Embrace the Ease of These Easy Songs | Playlist 🎧

1.Troye Sivan & Kacey Musgraves, “Easy”

Ft. Mark Ronson

🎵 “Easy” • 🏷 Capitol • 📅 2020

Matters of the heart fuel 🎵 “Easy” , a consistent theme throughout 💿 In a Dream, the 2020 EP by the always compelling 🎙 Troye Sivan. Within the standout, the relationship has gone south, yet Troye isn’t ready to let go just yet.  He’s not the guilty party as it seems his boyfriend has messed up, seriously putting a damper on things.

The chorus, the centerpiece, sums things up awesomely:

“I can’t even look at you
Would you look at the space just next to your feet?
The wood is warping
The lines distorting
This house is on fire, woo!
Burning the ears right out my face
What the hell did we do?
Tell me we’ll make it through.”

On the remixed version, 🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 Kacey Musgraves performs the second verse.  What I love about the performance is how well the gentle, lightness of her voice fits.  She blends well with Troye on the following iteration of the chorus, with Sivan mixed towards the front.  “Easy” was originally written by 🎼 ✍ Oscar Görres and Sivan, with the remix adding a 🎼 ✍ Kacey Musgraves writing credit.  The production, in all its excellence, on the remix is handled by Görres, 🎛️ Picard Brothers, and 🎛️ Mark Ronson.  That’s a dream team, right?

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🔗 🎧 Easy: 5ive Songs No. 35 (2021)

2. Demi Lovato & Noah Cyrus, “Easy”

💿 Dancing with the Devil… The Art of Starting Over • 🏷 Island • 📅 2021

“I’ll leave through the gift shop / I’m keepin’ all my souvenirs,” 🎙 Demi Lovato sings on the first verse of 🎵 “Easy.” She continues, “Keychain and a cough drop / Postcards say, ‘I wish that you were here’.” The standout appears as the 13^th track on 💿 Dancing with the Devil… The Art of Starting Over, the seventh studio album by Lovato.  The track opens abruptly, with Lovato singing sans instrumental introduction. Initially, she’s accompanied by piano. Soon enough, the instrumental expands including a dramatic backdrop.

🎙 Noah Cyrus arrives on the second verse. The harmonized backing vocals during portions of her verse are awesome.  As a co-lead, Cyrus serves up nice vocals – better than anticipated by all means. Furthermore, Noah and Demi have better than expected vocal chemistry. “Easy” becomes a really rousing track before eventually bringing things back down. This ranks as one of the true surprises of the entire album.

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Easy: 5ive Songs No. 35 (2021)

3. Sam Hunt, “Breaking Up Was Easy in the 90’s”

💿 SOUTHSIDE • 🏷 UMG Recordings • 📅 2020

“Back then, I could’ve convinced myself / That maybe you called when I was out / But you didn’t know what to say, so you didn’t leave a message.” 🎵 “Breaking Up Was Easy in the 90’s” appears as the penultimate cut on SOUTHSIDE, the long-awaited sophomore album by 🏆 Grammy-nominated country artist, 🎙 Sam Hunt. Ultimately, this record ranks among the crème de la crème of the LP.  Why? Read on and find out, my friends!

On “Breaking Up Was Easy in the 90’s,” Hunt is true to self, blending spoken word and sung vocals on the verses. Sure, his spoken word vocals are a bit tongue-n-cheek, but that’s part of the charm he brings to the table. As always, he ‘brings it on home’ on the chorus.  In fact, “Breaking Up Was Easy in the 90’s” features one of the best choruses of the album.

“I’m sick of sittin’ at the house, dyin’ on my phone
Wishin’ I was somewhere I can be alone
Try to let you go, somethin’ always reminds me
I bet breakin’ up was easy in the ‘90s.”

