100 Best Songs of 2020: 50 – 26 | Playlist 🎧

50. Chris Stapleton, “Starting Over”

💿 Starting Over • 🏷 Mercury • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 🆕 

🎵 “Starting Over” commences 💿 Starting Over on a high note. This gem is written by 🎙 Chris Stapleton and 🎙 Mike Henderson. Early on, “Staring Over” keeps things pretty simple, featuring rhythmic guitar accompaniment and a light, though rhythmic snare drum groove. Set in a major key, the optimism is at an all-time high.  As always, Stapleton delivers commanding, expressive vocals, bringing ample assertiveness to the table.  Even with the grit behind his pipes, the melodic lines throughout are quite tuneful.  The songwriting is well-rounded, focusing on taking risks and taking the plunge even amidst uncertainty. The memorable chorus serves as the centerpiece: “Let’s take our chances and roll the dice / I can be your lucky penny; you can be my four-leaf cover /Starting over.” Highlighting the production once more, eventually, the backdrop fills out. Stapleton adds a robust bass line, organ, and fuller drums.  An instrumental interlude with a different harmonic progression is worth highlighting. “Starting Over” is a massive success.

49. Conan Gray, “Heather”

💿 Kid Krow • 🏷 Republic • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 🆕

One of the best songs from 💿 Kid Krow, the debut album by 🎙 Conan Gray is 🎵 “Heather.” On “Heather,” Gray is wrongfully mad at Heather.  Why? The person he likes doesn’t like him, but likes Heather, so therefore, he dislikes Heather (“But how could I hate her? She’s such an angel / But then again, kinda wish she were dead…”).  It’s totally illogical mind you but very relatable, particularly the chorus. On the chorus, he sings, “Why would you ever kiss me? / I’m not even half as pretty / You gave her your sweater, it’s just polyester / But you like her better /(I wish I were Heather).”

48. Lady Gaga & BLACKPINK, “Sour Candy”

💿 Chromatica • 🏷 Interscope • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 🆕 

“I’m sour candy / So sweet, then I get a little angry, yeah /Sour candy, yeah, yeah, yeah…” Standout 🎵 “Sour Candy” arrives courtesy of 🎙 Lady Gaga, assisted by South Korean girl group, 🎙 BLACKPINK.  “Sour Candy” appears on 💿 Chromatica, the sixth studio album by the 🏆 Academy- and Grammy award winning musician. “I’m hard on the outside / But if you give me the time / Then I could make time for your love / I’m hard on the outside / But if you see inside, inside, inside…” “Sour Candy” yields positive results – nothing sour in the least! Why is it such a success? It’s rich in sweetness given the outlandish nature and artistry of Gaga, the personality exhibited by BLACKPINK, the catchy chorus, and superb production courtesy of 🎙 BloodPop® and 🎙 BURNS. Furthermore, the lyrics are quite playful, with some sexual innuendo in play, but nothing too crazy or too far to the left.  Ultimately, “Sour Candy” is incredibly fun.

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47. John Legend, “Conversations in the Dark”

💿 Bigger Love • 🏷 Columbia • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 18 ⬇

🏆 Grammy-winning R&B musician 🎙 John Legend shines on 🎵 “Conversations in the Dark”, the crème de la crème on his 2020 studio album, 💿 Bigger Love. “Conversations in the Dark” is a sound blend of pop and adult contemporary R&B. The crowning achievement of the record are those confident, robust, and incredibly soulful, baritone vocals.  Legend sounds as distinct as ever, delivering an expressive, nuanced, and balanced performance.  Early on, he exhibits more restraint.  As the song progresses and percolates, he offers more oomph and grit.  Each chorus adds more of that ‘Legendary’ bite, particularly as he incorporates those ripe, ad-libs. Beyond the vocals, the theme is relatable – everlasting, unbreakable love.  He sings about the depth of love throughout the verses, overtly confirming it on the catchy, memorable chorus. Another stellar moment comes on the bridge section, which pulls back slightly, before rebuilding the intensity. All in all, Legend adds another gem to his illustrious music collections with “Conversations in the Dark,” not to mention contributing one of the year’s very best songs.

