Experience the Events That are Going Down Tonight | Playlist 🎧

1. Enrique Iglesias, “Tonight (I’m Fuckin’ You)”

Ft. Ludacris & DJ Frank E

Greatest Hits • UMG Recordings, Inc. • 2019

“But tonight, I’m fuckin’ you / Oh-oh, you know-oh, that tonight I’m fuckin’ you.” 👉👌 Might as well commence the night off with a bang because that’s sure what Enrique Iglesias has in store on “Tonight (I’m Fuckin’ You).” This is certainly the most overt single that comes to mind when analyzing the Spanish heartthrob’s illustrious career. Of course, more often than not, that mole he had removed, as well as his ridiculously good looks are what actually come to mind. 🤩

Anyways, if nothing else, “Tonight (I’m Fuckin’ You)” sure is a far cry from “Hero” – he’s certainly in a different, sexier mindset.  “Now rock your body, oh-oh / Damn, I like the way you move,” he sings on the first verse, finishing it off, “So, give it to me, oh-oh-oh-oh / ‘Cause I already know what you wanna do.”

Of course, for those who totally disapprove of f-bombs, the censored version of the song becomes “Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You)”.  That’s appropriate, but definitely takes some of the ‘fuck’ out of it 😈 … guess that’s the point though. BORING! 🥱 😏 Anyways, DJ Frank E crafts some great, danceable production work along with Jacob Luttrell and Carlos Paucer.  As for Ludacris, well, he’s true to self as, “From the window to the wall, gotta give you my all” and “I love the way you shake that ass / Turn around and let me see them pants.” 👖

2. Kesha, “Tonight”

High Road • Kemosabe • 2020

“Tonight’s the best night of our lives / So, take me out tonight.” That’s a reasonable request, I suppose Kesha! Kesha kicks off High Road with “Tonight,” a song that initially seems like it’s going to be a dramatic, powerhouse ballad.  After performing the centerpiece, the chorus, in a slower tempo, “Tonight” grows quicker, more unapologetic with its profanity, and takes on more of a hip-hop sensibility.

“Bitch, we going out tonight (Yeah, woo) / Bitch, we going out (Ayy) / B-b-b-bitch, we going out tonight (Hey, ayy) …” Woo! Eventually, “Tonight” brings all of its parts together, embracing pop, hip-hop, and honestly, the ‘Ke$ha’ of old, who makes an official appearance further down the track list – I shit you not! If nothing else, she ensures High Road is thrilling from the jump.  Even in her early 30s, Kesha still knows how to throw down! 🍺

3. Whitney Houston, “I’m Your Baby Tonight”

I Will Always Love You: The Best of Whitney Houston • RCA • 2012

“Whatever you want from me / I’m giving you everything / I’m your baby tonight.” “I’m Your Baby Tonight” serves as the title track from Whitney Houston’s 1990 album.  I’m Your Baby Tonight isn’t as polished as Houston’s 80s masterpieces but does yield winners like the song at hand and the brilliant ballad, “All the Man That I Need”, one of my all-time favorites, honestly. ❤️ Here, rather than get a big ballad, Houston gives us groove and some serious sass with superb results.

“From the moment I saw you / I went outta my mind,” she sings on the first verse, continuing, “Though I never believed in love at first sight / But you got a magic, boy / That I just can’t explain.” The sentiment is similar on the second verse, where his touch definitely made Whitney feel some type of way.  The effect? Basically, she’s so taken by this stud that she’s willing to do pretty much any and everything.  After all, “You’ve given me ecstasy / You’re my fantasy / I’m your baby tonight.” 

4. August Alsina, “Tonight”

The Product III: stateofEMERGEncy • Shake the World / EMPIRE • 2020

“Tonight,” the 16^th track from The Product III: stateofEMERGEncy, is another one of the stronger moments from the lengthy third album by August Alsina.  The Exclusives and Awaz Beatz provide Alsina with sleek production work, idiomatic of contemporary R&B and modern hip-hop.  The beat bangs, Alsina continues to show off his amazing pipes, singing about a very relatable three-letter word – “You ain’t know you dealin’ with a freak, babe.” Sex and nighttime go together seamlessly, right? Right! 👉👌

August Alsina certainly proves he’s a freak throughout.  Sure, a line like “You can leave them heels 👠 on / Pull them panties over to the side” is a hip-hop/R&B cliché, but “Girl, let’s work it out / Take it outside on the balcony / Don’t give a damn, let the neighbors see” – Wow! Of course, Alsina doesn’t stop there as his sex drive is turned TF up as fantasy is sure to become reality in his hands.

