Prepare to get golden! ‘Golden Songs, Vol. 2’ features 20 songs that feature the world ‘gold’ in some form or fashion within their respective song title.

Gold. Golden. Goldie. Whatever else you can come up with! It doesn’t matter the form of the word as the premise of this playlist is basic.  Any song featured on this list has to feature the word gold in some form or fashion within the song title.  The results are quite interesting and sometimes eclectic – there are songs from a variety of genres. Expectedly, there are numerous songs that feature gold in some form and fashion.  The 20 songs featured on Golden Songs, Vol. 2 serves as a continuation of Golden Songs, Vol. 1 (published January 9, 2018).  Without further ado, let’s get golden!

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1.Tove Lo, “shivering gold”

Writers: Ludvig Söderberg & Tove Lo | Producers: Jack & Coke and Ludvig Söderberg

BLUE LIPS (lady wood phase II) • Universal Music • 2017

“Curious minds
Hearts pounding
Fingers in ties
Curious minds
Lips, lick ‘em
Pupils grow wide.”

Subtlety doesn’t seem to be part of the ‘Tove Lonian’ script.  Swedish pop star Tove Lo continues to be unapologetic, better yet sexual on “shivering gold.” Perhaps it’s not as blunt as “Disco Tits”, but still…

“I feel that thing that jolts me, f*cks with me good
Shivering gold
I shiver in gold
Wild, real
Got things like moon rocks rolled up in love
Shivering gold
I shiver in gold.”

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2. Manchester Orchestra, “The Gold”

Writer: Andy Hull | Producers: Andy Hull, Catherine Marks & Robert McDowell

A Black Mile to the Surface • Loma Vista, 2017

“Couldn’t really love you any more
You’ve become my ceiling
I don’t think I love you anymore
That gold mine changed you.”

For just the second time ever, Manchester Orchestra is featured on a The Musical Hype playlist (“Wolves” graced 13 Songs That Reference Wolves, published March 5, 2018).  The representative song, “The Gold,” hails from the band’s 2017 album, A Black Mile to the Surface.  Throughout the course of poetic, semi-complex lyrics, frontman Andy Hull depicts a relationship that’s come to an end. The first thought that comes to mind is a romantic relationship, yet the imagery of a miner trapped in a cave makes things more intriguing.

“I believed you were crazy
You believed you loved me
You and me, we’re a daydrink
So lose your faith in me.”

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3. The Darkness, “Solid Gold”

Pinewood Smile • Cooking Vinyl Limited • 2017

“And we’re never gonna stop
Shitting out solid gold.” 

Confidence is key for The Darkness on “Solid Gold,” as the aforementioned lyrics from the chorus suggest.  Prior to shitting out solid gold, the band is even more potty-mouthed, beginning with the first line of the first verse.  

“We’re gonna blow people’s f*cking heads off
People gonna shit themselves
Crying out for more
Caution, wet floor
This one’s going out to the girls.”

Also, on this rocker, the bridge gets both blasphemous and sexually specific.

“Stone cold foxes screaming in the front row
Sacred promise of fellatio
Soul, it can be sold
Lo and behold
Behold!”

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4. Jeezy, “Goldmine”

Writers: Jay Jenkins, Korey Robertson, Montay Humphrey & Randy Reid, Jr. | Producers: DJ Montay & Doda 1k

Trap or Die 3 • Def Jam • 2016

“He said he loves his hood cause it’s a gold mine.” Always a G, Jeezy has been reppin’ for the hood since the beginning of his rap career.  This piano-fueled banger from Trap or Die 3 finds the rapper continuing to embody a hard-nosed, tough persona, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Make that chopper Milly Rock back on this gangster shit
Whoever don’t like it, they can suck a gangster dick
If she a real bitch then she gon’ keep it low-key
I don’t even got to knock, I got a door key, uh.”

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5. Gallant, “Weight in Gold”

Writers: Ajay Bhattacharyya & Christopher Joseph Gallant III | Producer: STINT

Ology • Warner Bros. • 2016

Despite the underrated nature of R&B in the 10s, the Grammy-nominated Gallant has managed to shine as one of its brighter stars. A perfect example is the blend of old- and new-school on “Weight in Gold,” a highlight from his debut album, Ology.  Simply listening to that sick falsetto is golden in its own right.

“I’m pulling my weight in gold

Call me anxious, call me broke

But I can’t lift this on my own.”

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6. DJ Khaled, “Gold Slugs”

Ft. Chris Brown, August Alsina & Fetty Wap

Writers: Andre Lyon, August Alsina, Chris Brown, Khaled Khaled & Willie Maxwell | Producers: DJ Khaled, Lee on the Beats & The Exclusives

I Changed a Lot • We the Best • 2015

“She loves a n***a with them gold slugs, gold slugs.” DJ Khaled, assisted by Chris Brown, August Alsina, and Fetty Wap keeps things simple on the melodic “Gold Slugs.” Translation of the aforementioned lyrics – she likes a black man with a gold grills.  This record is all about sex appeal, with the key word being sex. Chris Brown sings the opening line of the chorus, and goes on to sing, “I’m grillin’ and I’m f*ckin’ at the same time.” Translation: He’s got his grills in while he’s having sex.  That’s golden right there.

