Edge | 5ive Songs

In the 62^nd edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with the EDGE in some form or fashion.

Welcome to 5ive Songs, where we keep things short and sweet – no extra calories or needless fluff! There’s a theme/topic, five songs, and a short blurb.  Yes, it’s a playlist, but it’s a miniature playlist that shouldn’t take much time to consume.  In the 62^nd edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with the EDGE in some form or fashion.  Okay, let’s get into it!

1. blink-182, “Edging”

🎵 “Edging” • 🏷 Viking Wizard Eyes, LLC / Columbia • 🗓 2022

“I ain’t that cool, a little fucked in the head / They’ll be hangin’ me quick when I’m back from the dead.” Woo! Now those are mic-drop-worthy lyrics! Do you know what’s really mic-drop-worthy, though? The original line-up of 🎙 blink-182 is back together – 🎙 Tom DeLonge, 🎙 Mark Hoppus, and 🎙 Travis Barker.  Blink-182 returns to form with an inappropriately titled single that suits their immature sensibilities: 🎵 “Edging”.

It’s absolutely awesome hearing Tom DeLonge with blink-182 again.  He’s biting and unapologetic in his first verse and the following chorus.  Mark Hoppus takes the reins in the second verse, asserting, “I got a fire in my eye, a little blood on my shirt / Let’s hit the road, hit the road.” He goes on to say in the pre-chorus, “I know there’s a special place in hell / That my friends and I know well / There’s a perfect place to go / When it’s time to lose control.” Woo! Also, can you help but giggle when Hoppus talks about time to lose control given the song title? Just saying! The music matches the lyrics – it’s bright and boisterous, which is the perfect fuel for that punk-rock fire! Perhaps the most important lyrics hail from the chorus, seeming to reference DeLonge’s exits from the band in the past:

“No way, no, I leaven them broken-hearted

…Oh no, I lead the broken hearts this way.”

Yes, they are aging punks – all in their late 40s (Hoppus is 50 as of publication time) – but the nostalgia is undeniable.  🎵 “Edging” is short, sweet, and utterly satisfying!

2. Lady Gaga, “The Edge of Glory”

💿 Born This Way • 🏷 Interscope • 📅 2011

“I’m on the edge of glory / And I’m hangin’ on a moment of truth.” Say that, 🎙 Lady Gaga, say that! The chorus hails from 🎵 “The Edge of Glory,” one of many hits from the pop artist’s 2011, multiplatinum album, 💿 Born This Way.  She continues singing on the exuberant centerpiece, “Out on the edge of glory / And I’m hangin’ on a moment with you / I’m on the edge / the edge, the edge, the edge…” You get the picture!

The chorus is the crowning achievement, featuring big vocals by Lady Gaga, and dynamic production (Gaga and 🎛 Fernando Garibay) accompanying her.  Of course, prior to the sing-along chorus, Gaga blesses us with a fantastic performance during the verses.  In the first verse, she makes it clear, “There ain’t no reason you and me should be alone / Tonight,” adding, “I need a man that thinks it’s right when it’s so wrong.” Hmm, I’m sensing heavy touching…  It’s confirmed in the pre-chorus, when Gaga asserts, “I’m gonna run right to, to the edge with you / Where we can both fall in love.”  Ooh-wee! The second verse is much like the first, heading towards the glory of love and yes, sex too.  “The Edge of Glory” has been certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA.  On the Billboard Hot, “The Edge of Glory” peaked at no. 3, spending 24 weeks on the chart.  That, my friends, is a big-time, glorious hit!