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46. Twenty One Pilots, “Level of Concern”

🎵 “Level of Concern” • 🏷 Fueled by Ramen • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 13 ⬇

“Wonderin’ would you be my little quarantine? / Or is this the way it ends?” 🎙 Twenty One Pilots released an instant hit with their hella catchy, groovy quarantine anthem, 🎵 “Level of Concern”. “Level of Concern” is one of the musical crown jewels born out of the coronavirus pandemic. 🎙 Tyler Joseph delivers an honest vocal performance, sharing his thoughts on the state of the world and his anxiety. The chorus speaks directly to anxiety, discomfort, and uncertainty: “‘Cause I told you my level of concern / But you walked by like you never heard / And you could bring down my level of concern / Just need you to tell me you’re alright / Tell me we’re okay.” Joseph is accompanied by one of the most danceable, funky backdrops of his career, driven by the drum groove (🎙 Josh Dun), rhythmic guitar, and keyboards. Ultimately, Twenty One Pilots are as concerned as anyone else about COVID-19 and its effects on everyday life, but “Level of Concern” is a truly outstanding means to convey it.

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45. Rina Sawayama, “STFU”

💿 SAWAYAMA • 🏷 Dirty Hit • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 🆕

“How come you don’t expect me / To get mad when I’m angry? / … How come you don’t respect me? / Expecting fantasies to be my reality / Why don’t you just sit down and…” More folks need to be buzzing about 🎙 Rina Sawayama – she’s absolutely amazing! Her debut album, 💿 SAWAYAMA received universal critical acclaim. The LGBTQ+ musician 🏳️‍🌈 truly is a force to be reckoned with, something the showcases to the nth degree on “STFU” (aka “shut the fuck up”) the third track from SAWAYAMA. Sawayama dips her toes into metal 🤘on “STFU.” No, she doesn’t wail like a metal singer, but she brings attitude and the heat over an aggressive, guitar-driven backdrop. Who exactly she tell to shut the fuck up? Haters, judgmental folks, homophobes, etc. She’s over the BS essentially: “Shut the fuck up (Shh) / Have you ever thought about taping your big mouth shut?” 

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44. Alicia Keys, “Underdog”

💿 Alicia • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 33 ⬇ 

🎵 “Underdog”, a standout single from 💿 Alicia, stylistically encompasses pop, adult contemporary R&B, and singer/songwriter. Rather than embracing a piano backdrop, 🏆 Grammy-winner 🎙 Alicia Keys is accompanied by a rhythmic acoustic guitar backdrop on this 🎙 Ed Sheeran co-write. Emphasis should be placed on the singer/songwriter vibes lyrically.  Keys and her co-writers have a socially conscious mindset, best exemplified on the song’s centerpiece, the chorus: “So, I sing a song for the hustlers trading at the bus stop / Single mothers waiting on a check to come / Young teachers, student doctors /…This goes out to the underdog.” Of course, Alicia Keys sets up the underdog on both of the verses superbly.  The big takeaway is the end of both verses, where she suggests, “One conversation, a simple moment / The things that change us if we notice / When we look up sometimes.” The theme of “Underdog” latches from the onset. She sings this record well, providing some flashy ad-libs towards the end.

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43. Demi Lovato, “I Love Me”

🎵 “I Love Me” • 🏷 Island • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 24 ⬇

On 🎵 “I Love Me”, 🏆 Grammy-nominated pop artist 🎙 Demi Lovato moves towards a much better place, committed to loving herself. “I Love Me” is a strong pop record that features sleek, energetic production work, courtesy of 🎙 Oak, 🎙 Keith Sorrells, and 🎙 Alex Nice. Stylistically, it encompasses elements of electronic music and R&B, while being idiomatic of pop. Lovato’s vocals are the biggest selling point, mixing playful, feisty, profane moments with moments where she shoots straight bullets with her piercing, upper register ad-libs. The biggest takeaway is empowerment. “‘Cause I’m a black belt when I’m beating up on myself / But I’m an expert at giving love to somebody else,” she sings on the pre-chorus, continuing, “I, me, myself, and I don’t see eye to eye / Me, myself and I.”  That’s such a potent, incredibly relatable point.  On the chorus, she expounds further, as she works beyond being “my own worst critic” and towards “…When I love me is enough.” Ultimately, Lovato slays on “I Love Me,” keeping it 💯, balancing a relatable message and an infectious pop gem.

