Heat | 5ive Songs

In the 42^nd edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with HEAT in some form or fashion.

Welcome 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.  In the 42^nd edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with HEAT in some form or fashion.  Okay, let’s get into it!

1. Beyoncé, “Heated”

RENAISSANCE • Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia • 2022

“Got a lot of bands, got a lot of Chanel on me / I gotta fan myself off  (Fan me off) / … I gotta cool down, heated.” In 2022, the most awarded woman in Grammy history, Beyoncé, began her RENAISSANCE.  While it took six years for this renaissance to commence, the dance/house-driven makeover is a bold, ultra-successful return for one of music’s brightest stars.  The brilliant LP didn’t arrive sans controversy, including the heat-driven record at hand, “Heated.”

“Heated” is another enjoyable, well-rounded musical selection from RENAISSANCE.  I wouldn’t doubt that some might dub it a highlight.  All told, “Heated” continues the badassery of Beyoncé and the album.  That said, originally, there was an ableist slur – much like Lizzo’s “GRRRLS” –  that had to be removed.  Does the fact that there was an ableist slur, albeit not intended to be harmful, dim the shine of “Heated?” Personally, I don’t think so, but everyone is entitled to their own opinions.  From my perspective, “Heated” is superbly produced, Beyoncé serves up ample personality, and the lyrics in the chorus specifically are catchy.  In other words, don’t let the controversy, which has since been atoned for, get you too heated on “Heated” .

2. Glass Animals, “Heat Waves”

 Dreamland •  Wolf Tone •  2020

“Sometimes, all I think about is you / Late nights in the middle of June / Heat waves been fakin’ me out / Can’t make you happier now.”  Glass Animals had a truly dominant hit with  “Heat Waves,” which hailed from their 2020 studio album,  Dreamland.  The collective led by Dave Bayley, hadn’t previously charted on the Billboard Hot 100! That, of course, changed with the ascent of “Heat Waves,” which made history by rising to no. 1 in its 59^th charting week! “Heat Waves,” unsurprisingly, has been certified multiplatinum by the RIAA while Dreamland benefits too, earning the band’s first gold album.

What makes “Heat Waves” so good and impactful? Starting with the impactful part, Glass Animals can thank TikTok, which is a gargantuan force in the music industry. Beyond the addictive, viral app, “Heat Waves” is just one of those awesome records.  The lyrics are catchy, particularly the centerpiece, the chorus.  Dave Bayley sings well, in his traditional voice.  Also, the pitch-shifted vocals, which appear early on, are a cool effect.  Beyond songwriting and vocal performance, the production is another selling point.  “Heat Waves” benefits from an infectious groove and its dreamy, colorful synths.

3. Kelly Clarkson, “Heat”

Meaning of Life • Atlantic • 2017

“You used to make me feel like a diamond / Now it don’t even seem like you’re tryin’ / So give me one good reason I should need you.” Woo! #Damn Daniel!   “Heat,” the second full-length song, and third overall track from Kelly Clarkson’s 2017 album,   Meaning of Life, isn’t lukewarm – it’s hot peeps! Clarkson is feisty and charged-up on this highlight, as she requests “more heat” from her man.  It seems however, he needs to do his part and reinvigorate things. Oh, snap!

In the first verse, the Grammy winner complains, “I’m stumblin’ through the darkness / There ain’t no sign of a spark here.” Oh no! She continues, “I’m used to feelin’ that fire / You watered down that desire.” Yeah, bro, you better step it up! She’s putting in work and you, well, you must match it and “turn this around!”

4. Lil Baby & Gunna, “Heatin Up”

My Turn • Quality Control Music / Motown • 2020 

In 2020, Grammy-nominated, Atlanta rapper Lil Baby (Dominique Jones) had a highly successful album on his hands. My Turn, his sophomore LP, was one of the biggest album of the year.  You might say, Jones totally turned up the heat.  Of course, things totally heated up on My Turn on “Heatin Up.”

“Heatin Up” is produced by Quay Global, who provides Lil Baby with ample fuel for the fire.  This is a minor-key banger, which is right up his alley. Additionally, he’s assisted by another incredibly popular rapper, Gunna. Baby kicks things off in a heated fashion, wowing with his flow, filled with cockiness, confidence, and drip: “Man, these racks gettin’ too big for these skinny clothes / I might put me an M in some big Girbaud.” Woo! As for Gunna, he also flaunts his rhythmic approach, sometimes indecipherably, but always giving off vibes.

5. Calvin Harris, “Heatstroke” (Ft. Young Thug, Pharrell Williams & Ariana Grande)

Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1. • Sony • 2017 

Calvin Harris is a beast – a Scottish, musical beast that is! The DJ/producer dropped a surefire gem with his 2017 album, Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1.  Worth noting, that in 2022, Harris returned with the follow-up,   Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2.  Things got really hot for Harris on Vol. 1’s second single “Heatstroke”, which enlisted assists from Young Thug, Pharrell Williams, and Ariana Grande! This unlikely cast of characters surprises on this hot, totally heated record.

“Heated” is an enjoyable and incredibly groovy record. Young Thug earns the biggest role, laying claim to the intro, and both verses. “Tell me how you feel right now / ‘Cause all I wanna do is keep it real right now,” he raps, continuing, “I’m tryna beat it up, Beat Pills right now / Athletic in the sheets, I got skills right now.” Woo! His contributions are all flex, built on his sex game.  Pharrell arrives, singing in the chorus (“Release, let go, and have a good time”), with Grande joining in with a small, but notable role (“When you do things like this / And you set me free…”). All told, “Heatstroke” is the perfect, made-for-summer jam. The production is exceptional, Thugga is cocky and confident, while Williams and Grande accentuate.

Heat: 5ive Songs No. 42 (2022) [: Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Clovis Cheminot, Columbia, Motown, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors, Parkwood Entertainment LLC, Pixabay, Quality Control Music, Ron Lach, Sony, Wolf Tone]