5. Lady Gaga, “Fun Tonight”

Chromatica • Interscope • 2020

After proclaiming herself to be a “Free Woman” on Chromatica, Grammy-winner Lady Gaga manages to have “Fun Tonight.” She asserts, “I feel like I’m in a prison hell / Stick my hands through the steel bars and yell.”  So, she actually is NOT having fun tonight, plagued by negativity despite the exuberant sound of the record, which is set in a major key.

“I can’t see straight; I can’t see me
There’s too much hurt caught in between
Wish I could be what I know I am
This moment’s hijacked my plans.”

Ouch! “Fun Tonight” is a prime example of schadenfreude at its finest, period. “You don’t think I’ve pulled my weight,” she sings on the chorus, continuing, “Maybe it’s time for us to say goodbye.” Again, schadenfreude, and in this case, Lady Gaga actively contributes to it.

6. Elton John, “Something About the Way You Look Tonight”

Diamonds • Universal Music • 2017

“And I can’t explain / but it’s something about the way you look tonight / takes my breath away / it’s the feeling I get about you, deep inside.” “Something About the Way You Look Tonight” is an Elton John gem that arrives late in his career.  Accompanying his number one single “Candle in the Wind”, released in memory of Princess Diana, the romantic “Something About the Way You Look Tonight” was the promo single for John’s 1997 album, The Big Picture.  As usual, longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin gives John superb lyrics to bring to life.

“Something About the Way You Look Tonight” is a gospel-infused pop/rock number, perfectly suiting his artistic sensibilities.  John has always possessed soul, and “Something About the Way You Look Tonight” showcases such.  Throw in Taupin’s knack for lyrics, and the authenticity created here is stellar. John’s affection for his lover, at least within the context of the song, is quite apparent.  He can’t even “describe” it.❤️

7. Chris Stapleton, “Nobody’s Lonely Tonight”

From a Room: Volume 2 • Mercury • 2017

“I know a way, can’t go wrong / Nobody leads nobody on / Nobody’s lonely tonight.” Chris Stapleton is a beast, period.  The Grammy-winning country musician just totally gets it, keeping old-school, traditional country music alive and well.  “Nobody’s Lonely Tonight” appears on his second album of 2017, From a Room: Volume 2.

Stapleton slackens the pace on “Nobody’s Lonely Tonight,” showcasing the sheer beauty and expressiveness of his voice.  Even though this is a ballad, he continues to exhibit power and incredible grit as he sings. It’s the coarse moments of his vocal performance that arguably, impress the most.  It’s not all vocals though – there’s plenty of time for the music to shine, including a compelling, smooth guitar solo. Of course, there are also the lyrics as well.

“What’s love but just some illusion we believe
What’s love but just some confusion we don’t need.”

“Nobody’s Lonely Tonight” previously appeared on the playlist, 13 Captivating Songs About Being Alone or Lonely, published back in 2019.

8. Summer Walker, “Tonight”

Over It • Interscope • 2019

On “Tonight” (Over It) Summer Walker exhibits finesse, singing beautifully against a lush, sound backdrop. “Tonight” is a sensually charged, definitely the perfect soundtrack to what goes down in the bedroom.

The question seems to be, is Walker references plain old sex or make up sex. “I just wanna get into something tonight,” she sings, continuing, “I just wanna make up for lost time.” Make up sex, perhaps? We’ll leave it at that.