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42. The Weeknd, “After Hours”

After Hours • Republic • 2020

Previous Rank: 🆕

🎵 “After Hours” (💿 After Hours) is a throwback for 🎙 The Weekend; it sounds like his ultra-moody music of the past.  It’s long (north of six-minutes), but the vibe, vocal performance, and the production compensate.  The production (🎙 Illangelo, 🎙 Jason “DaHeala” Quenneville, and 🎙 Mario Winans) is satisfying to the nth degree: dark and moody (in a minor key) with cutting-edge synths and an infectious groove.  Of course, it’s that potent falsetto by The Weekend atop the backdrop that seals the deal.  Beyond the sound and vocals, the theme encompassing matters of the heart amplifies excellence.  He thrives on heartbreak.  The crowning achievement is the chorus. Abel Tesfaye is in his zone here, and that’s always a winning formula.

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41. The Strokes, “The Adults are Talking”

💿 The New Abnormal 🏷 RCA • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 23 ⬇

“They will blame us, crucify and shame us / We can’t help it if we are a problem / We are tryin’ hard to get your attention / I’m climbin’ up your wall.” 🎵 “The Adults Are Talking” is the quick, energetic, and potent opener from 💿 The New Abnormal, the long-awaited, sixth studio album by 🎙 The Strokes. The indie-rock record possesses a fun, danceable sensibility. 🎙 Julian Casablancas gives a muted, even-keel vocal performance for the most part, ascending into a sweet falsetto within the final two minutes. Don’t let this deceive about its MAD implications.  The performance makes sense, given the messaging – the inability for a subordinate’s voice to be heard. Besides the social and political aspects of “The Adults Are Talking,” there are also references to a relationship, which is pretty intriguing in its own right.

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40. 21 Savage & Metro Boomin, “Runnin”

💿 Savage Mode II • 🏷 Epic • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 🆕

🎵 “Runnin,” the first full-length track from 💿 Savage Mode II, the collaborative album by 🎙 21 Savage and 🎙 Metro Boomin, is nothing short of epic – 🚫🎓! The production by Metro goes hard, as does 21’s bars. 🎙 Diana Ross contributes to the epic sound, thanks to the sample of her 1976 classic, “I Thought It Took a Little Time (But Today I Fell in Love)”. As classy as Ross sounds on the sampled intro, 21 Savage truly is in ‘savage mode,’ dropping numerous lit, unapologetic one-liners.  While there’s nothing humorous per se, it’s hard not to chuckle when he asserts, “I was at the Met Gala with my shooter (on God).” The best part of the record is the chorus, which is infectious AF – “Runnin’, runnin’, runnin’, runnin’ / Runnin’, runnin’, I leave all my cars…”

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39. Billie Eilish, “No Time to Die”

🎵 “No Time to Die” • 🏷 Darkroom / Interscope • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 37 ⬇

After dominating the 🏆 Grammys, and following a high-profile Academy Awards in memoriam performance, 🎙 Billie Eilish returned with 🎵 “No Time to Die”, which appears in the 007 film, 🎥 No Time to Die. “No Time to Die” is written by Eilish and 🎙 FINNEAS, who also produces alongside 🎙 Stephen Lipson.  The sound balances that signature Eilish sound we’ve come to love – more understated, yet always chilling and haunting – and the dramatic, dark nature of the music appearing in the James Bond films.  For most of the song, the listener is mesmerized by the soft yet potent nature of her instrument, with ample lyrical expressiveness.  But even the oft-understated teen rises to the occasion, pushing her voice and singing dynamically to match the soaring nature of the music on the chorus. “No Time to Die” is a well-written, well-performed, truly gorgeous ballad that plays to her strengths. 

