Gas | 5ive Songs

On the 2^nd edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with GAS in some form or fashion.

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elcome 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.  On the 2^nd  edition of 5ive Songs (2023), we select five songs that are associated with GAS in some form or fashion.  Okay, let’s get into it!

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1. The Weeknd, “Gasoline”

Dawn FM • Republic • 2022

Grammy-winning R&B standout The Weeknd returns with his fifth studio album, Dawn FM.  Among the gems from Dawn FM is its first full-length record, “Gasoline.” Among the best, cleverest moments from “Gasolines” is the reference to the 90s rock gem, “Losing My Religion”: “I’m dozing off to R.E.M. / I’m trying not to lose my faith.” RAD!

Notably on “Gasoline,” The Weeknd’s voice sounds odd on verses, intentionally.  This sound is surprising but makes for an intriguing listen to see where he takes it/the song itself. If the effects-laden vocals of the verse feel too off-putting, Abel delivers those beloved, pure tenor pipes in all their glory on the chorus, the undisputed centerpiece.  “Gasoline” explores rough love (“I Wrap my hands around your neck / You love it when I always squeeze”), drugs, and potential death (“And if I finally die in peace / Just wrap my body in these sheets”).  “Gasoline” serves as a fantastic opener.

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2. The Chicks, “Gaslighter”

Gaslighter • Columbia • 2020 

“Gaslighter, denier / Doin’ anything to get your ass farther / Gaslighter, big timer / Repeating all the mistakes of your father.” After an extended hiatus, The Chicks came back strong on “Gaslighter” ( Gaslighter), an electrifying country record, plain and simple.  Opening with powerful, piercing harmonized vocals, the tone is set early on.

Set in a major key, producer Jack Antonoff constructs a potent, country/folk backdrop for the girls to ‘do work’ on. “Gaslighter” is about a failing relationship that includes deception, most pertinent to Natalie Maines’ divorce. The Chicks, known for their attitude, exhibit plenty of it throughout this three-and-a-half-minute bop.  Angry Natalie is always a recipe for success.

Also appears on :
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3. 6 Dogs, “Off the Gas”

“Off the Gas” • Mad Love / Interscope • 2018

Rest in peace, 6 Dogs.  Sadly, the rising Georgia rapper (Ronald Chase Amick) died far too young at age 21 from an apparent suicide in 2021.  Even in his short career, Amick mustered up some bangers. One such banger is his collaboration with Lil Skies on 2018 single, “Off the Gas.”

Following a brief instrumental intro, 6 Dogs starts things off with the chorus.  Melodic, he sings in a relatively nonchalant fashion.  Despite the low-energy, deadpan style, the chorus is catchy AF.  It’s also utterly simplistic: “When I’m off the gas, I can see things… / New things, old things, dead things…” What is 6 Dogs’ “gas?” A drug, of course.  He continues his melodic/pop-rapping into the first verse.  He says nothing profound but gets some worthwhile punches in such as, “‘You won’t be shit,’ that’s what they said / ‘You can eat a dick, that’s what I said.”  Amick eventually passes the torch to Lil Skies in the second verse. Skies’ rhymes encompass jewelry, his foreign, and – wait for it – sex.  In other words, it’s a flex-fest.  “Off the Gas” wasn’t game-changing, but it’s representative of the potential that the late 6 Dogs possessed.

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4. Upchurch, “Gas”

Mud to Gold • Redneck Nation • 2021

“I just give it gas, stomp it to the floor / My 28’s choppin’ with the trunk picked up.” Woo!Need fuel for the fire? Well, prepared to be gassed up by Upchurch (Ryan Edward Upchurch) on “Gas”! The aggressive redneck rapper from Tennessee is on autopilot on this banger from his 2021 album, Mud to Gold.  His flow = fire.  The production ( Thomas Toner) = bada$$.

Upchurch gets off to a quick start with the hella catchy chorus (“Breaks ain’t workin’ near as good as I am / I just give it gas”).  This is the first indication that the rapper is about to kill this $hit! He’s unapologetic, profane (as in dropping those swears), and incredibly entertaining. A prime example of Upchurch taking us to church:

“Up-Motherfuckin’-Church smokin’ weed at the sermon

Passin’ Jesus fat joints ‘cause he’s the one who wrote ‘em.”

Wow! Not sure it would be appropriate to say hallelujah in this case, haha!

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5. Daddy Yankee, “Gasolina”

Barrio Fino • Gasolina Recording Co. • 2004

Some songs have huge significance when it comes to their impact on pop music. One such impactful song is “Gasolina.” “Gasolina” marks one of the most popular songs by reggaeton artist, Daddy Yankee. In addition to being a huge Latin hit, “Gasolina” performed well on the Billboard Hot 100, eventually peaking at no. 32. Even as “Gasolina” approaches 20 years old, it still sounds fresh – evergreen for sure!

So, what makes “Gasolina” so good? It’s bright, exuberant, and energetic! Despite being ‘bright,’ it’s set in a minor key – F minor to be precise.  Even set in that dark minor key, the grade of fuel is L-I-T, baby! Daddy Yankee serves up assertive vocals, dripping in swagger. Glory assists him on the ultra-catchy chorus.  Safe to say, it’s a ‘glorious’ experience!

“She likes gasoline (Give me more gasoline)

How he loves gasoline (Give me more gasoline)

She likes gasoline (Give me more gasoline)

How he loves gasoline (Give me more gasoline).”

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Gas: 5ive Songs No. 2 (2022) [: Brent Faulkner, Clovis Cheminot, Columbia, Gasolina Recording Co., Interscope, Mad Love, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay, Redneck Nation, Republic, SkitterPhoto via Pexels]

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