Favorite | 5ive Songs

1. John Legend, “Favorite Place”

Bigger Love • Columbia • 2020

On “Favorite Place” from Bigger Love, John Legend channels his sexy side.  Here, he writes alongside Julia Michaels and Jamil “Digi” Chammas. The sexiness that goes down occurs without crossing the lines of his younger contemporaries.  That said, it’s pretty obvious that a lyric like “Intertwine our legs ‘til we connect” is about sex… And of course, the whole album is about love… Bigger Love to be precise…

2. All Time Low, “Favorite Place”

Ft. The Band CAMINO

Wake Up Sunshine • Fueled By Ramen • 2020

In 2020, All Time Low released their eighth studio album, Wake Up Sunshine. On “Favorite Place,” Alex Gaskarth and company bring in one of only two collaborators on the album, The Band CAMINO.  Gaskarth sings the first verse and chorus, while The Band CAMINO serves up contrast on the second verse. One of many respectable records on a totally respectable album, the biggest selling point – aka the definitive, ‘favorite’ part – is unsurprisingly, the chorus.

“So can we close the space between us now?
It’s the distance we don’t need (Hey)
Yeah, you’re everything I love about
The things I hate in me (Hey)
So come on, come on, come over now and
Fix me with your grace
‘Cause I’m not too far and you’re my favorite place.”

3. Rick Ross, “Nobody’s Favorite”

Port of Miami 2 • Epic • 2019

“Big blunt still burning in the black big Benz / Bad bitch sucking dick, ’bout to dent my rim.” On “Nobody’s Favorite” from Port of Miami 2, Rick Ross enlists Gunplay on the sleek TROP-produced banger. TROP gives Ross a minimalist backdrop, and even lacking the luxurious sound we associate him with, he rides the beat well.  Ross’ content doesn’t evolve (see his opening lines above), but it certainly ‘ain’t broke.’ There is no catchy chorus to fuel the fire but both rappers drop great flows which is a selling point by all means.

4. Father John Misty, “God’s Favorite Customer”

God’s Favorite Customer • Sub Pop • 2018

Listening to “God’s Favorite Customer,” the superb track from Father John Misty’s 2018 LP (God’s Favorite Customer), Josh Tillman’s religious past is perceptible through the musical arrangement, production, harmonic scheme, and the songwriting.  The instrumentation plays a sizable role in the effectiveness of this number, incorporating electric piano, organ, and harmonica, in addition to the standard acoustic piano, acoustic guitars, drums, and supporting vocals (Weyes Blood).  The supporting vocals are absolutely chilling. Beyond the gospel-infused cues, there’s also the spiritual lyrics of the chorus, even as Tillman is no longer “God’s Favorite Customer” as he was when he was an evangelical Christian.

“Speak to me
Won’t you speak, sweet angel?
Don’t you remember me?
I was God’s favorite customer.”

5. Mayer Hawthorne, “Her Favorite Song”

Where Does This Door Go • Universal Republic • 2013

Mayer Hawthorne is incredibly soulful on “Her Favorite Song”, the crowning achievement from Where Does This Door Go (2013). Elements of classic soul and neo-soul are easily perceptible, yet Hawthorne doesn’t sound anachronistic.  He literally sings about his lady’s ‘favorite song’ soothing her: “But when she gets home, she puts her headphones on / She plays her favorite song and fades away / And when the music’s on she can do no wrong/ And she feels safe and calm and it’s ok.” Well produced, well written, and well sung, “Her Favorite Song” is definitely among my personal favorites from Mayer.