Appears in 🔻:

• 10 Glorious Glory Songs

3. Miley Cyrus, “Edge of Midnight (Midnight Sky Remix)”

💿 Plastic Hearts • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2020 

The closing trio from 💿 Plastic Hearts, the seventh studio album by 🎙 Miley Cyrus, includes a remix and two covers. The best of the bunch is 🎵 “Edge of Midnight (Midnight Sky Remix)” featuring 🎙 Stevie Nicks. This was destined to happen. Why you ask?  Well, the original 🎵 “Midnight Sky” samples the Nicks classic, 🎵 “Edge of Seventeen” (which appears later on this mini-playlist). This mashup between “Midnight Sky” and “Edge of Midnight” works perfectly and suits Cyrus.

“Edge of Midnight (Midnight Sky Remix)” 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.  It’s during the chorus we get that timeless, 🎵 “Edge of Seventeen” chorus lyrics (“Just like the white-winged dove / Sings a song / Sounds like she’s singin’ /Whoo-whoo-whoo”).  Of course, that’s not the only moment we get to enjoy the Nicks’ class, repurposed brilliantly.

4. Elvis Presley & Tame Impala, “Edge of Reality (Tame Impala Remix)”

💿 ELVIS (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2022

In 1970, it should be noted that the late, great 🎙 Elvis Presley was 💿 Almost In Love.  Yes, it’s true!  Notably, an edgy record, 🎵 “Edge of Reality,” appeared as the third track on the compilation album.  Penned by 🎼 ✍ Bernie Baum, 🎼 ✍ Bill Giant, and 🎼 ✍ Florence Kaye, “Edge of Reality” is a sweet record for the King.  As always, his tone is marvelous – distinct and once-in-a-lifetime – while the lyrics and music are on-point.  Although “Edge of Reality” is a dark record, set in a minor key – a contrast to many of Presley’s bright, exuberant, major-key hits – it remains ear-catching, potent, and classic.

🎙 Kevin Parker of 🎙 Tame Impala fame, was tasked with remixing “Edge of Reality.” The resulting 🎵 “Edge of Reality (Tame Impala Remix)” is ultimately rewarding. Parker keeps many of the distinct musical features that make the original awesome.  He adds some of his own vocals, which are much subtler than Presley’s, but provided an intriguing contrast.  Even when he sings, he generally preserves the rhythm of the original.  If not, he ensures his tweaks align with the spirit of the original.  It’s neat how he takes certain elements of the original, rearranges them, and also, adds some effects.  As a remix, it’s sweet!

5. Stevie Nicks, “Edge of Seventeen”

💿 Bella Donna • 🏷 Modern • 📅 1981

“But the moment / That I first laid / Eyes on him / All alone on the edge of seventeen.” One song comes to mind when you think about 🎙 Stevie Nicks: 🎵 “Edge of Seventeen” – DUH! “Edge of Seventeen” appears on Nicks’ iconic 1981 debut album, 💿 Bella Donna.  Ah, those post- 🎙 Fleetwood Mac days! “Edge of Seventeen” is a vibe start to finish, beginning with its driving, rhythmic guitar and of course, the drum groove.  Vocally, Nicks sounds powerful, as a superstar should.

Besides the signature groove, I’d argue the chorus is one of the most memorable of all-time.  Besides the catchy lyrics, “Edge of Seventeen” has a timeless melody, one I certainly wish I’d penned!

“Just like the white-winged dove

Sings a song

Sounds like she’s singin’

Whoo-whoo-whoo.”

Woo, indeed! The song encompasses grief for a deceased uncle and assassinated musician 🎙 John Lennon, as well as inspiration from friend 🎙 Tom Petty and his first wife, who essentially named the song.  The big takeaway from “Edge of Seventeen” – it’s one of the greatest songs of all time. Notably, it’s been sampled numerous times.

Appears in 🔻: 

• Stevie Nicks, “Edge of Seventeen”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 21 (2022)
• Seventeen: 5ive Songs No. 10 (2022)
• 11 Utterly Compelling Seventeen Songs
• 13 E Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2

Edge: 5ive Songs No. 62 (2022) [📷: Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Clovis Cheminot, Columbia, Interscope, Josh Hild, Modern, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Viking Wizard Eyes, LLC]