Eye This List of Must-Hear “I” Songs | Playlist

1. Billie Eilish, “Therefore I Am”

“Therefore I Am” • Darkroom / Interscope • 2020

“Stop, what the hell are you talking about? Ha / Get my pretty name out of your mouth / We are not the same with or without…” Post- WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO, Grammy winner Billie Eilish continued to thrive.  A prime example? “Therefore I Am”.

“Therefore I Am” checks off the expected boxes.  Her bro, FINNEAS, is behind the boards, giving her a cool backdrop to work with.  It’s minimal, as to be expected, but still packs a punch.  We are blessed with a nice groove and some dark synths that bite, but don’t dare bite too hard.  Unsurprisingly, it’s set in a minor key (D minor to be precise), which suits Billie’s artistry.

You also shouldn’t be shocked to hear that Eilish sings in an undertone – would we really expect full-throated vocals? Nope of course not! Even so, as always, Eilish manages to make the subtle approach work.  Here, she delivers a playful performance, intact with attitude and sass, sans gospel histrionics.  The best part of the song is none other than the sweet, infectious chorus which she serves up from the jump:

“I’m not your friend
Or anything, man
You think that you’re the man
I think, therefore, I am.”

“Therefore I Am” is another winner for Eilish. Production, subtlety, and a blend of playfulness and attitude seal the deal.

2. Justin Bieber, “As I Am”

Ft. Khalid

Justice • Def Jam • 2020

“Take me as I am, swear I’ll do the best I can / Say, ‘I’m not goin’ anywhere.’” Grammy-winning pop artist Justin Bieber definitely captures our eyes (and ears) on his “I” song, “As I Am.”  “As I Am” appears as the third track on his 2021 studio album, Justice.  Bieber isn’t all alone though – it’s not just about “I” or rather himself, LOL.  No, he brings along Grammy-nominated R&B standout Khalid for the assist.  Written by a host of songwriters (including Bieber and Khalid), “As I Am” is produced by The Monsters & Strangerz, German, Josh Gudwin, and Ido Zmishlany.  Safe to say, this was an expensive “I” track!

As to be expected, the vocals are elite – beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! Honestly, this is the biggest selling point of “As I Am.” Bieber sounds incredibly nice when he sings softer and resides in his lower/middle register.  Don’t get it twisted though! He also ascends, showing the power of his higher register, singing more dynamically.  As for Khalid, there are few singers that possess his particular timbre; it’s special to say the least.  “As I Am” is tailor made to his voice and style. I love the stacked background vocals – awesome .  Then, of course, JB and Khalid join forces, quite harmoniously, backed by that aforementioned expensive pop production.  Lots to like about this record, which runs under three minutes in duration.

3. H.E.R., “I Can’t Breathe”

“I Can’t Breathe” • RCA • 2020

“I can’t breathe / You’re taking my life from me / I can’t breathe / Will anyone fight for me?” Cutting right to the chase, H.E.R. shocked the world at the 63^rd Annual Grammy Awards.  How so? Well, after several nominations in the ‘big four’ categories, she won, unexpectedly, for “I Can’t Breathe.” Written alongside Dernst “Dmile” Emile II (who also produces) and Tiara Thomas, “I Can’t Breathe” tackles a history of racist injustice in America, specifically reignited by the murder of George Floyd.

As the aforementioned chorus lyrics suggest, “I Can’t Breathe” is a heavy record.  Set in a minor key, expectedly, H.E.R. desires for this record to be more reflective, somber, and thought provoking.  This isn’t a song you should listen to and not take something away from it. Always a great songwriter, this particular record is by far her most timely, given the troubling situations inspiring it. Sure, most music critics wrote it off as a possibility to take such a prestigious honor at the Grammys, even if H.E.R. has been a darling of the Recording Academy.  Clearly, we shouldn’t have.  It’s truly a special song.

4. Fleet Foxes, “Can I Believe You”

Shore • Anti- •  2020

Seattle indie-folk collective Fleet Foxes returned in 2020 with their fourth studio album, Shore.  Shore arrives three-years after the complex but utterly superb Crack-Up, released in 2017.  Overall, the band’s fourth album feels less complex than Crack-Up, yet remains true to the ever-thought-provoking Robin Pecknold.  Among the songs you can definitely believe in on Shore is “Can I Believe You,” which keeps the album on an upward trajectory. 

Robin Pecknold provides listeners with marvelous production and songwriting, both instrumentally and lyrically speaking.  His lead vocals are commanding yet never overindulgent.  The lush, choral vocal are sure to give you goosebumps, adding an additional color to the overall sound.  The record is quite accessible, as Pecknold is reflective, singing about his own personal changes and trust.