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🔗 🎧 Easy: 5ive Songs No. 35 (2021)

4. Camila Cabello, “Easy”

💿 Romance • 🏷 Epic • 📅 2019

“You tell me that I’m complicated / And that might be an understatement / Anything else?” 🎙 Camila Cabello sings on the first verse of 🎵 “Easy”, an advance single from Cabello’s sophomore album, 💿 Romance. Camila’s lover characterizes her throughout the course of the record, ultimately singing her praises.

Likewise, Cabello sings about his wonderfulness, with the most elite moment occurring during the second verse.  Here, he takes no issues with her insecurities, embracing them: “I never liked my crooked teeth / You tell me they’re your favorite thing…” Cabello sings well, particularly when she hits her upper register.

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Easy: 5ive Songs No. 35 (2021)

5. Florida Georgia Line, “Simple”

💿 Can’t Say I Ain’t Country • 🏷 Big Machine • 📅 2019

“It’s like one, two, three / Just as easy can be / Just the way you look at me / You make me smile.” As the simplistic title suggests, 🎵 “Simple” is hella ‘simple.’ 🎙 Florida Georgia Lines (🎙 Brian Kelley and 🎙 Tyler Hubbard) literally teaches us how to spell on the record from their 2018 EP, 💿 Florida Georgia Line, reprised on their 2019 full-length studio album, 💿 Can’t Say I Ain’t Country. 

“Ain’t no need to complicated it, we both know that’s overrated
We’ve been there, it’s safe to say it ain’t our style
It’s just that simple, S-I-M-P-L-E...”

Pretty flipping simple, and there’s more beyond the relatively lengthy, uncomplicated chorus.  Even though simplicity is the theme, the production is busy with rhythmic acoustic guitars, banjo, whistles, and hard-hitting drums. The sound embraces country music, but like many FGL songs, they’re hip enough for pop appeal and crossover.  This includes lyrics, specifically an Instagram reference on the second verse.

“We used to live on Instagram
Worry ‘bout who all gives a damn...
Then I met you and you met me
And all the rest is history...”

If you like simple, you’ll be on board.  Otherwise, there’s a high chance you might roll your eyes given the simplicity of this particular song.

6. Ella Mai, “Easy”

💿 Ella Mai • 🏷 10 Summers / Interscope • 📅 2018

“I’ll fix the strings and play my part / I know the pain that’s in your heart,” 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B standout 🎙 Ella Mai sings on 🎵 “Easy” from her 2018 debut album, 💿 Ella Mai. She continues: “I’ve tread the distance, near or far / Just wanna be right where you are.” Ella Mai is filled with some awesome moments, with the ballad at hand ranking among the best. 

On “Easy,” the melody is stunning with an equally beautiful backdrop (🎛 Lido, 🎛 Mustard, and 🎛 Quentin Gulledge) to match.  Mai sounds absolutely breathtaking as she asserts, “Love is easy, easy / So don’t you make it hard / Can’t you see me, see me, see me / Be easy with my heart.” Gorgeous!

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Easy: 5ive Songs No. 35 (2021)

7. Ben Platt, “Ease My Mind”

💿 Sing to Me Instead • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2019

Broadway actor (🎭 The Book of Mormon and 🎭Dear Evan Hansen), singer, and songwriter 🎙 Ben Platt ‘shines bright as a beacon’ on his authentic, well-rounded debut album, 💿 Sing to Me Instead.  Sing to Me Instead comprises of some truly well-written songs that encompass love and open up his sexuality, as well as captivating vocal performances. Among the best of the album is ballad 🎵 “Ease My Mind”.

“Ease My Mind” is a soaring ballad, something that Ben Platt absolutely slaughters (positively). This is a moving, adult contemporary ballads that begins with incredible poise, eventually reaching a fever pitch. That fever pitch occurs as Platt flaunts his masterful pipes, delivering masterful nuances, runs, and showing incredible command.  “Ease My Mind” is about love and specifically being in a relationship. An anxious man is being eased and comforted by his lover, who knows just what to do to make him feel better.  The chorus is the centerpiece – shouting to the world that love has the power to conquer all.

