Incredible Songs: 2010s, Vol. 2

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Incredible Songs: 2010s, Vol. 2 features music courtesy of AWOLNATION, Kanye West, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and The Weeknd.

Ah, it’s time, once again, to explore the music of the most recent, completed music era, the 2010s! 🎧 Incredible Songs: 2010s, Vol. 2 marks the second entry into the Incredible Songs: 2010s series. All the songs from this list were released between 2010 and 2019 OR charted in that time span (example: a 2009 song reaches its peak in 2010).  🎧 Incredible Songs: 2010s, Vol. 2 features music courtesy of 🎙 AWOLNATION, 🎙 Kanye West, 🎙 Katy Perry, 🎙 Lady Gaga, and 🎙 The Weeknd among others. The 2010s series keeps things eclectic covering various music styles. So, without further ado, let’s take it back to the 2010s, shall we?  P.S., make sure you check out 🎧 Incredible Songs: 2010s, Vol. 1 if you missed it!

1. The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face”

💿 Beauty Behind the Madness • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2015

“I can’t feel my face when I’m with you / But I love it, but I love it.”  There was little controversy behind 🎵 “Can’t Feel My Face” a former no. 1 hit by 🎙 The Weeknd. Perhaps, there should’ve been more given the fact that the Grammy-winner is referencing a different a relationship where the significant other is drugs. 💿 Beauty Behind the Madness, where “Can’t Feel My Face” hails from, dabbles in drugs multiple times.  Furthermore, The Weeknd has been singing about drugs throughout his career –part of what made him so distinct, in addition to those sublime pipes. How was it that “Can’t Feel My Face” became incredibly beloved despite its addiction?  

“And I know she’ll be the death of me 

At least we’ll both be numb 

And she’ll always get the best of me 

The worst is yet to come.”  

The Weeknd was surprised himself by the success sans controversy regarding, addresses it on a later song,  🎵 “Reminder” (💿 Starboy, 2016): “I just won a new award for a kids show / Talking ‘bout a face numbing off a bag a blow / I’m like, goddamn bitch, I am not a Teen choice  / Goddamn bitch, I am not a bleach boy.” Basically, he asks himself, how did he become a pop star from a drug-infused record? Ultimately, The Weeknd got a pass.  I guess it’s those sick Michael Jackson vibes!

Appears in 🔻:

2. Billie Eilish, “you should see me in a crown”

💿 WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? • 🏷 Darkroom / Interscope • 📅 2019  

“Bite my tongue, bide my time / Wearing a warning sign / Wait ‘til the world is mine…” 🎙 Billie Eilish conquered the world in 2019 with her brilliant debut album, 💿 WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?.  One of the best moments from the Grammy-winning LP comes by way of “you should see me in a crown”. Among the many impressive things about Eilish is her vocal poise, eschewing gospel histrionics.  On “you should see me in a crown,” her vocal tone is breathy as she opts for the more understated. Even though she’s not screaming aggressively, her teenage angst is in full force, aided by sleek, electronic-infused production.  The best example comes on the chorus, the crowning achievement:    

“You should see me in a crown 

I’m gonna run this nothing town 

Watch me make ‘em bow 

One by one by one

One by one by…”  

Impressively, Eilish doesn’t have to be profane to frighten you with her attitude.  She just relies on her mesmerizing instrument, alluring songwriting, and laser-sharp production.  At the end, the synths really pop, further amplifying the excellence of the record.

Appears in 🔻:

3. AWOLNATION, “Sail”  

💿 Megalithic Symphony • 🏷 Red Bull • 🗓 2011 

“This is how I show my love / I made it in my mind because / I blame it on my ADD, baby.” WOO! One of the truly great, one-hit wonders arrives courtesy of 🎙 Aaron Bruno, the lead vocalist/songwriter of 🎙 AWOLNATION.  🎵 “Sail”, the crème de la crème of the band’s 2011, platinum album, 💿 Megalithic Symphony, slowly became a BIG DEAL in the 2010s. It is an unlikely hit to say the least. The diamond certified single ultimately peaked at no. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 two years after it initially debuted 🤯. “Sail” spent 79 weeks on the charts – an incredibly impressive tenure.  