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5. Snoh Aalegra, “I Want You Around”

-Ugh, those feels again • Artium Recordings / AWAL • 2019

R&B is worldwide baby! Yes, we already knew this, but what better way to affirm such than by example. Snoh Aalegra was born in Sweden to Iranian parents – quite interesting if I do say so myself.  Furthermore, she’s now based in the City of Angels, Los Angeles.  When you think of Sweden or Iran, R&B definitely isn’t the style of music that comes to mind, yet that’s what Snoh Nowrozi brings us, and it is LIT.  A prime example of this LIT-ness occurs on “I Want You Around” from her 2019 sophomore album, -Ugh, those feels again.

“I know that I don’t make things clear (No) / I fall for you every time I try to resist you…” Honestly, “I Want You Around” is self-explanatory. Matters of the heart have Snoh Aalegra in her feels, just as her album title suggests.  She tries to play coy and resist him and his moves, asserting, “I don’t wanna kiss you yet / I just wanna feel you / Feel you.” Ultimately, she simply can’t resist him, no way, no how – she’s infatuated to the nth degree:

“And sit right next to you, you
I try not to show how I feel about you
Thinkin’ we should wait, but we don’t really want to
I just wanna get away
And sit right next to you, you.”

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6. Juice WRLD, “I Want It”

Legends Never Die • Interscope • 2020

“Fuck on a private jet, ain’t nowhere safe now / Baby, hold me down and stay down,” Juice WRLD raps melodically on “I Want It.” Juice, of course, tragically passed away in December 2019 just days after his 21st birthday.  His demise came at the hands of one of his demons, drugs.  Despite his death, his music continues to live on. He continues rapping on this number from his posthumous album, Legends Never Die: “Goin’ in raw, want you to feel me, I’m not playin’ around / Your heart is my safe house.”

As the “I” title suggests, Juice WRLD ‘wants it’ – he desires it! “Baby girl, don’t run from me, don’t run, I want it.” That’s about the size of it.  He likens drugs and infatuation.

“I know you don’t trust me
I’m sedated, baby, baby, did you drug me?”

He asks this question on the pre-chorus that precedes the aforementioned chorus where he makes it crystal clear, he ‘wants it.’

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7. Cardi B, “I Like It”

Ft. Bad Bunny & J Balvin

Invasion of Privacy • Atlantic • 2018

“Now I like dollars, I like diamonds / I like stuntin’, I like shinin’ (Yeah) / I like million-dollar deals / Where’s my pen? Bitch I’m signin’ (Signin’).” In 2018, Cardi B scored a number one album with Invasion of Privacy.  Invasion of Privacy would go on to win a Grammy – the first given to a female rapper for Best Rap Album. One of the highlights not named “Bodak Yellow” is “I Like It.” How good is “I Like It?” Well, we selected it as the 8^th best songs of 2018. That’s definitely #WINNING!

“I Like It” brilliantly samples the Pete Rodriguez classic, “I Like It Like That” bringing some serious Latin vibes into Invasion of Privacy.  Besides being fueled by an incredible sample, production by Craig Kallman, J. White Did It, and Tainy also solidifies the bop status of this particular record.  Of course, it is Cardi B that is the star of the show.

“They call me Cardi Bardi, banging body
Spicy mami, hot tamale
Hotter than a Somali, fur coat, Ferrari.”

The star gets a big lift courtesy of Puerto Rican reggaetón/Latin trap soul singer Bad Bunny and Colombian reggaetón singer J Balvin.

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8. Dan + Shay, “I Should Probably Go to Bed”

“I Should Probably Go to Bed” • Warner Music Nashville • 2020 

“So, I should probably go to bed / I should probably turn off my phone / I should quit while I’m ahead …” High-flying vocals and vocal harmonies shine on “I Should Probably Go to Bed”, a single by Grammy-winning country duo Dan + Shay. “I Should Probably Go to Bed” possesses many of the cues that we’ve come to expect from the duo. While this duo walks the fine line between country and pop, “I Should Probably Go to Bed” leans more pop.

“...I should probably leave you alone
‘Cause I know in the mornin’
I'll be callin’
Sayin’ ‘sorry’ for the things I said
So, I, yeah, I should probably go to bed.”

The song dabbles in matters of the heart. Lyrically, it could’ve used a wee bit more development.  Still, we get the gist: the guy has been on the struggle bus regarding heartbreak, gets off the struggle bus, finds out his ex- is returning to town, and decides he should ‘go to bed.’

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9. Demi Lovato, “I Love Me”

“I Love Me” • Island •  2020

On “I Love Me”, Grammy-nominated pop artist Demi Lovato moves towards a much better place, committed to loving herself. “I Love Me” is a strong pop record that features sleek, energetic production work, courtesy of Oak, Keith Sorrells, and Alex Nice. Stylistically, it encompasses elements of electronic music and R&B, while being idiomatic of pop. Lovato’s vocals are the biggest selling point, mixing playful, feisty, profane moments with moments where she shoots straight bullets with her piercing, upper register ad-libs.