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7. Galantis, “Gold Dust”

Writers: Cathy Dennis, Christian “Bloodshy” Karlsson, Jimmy ‘Svidden’ Koitzsch, Linus ‘Style of Eye’ Eklöw & Vincent Pontare | Producers: Galantis

Pharmacy • Atlantic • 2015

Galantis delivers ‘them vibes’ on the beautiful “Gold Dust.” The keyboard work, including synths and pads, is the major selling point.  Furthermore, there’s the beloved drop that plays a role in electronic music, sigh. Lyrically, it’s not complex, but certainly effective.

“You’re like gold dust
It rains over me
A foreign sun that I thought I’d never see
You’re like gold dust.”

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8. Jill Scott, “Fools Gold”

Writers: Andre Harris, Carlos Yutaka Del Rosario aka Yutaka Yokokura, Donavan Knight, Jill Scott, Joseph Macklin, Sir Darryl Farris & Terrence “Pusha T” Thornton | Producers: Andre Dre Harris

Woman • Atlantic • 2015

“Oh, silly me my dear for thinking that you’d stay
Gave you my heart and then you ran away
Either I’m stupid, I’m foolish or you’re playing me
But it seems we were never really meant to be.” 

As the aforementioned lyrics suggest, on “Fool’s Gold,” Jill Scott discovers she was dealing with a no-good man.  Her pursuit of “Fool’s Gold” is confirmed on the chorus.

“I was living the dream, believing things that just ain’t true
Oh, I can’t believe I ever believed in you
You had me chasing Fools Gold
I was chasing Fools Gold.”

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9. Christina Perri, “Burning Gold”

Writers: Christina Perri & Kid Harpoon | Producers: Butch Walker & John Hill

head or heart • Atlantic • 2014

Unfortunately for pop musician Christina Perri, she’s had one big-time hit, “Jar of Hearts.”  Nonetheless, the singer-songwriter has continued to release albums, including head or heart from 2014.  That’s where “Burning Gold” hails from.  On the brilliant, uplifting “Burning Gold,” Perri isn’t willing to settle for an undesirable life – she’s going to live how she wants to.

“I’m setting fire to the life that I know
Lets start a fire everywhere that we go
We’re starting fires we’re starting fires
Until our lives are burning gold.”

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10. First Aid Kit, “Stay Gold”

Writers: Johanna Söderberg & Klara Söderberg | Producer: Mike Mogis

Stay Gold • Columbia • 2014

“The sun shone high those few summer days
Left us in a song, wide-eyed haze
It shone like gold
It shone like gold.”

Beautiful, lush strings, rhythmic acoustic guitar, and robust, expressive vocals make the First Aid Kit record “Stay Gold” absolutely golden. The sound is folk-driven, while the lyrics are thoughtful and ultimately, well-penned.  The chorus is the crowning achievement.

“What if a hard work ends in despair?

What if the road won’t take me there?

Oh, I wish, for once

We could stay gold.”

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11. Jake Owen, “Days of Gold”

Writers: Jaren Johnston & Neil Mason

Days of Gold • Sony • 2014

Fittingly, the energetic, up-tempo “Days of Gold” kicks off Days of Gold, the fourth studio album by country artist Jake Owen.  Owen shows pride for south, particularly the happenings of a southern summer.

“Well it’s a southern summer

Whiskey’s in the air, dogs on the burner

Beer’s ice cold, got a pretty little lady to hold

Southern summer

And that sun shining down like Daddy’s silver dollar

Gotta hop on the old dirt road to the days of gold.”

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12. Martin Garrix, “Gold Skies”

Ft. Sander van Doorn, DVBBS & Aleesia

Writers & Producers: Aleesia, DVBBS, Martin Garrix & Sander van Doorn

Gold Skies (EP) • Spinnin / Silent / Republic • 2014

“See the smoke when the sun shines

We will forever be faded under gold skies

Captivated in your cold eyes

We will forever be faded under gold skies.”

The first thing one notices about dance record “Gold Skies” by Martin Garrix is the beat, which initially sounds as if it’s going to jump right out of the production.  Interestingly, once Alessia begins singing, “Gold Skies” goes beat-less, before DVBBS reinvigorates the percussiveness on the chorus and build-up.  The exuberance of “Gold Skies” can’t be overstated.

“Coming up, you’re coming down

Look at all this love we found

Touch the sun, feel me now

We will live forever.”

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13. One Direction, “Fool’s Gold”

Writers: Harry Styles, Jamie Scott, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Maureen McDonald, Niall Horan & ZAYN | Producers: Jamie Scott & Matt Rad

Four • Columbia • 2014 

“Fool’s Gold” is representative of the more mature music of One Direction that occurred more prevalently post-Midnight Memories.  This lacks the schmaltz of the novel records like “That’s What Makes You Beautiful,” “Live While We’re Young,” or “Best Song Ever.” That said, the vocals are strong, and “Fool’s Gold” finds the five young men (before the exit of Zayn) growing up.”