“Darling, only you can ease my mind
Help me leave these lonely thoughts behind
When they pull me under, and I can feel my sanity start
Darling, only you can ease my mind.”

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8. Jessie J, “Easy on Me”

💿 R.O.S.E. (Realisations) • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2018 

“Please don’t be so cold, be patient while I grow.” Listen to Jessie J – she’s asking you “go easy” on her on “Easy on Me.” “Easy on Me” appears as the closing cut on 💿 R.O.S.E. (Realisations), the first of four EPs released concurrently.  Interestingly, Jessie never released a compilation of the four EPs, though I personally released a review with what could be considered an album, 💿 R.O.S.E., nonetheless.  Focusing on the easiness at hand,  “Easy on Me” is a relatable, therapeutic, and thoughtful number.

“I wanna try, I won’t always get it right, but I need you to know
To go easy on me.”

Although it is the lengthiest record from 💿 R.O.S.E. (Realisations) at five minutes in duration, the messaging, about individual growth at your own pace, is pitch perfect.  According to Jessie J, it’s among her favorites on R.O.S.E. It’s easy to see why. The production (Jessie and 🎛 DJ Camper) complements the strong vocal performance and well-rounded, relatable songwriting.

9. Leon Else, “Easy Love”

🎵 “Easy Love” • 🏷 Leon Else • 📅 2019

“I need some easy love to get me through the night / I need someone to come and take you off my mind.” Apparently, British pop LGBTQ 🏳️‍🌈 singer/songwriter 🎙 Leon Else seeks to ‘escape’ through ‘easy love’ – shallow hook-ups that ultimately mean nothing.  Actually, that’s exactly how Else characterizes 🎵 “Easy Love”: “The song is a reflection of a period in my life where I felt everything was falling apart, and sex became something that was like a drug to me.” He continues, “I used sex as a way of escapism to try and forget the pain of what was happening around me, and it became a monster I need to feed… I was constantly chasing a sexual high all the while knowing it wasn’t the answer.” That’s brilliant subject matter for a pop song!

“Easy Love” features lovely production work (🎛 JT bangs) that’s bright and set in a major key. A pop song that embraces an electronic script, the synths are certainly the crème de la crème.  That said, the beat is quite effective as well.  Beyond production, the vocals certainly earn a distinguished rating. Else sings with incredibly ease, never perspiring as he sings (at least it sounds that way!). The performance is incredibly refined.  Sure, he’s singing about sex, essentially atoning for taking a ‘L’ in some parts of his life (mental health plays a role =), but even if it’s a messy situation, he makes it sound classy.  This is a simply, but well-written song about seeking a means to atone the pain.  Else made a sketchy choice by relying on meaningless sex to fulfill him, but ultimately delivers a relatable, surefire bop.

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10. Troye Sivan, “Ease”

Ft. Broods

💿 Blue Neighbourhood • 🏷 Universal • 📅 2015

Throughout his 2015 debut album, 💿 Blue Neighbourhood, 🎙 Troye Sivan shows off indisputable talent as well as an authentic peek into his world.  The intriguing South African-Australian artist – making his second appearance on this EASY list, by the way – has a lovely voice, retaining considerable poise when performing. While such poise lacks the histrionics of many pop singers, this more minimalist approach actually amplifies the emotion. Anyways, retaining focus, one of the better moments from his debut album is 🎵 “Ease” featuring New Zealand duo, 🎙 Broods (🎙 Georgia Knot and 🎙 Caleb Knot).

On “Ease,” written by 🎼✍ Sivan and 🎼✍ Broods, escapism dominates Sivan’s thoughts:

“Take me back to the basics and the simple life
Tell me all of the things that make you feel at ease...”

The big picture, here, is a return to the simpler times. Sivan uses this partially in regard to fame: “And my mommy, she can’t put down the phone.” Still, in a broader sense, it’s a return to the comfortable and familiar.  Producing this emotionally charged, rhythmic, and sleek pop track is the elder Knot, Caleb.  Georgia and Troye definitely have an exquisite backdrop to sing over.