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38. Lady Gaga, “Stupid Love”

💿 Chromatica • 🏷 Interscope • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 🆕

🎙 Lady Gaga brings fun and energy on “Stupid Love”, the promo single from Chromatica. “Stupid Love” served as the first indication that Gaga was putting her dance-pop shoes back on – a good look. Vocally, she’s assertive, showing off her powerful pipes through driving, ‘in your face’ production – synths, pummeling drums – and quick tempo.  Her energy shines brightest on the simple, but potent chorus: “I want your stupid love, love / (Oh-oh-oh…).” Love centric, on the verses, Gaga makes it clear she’s found ‘a mighty love,’ so much so that on the second verse she asks, “Could this love protect me from the pain? / I would battle for you (Even if I break in two).” #Dedication.  That said, she “freaks out” on the refrain, prior to the pre-chorus where “All [she] ever wanted was love.” Fair enough! “Stupid Love” is actually pretty ‘intelligent,’ all in all.

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37. BLACKPINK, “Bet You Wanna”

Ft. Cardi B

💿 THE ALBUM • 🏷 YG Entertainment / Interscope • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 🆕 

“Something ‘bout me’s taking you higher (Hey, hey) / And you ain’t ever gonna come down (You ain’t ever, you ain’t ever)…” 🎵 “Bet You Wanna,” arguably, is the song to beat on 💿 THE ALBUM, the 2020 album by K-Pop girl group 🎙 BLACKPINK. “Bet You Wanna” features a ‘clean’ rap verse by 🏆 Grammy-winner 🎙 Cardi B.  Performed exclusively in English, “Bet You Wanna” is a bop from the opening tip. The production is sleek, anchored by beat that packs a mighty punch.  Furthermore, the songwriting is catchy – particularly the chorus – while the vocals by BLACKPINK #winning.

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36. Mariah Carey, “Save the Day”

Ft. Ms. Lauryn Hill

💿 The Rarities • 🏷 Columbia • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 🆕

Celebrating 30 years in the game, 🎙 Mariah Carey dropped 💿 The Rarities in October 2020.  We got a ‘brand-new’ gem out of the mix via 🎵 “Save the Day”,  which features 🎙 Ms. Lauryn Hill via sampling – “Killing Me Softly” (Fugees).  Elements of the remake of the iconic classic shine through “Save the Day,” allowing the record to hearken back to Carey’s own heyday, the 90s. Carey, sounds incredibly strong throughout. There has been some criticism of the abilities of her voice as she gets older and past her lucrative prime, but she’s quite potent here.  Furthermore, this recording doesn’t play it conservative – we get the full range of Carey from the lows to those soaring, dynamic highs. “Save the Day” is pretty sweet!

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35. Meek Mill, “Otherside of America”

🎵 “Otherside of America” • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 9 ⬇ 

“I’ve been tryna run from these caskets / All this pain built in me, nigga…” 🏆 Grammy-nominated rapper 🎙 Meek Mill gets socially conscious on the ferocious 🎵 “Otherside of America”. The record commences with a sample from an infamous Donald Trump speech, painting a damning picture about urban black life: “58% of your youth is unemployed. What the hell do you have to lose?” From there, Meek ‘goes TF in’ over a banging 🎙 SHROOM and 🎙 Butter Beats backdrop. Set in a minor key, the beat is crazy, and the orchestral cues add dramatic flair and intensity. Mill uses the first verse to share his life story – an arduous, dangerous childhood, and eventually experiencing his come up through rap.  Similarly, on the second, he reflects on rough-and-tumble times, including troubles faced, while also acknowledging his success story. The chorus that paints a portrait of the experience some blacks face that are far too often taken for granted, and that those who have privilege never face nor understand. All in all, Meek Mill slaughters, painting an excellent, unsettling portrait of “the other side of America.”

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34. Kehlani, “Toxic”

💿 It Was Good Until It Wasn’t • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 19 ⬇ 

“And that damn Don Julio made me a fool for you…” 🏆 Grammy-nominated R&B singer 🎙 Kehlani has been on a musical tear in 2020.  Perhaps her best moment from her sophomore album, 💿 It Was Good Until It Wasn’t, was the single, 🎵 “Toxic”. On “Toxic,” Kehlani knows this guy is bad news, even as she participates in his ‘toxic’ sexual endeavors.  The lush record, set in a minor key, is produced by 🎙 G.ry and 🎙 K.Beazy, who provide ‘Lani with a moody backdrop that perfectly supports the theme of the record – matters of the heart. “All of this love is toxic / … All these kisses and hugs is knock shit / You a damn drug, you’re toxic.” Yep, look no further than the chorus for how Kehlani is affected by love – it definitely sums it up.  The verses provide additional ‘details, particularly the second verse (“Surfin’ on your face while you eat that / Tryna make a bad bitch behave, no”). Adding to the colorful nature of “Toxic” are familiar, uncredited vocals (🎙 Ty Dolla $ign).  Ultimately, “Toxic” is enjoyable thanks to a well-rounded vocal performance, sound production, and alluring songwriting.

