Reading Time: 19 min read

🎧 50 Best Songs of 2021 [πŸ“·: Aftermath, Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Columbia, Darkroom, Geffen, Interscope, Kemosabe, The Musical Hype, Pexels, RCA, RUPAM DUTTA on Unsplash, Taylor Swift, Vishnu R Nair]🎧 Best Songs of 2021 features songs courtesy of Adele, Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, Jazmine Sullivan, Lil Nas X, and Taylor Swift.Β 

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ne of the most daunting tasks, each and every year, is to select the BEST SONGS OF XXXX. After making the decision to axe the rankings and merely select a list of the best songs mid-year on 🎧 40 Best Songs of 2021 (So Far), the rankings have returned for the final edition, 🎧 50 Best Songs of 2021. In 2020, the final best-of list comprised of 100 songs (100 Best Songs of 2020).  This, year, there are four lists.  One list features 15 honorable mentions (🎧 Best Songs of 2021: Honorable Mentions), while the other three features songs 50-36, 35-21, and the top-20 respectively.

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🎧Best Songs of 2021 is loaded, as you’d expect! Some of the big names contributing their gift of songs are πŸŽ™ Adele, πŸŽ™ Billie Eilish, πŸŽ™ Doja Cat, πŸŽ™ Jazmine Sullivan, πŸŽ™ Lil Nas X, and πŸŽ™ Taylor Swift among others. Honestly, there’s a little bit of everything here, including songs I highly doubt others selected on their year-end/year in review lists. Agree or disagree, I hope you enjoy the most time-consuming, arduous compendium to put together year-in and year-out, 🎧 Best Songs of 2021. Here, is 🎧 Best Songs of 2021: Top 20.

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20. Jon Batiste, β€œCry”

πŸ’Ώ We Are β€’ 🏷 Verve β€’ πŸ“… 2021

Jon Batiste, We Are [πŸ“·: Verve]πŸŽ™ Jon Batiste delivers one of the year’s best and most satisfying R&B albums with πŸ’Ώ We Are. Featuring numerous elite songs, arguably the crΓ¨me de la crΓ¨me is 🎡 β€œCry.” The soulfulness is fully ingrained into β€œCry” including a righteous, robust bass line anchoring things down.Β  Throw in a simple but effective drum groove and commanding, nuanced vocals from Jon and β€œCry” is nothing to cry over in the least – save for its inspiring, ear-catching brilliance!

The messaging, which laments the injustices of the world, further fuels that ear catching brilliance on this unsung 2021 gem:

β€œFor the loss of the innocence
For the struggle of the immigrants
For the wrongful imprisonment.”

Give β€œCry” the flowers it deserves – ROSES!

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Also appears on πŸ”½:
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πŸ”— 🎧 40 Best Songs of 2021 (So Far)


19. Olivia Rodrigo, β€œBrutal”

πŸ’Ώ Sour β€’ 🏷 Geffen β€’ πŸ“… 2021Β 

Olivia Rodrigo, Sour [πŸ“·: Olivia Rodrigo / Geffen]β€œWhere’s my fucking teenage dream? / If someone tells me one more time / β€˜Enjoy your youth,’ I’m gonna cry.” Woo! πŸŽ™ Olivia Rodrigo kicks off her debut album, πŸ’Ώ SOUR with a surefire bang (and swear words) on 🎡 β€œBrutal.” It’s terrific opener which does a masterful job of setting the tone of the album.Β  Here, we get β€˜brutal’ honesty from Rodrigo.

I love the attitude and spunk that Rodrigo brings to the track. The sound perfectly encapsulates Gen-Z.Β  The chorus is epic, highlighted by the line, β€œGod, it’s brutal out here.”

β€œAll I did was try my best
This the kinda thanks I get?
Unrelentlessly upset
They say these are the golden years
But I wish I could disappear
Ego crush is so severe
God, it’s brutal out here.” 