9. The 1975, “Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)”

Notes on a Conditional Form • Interscope • 2020 

On “Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)” from 2020’s Notes on a Conditional Form – the fourth studio album by The 1975 – matters of the heart are full force, though you honestly don’t need to look any further beyond the title.  But, in case it wasn’t clear, on the chorus, Matt Healy provides clarity: “And tonight, I wish I was your boy / (Run away from me, run away from me) / … Tonight, I think I fucked it royally.”  Crystal clear…. Worth mentioning is the use of an unexpected The Temptations sample (“Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)”).  It’s an interesting result to say the least…

10. Chelsea Cutler, “Sad Tonight”

How to Be Human • CC Ventures LLC / Republic • 2020

“I tell myself that you’re gone / I don’t wanna be right / If missing you is so wrong.” Sad. 😢 Yep, Chelsea Cutler seems pretty “Sad Tonight” on the promo single from her 2020 debut studio album, How to Be Human.  The pain of the end of love is perceptive from the jump, and only continues to plague the pop artist.  “Oh yeah, I hate being so damn honest,” she sings on the refrain, continuing, “You have my heart, but you don’t even want it, no / You don’t even want it.”

Much like Lady Gaga on “Fun Tonight”, it’s crystal clear that Chelsea Cutler is not having any fun.  She’s willing to beat herself up, and even as her friends try to help her rebound, she’s just not in that headspace. “Could pretend that I’m fine,” she sings on the second verse, continuing, “But I don’t really know how.” Ultimately, in pity party mode, Chelsea asks us all, “So let me be sad tonight, sad tonight, sad tonight / … ‘Cause it feels so right / Yeah, it feels so right.” At least, her pain is our listening pleasure on the opening How to Be Human gem, sigh.

11. Palaye Royale, “Tonight is the Night I Die”

The Bastards • Sumerian • 2020

“Tonight is the Night I Die” – what a morbid song title.  The single appears as the fourth track off of The Bastards, the 2020 album by Las Vegas rock trio, Palaye Royale.  Given song and album titles, it’s no surprise that this is an aggressive, dark, minor-key record. Take the first verse for example: “Lonely, another day / Drowning, please save me / I am struggling in my own daydream.” Damn, that’s damning isn’t it? 💀

The second verse is like unto it, while the pre-chorus serves up the heavenly “Hear the angels sing” and the chorus confirms imminent death.  Oh, and for good measure, the Bridge references the 23^rd Psalm (“As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death”). TONIGHT – definitely WON’T be lit in the hands of Palaye Royale…

12. Panic! At the Disco, “Let’s Kill Tonight”

Vices & Virtues • Fueled by Ramen • 2011

“Let’s kill tonight, kill tonight / Show them all you’re not the ordinary type…” “Let’s Kill Tonight” is arguably the best song from what might be the least renowned, more underrated Panic! At the Disco album.  Sure, Pretty. Odd. was divisive, but Vices & Virtues feels almost forgotten within the discography.  Regardless what you think of the album, the up tempo, second track is pretty rad.

“Let’s Kill Tonight” was produced by Butch Walker and clearly has his fingerprints on it. Some of the sounds that make the record so compelling are the synths, pounding drums, and strings.  The strings close out the record dramatically.  Furthermore, background vocals at the end give off a mysterious air – MURDER! 🗡️ 🩸 Of course, Brendon Urie is the star of stars 🤩 💯, sounding elite as always, further amplified by strong vocal production.  The chorus is the centerpiece, obviously, but Urie ‘gets it in’ with the gem of a line, “May your feet serve you well, and the rest be sent to Hell, where they always have belonged…” Hell yeah! 👍

13. Eric Clapton, “Wonderful Tonight”

Slowhand • Polydor • 1977

“And then she asks me, ‘Do I look all right?’ / And I say, ‘Yes, you look wonderful tonight.’” “Wonderful Tonight” is the perfect way to cap off EXPERIENCE THE EVENTS THAT ARE GOING DOWN TONIGHT.  This is a classic by the iconic Eric Clapton.  Better yet, this is THE classic by Clapton, which is saying something considering the gems he’s released over the years.

What makes “Wonderful Tonight” so wonderful? The vocals are authentic, expressive, and incredibly nuanced – Clapton at his best. His guitar playing is incredibly warm and lush – beautiful, melodic lead lines.  Also, add soulful organ, robust bass, and drums to the mix, and the production is filled out pretty sweetly. The final component? The lyrics, which are simple, yet incredibly effective and timeless.

“I feel wonderful because I see
The love light in your eyes
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don’t realize how much I love you.”