“Maybe I should cry for help 

Maybe I should kill myself  

Blame it on my ADD, baby.” 

Don’t kill yourself, Aaron! What made “Sail” such an epic hit for AWOLNATION and Bruno? The tuneful melody in the verses go a long way.  Furthermore, the lyrics are intriguing, with Bruno referencing his ADD in both verses. The chorus, simply “Sail,” is brilliant, even though its simple.  The significance of the “Sail” lyric, of course, is related to his issues/problems. His distorted, energetic vocals, also help craft the sound of this sole charting hit by AWOLNATION [Note: the band does have an additional gold certified single in 🎵 “Not Your Fault” but it didn’t chart]. Perhaps the biggest selling point is the sound and production. The synths are the instrument to beat, performed by Bruno. Additionally, the drums (also Bruno) are epic too. 🎵 “Sail” speaks for itself.  

Appears in 🔻:  

4. Katy Perry, “Roar”  

💿 Prism • 🏷 Capitol • 📅 2013 

“I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath / Scared to rock the boat and makes a mess,” 🎙 Katy Perry sings in the first verse of her gargantuan, uplifting hit, 🎵 “Roar”, which graces her 2013 album, 💿 Prism. Essentially, the 🏆 Grammy-nominated pop artist did not use her voice and kept the peace at her own cost. That’s totally wrong! Thankfully, Perry changed her tune, realizing after she “Stood for nothing” and “feel for everything,” she needed to assert herself – find her roar if you will.  In the pre-chorus, she is strong, unwilling to be muzzled anymore, instead flexing her muscles.  “You held me down, but I got up,” she memorably sings, setting up one of the best choruses of the 2010s:  

“I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter 

Dancing through the fire 

‘Cause I am a champion, and you’re gonna hear me roar 

Louder, louder than a lion 

‘Cause I am a champion, and you’re gonna hear me roar!”    

Woo! Over exuberant production, Katy Perry shuts down antifeminists and asserts her power to be what and who she wants to be.  She doesn’t settle for others to make decisions for her, she is firmly in the driver’s seat.  The days of being passive are done: “I went from zero, to my own hero.”  Whether you’re a girl or woman like Perry who has far too long let others (men) keep you down, or you a boy/man who lets others run all over you and take your power, it is time to find your ROAR and make sure that the whole world can hear it loud and proud.  This song NEVER grows old – it’s among Perry’s best. 

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5. Miguel, “Adorn”

💿 Kaleidoscope Dream • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 2012

“These lips / Can’t wait to taste your skin.” Oh, sugar-honey-iced-tea-holy-f🤬cking-moly! 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter 🎙 Miguel had one hell of a year in 2012. His sophomore album, 💿 Kaleidoscope Dream, was not only one of the best albums of 2012 but also one of the best of the decade.  Furthermore, the 🏆 Grammy-winning, Best R&B Song, 🎵 “Adorn” is one of the truest of R&B gems of the 2010s – NO CAP. “Adorn” commences Kaleidoscope Dream with an old-school R&B sound mixing 80’s sensibilities (particularly the drum programming) and soul-leaning cues. Miguel’s vocals are lovely, yielding superb nuances and spot-on falsetto. The songwriting is chivalrous.  Miguel seems to be focused on just her alone – monogamy – not multiple women. He’s sensual, mind you, on this exceptionally penned record, but he also seems genuinely dedicated to ensuring she’s his.  “Baby these fists / Will always protect you,” he asserts in the second verse, adding, “And this mind / Will never neglect you.” The chorus is simple but quite effective:    

“You just gotta let my love 

Just let my love adorn you 

Please, baby (Would you be my friend, my freak?) 

Yeah, you gotta know, you gotta know 

You know that I adore you 

Yeah,  baby.” 

🎵 “Adorn” is nothing sort of excellence exemplified.  This sexy joint is the song to beat in the Miguel catalog.  