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Also appears on πŸ”½:
πŸ”— 🎧 Brutal: 3BOPS No. 56 (2021)


18. Lil Nas X, β€œSun Goes Down”

πŸ’Ώ MONTERO β€’ 🏷 Columbia β€’ πŸ“… 2021Β 

Lil Nas X, Montero [πŸ“·: Columbia]β€œI wanna run away / Don’t wanna lie, I don’t want a life / Send me a gun and I’ll see the sun.” Wow, those lyrics from 🎡 β€œSun Goes Down” (πŸ’Ώ MONTERO) are definitely troubling, capturing the suicidal thoughts of a younger πŸŽ™ Lil Nas X, apparently.Β  Beyond the chorus, the πŸ† Grammy winner goes on to expound about his younger life, coping with bullying, colorism, and homosexuality.Β  While there’s ample sadness as to be expected, Nas X arrives at a happier place later, asserting, β€œAnd I’m happy by the way / That I made that jump, that leap of faith / I’m happy that it all worked out for me…”

The production is a big selling point on β€œSun Goes Down.” A team comprised of πŸŽ› Take A Daytrip, πŸŽ› Omer Fedi, and πŸŽ› Roy Lenzo do a marvelous job, with some of the best features being the warm sound, created by guitars and later, strings.Β  This is perfect fuel for Lil Nas X, who also has a well written, tuneful melody to work with. He gives a fine vocal performance, showing off his lower register.Β  The effect is a masculine sound that is sweet music to the ears.

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Also appears on πŸ”½:
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17. serpentwithfeet, β€œSame Size Shoe”

πŸ’Ώ DEACON β€’ 🏷 Secretly Canadian β€’ πŸ“… 2021

serpentwithfeet, DEACON [πŸ“·: Secretly Canadian]β€œCan’t love no man β€˜til I measured his feet,” alternative R&B artist πŸŽ™ serpentwithfeet (Josiah Wise) asserts on 🎡 β€œSame Size Shoe”. β€œSame Size Shoe” is arguably the best song from his sophomore album, πŸ’Ώ DEACON.Β  Later, Wise heeds the advice of his aunt singing, β€œMy auntie’s right, don’t fuck a man / If his shoes are two times the size of your hands.” Woo!

Besides the unique lyricism of the record, serpentwithfeet delivers an expressive, nuanced, and truly refined vocal performance. His best moments include the ad-libs, the bridge where he asks for his trumpet (you just must hear it for yourself), and of course, the chorus.Β  The chorus, as to expected, is infectious to the nth degree: β€œMe and my boo wear the same size shoe.” Additionally, the production (Wise, πŸŽ› Brandon Juhans, and πŸŽ› Batu) allures as well.

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16. BTS, β€œButter”

🎡 β€œButter” β€’ 🏷 BIGHIT MUSIC / HYBE β€’ πŸ—“ 2021

BTS, "Butter" [πŸ“· : BIGHIT / HYBE]β€œSidestep, right, left to my beat / High like the moon, rock with me, baby…” The πŸ† Grammy-nominated kings of K-Pop, πŸŽ™ BTS, dropped another hot single, with the chart topping 🎡 β€œButter”. Honestly, it’s everything. The production (πŸŽ› Rob Grimaldi, πŸŽ› Stephen Kirk, and πŸŽ› Ron Perry) is sleek. The backdrop is rhythmic, colorful, and ear catching.

Beyond the canvas, we get vocals and rhymes, exclusively performed in English. Adding to the excellence is a killer, tuneful melody, infectious, tongue-n-cheek lyrics, and tasty raps further boosting the β€˜swagger’ rating.Β  Honestly, all I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed on this crowd-pleasing, buttery smooth pop single. BTS simply have IT.

