date), 💿 Broke with Expensive Taste.

212, of course, serves as the area code for New York City, New York, where Banks is from.  Backed by hard-hitting, danceable production by 🎛 Lazy Jay, she’s aggressive AF from the jump – you did see that pamper lyric, right?  She’s on autopilot, regardless how you feel about her. Yeah, asserting “Bitch, the end of your lives are near / This shit been mine, mine” might be a bit over the top, but judging merely by this song, Azealia’s definitely on to something.

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5. Tyler Carter, “Georgia”

💿 Leave Your Love EP • 🏷 Rise • 📅 2015 

On 🎵 “Georgia,” 🎙 Tyler Carter (best known as a member of metalcore band, 🎙 Issues) channels a serious perspective.  This is apparent from the beginning iterations of the lyrics, “Baby love, don’t leave.” It’s further confirmed by his self-characterizations as a loser (“Walked in the door, but he’s all coked out…He doubled the dose two months ago / But she just found out”).

That’s all fine and good – well, not good – but what does that have to do with Georgia exactly? Well, Carter’s “Baby love” is on her “Way to Georgia!” She’s out!

“‘In the morning I stole the love from ya,’ she said
‘Leave, in the morning I’ll be on my way to Georgia, oh’
Oh, like a thief in the night, you’ve taken what’s mine
Now it’s cold by my side, it’s cold by my side because
‘In the morning you’ll be on your way to Georgia’
‘Stole the love right from ya’.”

Carter’s faded pain is the listener’s triumphant gain on this highlight from 💿 Leave Your Love EP.

6. Janelle Monáe, “Americans”

💿 Dirty Computer • 🏷 Bad Boy • 📅 2018

“Love me baby, love me for who I am / Fallen angels, singing ‘Clap your hands’ / Don’t try to take my country, I will defend my land / I’m not crazy, baby, naw, I’m American.” 🎵 “Americans” concludes 💿 Dirty Computer, the critically-acclaimed, 🏆 Grammy-nominated album by 🎙 Janelle Monáe. Interestingly, as awesome as “Americans” is, it’s a bit more underrated compared to other gems from the album.

As the chorus suggest, “Americans,” embracing 80s production cues, delivers the ultimate socially charged message.  Janelle Monáe expounds upon the all-encompassing, changing face of America, which embraces a multitude of different races (“Until Latinos and Latinas don’t have to run from walls…”), lifestyles (“Uncle Sam kissed a man”), and religions.  Monáe also tackles resistance towards equality for women (“…She can wash my clothes / But she’ll never ever wear my pants”) and guns (“I keep my two guns on my blue nightstand”).

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7. Neil Young, “Southern Man”

💿 After the Gold Rush • 🏷 Reprise • 📅 1970

We can’t forget that the south has a checkered past.  This, is something that iconic Canadian singer/songwriter 🎙 Neil Young perfectly captures on 🎵 “Southern Man.” “Southern man, better keep your head / Don’t forget what your book said,” he sings on the chorus, adding, “Southern change gonna come at last / Now your crosses are burning fast / Southern man.”  “Southern Man” is a highlight from Young’s 1970 album, 💿 After the Gold Rush.

Is Young’s “Southern Man” a fair assessment of the south? Well, you can’t really run away from the past, even if the history is unfavorable and downright ugly.  Young highlights numerous sketchy happenings lyrically including “I saw cotton and I saw black,” “Southern man, when will you pay them [slaves] back?” and “I heard screaming and bullwhips cracking.”  These are all tough words to listen to, likely whether you are black or white, making it no surprise this socially charged record is controversial.  Still, this is an awesome classic rock record that certainly prompts discussion about justice, racism, and white privilege.  Maybe the assessment isn’t fair to the woke white men and women who are quick to denounce the past and strive to be better, but it’s also equally hard to refute the message Young delivers on this five-and-a-half-minute masterpiece.

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8. The Chicks, “Texas Man”

💿 Gaslighter • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2020

“I could use a Texas man / But one who can feel at home / Yeah, here in the California sand / Who holds me like he’ll never let go.” MAN, oh MAN, does that sound alluring! 🎼✍ Justin Tranter serves as a writer on 🎵 “Texas Man.” Ok, more context needed! “Texas Man” is an ear catching highlight from 🎙 The Chicks’ 2020 comeback album, 💿 Gaslighter.  On “Texas Man,” which is less about Texas than the man, 🎙 Natalie Maines is ready for a real man…  Of course, he must be from Texas!