Appears in 🔻:

Miguel, Adorn: After Dark 🕛 🌃 No. 47 (2022)

6. Lady Gaga, “Born This Way”

💿 Born This Way • 🏷 Interscope • 📅 2011 

“I’m beautiful in my way / Cause God makes no mistakes / I’m on the right track, baby /I was born this way…” Years before 🎙 Kesha was ‘true to self’ on 🎵 “My Own Dance” (💿 High Road), 🎙 Lady Gaga spoke to all of the most unique individuals of the world on 🎵 “Born This Way,” the title track from her epic 2011 album. The 🏆 Grammy winner says it best at the top of “Born This Way”: “It doesn’t matter if you love him, or capital H-I-M / Just put your paws up / ‘Cause you were born this way.” Ultimately, “Born This Way” is an anthem that celebrates every person being special, regardless of sexual preference or otherwise.  Really, is there much more that needs to be added to describe this surefire bop? This is one hell of a fierce record, years after it was first unveiled to the world.

“…Don’t hide yourself in regret 

Just love yourself and you’re set 

I’m on the right track baby 

I was born this way.” 

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7. Arctic Monkeys, “Do I Wanna Know?” 

💿 AM • 🏷 Domino • 📅 2013   

“So, have you got the guts? / Been wondering if your heart’s still open / and if so, I wanna know what time it shuts.” Oh my! 🏆 Grammy nominated, alternative collective 🎙 Arctic Monkeys scored a platinum album with 💿 AM released in 2013, their most successful album to date.  Furthermore, single 🎵 “Do I Wanna Know?” earned 🎙 Alex Turner and company a platinum certified single. “Do I Wanna Know” impacted the Billboard Hot 100, something that eludes many alternative acts. It peaked at no. 70 in 2014, the Monkeys’ sole entry on the pop charts to date. So, why is “Do I Wanna Know?” kind of a big deal?   The sound and vibe of “Do I Wanna Know?” contributes to its success. It’s set in a minor key, hence it’s dark, with heavily distorted, garage-style guitars.  The groove is relaxed yet ear-catching – infectious.  However, it is the songwriting that truly solidifies the fierce excellence of “Do I Wanna Know?” Love is the modus operandi; however, Alex Turner doesn’t merely keep things straightforward with his pen, meaning there are allusions and references – lyrics to decode. The record commences with a drunken confession of love, which is #RAD. As the excerpted lyrics suggest, Turner is infatuated with her (“I’ve dreamt about you nearly every night this week / How many secrets can you keep?”). He confirms his drunkenness in the crème de la crème – the crowning achievement – the chorus:   

“Crawlin’ back to you 

Ever thought of calling when you’ve had a few? 

Cause I always do 

Maybe I’m too busy being yours to fall for somebody new 

Now I’ve thought it through 

Crawlin’ back to you.”    

There’s no doubt that it is a record we as music enthusiasts keep on crawlin’ back to, too!  

Appears in 🔻:   

8. Vivian Green, “I’m Not Broken”  

💿 Vivid • 🏷 Make Noise • 📅 2015

“(You didn’t break my heart) / You just bent it (You just bent it) / And there’s no damage (there’s no damage) / It’s Like it never happened (never happened) / I’m not broken, broken, broken, broken.” Thank goodness you are still standing, 🎙 Vivian Green! Green clearly had a bad experience with a particular ex, as the lyrics from the chorus of her 2015 song, 🎵 “I’m Not Broken”, detail.  Prior to the chorus, Green gives examples of his trifling ways: “He’d say one and one is three / And expect me to believe it / Lying like you never seen / While looking dead at me.” Woo! This gem from 💿 Vivid isn’t sad, however – it doesn’t find this underappreciated and underrated R&B artist ‘down and out.’ Instead, she’s resolute, and shows incredible resolve through her ‘heart bend’ as opposed to ‘heartbreak.’  After previously being caught up in this perceived love, she can “see clearly now”.

“When you walk away  

You know exactly what it was  

Your vision’s no longer cloudy  

(You’re off the love drug)…”  

Basically, Viv is able and fully committed to the rebound.  She’s learned a love lesson and survived it!  Here songwriting alongside 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Kwamé Holland is on-point, as is the production (Holland), which gives Green a background contemporary yet also firmly planted in neo-soul/adult contemporary R&B. If you’ve experienced bad love, and you need a lift, look no further than Viv’s awesome, 🎵 “I’m Not Broken”. 