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Also appears on πŸ”½:
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15. Billie Eilish, β€œHappier Than Ever”

πŸ’Ώ Happier Than Ever β€’ 🏷 Darkroom / Interscope β€’ πŸ“… 2021

Billie Eilish, Happier Than Ever [πŸ“·: Darkroom / Interscope]β€œWhen I’m away from you / I’m happier than ever / Wish I could explain it better / I wish it wasn’t true.” 🎡 β€œHappier Than Ever” ranks among the biggest surprises of πŸ’Ώ Happier Than Ever, the awesome sophomore album from πŸŽ™ Billie Eilish. What makes the penultimate record surprising, you ask? Well, β€œHappier Than Ever” transforms into this bold, overblown rock cut. Β Say what?

Eilish, who tends to be a subtler vocalist, gives us a powerful, unexpected dynamic vocal on the second half of the track.Β  Just hearing this β€˜about-face,’ particularly after how the song commences is enough to make it a surefire winner.Β  Also, worth noting, as the record progresses, Eilish seems to grow angrier and angrier as opposed to happy.

β€œAnd I don’t talk shit about you on the internet
Never told anyone anything bad
β€˜Cause that shit’s embarrassing, you were my everything
And all that you did was make me fuckin’ sad.”

Here pain is our listening pleasure!

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14. Justin Bieber, β€œPeaches”

Ft. Daniel Caesar & GIVΔ’ON

πŸ’Ώ Justice β€’ 🏷 Def Jam β€’ πŸ—“ 2021

Justin Bieber, Justice [πŸ“·: Def Jam]β€œI got my peaches out in Georgia (Oh, yeah, shit) / I get my weed from California (That’s that shit).” There’s nothing profound about either of those lyrics πŸ† Grammy-winning pop superstar πŸŽ™ Justin Bieber sings on his πŸ“‰ no. 1 Hot 100 hit, 🎡 β€œPeaches” and yet, it’s absolutely and utterly infectious to the nth degree.Β  He continues on the golden chorus of this πŸ’Ώ Justice gem, β€œI took my chick up to the North, yeah (Badass bitch) / I get my light right from the source, yeah (Yeah, that’s it).”  While it seems that Bieber has this fruit-loving number on lockdown all by himself, he enlists the services of πŸ† Grammy winner πŸŽ™ Daniel Caesar and πŸ† Grammy nominee πŸŽ™ GIVΔ’ON.

This isn’t a game changing record, yet the more you listen, the more you find yourself hypnotized and wooed.Β  In the context of Justice, Bieber loosens up (the profanity on the chill chorus), while still focused on the modus operandi, LOVE. Both Caesar and GIVΔ’ON devote their verses to their respective lovers ❀. β€œPeaches” is definitely a one of 2021’s crowd pleasers.

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Also appears on πŸ”½:
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13. Brandi Carlile, β€œRight on Time”

πŸ’Ώ In These Silent Days β€’ 🏷 A Low Country Sound / Elektra β€’ πŸ“… 2021Β 

Brandi Carlile, In These Silent Days [πŸ“·: Elektra]β€œIt wasn’t right / But it’s right on time.” πŸ† Grammy winner πŸŽ™ Brandi Carlile experienced a productive 2020-21 despite COVID-19.Β  She published a memoir (πŸ“š Broken Horses: A Memoir) and recorded a new album, πŸ’Ώ In These Silent Days. Β The song at hand, 🎡 β€œRight on Time”, serves as an amazing opener and promo single.

β€œRight on Time” commences simply with Carlile accompanied by piano, with bass entering the mix.Β  She sings with great control, eventually expanding her scope, showing off the sheer power of her pipes.Β  The instrumentation expands on the second verse including drums, guitar, and backing vocals sweetening the mix as well. Carlile does a fantastic job of starting minimal and building β€œRight on Time” into a gorgeous, grandiose record. The songwriting is elite; the lyrics are poetic, and Carlile sings them with great emotion.Β  Notably, she highlights the title of her album: β€œIt’s not too late / Either way, I lose you in these silent days.” β€œRight on Time” plays to her strengths: great writer, great singer, and a top-notch artist.

