Good Morning… | 5ive Songs

On the 13th edition of 5ive Songs, we select five songs that feature the greeting, ‘good morning’ in their titles.

On 5ive Songs, we (I) keep things short and sweet – no extra calories or needless fluff.  There’s a topic, five songs, and a short blurb that doesn’t exceed a paragraph.  Yes, it’s a playlist, but it’s a miniature playlist that shouldn’t take much time to consume.  On this edition of 5IVE SONGS, we select five songs that feature the greeting, ‘good morning’ in their titles.

1. Nikky Blonsky, “Good Morning Baltimore”

Hairspray (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) • New Line Productions / Warner • 2007

“Good morning Baltimore / Every day’s like an open door / Every night is a fantasy / Every sound’s like a symphony.” “Good Morning Baltimore” is the big – and I do mean BIG –opening number from the Broadway musical (and film), Hairspray.  It’s famously performed by the colorful protagonist, Tracy Turnblad, who has one of the coolest last names ever. A number of actresses have portrayed Turnblad, including Rikki Lake (1988 film), Nikki Blonsky (2007 film), and Maddie Baillioo (Hairspray Live!). Essentially, “Good Morning Baltimore” sets the tone of the musical, as Tracy imagines herself as the star, despite the fact that she doesn’t look the part.  She knows “every step… every song…” and ultimately, “knows there’s a place I belong.”

2. Bleachers, “Goodmorning”

Gone Now • RCA • 2017

“Because I lied to you (I lied to you) / I lied to your face in the summer (your face in the summer) / You had long hair then (you had long hair then) / (I’m coming back from the dead).” “Goodmorning” appears as the second track on Gone Now, the sophomore album by Bleachers (Jack Antonoff). In regard to its production and sound, “Goodmorning” is stellar, thanks particularly to its gospel-tinged piano. Antonoff sings quite expressively. Lyrically and thematically, you could argue “Goodmorning” is a bit of a tough follow.  Antonoff provides some clarity about what “Goodmorning” via tweet. The lyrics have poetic qualities, even if deciphering them suitably is arduous. “Goodmorning” is quirky, yet quite unique.

3. Kanye West, “Good Morning”

Graduation • Roc-A-Fella • 2007

“I guess, this is my dissertation / Homie, this shit is basic, welcome to Graduation / Good morning!” “Good Morning,” as the lyrics suggest, is the welcoming opener from Graduation, the third studio album by Kanye West. Worth noting, Graduation marked West’s third straight album nominated for the highly coveted Grammy for Album of Year.  Him (and Amy Winehouse) would shockingly lose to Herbie Hancock (River: The Joni Letters). Anyways, “Good Morning” is produced by West, and famously samples Elton John’s classic, “Someone Saved My Life Tonight”. There’s also a Jay-Z sample, as well as West interpolating himself.  Throughout, West makes references to the college themes of his first three albums, representing a different sort of ‘valedictorian’ by all means. Perhaps that’s an understatement.

4. Norah Jones, “Good Morning”

…Little Broken Hearts • Blue Note • 2012

“I’m folding my hand, hand / I’m folding my hand, my hand…” “Good Morning” serves as the opener on Norah Jones’ 2012 album, …Little Broken Hearts. The record is written alongside Brian Burton, best known as Danger Mouse. “Good Morning” commences with minimalistic piano lines and guitar accompaniment. As expected, Norah Jones serves up nice, lazy, nuanced vocals.  The restrained nature is definitely a selling point. More electronic instruments enter in adding to the soundscape – typical of what we expect from a Danger Mouse produced number. One of the biggest selling points is the full fruition of strings by the end of the record.

5. Diddy – Dirty Money, “Hello Good Morning”

Ft. T.I.

Last Train to Paris • Bad Boy / Interscope • 2010

“Hello, good morning / Hello, good morning / Hello, good evenin’ / You blow, you fiendin’.” Sigh, when “Hello Good Morning” arrived ahead of Last Train to Paris by Diddy – Dirty Money back in 2010, I had mixed feelings.  This was an utterly simple, uncomplicated joint – at least the ‘pre-hook.’  That said, after repeated listens, there’s definitely an infectious, irresistibleness. Also, worth mentioning are some confident rhymes from T.I. on the first verse, perhaps some silly but enjoyable rhymes by Diddy on the second verse (“Yo baby momma ‘Cry for Me’ like Jodeci”), not to mention the sung portions by Dirty Money.  It’s a hit all in all, and definitely one of the best moments from Last Train to Paris.

Good Morning…5ive Songs No. 13 [Photo Credits: Bad Boy, Blue Note, Brent Faulkner, Interscope, The Musical Hype, New Line Productions, RCA, Roc-A-Fella, Warner]