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9. Kanye West, “Monster” (Ft. Bon Iver, Jay-Z, Rick Ross & Nicki Minaj)

💿 My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy • 🏷 Roc-A-Fella • 📅 2010 

“I shoot the lights out, I seal this bright out, one…are you willing to sacrifice your life…” Those lyrics arrive courtesy of 🎙 Bon Iver (Justin Vernon specifically). 🎵 “Monster” was one of many crowning achievements from 💿 My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, the 2010 album by 🎙 Kanye West. In addition to the guest appearance by Bon Iver, “Monster” features 🎙 Rick Ross, 🎙 Jay-Z, and 🎙 Nicki Minaj.  Rick Ross is on-point on his brief verse: “Bitch, I’m a monster, no-good blood sucker / Fat motherfucker, now look who’s in trouble.” The verse leads into an epic, ferocious chorus by West:  “Gossip, gossip, nigga, just stop it / Everybody know I’m a motherfucking monster / I’ma need to see your fucking hands at the concert / I’ma need to see your fucking hands at the concert.”  West follows with the first full-length verse, dropping agile, profane, and incredibly raw rhymes.  “Have you ever had sex with a pharaoh? / Ah, put the pussy in a sarcophagus…” WOO!

Jay-Z handles second verse duties with his own monstrous bars: “Sasquatch, Godzilla, King Kong, Loch Ness / Goblin, ghoul, a zombie with no conscience / Question: What do these things all have in common? / Everybody knows I’m a motherfucking monster…” Bon Iver sounds terrific.  Rick Ross drops a bullet.  Kanye West is true to self.  Jay-Z is legendary.  All that said, the best verse of “Monster,” hands down, goes to Nick Minaj. 

“‘Forget Barbie, fuck Nicki, ‘cause she’s fake’ 

‘She on a diet,’ but my pockets eating cheesecake  

And I’ll say, bride of Chucky, it’s Child’s Play 

Just killed another career, it’s a mild day 

Besides, ‘Ye, they can’t stand beside me 

I think me, you, and Am should ménage Friday 

Pink wig, thick ass, give ‘em whiplash 

I think big, get cash, make ‘em blink fast 

Now look at what you just saw, this is what you live for 

Ah, I’m a motherfucking monster!”  

Besides the electrifying rhymes from all parties, “Monster” features exceptional production work (produced by West himself). “Monster” = truly monstrous!

Appears in 🔻:

13 Monstrous Songs About Monsters (2020)

10. David Guetta & Sia, “Titanium”

💿 Nothing but the Beat • 🏷 What A Music Ltd. / Parlophone Music France • 📅 2011

“You shoot me down, but I won’t fall.” Why, won’t you fall, 🎙 Sia? Three words: “I am titanium.” Now that’s a flex 💪 right there! Furthermore, the lyrics Sia sings are encouraging, inspiring, and uplifting. 🏆 Grammy-winning French DJ/producer 🎙 David Guetta and Sia collaborated on 🎵 “Titanium”, a surefire bop from Guetta’s 2011 album, 💿 Nothing but the Beat.  This empowered, feel-good song was penned by Guetta and Sia alongside 🎼 ✍ AFROJACK and Giorgio Tuinfort. Guetta produces alongside AFROJACK and Tuinfort, creating an energetic, picturesque backdrop.  As for Sia, she does her thing on this multiplatinum, no. 7 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

For Sia, the adversity is incredibly loud! Even so, “I’m criticized, but all your bullets ricochet / You shoot me down, but I get up.” Now that some true fortitude! Similarly, in the second verse, she sings, “Raise your voice, sticks and stones may break my bones / Talking loud, not saying much.” Despite everything, in the pre-chorus, she admits, “Nothing to lose /… Ricochet, you take your aim / Fire away, fire away.” Of course, the result is that Sia is ATOMIC NUMBER 22… TITANIUM, baby 💪! The lift 🏋️ of the lyrics, production, and Sia’s distinct, powerful vocals is legit on 🎵 “Titanium”.  