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Also appears on πŸ”½:
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πŸ”— 🎧 Right: 5ive Songs No. 79 (2021)
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πŸ”— 🎧 Time ⏰: 5ive Songs No. 86 (2021)
πŸ”— 🎧 13 Intriguing Songs Fixated on Time ⏰ 


12. Doja Cat, β€œNeed to Know”

πŸ’Ώ Planet Her β€’ 🏷 Kemosabe / RCA β€’ πŸ“… 2021

Doja Cat, Planet Her [πŸ“·: Kemosabe / RCA]β€œI just been fantasizin’ (Size) / And we got a lotta time (Time) / Baby, come throw the pipe (Pipe).”  πŸŽ™ Doja Cat isn’t referencing a cigar! On 🎡 β€œNeed to Know”, one of the best moments from πŸ’Ώ Planet Her, Doja gives us a little bit of everything, singing often, while also dropping un-pitched rhymes on the second verse. The theme and topic of choice for Doja is SEX. What really sells this sexed-up joint is her big personality. Of course, SIZE matters in the bedroom: β€œWhat’s your size? (Size) / Add, subtract, divide (β€˜Vide).”

Furthermore, Doja wants her man to know, β€œI got a lotta new tricks for you, baby / Just sayin’ I’m flexible / I do what I can to get you off.” She doesn’t stop there, considering on the second verse she’s a magician: β€œOh, wait, you a fan of magic? / Poof, pussy like an Alakazam.” Woo! The crΓ¨me de la crΓ¨me – the crowning achievement – is the memorable chorus:

β€œWanna know what it’s like
Baby, show me what it’s like
I don’t really got no type
I just wanna fuck all night.”

A bonus? A music video πŸŽΆπŸ“Ό supplementing this sexed-up bop encompassing Doja’s abilities in the bedroom.

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Also appears on πŸ”½:
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11. Taylor Swift, β€œAll Too Well (10-Minute Version)”

πŸ’Ώ Red (Taylor’s Version) β€’ 🏷 Taylor Swift β€’ πŸ“… 2021

Taylor Swift, Red (Taylor's Version) [πŸ“·: Taylor Swift]πŸŽ™ Taylor Swift is living her best life. She is one of the savviest businesswomen in the game, ensuring she gets the proper compensation and the rights to her music. Few artists could re-record an album and receive significant success. Swift did so twice in 2021, releasing πŸ’Ώ Fearless (Taylor’s Version) and more recently, πŸ’Ώ Red (Taylor’s Version).Β  Among the most rewarding aspects of these re-recorded LPs has been the nostalgia, particularly revisiting the days when Swift was a country musician exclusively. One of the best instances of recapturing the past and incorporating the present is the fabulous, expanded 🎡 β€œAll Too Well (10 Minute Version).” Honestly, it takes skill to make a 10-minute song successful. Swift – well – she possesses those skills!

The original version and the shorter 🎡 β€œAll Too Well (Taylor’s Version)”, are strong.Β  That said, β€œAll Too Well (10 Minute Version)” is EPIC – a juggernaut to say the least!Β  What stands out most is what makes Taylor Swift elite – her songwriting. Yes, her voice sounds great, but it’s her pen – the lyrics – that shine. Verse after verse on this expanded version, Swift unleashes greatness.Β  Furthermore, back in 2012, would we ever expect to hear the clean-cut Swift dare utter β€œAnd you were tossing me the keys / β€˜Fuck the patriarchy’ / Key chain on the ground, we were always skipping town?” Those lyrics rank among my favorites. Of course, the chorus and it’s variations is the centerpiece – catchy and memorable to the nth degree.

β€œβ€˜Cause there we are again in the middle of the night
We’re dancing β€˜round the kitchen in the refrigerator light
Down the stairs, I was there
I remember it all too well.”