11. Lauv, “Easy Love”

💿 I met you when I was 18. • 🏷 Lauv • 📅 2018

“I could be somewhere / Chillin’ on the beach / I could be with someone / Makin’ me happy / But that would be too easy, love / And I don’t want no easy love.” 🎵 “Easy Love”, a standout from the playlist-album, 💿 I met you when I was 18., commences with chill, smooth production work. 🎙 Lauv (Ari Leff) enters with easy-going vocals, never forced, sounding natural, yet invested. Melodically, the record shines, thanks in part to the unexpected use of lowered seventh during the verse.  Maybe more important than the use of the subtonic is the chorus (excerpted above and continued below), the song’s crème de la crème moment.

“I could put my phone down
Just pick up my keys
I could let you go, and we could let it be
But that would be too easy, love
And I don’t want no easy love.”

Thematically, “Easy Love” centers around love being hard but worth fighting for.  A prime example of that sentiment is the lyric, “And maybe that’s why I stay.” Lauv personally verifies:

‘Easy Love’ is about surrendering to insanity in a relationship.

12. Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Simple Man”

💿 Pronounced’ Leh-‘Nerd ‘Skin-‘Nerd • 🏷 MCA • 📅 1973

“Baby, be a simple kind of man / Oh, won’t you do this for me, son, if you can?” Ah – we throw another SIMPLE as opposed to EASY song into the mix! 🎵 “Simple Man” is one of many timeless classics by the iconic southern rock band, 🎙 Lynyrd Skynyrd. The six-minute, legendary joint appears on the band’s colorfully titled, 1973 debut, 💿 Pronounced’ Leh- ‘Nerd ‘Skin- ‘Nerd.  Worth noting, this particular album has another classic, definitely the band’s ace-in-the hole/crowning achievement, 🎵 “Free Bird”.

Focusing on “Simple Man,” this is among the best examples of southernism in the band’s catalog. Those southern, conservative values are ‘kind of a big deal,’ as 🎙 Ronnie Van Zant tells it at least, from his mom’s perspective:

“Oh, take your time, don’t live too fast
Troubles will come and they will pass
You’ll find a woman, yea yea, you’ll find love
And don’t forget son
there is someone up above.”

As a southern resident, albeit not Alabama, few of these ideas and sentiments have changed nearly 50 years after the arrival of “Simple Man.”

13. Commodores, “Easy”

💿 Commodores • 🏷 Motown • 📅 1977

“That’s why I’m easy / I’m easy like Sunday morning.” The greatest EASY song of all time arrives courtesy of 🏆 Grammy winning group 🎙 Commodores and it’s simply undisputed!  The collective marks one of the truly legendary R&B groups of the 70s and 80s, incorporating numerous styles into their music.  Of course, the key piece, early on, was none other than 🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 Lionel Richie, who’d eventually have a monster career as a solo artist.  But long before he spread his wings, he’d pen the iconic 🎵 “Easy,” which ranks among the most beloved Commodores songs.

“Easy” appears on the 1977 album, simply titled 💿 Commodores, alongside 🎵 “Brick House,” another iconic cut.  While it would be easy to associate easy as slang with openness to making love, that’s simply NOT the context here. Instead, Richie and company seem to be referring to being easy and simple to love – down to earth and most comfortable being true to self.  Even so, “Everybody wants me to be what they want me to be,” and simply, “I’m not happy when I try to fake it.” Understandable.  Beyond the incredibly memorable chorus, as well as those standout lines from the second verse, the bridge marks a key moment:

“I wanna be high, so high
I wanna be free to know the things I do are right
Just wanna be free
Just me, oh babe
Ooh.”

Follow that up with a sweet guitar solo, plus more of that sweet, late 70s soul production, and “Easy” remains as beloved and fresh as it was back in the day.  This is the perfect way to cap off this EASY driven playlist.