“Texas Man” is a catchy country-pop joint from the 🏆 Grammy winning trio, period.  It’s one of many examples where Maines shows she’s ready to move forward beyond the past, something Gaslighter explores throughout.  She characterizes herself as “unraveled” and “more traveled,” but also asserts on the exuberant chorus, “If I’m not too much for you / Then sign me up, sign me up.”

9. The Carters, “713”

💿 EVERYTHING IS LOVE • 🏷 Sony • 📅 2018 

🎙 Beyoncé and 🎙 Jay-Z shocked the world with their surprise collaborative studio album, 💿 EVERYTHING IS LOVE in 2018.  Among the very best moments from The Carters’ collaboration is “713,” repping Bey’s hometown, Houston, Texas!  Can you say H-Town!

The distinct, rhythmic piano alone on “713” is enough to make it pop, sigh.  The production (Beyoncé, JAY-Z, 🎛 Cool & Dre, 🎛 808-Ray, and 🎛 Fred Ball) bangs like a mother! Of course, worth noting, “713” samples three different songs: 🎵 “Still D.R.E.” by 🎙 Dr. Dre (featuring 🎙 Snoop Dogg), 🎵 “Spinx Gate/The World it Softly Lulls” by 🎙 Hiatus Kaiyote, and 🎵 “The Light” by 🎙 Common. Jay-Z rides that piano (and beat) like a boss, splitting the hook with Bey.

“I’m representin’ for the hustlers all across the world (still)
Still dippin’ in my low-lows, girl! (still)
I put it down for the 713
And we still got love for the streets (oww!).”

Otherwise, “713” is a solo track.  Hov focuses on how his relationship with Mrs. Carter went down, which is quite interesting.

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10. Weezer, “I Love The USA”

💿 Weezer (White Album) – Deluxe • 🏷 Atlantic / Crush Music • 📅 2016

🎙 Weezer got patriotic on their 2016 single, 🎵 “I Love The USA” (Weezer (White Album) – Deluxe), which specifically honors NASA per Rolling Stone. “I Love the USA” opens with rhythmic piano chords which set the tone of the record. 🎙 Rivers Cuomo sounds terrific, showing off vocals that are as “clear as a bell.” On the chorus, he “belts it out,” exhibiting assertiveness. Lyrically, the record centers on American things.

The chorus is simple, but catchy as albeit:

“I love the USA
I love the USA
Fuck yeah, this place is great
I love the USA.”

Rivers dropping that bomb intensifies the effect and sentiment of the message.  Hmm, did Rivers taking a page out of 🎦 Team America: World Police book (“America, fuck yeah!”)? Beyond patriotic lyrics, there are plenty of thoughtful production touches – guitar, synths, and a dash of urban influence (just a dash).

11. Cheat Codes, “No Service in the Hills”

Ft. Trippie Redd, Blackbear & PRINCE$$ ROSIE

🎵 “No Service in the Hills” • 🏷 Too Easy / 300 Entertainment • 📅 2020

Los Angeles, California production team 🎙 Cheat Codes (🎙 Trevor Dahl, 🎙 Kevin Ford, and 🎙 Matthew Russell) know how to assemble a B-O-P.  They shine on their 2020 bop, 🎵 “No Service in the Hills” featuring a star-studded cast including 🎙 Trippie Redd, 🎙 Blackbear, and 🎙 PRINCE$$ ROSIE. “No Service in the Hills” is short, but there’s plenty to like.  The production (🎛 Jonas Jeberg and Dahl) is on-point.  The next big win is the chorus, performed mostly by blackbear, with some ad-libs courtesy of Trippie Redd.

Blackbear’s unique vocals are perfect to carry the infectious, memorable chorus:

“It’s no service in the hills
I can’t hit you back, you gon’ have to chill
Tryna make another mil’
I just can’t relax, I might take a pill
I’ve been way up, got my bread up
Talkin’ like you hungry, bitch, I’m fed up, yeah
It’s no service in the hills
I can’t hit you back, you gon’ have to chill.”