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10. Olivia Rodrigo, β€œGood 4 U”

πŸ’Ώ Sour β€’ 🏷 Geffen β€’ πŸ“… 2021

Olivia Rodrigo, Sour [πŸ“·: Olivia Rodrigo / Geffen]🎡 β€œgood 4 u” gives 🎡 β€œdrivers license” – the crowning achievement of πŸ’Ώ SOUR, the debut album by πŸŽ™ Olivia Rodrigo – a run for its money. Written by Rodrigo and 🎼 ✍ Daniel Nigro, Nigro also produces alongside πŸŽ› Alexander 23. Nigro and Alexander 23 craft a lit punk-pop-oriented backdrop filled with angst.Β 

Rodrigo matches the intensity, bringing ample personality via her angst-filled Gen-Z teenage persona!Β  Furthermore, she has the songwriting to sell via her performance, dabbling in that ever-relatable topic of heartbreak. The best moment is the chorus where she’s β€œCryin’ on the floor of my bathroom / But you’re so unaffected, I really don’t get it / but I guess good for you.”

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Also appears on πŸ”½:
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9. Adele, β€œTo Be Loved”

πŸ’Ώ 30 β€’ 🏷 Melted Stone / Columbia β€’ πŸ“… 2021Β 

Adele, 30 [πŸ“·: Melted Stone / Columbia]One of the most emotional songs from πŸ’Ώ 30, the fourth studio album by πŸ† Academy and Grammy Award winner, πŸŽ™ Adele, is also among the crΓ¨me de la crΓ¨me: 🎡 β€œTo Be Loved.”  β€œI’m so afraid, but I’m wide open,” Adele sings vulnerably on the second verse, continuing, β€œI’ll be the one to catch myself this time.” Throughout the lengthy record, she reflects on the hardship of love and the number that it did on her.

β€œTo Be Loved,” a ballad, is simple, accompanied by piano, but grows grander as her voice ascends (belts).Β  As this stunning record progresses, you feel every ounce of emotion she experiences.Β  The final chorus is the strongest, with the combination of high-flying vocals and gut-wrenching, heart-driven lyrics hitting the hardest:

β€œTo be loved and love at the highest count
Means to lose all the things I can’t live without
Let it be known, known, know
That I will choose, I will lose
It’s a sacrifice, but I can’t live a lie
Let it be known,
Let it be known that I tried, that I tried
Let it be known that I tried.” 

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8. Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow, β€œIndustry Baby”

πŸ’Ώ MONTERO β€’ 🏷 Columbia β€’ πŸ“… 2021

Lil Nas X, Montero [πŸ“·: Columbia]β€œI ain’t fall off, I just ain’t release my new shit.” Anyone who thought that πŸŽ™ Lil Nas X would be a one-hit-wonder was totally tripping.Β  The unapologetic, openly gay pop artist has been β€˜eating it up’ throughout 2021.Β  Once more, he’s killing it on 🎡 β€œINDUSTRY BABY” (πŸ’Ώ MONTERO), collaborating with red hot rapper πŸŽ™ Jack Harlow (Harlow doesn’t lie when he asserts, β€œI didn’t peak in high school, I’m still out here gettin’ cuter”).Β 

Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow on the same track? Magical. How about throwing in the production genius of πŸŽ› Take A Daytrip and πŸŽ› Kanye West?Β  The sound of the record is epic with hard-hitting drums and bright, accented brass.Β  Unsurprisingly, some samples shape the backdrop, which fuels both Lil Nas and Harlow.Β  I love the sheer confidence of Nas as well as the fact he doesn’t shy away from who he is: β€œI don’t fuck bitches, I’m queer, hah / But these niggas bitches like Madea, yeah, yeah, yeah, ayy.” Harlow gets his in too, beyond the β€˜cute’ line cited earlier: β€œI sent her back to her boyfriend with my handprint on her ass cheek.” Day-um, Jack!

