Daily Schedule | 5ive Songs

1. Teyana Taylor & Kehlani, “Morning”

The Album • Getting Out Our Dreams / Def Jam • 2020

“Got my legs up, hands up, at attention / You make me stand up and switch up on it…” Ooh wee! Teyana Taylor doesn’t hold back on “Morning”  from her 2020 studio album, The Album.  She’s assisted by Grammy-nominated R&B standout, Kehlani, on this lush, sexed-TF-up affair.  There is no innocence or modesty lyrically or thematically as “Morning” is all about S-E-X – it’s no secret.  Women have been increasingly open about sex and sexuality, so, “Morning” fits this idea.

Explicit is the game for Teyana on the first verse – understatement.  “Talk that shit, play with that clit, and watch it rain on you babe,” she boldly sings, adding, “Funny how you thought I tapped out when we was fuckin’.” HOLY SHIT! Taylor doesn’t stop on the pre-chorus that follows, which involves touch, titties, and tongue: “Touch it, ooh / Titties in your mouth / With your tongue all out.” Wow…

“Tryna see if I feel what it look like / Been had an urge that I can’t fight.” Yes, we can totally tell Kehlani! Not to be outdone, she keeps things rated R rated X on the second verse.

“Yeah, I fuckin’ feel you
Mean I feel you fuckin’
Shit, I feel you cummin’
Ain’t gon’ be no runnin’, oh.”

Da-yum, that’s enough to titillate anybody. On the chorus, the naughty tandem combines forces on select parts. Beyond the seductiveness, the production ( Mixx, Tune Da Rula, and Miguel “Louis Gold” Jiminez) perfectly captures SEX too.  MORNING INDEED!

Also appears on :
Naked: 5ive Songs No. 1 (2020)
Teyana Taylor & Kehlani, “Morning”: After Dark No. 4

2. Melanie Martinez, “Lunchbox Friends”

K-12 • Atlantic • 2019

Melanie Martinez was among the most compelling contestants on NBC’s vocal competition, The Voice.  A quirky, alternative individual, it paid dividends on her 2015 major label debut, Cry Baby. Four years later, she returned with another distinct, conceptual affair with her ‘school-centric’ sophomore album, K-12.  Cry Baby, the central character on Cry Baby, returned on K-12, which is notably accompanied by a 90+ minute film. Representing lunch on our ‘daily schedule’ is “Lunchbox Friends.”

“After lunch, we can walk to class / Talk about the boys that we want to smash / Talk about ways to get a little more cash / After that I’ll ignore your ass…” As evidenced by the lyrics, on “Lunchbox Friends,” Martinez seems to clarify the definition of legitimate friendship as opposed to “lunchbox friends.” On the chorus, she sings:

“I don’t want no lunchbox friends, no
I want someone who understands, oh, no
Come to my house, let’s die together
Friendship that will last forever, no.” 

Worth noting, the record uses some pitch shifting, specifically on the chorus (keeping things modern).

Also appears on :
25 Songs That Celebrate Friendship… Well, Some of Them

3. Panic! At the Disco, “Nine in the Afternoon”

Pretty. Odd. • Fueled by Ramen • 2008

“Back to the street where we began / Feeling as good as lovers can…” “Nine in the Afternoon” hails from Pretty. Odd, the 2008 sophomore album by Panic! At the Disco.  At the time, Pretty. Odd. Wasn’t only viewed as being ‘pretty odd,’ it was quite an about face for the alternative collective.  Personally, I loved the album, but others weren’t as sold given its stark differences from A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out.

“Nine in the Afternoon” is quite eclectic in sound. It’s ‘alternative’ in every sense of the word, incorporating retro, psychedelic sensibilities, folk-pop, and Baroque pop.  The Baroque pop element of Panic! At the Disco’s music isn’t far-fetched considering “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” was filled with such cues.  The songwriting is reminiscent of the likes of Paul McCartney or Brian Wilson. Back in 2008, this was a record that sounded little nothing else being released.  The production work is swell, including an assortment of instruments, including brilliant horns, strings, ripe, assertive guitars and harmonized background vocals.

“‘Cause it’s nine in the afternoon
And your eyes are the size of the moon
You could ‘cause you can, so you do
We’re feeling so good just the way that we do...”

Brendon Urie shows off his distinct and gorgeous vocal tone.  Among the best moments of the song are his a cappella vocals – well – nearly a cappella.

Also appears on :
11 Number Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason

4. Hozier, “Dinner & Diatribes”

Wasteland, Baby! • Columbia • 2019

“Honey, this club here is stuck up / Dinner and diatribes / I knew well from our first hook up / The look of mischief in your eyes.” Ooh la-la! Love dominates on the rhythmic “Dinner & Diatribes.” “Dinner…” appears on Wasteland, Baby!, the sophomore album by Grammy-nominated Irish singer/songwriter, Hozier. On the chorus, Hozier, asserts, “That’s the kind of love / I’ve been dreaming of.” Hmm, what kind specifically?

Well, later, on the bridge, we get a great idea regarding the love Hozier envisions: “Oh, let there be hotel complaints and grievances.” Wow, what a creative way to characterize loud, passionate sex! According to a Facebook post, Hozier characterizes this quicker-paced, energetic record as “A playful number that tries to credit that feeling of relief when leaving any tedious social engagement.” Well, that’s a mouthful but intriguing, much like “Dinner & Diatribes” itself!

5. Kehlani, “Nights Like This”

Ft. Ty Dolla $ign

While We Wait • Atlantic • 2019

“But all that glitters isn’t gold, I was blinded / Should have never gave you my heart on consignment.” Grammy-nominated R&B singer  Kehlani gets the assist from the ever-ubiquitous  Ty Dolla $ign on  “Nights Like This”, the crown jewel of her 2019 mixtape,  While We Wait. While “Nights Like This” ends up being more underrated than it ever should be, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into the night-centric track.

Kehlani’s tone and overall performance are a massive selling point. In addition to a sensational, nuanced vocal, “Nights Like This” benefits from its production work, idiomatic of a modern R&B record, yet also featuring classic cues from the 90s and 00s. Adding to the excellence is respectable songwriting that is relatable.  The pre-chorus and chorus sections are among the highlights.

“On some nights like this, shawty, I can't help but think of us
I've been reminiscin’, sippin’, missin’ ya
Can you tell me what’s with all this distant love?
If I called, would you pick it up?”

Also appears on :
51 Best Songs of 2019