Of course, those hills are Beverly Hills in Cali. Other notable happenings include a #WOKE first verse by PRINCEE$$ ROSIE, referencing Tom Ford, Tom Cruise, and Henny.  Trippie Redd, meanwhile, gets his biggest contributions on the second verse, mentioning spending time “With a bad bitch, flirting in the hills,” threatening to “Commit murder in the hills,” and honestly, all things about – wait for it – THE HILLS.

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12. Elton John, “Philadelphia Freedom”

💿 Diamonds [via Captain Fantastic] • 🏷 Island • 📅 2017 [1975]

“Because I live and breathe this Philadelphia freedom / From the day that I was born I’ve waved the flag.” Pennsylvania itself doesn’t have much of ring to it regarding being the title of a song.  Hence, there aren’t many songs written explicitly about the state using its lengthy name as a title. However, 🎙 Elton John and longtime lyricist 🎼✍ Bernie Taupin knew that 🎵 “Philadelphia Freedom” had a ring to it, or at least, superb songwriting, singing, and most of all, the makings of a hit.

The song is a tribute to 🎾 Billie Jean King, a renowned tennis player who played on the Philadelphia Freedoms.  King, like John, is a member of the LGBTQ+ 🏳️‍🌈 community.

“Oh, Philadelphia freedom, shine on me
I love ya
Shine the light through the eyes of the ones left behind
Shine the light, shine the light
Shine the light, won't you shine the light?
Philadelphia freedom, I lo-o-ove ya.”

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13. Jon Bellion, “New York Soul – Pt. ii”

💿 The Human Condition • 🏷 Capitol • 📅 2016

“New Yorker in California, packed Brooklyn up in this bag / I’m in Malibu with the Bronx, she’s in Kevin Love with your man.” 🎙 Jon Bellion brings a sense of adventure and plenty of alternativeness to pop music.  He even managed to get some more mainstream attention on his 2016 album, 💿 The Human Condition, thanks to a hit single, 🎵 “All Time Low”. “All Time Low” was a bop for sure, but a personal favorite moment from the album was when he decided to bust out the bars and show pride for his home state on 🎵 “New York Soul – Pt. ii.”

“New York Soul – Pt. ii” is Jon Bellion to the core.  There is colorful, intriguing production work, with some bad ass beat/production switches in the process.  Bellion is confident AF, packing some punch behind his bars, particularly the moment he denounces “fuck boy rap” on the second verse. Adding to the allure, my boy 🎙 Alec Benjamin serenades us on the Brooklyn-loving chorus (“Lay me down in Brooklyn if I lose my life /… I did everything for New York”).

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14. John Prine, “My Old Kentucky Home, Goodnight”

🎵 “My Old Kentucky Home, Goodnight” • 🏷 Oh Boy / Thirty Tigers • 📅 2019

“Oh, the sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home / ‘Tis summer, the old folks are gay.” 🏆 Grammy-winning singer/songwriter 🎙 John Prine was truly special – may he rest in peace after succumbing to that devastating, SOB known as COVID-19 in 2020. Though he wasn’t from my home state of Kentucky, he sung a gorgeous rendition of the beloved state song, 🎵 “My Old Kentucky Home, Goodnight.”

“Where the corn top’s ripe and the meadow’s in the bloom
While the birds make music all the day.”

Honestly, there’s nothing more for me to say – just let the sublime music speak for itself!

“Weep no more, my lady
Oh, weep no more today
We'll sing one song
For my old Kentucky home
For my old Kentucky home, far away.”

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15. Father John Misty, “Bored in the USA”

💿 I Love You, Honeybear • 🏷 Sub Pop • 📅 2015 

🎵 “Bored in the USA,” a highlight from the 2015 album 💿 I Love You, Honeybear, is seemingly absurd from the start: “How many people rise and say, ‘My brain’s so awfully glad to be here for yet another mindless day’.”  Ultimately, 🎙 Father John Misty (🎙 Josh Tillman) seems to be painting a portrait that many feel about their lives as they get older.  Things change from being youthful and vivacious to being nothing short of a drag – a total bummer filled with bills, “beauty warps and fades,” and keeping “my prescriptions filled.” That ultimately includes the problems suffered in the USA with joblessness, economic issues, etc.

Most notably, “Bored in the USA” is a play on 🎙 Bruce Springsteen’s more enthusiastic-sounding classic, 🎵 “Born in the USA”.  It should be noted that even the Springsteen record is critical of certain facets of life in the U.S.A. “Bored in The U.S.A.” just adds fuel to the fire.

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