Incredibly Shy Songs, Vol. 1

Reading Time: 14 min read

Incredibly Shy Songs, Vol. 1 features songs by Babyface Ray, BRONZE AVERY, Carly Rae Jepsen, Great White, The Pointer Sisters, and Twenty One Pilots.

Perhaps Twenty One Pilots say it best: “Don’t you shy away.” The duo’s words are wise but also much easier said than done. S-H-Y, shy is the keyword on the musical compendium at hand, Incredibly Shy Songs, Vol. 1. The criterion is simple – some form of the word shy must be used in the song title! Incredibly Shy Songs, Vol. 1 features songs by Babyface Ray, BRONZE AVERY, Carly Rae Jepsen, Great White, The Pointer Sisters, and Twenty One Pilots. So, without further ado, embrace the shyness, or lack thereof!

~ Table of Contents ~

1. BRONZE AVERY, “SHY”

2. Carly Rae Jepsen, “Shy Boy”

3. Babyface Ray, “Shy Kid”

4. Tiësto & KAROL G, “Don’t Be Shy”

5. Twenty One Pilots, “Shy Away”

6. Tinashe, “SHY GUY”

7. Jai Waetford, “Shy”

8. Diana King, “Shy Guy”

9. The 1975, “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)”

10. The Pointer Sisters, “He’s So Shy”

11. Leon Bridges, “Shy”

12. NewJeans, “Super Shy”

13. Great White, “Once Bitten Twice Shy”

1. BRONZE AVERY, “SHY”

HEATWAVE // BRONZE AVERY // 2024

“You and me for tonight / Playing rough, playing nice / Finish what you start / Don’t be shy, don’t be shy.” Ooh wee, BRONZE AVERY 🥵 😮‍💨! The sexy 😍 pop singer, songwriter, and producer brings the heat on “SHY”, the fourth track on his 2024 summery LP, HEATWAVE. Written, produced, and performed by AVERY, he serves up a sleek, colorful instrumental, enticing, infectious lyrics, and smooth, flirty vocals. Fully engaged, BRONZE asserts in the first verse, “At the afterparty, in the red light / We can make a move, out of time.” A showstopping couple, in the second verse, he sings, “Just show me off around the block / We’re stopping traffic ‘cause I look good on you.” I do not doubt that! Have I mentioned BRONZE AVERY is 🔥 🥵 😍 😮‍💨. In the pre-chorus, he tells his man/soon-to-be-man/whatever he is “Baby, just say my name / Come show me why you came.” Word. What isn’t allowed on this delightful, gay little pop-bop is shyness!

~ Table of Contents ~

2. Carly Rae Jepsen, “Shy Boy”

The Loveliest Time // School Boy / Interscope // 2023

According to Carly Rae Jepsen, “So sick of everybody tellin’ me what to do / When all I need is your eyes across the room.” Even though they are discouraging the Canadian pop singer/songwriter from this shy boy on “Shy Boy”, Jepsen knows exactly what she wants! “Shy Boy” is the fifth track from her 2023 album, The Loveliest Time. It was written by Jepsen, Kyle Shearer, Nate Campany, Ben Romans, Boaz Watson, Ethan Gruska, and June Williams. James Ford produced it. “Shy Boy” samples the 1986 song, “Midas Touch” by R&B collective Midnight Star. In the chorus, the centerpiece, Jepsen encourages him to embrace her:

“Shy boy, stir me up

Get a little something for your morning cup

Whoa, oh, oh, oh,

Woah

… You didn’t even know you got the Midas touch.”

The boy is special to her, so much so that to Carly, “The room spins” and “the earth quakes.” She sees something more in him than others do and she’s willing to pursue it! All told, “Shy Boy” is a surefire vibe. Jepsen sings well, the lyrics are entertaining, and the production, with its warm, detuned pads and synths, is a blast.

~ Table of Contents ~

3. Babyface Ray, “Shy Kid”

The Kid That Did // Wavy Gang / EMPIRE // 2024

According to rapper Babyface Ray (Marcellus Rayvon Register), “Was a shy kid, [but] lately, I been blinded by the lights.” Word. On “Shy Kid”, the fourth track from his 2024 album, The Kid That Did, Babyface Ray adds: “I’ll buy a bitch, I just need some comfort for the night / I be high as shit, I thumb it once, I gotta thumb it twice / Shawty 5’6” and super band, I’m fuckin’ her for life.” The shy kid seems dead and gone, right? At least he’s honest on this slickly produced joint. The backdrop is enticing with colorful keys and banging, rhythmic 808s. Throughout, Babyface Rae delivers a colorful, confident, and intriguing cadence and flow. A prime example of this newfound confidence: “Bitch, you know your man want a feature, stop recordin’ me / I’m in Ace and Spades, put on a show, these hoes applaudin’ me.” Oh, snap! Now a big deal, Ray spits in the chorus, “Tucked in the back with some curtains / I custom made it myself, I need a fridge with the syrup.” Big shit’s poppin’ fo’ dam sho’ on this brief but potent banger!