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33. Mickey Guyton, “Black Like Me”

💿 Bridges • 🏷 Capitol Nashville • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank:  🆕

“Broke my heart on the playground, mm / When they said I was different…” In 2020, a number of black musicians have used their platform to celebrate blackness and fight for racial equality.  🎙 Mickey Guyton is a black female in a genre that lacks much black representation – country music. She drops an incredible country single, 🎵 “Black Like Me” (💿 Bridges), that exhibits pride for being black and provides brilliant commentary on race. Theme and lyrics serve as the crowning achievement of of “Black Like Me.” Mickey reflects on the past and moves on to the present, as an adult.  She laments inequalities on the pre-chorus, and truly ‘brings it on home’ – what it feels like to experience it – even as an adult: “It’s a hard life on easy street / Just white painted picket fences far as you can see / If you think we live in the land of the free / You should try to be black like me.” Besides lyrics and theme, other bright spots include high-flying, powerhouse vocals of Guyton and production that does a fine job of balancing the pop/R&B sensibilities, while remaining idiomatic of country.

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32. Hayley Williams, “Leave It Alone”

💿 Petals for Armor • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 14 ⬇

“If you know love / You best prepare to grieve.” The thoughtfully penned 🎵 “Leave it Alone” (💿 Petals for Armor) finds 🎙 Hayley Williams totally consumed with grief.  The record has an extremely somber tone from the onset, instrumentally and lyrically. On the first verse, she sings, “‘Cause now that I want to live / Well everybody around me is dying / Now that I finally wanna live / The ones I love are dyin’.” Thinking about family members dying – people you care about leaving you – is totally depressing and overwhelming.  On the second verse, she’s further ‘triggered,’ providing a specific example of loss: “You don’t remember my name somedays / Or that we’re related / It triggers my worry / Who else am I gonna lose before I am ready? / And who’s gonna lose me?” The centerpiece of the record is the chorus, where “The truth’s a killer / But I can’t leave it alone…” An underrated gem from 2020, period.

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31. Rina Sawayama, “Chosen Family”

💿 SAWAYAMA • 🏷 Dirty Hit • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 🆕 

“We don’t need to be related to relate / We don’t need to share genes or a surname / You are, you are / My chosen, chosen family.” Gorgeous, meaningful lyrics, 🎙 Rina Sawayama! The awesome 🎵 “Chosen Family” hails from her 2020 full-length debut, 💿 SAWAYAMA. Rina, a member of the LGBTQ+ community 🏳️‍🌈, is thankful for her community – her ‘chosen Family’ – on this standout.  Sawayama serves up lovely, expressive, and nuanced vocals; you sense her authenticity and sincerity.  Furthermore, the production is gorgeous. The sound is balanced yet quite colorful and ear catching.  The best moment is undoubtedly the catchy chorus, the centerpiece of this standout record. You don’t have to be queer to relate to “Chosen Family”; the messaging is applicable to any number of situations.

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30. The Killers, “Caution”

💿 Imploding the Mirage • 🏷 Island • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 29 ⬇

“I’m throwin’ caution, what’s it gonna be? / Tonight, the winds of change are blowing wild and free.” 🎙 Brandon Flowers and 🎙 The Killers shined on 🎵 “Caution”, the promo single from 💿 Imploding the Mirage. “Caution” commences enigmatically, with pads and slow-moving, restrained vocals by Flowers on the intro. Soon enough, “Caution” embraces groove, a quick tempo, increased dynamics, and those signature expressive, powerful vocals by Flowers (The ‘radio edit’ starts here). As always, Flowers sings with incredible confidence, showcasing his personality, and has some great, narrative-driven lyrics to work with.  “Let me introduce you to the featherweight queen,” he sings on the first verse, continuing, “She got Hollywood eyes, but she can’t shoot what she sees.”  On the second, the lyrics continue to be descriptive – thoughtfully penned: “Never had a diamond on the sole of her shoes / Just blacktop white trash straight out of the news.” Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus, excerpted at the top. Ultimately, it’s a fantastic track featuring great production (🎙 Jonathan Rado and 🎙 Shawn Everett), top-notch vocals, and well-rounded, memorable songwriting.