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7. Ari Lennox, β€œPressure”

🎡 β€œPressure” β€’ 🏷 Dreamville / Roc Nation β€’ πŸ“… 2021

Ari Lennox, "Pressure" [πŸ“·: Dreamville / Interscope]β€œNow I’m on top and now I’m ridin’ sky-high / Don’t need nobody, but I’ll take you down tonight.” Woo! πŸŽ™ Ari Lennox is on fire on 🎡 β€œPressure”, period.Β  Her vocals are sassy and sexy – potent to the nth degree. The big draw is the personality she unleashes, in all its unrepentant sexiness. β€œSo fine and spicy, baby, jump up on this (pressure) / I guess that’s why you like it baby, come and get this pressure,” she sings on the infectious chorus.Β  Besides the chorus, Lennox β€˜does the damn thing’ on the verse, proving she’s a surefire, bad chick.Β  β€œToo fuckin’ hot for all these clothes anyways,” she confidently asserts, continuing, β€œMy body drippin’, boy, but you gon’ have to wait / But when you get it, lick it like a candy cane.” Day-um! Clearly, the sex is through the roof, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

Although painfully underrated, the R&B singer/songwriter is incredibly talented. The utterly sublime, steamy single was produced by πŸŽ› Jermaine Dupri, πŸŽ› Bryan-Michael Cox, and πŸŽ› Elite. Not only is Ari Lennox is fierce AF on β€œPressure,” but so is the backing instrumental, which has a dash of old-school. β€œPressure” ranks among the best songs released in 2021.

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6. Doja Cat, β€œKiss Me More”

Ft. SZA

πŸ’Ώ Planet Her β€’ 🏷 Kemosabe / RCA β€’ πŸ“… 2021

Doja Cat, Planet Her [πŸ“·: Kemosabe / RCA]Back with another big-time hit, πŸŽ™ Doja Cat taps πŸŽ™ SZA for the assist on 🎡 β€œKiss Me More”. The first time you hear β€œKiss Me More,” it’s infectious to the nth degree.Β  There are several reasons why this joint is so successful.Β  For one, it goes to the track’s underpinnings – the harmonic progression used is sweet.Β  Furthermore, the lush production work awesomely supports sweet vocal performances by both Doja Cat and later, SZA. Worth noting, an πŸŽ™ Olivia Newton-John classic, 🎡 β€œPhysical”, further fuels that fire.

Doja Cat both sings and rap, showing off her incredible versatility. She brings the heat on her rhymes coming over aggressive and sexed-TF-up (β€œI, I feel like fuckin’ somethin’” and β€œNiggas wishin’ that the pussy was a kissin’ booth”).Β  Furthermore, she remains playful.Β  As for SZA, she brings vocal contrast on the third verse, matching the aggressiveness of Doja (β€œPussy like holy grail, you know that / You gon’ make me need bail, you know that”). Once more, Doja Cat has constructed another surefire bop – it screams H-I-T / B-O-P!

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5. Elton John & Dua Lipa, β€œCold Heart – PNAU Remix”

πŸ’Ώ The Lockdown Sessions β€’ 🏷 Mercury β€’ πŸ—“ 2021

Elton John, The Lockdown Sessions [πŸ“·: Mercury]🎡 β€œCold Heart (PNAU Remix)” kicks πŸ’Ώ The Lockdown Sessions – the 32nd studio album by iconic musician, πŸŽ™ Elton John – off with a bang!Β  πŸŽ™ PNAU – πŸŽ› Nicholas Littlemore, πŸŽ› Sam Littlemore, and πŸŽ› Peter Mayes – create a transformative remix, period. πŸŽ™ Dua Lipa joins John on a delightful mashup sampling his classic, 🎡 β€œSacrifice” and the interpolation of another, 🎡 β€œRocket Man”.

From the onset, β€œCold Heart” grooves hard. The production is brilliant – colorful, picturesque, and incredibly slick. John is the first voice heard, adorning the warm, groovy backdrop with lyrics from β€œSacrifice.”  Following verse and pre-chorus, a sublime sounding Lipa enters singing β€œRocket Man” creating a super cool effect.Β  I like the way that Lipa’s vocals are layered as β€œCold Heart” progresses

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4. Silk Sonic, β€œLeave the Door Open”