The biggest takeaway is empowerment. “‘Cause I’m a black belt when I’m beating up on myself / But I’m an expert at giving love to somebody else,” she sings on the pre-chorus, continuing, “I, me, myself, and I don’t see eye to eye / Me, myself and I.”  That’s such a potent, incredibly relatable point.  On the chorus, she expounds further, as she works beyond being “my own worst critic” and towards “…When I love me is enough.” Ultimately, Lovato slays on “I Love Me,” keeping it , balancing a relatable message and an infectious pop gem.

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10. Panic! At the Disco, “I Write Sins Not Tragedies”

A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out • Fueled by Ramen •  2005

“‘What a beautiful wedding! / What a beautiful wedding!’ says a bridesmaid to a waiter / ‘And yes, but what a shame, what a shame / The poor groom’s bride is a whore.’” Say what? Sigh, when your debut album is entitled, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, you know that there has to be a ‘random,’ ridiculous element to the music.  That is definitely the case for Panic! At the Disco. The colorful, theatrical single “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” served as a breakthrough moment for Brendon Urie and company back in 2005.  Musically, “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” features brilliant production work, notably mixing Baroque pop elements (those pizzicato strings) with pop-punk.

As the aforementioned lyrics confirm, the lyrics throughout “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” are wedding-centric, with folks in the wedding criticizing the bride and the groom’s reaction (“The poor groom’s bride is a whore”). Of course, we all know that the most memorable lyrics come from the groom’s mouth, during the chorus:

“I chime in with a
‘Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?!’
No, it’s much better to face these kinds of things
With a sense of poise and rationality.”

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11. Britney Spears, “Oops!… I Did It Again”

Oops!… I Did It Again • Zomba • 2000

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!” Britney Spears has plenty of hits, but arguably is any more beloved or iconic than “Oops!… I Did It Again”? It is the title track – the main attraction on her 2000 album, Oops!… I Did It Again after all.  Furthermore, the record was nominated for a Grammy, though lost to one-hit-wonder Macy Gray ( “I Try”).  “Toxic” would earn a Grammy though, so Brit’s covered!

The production ( Max Martin and Rami Yacoub) is on-point and the lyrics are catchy AF. Even though Spears isn’t a powerhouse vocalist, she sounds great here.  Again, can you say #ICONIC! Interestingly, veteran British folk singer-songwriter Richard Thompson covered the pop classic on his 2003 album, 1000 Years of Popular Music.  How cool is that?  Going back to the Britney version, the centerpiece of the record is definitely the chorus.

“Oops, I did it again
I played with your heart
Got lost in the game
Oh, baby, baby
Oops, you think I’m in love
That I’m sent from above
I’m not that innocent.”

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12. R. Kelly, “I Believe I Can Fly”

R. • Zomba • 1998

“If I can see it, then I can do it / If I just believe it, there’s nothing to it!” R. Kelly is as controversial and embattled as they come.  Honestly, it’s incredibly difficult to buy what the three-time Grammy winner is selling given his issues with SEX – I’ll leave at that.  Even as Kelly is ‘muted’ given his countless sins, there’s one particular record that remains timeless and unforgettable: “I Believe I Can Fly.”

The least problematic hit in his discography, R. Kelly can thank the uplifting gospel-tinged R&B number for his Grammys.  Also, if there’s any way the musician can save some face, it’s through this unifying anthem. The lyrics feel incredibly authentic and sincere, coupled with Kelly’s smooth vocals and eventually his dizzying runs.  In addition to the aforementioned pre-chorus, the chorus is simply perfect, giving you chills each and every time it’s performed:

“I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me running through that open door
I believe I can fly.”

Of course, the spirit really hits with the backing choral vocals during the “I can fly” part, with Kells riffing.  Again, most of his career, Robert has embraced full-on salacious mode, but back in ’97 he delivered a sincere, ‘once in a lifetime’ gem.

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13. Whitney Houston, “I Look to You”

I Look to You • Arista • 2009

R. Kelly definitely has issues and has caused ample pain as a person – we can’t simply write that off.  Undeniable are his songwriting abilities.  Why mention Kelly once again? Well, he happened to write the song at hand, “I Look to You.”  “I Look to You” serves as one of the standouts from I Look to You, the comeback and final studio album by the late, great Whitney Houston.  While the Grammy winning icon wasn’t in her best voice on her 2009 studio album, you could still hear the shades of greatness.

“I look to you
I look to you
After all my strength is gone
In you, I can be strong.”

Despite his own ‘demons,’ R. Kelly has always had a knack of penning great inspirational songs.  “I Look to You” is a fine mix of adult contemporary R&B and contemporary gospel.  No, “I Look to You” isn’t a full-fledged gospel record, but clearly, Houston is looking to The Most High for guidance and strength.  Whitney definitely brings Kelly’s thoughtful words to life, while a production team comprised of Emanuel Kiriakou, C. Tricky Stewart, and Harvey Mason Jr. provide a relatively simple but fitting backdrop to support her. “I Look to You” never reaches the highs of her most iconic performances but it’s a great addition to her collection all in all.