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29. Conan Gray, “The Story”

💿 Kid Krow • 🏷 Republic • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 21 ⬇

“And the movie’s always runnin’ in my head / All the people, all the lovers, all my friends / And I hope that they all get their happy end / In the end.” 🎵 “The Story” is an absolutely stunning record – a truly awesome moment from 💿 Kid Krow, the debut studio album from 🎙 Conan Gray. What makes “The Story” so stunning? It starts with Gray’s angelic voice. He sings with incredible control and expression. Besides his spectacular performance, “The Story” is accomplished when it comes to production and songwriting. 🎙 Daniel Nigro handles the production, which begins very restrained and minimalist, placing the emphasis on Gray’s illustrious vocals.  With such adept pacing, the production percolates at the perfect moment, with Conan’s pipes following suit. The songwriting is even more magical.  Written solely by Gray, his ‘story’ encompasses unfortunate suicide and unrealized romance. The ‘sequel’ encompasses two friends trying to make a better life for themselves beyond their evil parents. All boxes are checked off on this totally must-hear, narrative gem.

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28. Miley Cyrus, “Midnight Sky”

💿 Plastic Hearts • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 🆕

“The midnight sky is the road I’m takin’ / Head high up in the clouds (Oh, oh).”  🎵 “Midnight Sky” finds the talented 🎙 Miley Cyrus showing off her superstar power.  All boxes are checked off this highlight from her 2020 album, 💿 Plastic Hearts. It’s written and produced by some of the best in the game. Notably, “Midnight Sky” samples “Edge of Seventeen” by 🎙 Stevie Nicks, nothing short of an awesome choice.  Obviously, the sample alone signals another about face for Miley: ‘disco-pop.’ Most importantly, “Midnight Sky” features aggressive, assertive vocals from Cyrus.  Her instrument has always been her best weapon; she has a distinct, cutting, powerful voice. She uses her vocals to command this fresh, yet retro dance/disco pop number. Her most passionate vocals arrive on the centerpiece, the chorus.

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27. Trey Songz, “2020 Riots: How Many Times”

💿 Back Home • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 17 ⬇ 

🎵 “2020 Riots: How Many Times” (💿 Back Home) marks an uncharacteristic song by 🎙 Trey Songz.  This powerful record finds him perturbed and totally pissed off about the racial injustice that has come to head in 2020, due to the senseless, unjust deaths of black men and women. “2020 Riots: How Many Times” superbly captures the frustration and the pain.  Songz opts for an old-school vibe with a dash of gospel sensibilities. 🎙 Troy Oliver and 🎙 Troy Taylor give him fuel for his fire, alongside the troubling happenings themselves. Songz cuts straight to the chase on the somber chorus, asking, “How many mothers have to cry / How many brothers gotta die? How many more times?” On the verses, he drives the narrative of injustices, referencing details that occurred to those slain and calling for action. “2020 Riots: How Many Times” is among the best songs of 2020 thanks to being authentic, heartfelt, thoughtful and woke.

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🔗 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: June 2020

26. Bob Dylan, “I Contain Multitudes”

💿 Rough and Rowdy Ways • 🏷 Columbia • 🗓 2020

Previous Rank: 🆕 

🎵 “I Contain Multitudes” commences 💿 Rough and Rowdy Ways in utterly sublime fashion.  A superb song title, it’s comes directly from a line from the classic, transcendentalist poem, “Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman.  Indeed, rock singer/songwriter icon 🎙 Bob Dylan “contains multitudes,” referencing countless things including cinema, history, and music such as “Them British bad boys, The Rolling Stones,” and “Playing Beethoven’s sonatas, and Chopin’s preludes.” Not only are the lyrics excellent, but “I Contain Multitudes” is a legit, gorgeous ballad that perfectly suits Dylan’s distinct voice.