Celebrate Youth with These 13 Young Songs | Playlist

Among artists featured on Celebrate Youth with These 13 Young Songs” are 5 Seconds of Summer, Adele, BØRNS, Khalid, and Miley Cyrus.

Ask any number of people one of their biggest fears, and it is getting old. Youth only lasts so long, and most of us don’t enjoy it to the full extent.  Regardless of your age, young or old, you can Celebrate Youth with These 13 Young Songs.  The criteria – the song title must feature some form of the word young.  With about ‘a bajillion’ youthful songs, the 13 songs selected for this playlist come from a small window – 2015 to 2018.  Among artists featured on this list are 5 Seconds of Summer, Adele, BØRNS (assisted by Lana Del Rey), Khalid, and Miley Cyrus.

1. 5 Seconds of Summer, “Youngblood”

Youngblood • Capitol • 2018

“Young blood / Say you want me, say you want me out of your life / And I’m just a dead man walking tonight / But you need it, yeah you need it all the time.” “Youngblood” arrives as the second advanced single from Youngblood, the highly-anticipated third studio album from 5 Seconds of Summer. Not only is “Youngblood” the title and second single, it kicks off the album.  It’s an energetic, slickly produced pop cut.  As far as sound is concerned, there are guitars in the mix, but more synths are in play compared to past 5SOS.  Even so, the sound suits the collective.  While the vocal performance is a bit more restrained on the verses, the vocals are edgier on the chorus, cutting through the production sheen you might say.

“...Say you want me, say you want me back in your life
So, I’m just a dead man crawling tonight
‘Cause I need it, yeah, I need it all of the time
Yeah, ooh, ooh, ooh.”

2. BØRNS, “God Save Our Young Blood”

Ft. Lana Del Rey

Blue Madonna • Interscope • 2018

“God Save Our Young Blood” superbly commences Blue Madonna, the sophomore album byBØRNS. The vocals begin relatively low-key, while the sound is cool, yet mysterious. There’s an air of chill, yet BØRNS still exhibits energy. Throughout, Lana Del Reysings alongside him, as opposed to being featured in a substantial solo role.  The pairing of the two distinct voices is strong. A true fever pitch occurs on the chorus, where the enigma grows more enigmatic, with synth-driven production leading the charge. As the ear adjusts and familiarizes itself to “God Save Our Young Blood,” the magic is revealed in all its glory.

3. Fall Out Boy, “Young and Menace”

M A N I A • Fueled by Ramen • 2018

When first hearing or perhaps, continuingly listening to the Fall Out Boy song “Young and Menace”, an Amy Winehouse lyric comes to mind – “What kind of fuckery is this?” Sigh, the questionable, suspect “Young and Menace” kicks off the band’s delayed M A N I A. Why? Arguably, “Young and Menace” is the oddest, most off-putting FOB single to date. Re-listening to it within the context of M A N I A, it’s not quite as egregious as it was upon first impression. Still, it’s a messy attempt at artistic evolution gone awry.  But, the boys make the list because, well, “young” is in the song title…

4. Nipsey Hussle, “Million While You Young”

Ft. The-Dream

Victory Lap • Atlantic • 2018

Nipsey Hussle had one of the overlooked rap debut albums in 2018.  Despite the fact that Victory Lap didn’t end up getting much buzz, the West Coast rapper secured a gem with “Million While You Young.” There are a number of reasons why “Million While You Young” shines.  (1) A confident rapper with a sick flow, spitting about his come-up, and (2) Soulful, lush, easy-going production work.  Getting an assist from The-Dream doesn’t hurt the song’s cause either. Flex on bro, flex on.

5. The Decemberists, “We All Die Young”

I’ll Be Your Girl • Capitol • 2018

The Decemberists bring some energy to the table on “We All Die Young,” a highlight from the indie-rock collective’s 2018 album, I’ll Be Your Girl.  The sound blends vintage pop, rock, and a good ole, happy major key.  Frontman Colin Meloy sounds energetic and invested as he assertively proclaims on the chorus, the obvious – “We all die young.” That’s about the size of it. Worth noting is the soulful tenor sax solo.

6. Pop Evil, “When We Were Young”

Pop Evil • Entertainment One • 2018

Reminiscing on the high hopes of youth comes in the form of a minor-key rock song in the hands of Pop Evil.  “When We Were Young” appears on the band’s 2018 self-titled album.  Leigh Kakaty seems to illustrate the disappointments that come to light in life, which are ultimately starkly different from the innocent, lofty desires and hopes developed when we’re young.  Despite the pessimism that life can bring, Kakaty and company aren’t going to let it get them down.