“And yeah, I let you use me from the day that we first met
But I’m not done yet, falling for your fool’s gold
And I knew then, you turned it on for everyone you met
But I don’t regret falling for your fool’s gold.”

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14. Sir Sly, “Gold”

Writers: Hayden Coplen, Jason Suwito & Landon Jacobs

You Haunt Me • Interscope • 2014

“And what did you say back to me?
Dreaming of Maybach cruising
Maybe talking crazy, but I want it.”

On the incredibly catchy, minor-key single “Gold,” Sir Sly seems to dabble in materialism (money) and shallowness. The person at the center of the song’s narrative appears to have their priorities out of whack.  They’re focused on self-interest, most of which are unimportant and superficial.

“Mouth is made of metal, metal, metal
Pocket full of yellow, yellow, pocket full of gold
And I hope you find, I hope you find your dream
And darling never settle, settle, settle
Chasin’ down the devil, devil
Chasin’ down the gods
And I hope you find, I hope you find your dream.”

 

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15. Stevie Nicks, “24 Karat Gold”

Writer: Stevie Nicks | Producers: Dave Stewart, Stevie Nicks & Waddy Wachtel

24 Karat Gold – Songs from the Vault • Reprise • 2014

“24 Karat Gold” hails from 2014 Stevie Nicks album, 24 Karat Gold – Songs from the Vault.  What made this particular project interesting is the fact that Nicks wrote the songs from the album throughout her career, long before the album materialized.  Other highlights include “Hard Advice,” which references Tom Petty, and “Lady.”

“There were dreams to be sold (chain of chains)
My 24-karat gold (chain of chains)
There was some love to be sold (chain of chains)
You said you might be coming back to town (chain of chains).”

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16. Britt Nicole, “Gold”

Writers: Britt Nicole, Dan Muckala & Jess Cates | Producer: Dan Muckal

Gold • Capitol • 2012

The spirited “Gold” isn’t only the title track to the 2012 Britt Nicole, it’s also the opener. The synths are exuberant, while Nicole’s vocals are nothing short of exuberant.

“This, this is for all the girls
Boys all over the world
Whatever you’ve been told
You’re worth more than gold
So hold your head up high
It’s your time to shine
From the inside out it shows
You’re worth more than gold.”

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17. The Black Keys, “Gold on the Ceiling”

Writers: Brian Burton, Dan Auerbach & Patrick Carney

El Camino • Nonesuch • 2011

Ah “Gold on the Ceiling” – one of many gems from The Black Keys tour de force, El Camino.  Groovy in an old-school, indie-rock sort of way, “Gold on the Ceiling” gets the foot tapping and head nodding from the jump.  The chorus is nothing short of infectious.

“They wanna get my
They wanna get my
Gold on the ceiling
I ain’t blind
Just a matter of time
Before you steal it
It’s alright, ain’t no guard in my house.”

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18. Charles Bradley, “Golden Rule”

Writers: Charles Bradley, Thomas Brenneck, Leon Michels, Nick Movshon & Homer Steinweiss | Producer: Thomas Brenneck

No Time for Dreaming • Daptone • 2011

“Round and round the road we go again

Where we started, nobody knows

It’s a cold, cold world, it’s a cold, cold world

How can we stop the changes in America today.”

From the start, it’s clear that late soul singer Charles Bradley has the simpler, olden times on his mind. With the world in a state of disarray, Bradley urges us to remember The Golden Rule. “Come back, come back to the golden rule.”

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19. MIKA, “We Are Golden”

Writer: MIKA | Producers: Greg Wells & MIKA

The Boy Who Knew Too Much • Casablanca Music • 2009 

“We are not what you think we are

We are golden, we are golden.”

MIKA opens his 2009 sophomore album, The Boy Who Knew Too Much, with a bang.  “We Are Golden” is sweet! MIKA delivers a fun vocal performance, intact with tongue-in-cheek moments and a sublime falsetto.  While the aforementioned, golden spoken word pre-chorus is a treat, the chorus is the “cat’s meow.”

“Teenage dreams in a teenage circus
Running around like a clown on purpose
Who gives a damn about the family you come from
No giving up when you’re young and you want some.”

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20. Kanye West, “Gold Digger”

Ft. Jamie Foxx

Writers: Kanye West, R. Richard & Ray Charles | Producers: Jon Brion & Kanye West

Late Registration • Roc-a-Fella • 2005

“She take my money when I’m in need

Yeah, she’s a triflin’ friend indeed

Oh, she’s a gold digger

Way over town that digs on me.”

This one needs no explanation.  “Gold Digger” is one of the biggest, most important songs of Kanye West’s career.  Late Registration had numerous hits, but none shines brighter than this Jamie Foxx-assisted gem. “Get down girl, go ‘head, get down.”

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