πŸ’Ώ An Evening with Silk Sonic β€’ 🏷 Aftermath / Atlantic β€’ πŸ“… 2021

Silk Sonic, An Evening with Silk Sonic [πŸ“·: Aftermath Entertainment / Atlantic]πŸ† Grammy winners πŸŽ™ Bruno Mars and πŸŽ™ AndersonΒ  .Paak join forces as duo πŸŽ™ Silk Sonic releasing an album, πŸ’Ώ An Evening with Silk Sonic. Β In advance, the duo released an instant classic in 🎡 β€œLeave the Door Open”. β€œLeave the Door Open” was written by Paak, Mars, 🎼✍ Christopher Brody Brown, and 🎼✍ Dernst β€œD’Mile” Emile II, with Mars and D’Mile also producing. The four-minute-plus cut features a lush backdrop – we’d expect no less from these two.

We get soulful vocals by .Paak on the first verse: β€œWe should be dancin’, romancin’ / In the east wing and the west wing / Of this mansion, what’s happenin’.” Sexy! He doesn’t stop there, bringing the heat to the second verse as well: β€œThere’s so much love we could be making /… Girl, let’s jump in, it’s bubblin’.” As for Mars, he serves up the pre-chorus and the centerpiece, the chorus:

β€œI’ma leave the door open
...That you feel the way I feel
And you want me like I want you tonight, baby.”

β€œLeave the Door Open” is just what the doctor ordered, checking off all the boxes.

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Also Appears On πŸ”½:
πŸ”— 🎧 Leave: 5ive Songs No. 27 (2021)
πŸ”— 🎧 40 Best Songs of 2021 (So Far)
πŸ”— 🎧 13 Songs Where You’re Required to Leave
πŸ”— 🎧 Open: 3BOPS No. 66 (2021)


3. Adele, β€œEasy on Me”

πŸ’Ώ 30 β€’ 🏷 Melted Stone / Columbia β€’ πŸ“… 2021Β 

Adele, 30 [πŸ“·: Melted Stone / Columbia]

β€œI know there is hope in these waters / But I can’t bring myself to swim / When I am drowning in this silence / Baby, let me in.” Woo – that hits deep! πŸŽ™ Adele returned formidably on 🎡 β€œEasy on Me”, a personal promo single from her superb fourth studio album, πŸ’Ώ 30. The πŸ† Grammy winner’s voice is the biggest selling point of β€œEasy on Me,” which she wrote with 🎼✍ Greg Kurstin. Kurstin, a mastermind when it comes to the boards, does work on the production end of things too.Β  That said, β€œEasy on Me” is primarily a piano ballad, though we add a robust bass line and some light drum programming (nothing too crazy).

With soaring vocals, sound production, and a tuneful melody, the last box to be checked off is songwriting.Β  β€œEasy on Me” is the perfect song that allows Adele to get personal.Β  Divorce seems to be the primary culprit of the singer’s petition for β€˜ease,’ though she also asserts, β€œI was still a child / I didn’t get the chance to / Feel the world around me.” That seems to open the door to a variety of things that have affected her in her life.Β  The return of Adele = sheer brilliance!

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Also appears on πŸ”½:
πŸ”— 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: October 2021


2. Olivia Rodrigo, β€œDrivers License”

πŸ’Ώ Sour β€’ 🏷 Geffen β€’ πŸ“… 2021

Olivia Rodrigo, Sour [πŸ“·: Olivia Rodrigo / Geffen]πŸŽ™ Olivia Rodrigo totally compels on her former no. 1 single, 🎡 β€œdrivers license”,Β  the crowning achievement of her critically acclaimed, commercially successful debut album, πŸ’Ώ SOUR. β€œDrivers license” was written by Rodrigo and 🎼 ✍ Daniel Nigro, who also produces. While Olivia should totally be stoked here – she gets her driver’s license after all – she’s bummed. β€œToday I drove through the suburbs / Crying β€˜cause you weren’t around.” Ugh.Β  Of course, the guy she desired to be with is with someone else, and that person makes her totally insecure – I feel that.Β  On the third verse, she continues her lament, expressing how β€œAll of my friends are tired / Of hearing how much I miss you.”

