Idea 💡 | 3 or 4 BOPS

In the 24^th edition of 3 or 4 BOPS (2022), we select awesome songs that are associated with an IDEA or IDEAS in some form or fashion.

Ah, sometimes it’s better to keep things lite on the fat and calories 💪! That’s the goal of the miniature playlists gracing The Musical Hype.  On 3 or 4 BOPS, we select a topic or theme, choose three or four relevant songs, and provide a lit 🔥, electrifying blurb.  3 or 4 BOPS shouldn’t take too much time to consume – typically 5 minutes or less! On the x edition of 3 or 4 BOPS (2022), we select awesome songs that are associated with an IDEA 💡 or IDEAS 💡 in some form or fashion.  Without further ado, let the BOPS begin!

1. Arctic Monkeys, “Big Ideas”

💿 The Car • 🏷 Domino • 📅 2022

“I’ve conjured up wonderful things / The ballad of what could’ve been / Over and out / It’s been a thrill.”  Um, sure, 🎙 Arctic Monkeys, if you say so… 🎵 “Big Ideas” is set in a minor key.  Interestingly, it’s in the same key as the song that precedes it on The Arctic Monkeys’ seventh studio album, 💿 The Car (🎵 “The Car”).  As always, that 🎙 Alex Turner – well –  he’s something! “Big Ideas,” which has no shortage of big ideas,  features a sweet chorus, which is comprised of warm, lush strings.

“I had big ideas, the band were so excited

The kind you’d rather not share over the phone

But now, the orchestra’s got us all surrounded

And I cannot for the life of me remember how they go.”

The orchestration is superbly executed.  In the context of The Car, the chorus of “Big Ideas” marks one of the more accessible choruses of the album. One timbre that stands out is the combination of dirty guitars and smoother strings. Sigh, that’s one big musical idea that excels!

2. Dove Cameron, “Bad Idea”

🎵 “Bad Idea” • 🏷 Disruptor / Columbia • 🗓 2022

“Baby, we’re a bad idea / Fuck it, let’s do it again.” Hmm, typically, when an idea is bad, you should avoid it like a plague.  🎙 Dove Cameron does the exact opposite – embraces the badness of the idea on 🎵 “Bad Idea”.  While rekindling the relationship seems like a bad idea,  there’s nothing bad about this relatively brief single.

Honestly, Dove Cameron is relatable in “Bad Idea.” How many times have we embraced someone we shouldn’t, against our better judgment,  and for whatever reason, can’t quit them?  That’s the case in this playful gem where Dove ultimately says, “fuck it,” let’s play with fire.  The chorus, with its key f-bomb, is the crowning achievement.  That said, the verses – a mix of singing in an undertone, whispers,  and some spoken word – are ear-catching as well.  Also, shout out to the production (🎛 Evan Blair). In the first verse, it’s Cameron’s lover who reaches out: “You’re having revelations / Wish you never let me go / And you say that you miss me…” In the second verse, she states, “Go ahead and tell me something / That you learned in therapy / And it’s almost convincing / But I’ve been known to go against my instincts.” All told, even considering the red flags, Dove Cameron ignores them on 🎵 “Bad Idea”.  It’s sort of like a vicious cycle, right?  Right. Well, what’s not vicious is this record – a vibe with cool energy.

3. Ali Gatie, “The Idea of Her”

💿 The Idea of Her • 🏷 LISN / Warner • 📅 2021

“She was the one, I had my reasons / She gave me somethin’, somethin’ to believe in.”  Ah, those pesky matters of the heart! Clearly, 🎙 Ali Gatie knows them well on 🎵 “The Idea of Her,” the 12^th and final track on his 2021 album, also titled, 💿 The Idea of Her.  Gatie produced “The Idea of Her” alongside 🎛 Digi, and 🎛 Rami Yacoub.  The backdrop is silky smooth, anchored by a cool but rhythmic groove.  Likewise, Gatie sings buttery smooth, capturing the emotion of, well, the idea of her, of course!

“She was my one drug, show up when I’m low / She got me out of time, I hate feelin’ outta control,” Gatie sings in the first verse, adding, “She was my first love, I can’t let her go / She was my very own caramel Marilyn Monroe.” In the second, he opens his eyes, realizing his blindness: “I take the blame, I tried to change the person she was.” He goes on the sum things up on the centerpiece, the chorus: “I forced myself to believe / That she was perfect for me / I fell in love with the idea of her.” We’ve all done it, Ali!

4. Ariana Grande, “Bad Idea”

💿 thank u, next • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2019

“I got a bad idea / How ‘bout we take a little bit of time away?” Woo! 🎵 “Bad Idea” has the distinction of being the second longest song on 💿 thank u, next, the fifth studio album by 🏆 Grammy winner, 🎙 Ariana Grande.  Ultimately, it’s no bad idea that “Bad Idea” approaches four-and-a-half minutes.  Why? Well, despite being lengthy, “Bad Idea” proves to be as consistent and compelling as everything else on thank u, next. Honestly, I’m still shook that this – arguably the best album of Grande’s career – won no Grammys (It was the year of 🎙 Billie Eilish, though)!

“Forget about it, yeah, forget about him, yeah

Forget about me

I got a bad idea

Yeah, I’ma call you over here to numb the pain.”

“Bad Idea” is about what the title suggests thematically. The record successfully blends and bridges pop and R&B seamlessly.  While Grande never ‘wails,’ she successfully incorporates her sick upper register without forcing things. In the second verse, she sings, “Yeah, I know we shouldn’t, baby, but we will (you know we will) / Need somebody, gimme something I can feel.” Ooh-la-la!

Idea 💡: 3 or 4 BOPS No. 24 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Columbia, Disruptor, Domino, Greta Hoffman via Pexels, LISN, The Musical Hype, Republic, Warner, Wilson Blanco from Pixabay]