“I believe this life’s eternal
That nothing can last forever come on
High hopes since we were children
But we were young, we were young
Yeah
Right now full speed to nowhere
It’s a flat line from world to welfare
If you think I’m gonna come undone
You better run, you got another thing coming.”

7. Jhené Aiko, “While We’re Young”

Trip • Def Jam • 2017

Jhené Aiko quietly returned in 2017 with her sophomore album, Trip.  Honestly, the LP seemed to come out of nowhere with little fanfare (NOTE: 2016 single “Maniac” didn’t make the album).  “While We’re Young” served as the first single from the project, finding Aiko in love, and wanting to enjoy her youth.  “Baby while we’re young we should just have fun,” she sings on the second verse.

8. Khalid, “Young Dumb & Broke”

American Teen • RCA • 2017

“Young Dumb & Broke” arrives as the second track on American Teen, the debut album from R&B singer Khalid.  In the context of the album, “Young Dumb & Broke” keeps the momentum rolling. Khalid’s vocals are robust, characterized by utter distinctiveness – who sounds like this kid?  Where Khalid didn’t sound as thick on opener, “American Teen,” he contrasts here with a more biting, grittier sound.  “Young Dumb & Broke” superbly balances old- and new-school, featuring production cues from both.  This record is infectious from the jump.  Go youth!

9.Miley Cyrus, “Younger Now”

Younger Now • RCA • 2017

“Younger Now” embraces ‘new’ Miley Cyrus from the start.  Here, elements of pop, country, and folk are fused together, making a different, yet interesting sound. The production work is interesting.  There are no glitzy synths, but rather a throwback sound. Perhaps it’s not innovatively eclectic but it doesn’t sound like other pop on the radio. Vocally, Cyrus flaunts her distinct pipes despite the stylistic about face.  The biggest rub about “Younger Now” upon its 2017 arrival was the lack of preparation the listener received for this stylistic shift. Contextually, within the album Younger Now, “Younger Now” is clearly a highlight.

10. Lil Pump, “Youngest Flexer”

Ft. Gucci Mane

Lil Pump • Warner Bros. • 2018

On his self-titled debut album, Lil Pump makes it crystal clear that he is the “Youngest Flexer.”  Clearly, producer Big Head isn’t the only one with a ‘big head.’ Fittingly, Lil Pump brings Gucci Mane along for the ride.

On the hook, Pump spits:

“I just bought three thousand-dollar Gucci pants
I just left the trap, and I’m off the Xans
Bitch, I’m high as fuck, I feel like Superman
I’m the biggest flexer, you know who I am.”

To his credit, “Biggest Flexer” offers a bit more ‘song’ than much of the album.  Perhaps that’s still not saying too much.  Anyways, Gucci Mane takes the second verse, doing what he does best – flex.

11. Young the Giant, “Jungle Youth”

Home of the Strange • Fueled by Ramen • 2016

Alternative band Young the Giant delivered a superb, eclectic effort with their third studio album, Home of the Strange, which was released in 2016. The rocking “Jungle Youth” is the crowning achievement of the album. The record kicks off with jungle sound effects – fitting. Featuring a muscular groove, absolutely filthy guitars, and a clever harmonic progression, “Jungle Youth” is epic – awesomeness epitomized.

“I look up
I look down
Everybody’s bathing in holy water
Ain’t enough going around
Raise their cups
Wear their crowns
You’re sitting on a gold stained altar
Feel the jungle youth sound.”

12. Adele, “When We Were Young”

25 • Columbia • 2015

“You look like a movie / You sound like a song / My God, this reminds me / Of when we were young.” “Hello” alone would’ve been enough to make Adele’s third studio album, 25 a resounding success.  Heck, Adele could’ve sung the song book and 25 would’ve sold like hotcakes. Beyond the Grammy-winning centerpiece, Adele would compel with another big-voiced ballad, “When We Were Young.”  As the title suggests, Adele reminisces back to being young and innocent.

“Let me photograph you in this light
In case it is the last time that we might
Be exactly like we were before we realized
We were sad of getting old, it made us restless
It was just like a movie
It was just like a song
When we were young.”

13. Troye Sivan, “Youth”

Blue Neighbourhood • Universal • 2015

The oldest song on the list comes from one of the younger artists to grace it, Troye Sivan.  “Youth” was a big hit from Blue Neighbourhood, the 2015 debut album for the Australian alternative pop artist.  Perhaps the best way to characterize “Youth” is by its open-endedness. Sivan seems to be referencing any number of things. Youthfulness is obvious, but also the repression of youthfulness by the blue neighbourhood also seems like an avenue of thought. From the jump there is escapism as Sivan sings, “What if, what if we run away? / What if, what if we left today?”  A relationship also plays a notable role.