Rodrigo sums up her feelings superbly on the chorus, asserting at the end, β€œI guess you didn’t mean what you wrote in that song about me / β€˜Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street.”  She also gets totally in her feelings on the bridge, dropping the bomb: β€œCan’t drive past the places we used to go to / β€˜Cause I still fuckin’ love you, babe.” β€œDrivers License” is a bop thanks to the songwriting, solid production and of course, an emotional, strong vocal performance, particularly on the chorus and bridge.Β  This is a contender for the best of the best, period.

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Also appears on πŸ”½:
πŸ”— 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: January 2021


1. Lil Nas X, β€œMONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”

πŸ’Ώ MONTERO β€’ 🏷 Columbia β€’ πŸ“… 2021

Lil Nas X, Montero [πŸ“·: Columbia]

β€œI’m not fazed, only here to sin / If Eve ain’t in your garden, you know that you can…” πŸ† Grammy-winning, openly gay πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆ pop artist πŸŽ™ Lil Nas X returned in 2021 with a controversial single, 🎡 β€œMONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”, the title track from his debut album, πŸ’Ώ MONTERO. Here, he reflects on his own experiences with his sexuality. Fueling the fire musically is sleek production courtesy of πŸŽ› Roy Lenzo, πŸŽ› Omer Fedi, and πŸŽ› Take A Daytrip. It’s the lyrics, narrative, and music video that make the record β€˜controversial.’

β€œMONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)” shares experiences associated with many gay men at some point. Lil Nas X expresses desire: β€œI wanna feel on your ass in Hawaii / I want that jet lag from fuckin’ and flyin’ / Shoot a child in your mouth while I’m ridin’.” He’s a man who wants to have sex, but plenty of folks are quick to criticize him for β€˜promoting a gay agenda.’ Gay sex remains taboo, sadly.Β  Another interesting lyric – β€œNever want the niggas that’s in my league / I wanna fuck the ones I envy, I envy” – is ear-catching because of its layers.Β  While β€˜incredibly gay’ to those who aren’t gay, Nas X speaks about crushing on someone more fit, handsome, as well as potentially hetero- as opposed to homosexual. Furthermore, he expresses the plight of being gay, whether it’s being trapped in the closet, religious tension, and other factors. You know what created an even bigger stir than this the best song of 2021? The music video πŸŽΆπŸ“Ό, which is unapologetic indeed!

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Also appears on πŸ”½:
πŸ”— 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: March 2021
πŸ”— 🎧 40 Best Songs of 2021 (So Far)
πŸ”— 🎧 A Must-Hear PRIDE πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆ Compendium: 2021
πŸ”— 😈🎢 Lil Nas X, β€œMONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)”: Controversial Tunes 😈🎢 No. 3
πŸ”— 🎧 13 Unapologetic, Controversial Tunes
πŸ”— 🎧 Name: 5ive Songs No. 92 (2021)
πŸ”— 🎧 15 Compelling Name Songs



🎧 50 Best Songs of 2021 [πŸ“·: 300 Entertainment, 1501 Certified Ent., A Low Country Sound, Aftermath, Artium Recordings, Atlantic, BIGHIT MUSIC, Brent Faulkner, BMG Rights Management, Columbia, Darkroom, Dead Oceans, Decca, Def Jam, Dreamville, Easy Eye Sound, Elektra, EMPIRE, Geffen, HYBE, InsideOutMusic, Interscope, Kemosabe, Loma Vista, MCA Nashville, Melted Stone, Mercury, Monsaert Label, The Musical Hype, My Music Box, OVO, Pexels, Polydor, RCA, Republic, Roc Nation, RUPAM DUTTAΒ onΒ Unsplash, Secretly Canadian, Taylor Swift, UMG Recordings, Inc., Universal Music New Zealand Limited, Verve, Vishnu R Nair, Warner, Ytse Jams, Inc.]


Categories: EvergreenLGBTQMusicPlaylistsPop CultureYear in Review

the musical hype

the musical hype (Brent Faulkner) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.

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