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11. Logic, “1-800-273-8255” (Ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid) 

💿 Everybody • 🏷 Def Jam • 📅 2017

With the release of 🎵 “1-800-273-8255” (💿 Everybody), 🎙 Logic easily released the biggest, heaviest, and most meaningful song of his career.  What makes “1-800-273-8255” so heavy? The title is the phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Logic approaches the song as a progression. It begins from the suicidal perspective, moves to encouraging the suicidal person to embrace life, and finally finds the suicidal person coming to the desire to live. He’s assisted by an angelic 🎙 Alessia Cara and 🎙 Khalid, who provides the punctuation mark, as the suicidal person who’s seen the light. Beyond highlighting suicide, itself, the music video adds an LGBTQ+ element.  The video focuses on a black gay teen struggling with his sexuality. After contemplating suicide, he gets the proper help, as well as acceptance. Suicide within the LGBTQ community, particularly its youngest members, is a major issue.   

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12. Kelly Rowland, “Motivation” (Ft. Lil Wayne) 

💿 Here I Am • 🏷 Universal Republic • 🗓 2011 

“Oh lover, don’t you dare slow down / Go longer, you can last more rounds.” Damn, that’s hot, 🎙 Kelly Rowland! The 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B singer has a knack for sexy, steamy songs.  🎵 “Motivation” marks one of the best songs of her career, gracing her 2011 album, 💿 Here I Am.  While she’s great at being freaky on her own, she gets an assist from a rapper with a penchant for sex, 🎙 Lil Wayne.  There’s just no way you don’t leave titillated with that dynamic duo.  Throw in the smooth, sensual production by 🎛 Jim Jonsin and Rico Love, and the ‘motivation’ is indisputable!   The modus operandi is sex, period.  Rowland employs ample innuendo, but we can also figure out the specifics.  In the pre-chorus, she sings, “(And when we’re done) I don’t wanna feel my legs / (And when we’re done) I just wanna feel your hands all over me, baby.” Woo! Clearly, Rowland is encouraging her man to give her the utmost pleasure, considering herself to be his motivation to… ERUPT, of course! “I won’t let you get up out that game, no / So go lover, go ‘n make me rain.” Holy sugar honey iced tea!  As for Weezy baby, he has no shortage of sexed-up one-liners including “I like to taste that sugar, that sweet and low,” “I put her on my plate then I do the dishes,” and “‘Cause I let her ride, while I driver her crazy / Then I just keep going-going like I’m racing.”  

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13. Adele, “Hello” 

💿 25 • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2015 

Six years before being advised to take it 🎵 “Easy on Me”, 🎙 Adele greeted us with 🎵 “Hello”, written alongside 🎼 ✍ Greg Kurstin. “Hello, it’s me / I was wondering if after all these years you’d like to meet…”  After a four-year hiatus, the Academy Award and Grammy-winning British pop singer/songwriter made an emotional, ‘pitch-perfect’ return. Among the saddest songs released in 2015, “Hello” managed to make everybody happy as the promo single from her second Album of the Year winner, 💿 25.  “Hello, can you hear me? / I’m in California dreaming about who we used to be.” Sigh, “Hello” is an outstanding ballad in all facets tailormade for the soulful pop diva. The vulnerability and relatable nature of the songwriting plays a crucial role in its overall success.  Adele reflects on the past – specifically a relationship – examining her mistakes and trying to atone for them.   Furthermore, her performance is elite, showcasing incredible musicianship through those vocal chops. The verses are restrained and more poised while the chorus is emotional and gargantuan – where her bread is buttered.  That tuneful, sing-along chorus latches the first time you hear it: 

“Hello from the other side 

I must’ve called a thousand times 

To tell you I’m sorry for everything that I’ve done 

But when I call, you never seem to be home 

Hello from the outside 

At least, I can say that I’ve tried 

To tell you I’m sorry for breaking your heart 

But it don’t matter, it clearly doesn’t tear you apart anymore.”  

“Hello” is sheer excellence exemplified – a shoo-in for Record and Song of the Year.  Even if she didn’t take substantial risks on “Hello,” she didn’t need to.  Hard to imagine someone successfully taking the ‘definitive’ status of this dominant hit away from her – FACTS!  

Appears in 🔻:  

Incredible Songs: 2010s, Vol. 2 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Capitol, Columbia, Darkroom, Def Jam, Domino, Interscope, Make Noise, RCA, Red Bull, Republic, Roc-A-Fella, Universal Republic, What A Music Ltd. / Parlophone Music France; ]

Incredible Songs: 2010s, Vol. 2 | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on December 11, 2023December 11, 2023