~ Table of Contents ~

4. Tiësto & KAROL G, “Don’t Be Shy”

“Don’t Be Shy” // Musical Freedom / Atlantic // 2021

What happens when you pair KAROL G and Tiësto? Sheer excellence, of course! The Colombian singer/songwriter and the Dutch DJ join forces for a worldwide smash, “Don’t Be Shy”. An enigmatic, ear-catching intro sets the tone before G drops her clear, sexy, expressive vocals with warm vocal effects (reverb). “Baby, break my heart / Give me all you got / Don’t ask ‘Why, why, why?’ / Don’t be shy, shy, shy.” KAROL’s best moment comes on the chorus, which is melodic and infectious. She continues singing, “Is it love or lust? / I can’t get enough / Don’t ask ‘Why, why, why? ‘Don’t be shy, shy, shy.” While Ms. G holds it down, Tiësto plays a sizable role too, behind the boards. Alongside Teemu Brunila, they construct sleek production, set in a minor key. The listener is treated to colorful synths, a banging beat, and an auditory experience where you can’t remain in your seat – makes you want to D-A-N-C-E. Shifting eyes back to KAROL for a moment, those “la-la-las” she drops are particularly infectious in the post-chorus. Ultimately, “Don’t Be Shy” is a surefire V-I-B-E.

Appears in 🔻:

Shy: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 4 (2023)

~ Table of Contents ~

5. Twenty one pilots, “Shy Away”

Scaled and Icy // Fueled by Ramen // 2021

In advance of Scaled and Icy (2021), Grammy-winning alternative duo twenty one pilots – Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun – unveiled, “Shy Away”. Like much of the band’s past music, there’s plenty to sink one’s teeth into. Twenty one pilots keep things short and sweet on “Shy Away.” The production is intriguing; sleek and well-rounded. Given its rhythmic sound and quick pace, there’s no way to shy away from this record. Joseph exudes ample personality as he performs. The theme and lyrics go a long way in making this a successful record. Tyler encourages ditching shyness and being unafraid to reach for dreams and ambition – shedding modesty and reaching for the stars.

“Don’t you shy away (Ah-ah-ah)

Manifest a ceiling

When you shy away (Ah-ah-ah)

Searchin’ for that feelin’

Just like an ‘I love you’ (Ooh, ooh)

That isn’t words (Ooh, ooh)

Like a song he wrote, that’s never heard (Ah-ah-ah)

Don’t you…”

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~

6. Tinashe, “SHY GUY”

333 // Tinashe Music Inc. / Equity Distribution // 2021

“You could be here sippin’ with me right now / You should be here, but you’re trippin’ on my right now.” Tinashe is bored and lonely on “Shy Guy,” the brief fourth track from her 2021 LP, 333. She has to occupy herself because it’s so quiet in her house without him and she gets in her head. She probably has good reason to be in her head, judging by the shyness he exhibits in the chorus: “Shy guy, always sayin’ it’s the wrong time / Even though you know it feels right / Love don’t fit into your timeline.” Speaking as a shy guy, Tinashe’s characterizations can be accurate – love, which can open doors, can also be overwhelming, even if there is a vibe between two people. Speaking of vibes, this one-minute- and change track is certainly a vibe albeit it bite-sized. Dwilly produces this picturesque exploration into male shyness and female loneliness. That beat is the sugar honey iced tea! The synths too, honestly!

Appears in 🔻:

Shy: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 4 (2023)

~ Table of Contents ~

7. Jai Waetford, “Shy”

Shy – EP // Sony Music Entertainment Australia Pty Ltd. // 2015

“Every time you walk into the room / Got me feeling crazy / Shock my heart, boom boom.” Cue the innocent, bubblegum-filled, puppy dog love vibes 🥺! Why? When Gen-Z Australian pop singer Jai Waetford released “Shy” and the Shy – EP before his 16^th birthday in 2015. Before teen-pop stars became edgy in the late 2010s and 2020s, it was customary for them to be more clean-cut and unproblematic. Let’s face it. Waetford was a handsome, inoffensive teen who won many hearts on the fifth season of The X Factor Australia. “Shy” didn’t earn Waetford significant accolades, but it has earned plenty of streams since its release. Waetford, Nelly Joy, and producer Rune Westberg penned “Shy.” The keyword to describe “Shy” is smooth. There are smooth vibes from the production, vocals, and overall aesthetic. Waetford sounds fabulous, making teen girls swoon with his every word: “Trying not to freak when you look at me / Try to make a move, but I freeze / You don’t have a clue what you do to me.” Hmm, I wonder… “Shy” features lovely, tuneful melodies, particularly the chorus:

“Girl, you make me shy, shy, shy

You make me run and hide, hide, hide

Feel like I get lost in time

Whenever you’re near me

Girl, you make me shy, shy, shy

I’m fighting butterfli-fli-flies

Yeah, you make me lose my mind

Whenever you’re near me

Girl, you make me shy.”

Will “Shy” change your life 10 years later? Probably not, but Jai Waetford ‘had it going on’ back in the day. What guy wouldn’t be jealous of the heartthrob? And by the way, Jai is still hot!

~ Table of Contents ~

8. Diana King, “Shy Guy”

Tougher Than Love // SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT // 1995

“Everywhere mi guh, di man dem a rush mi.” Word. Diana King was a popular girl back in 1995. She struck gold with her infectious reggae-pop hit, “Shy Guy”. Early on, King expresses the desires of her heart, and it’s not those boys pursuing her: “I don’t want no fly guy / I just want a shy guy.” You read correctly – she prefers shy guys. “But I don’t want somebody who’s loving everybody / I need a shy guy / He’s the kinda guy who’ll only be mine.” She has a point!

“Shy Guy” appeared on her 1995 album, Tougher Than Love. An international hit, in the U.S., it peaked at no. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. This was by far the Jamaican singer’s biggest hit stateside, and one of only two top 40 singles. King, Kingsley Gardner, and producer, Andy Marvel, penned the irresistible joint. The musical accompaniment thrives off its groove, rhythmic, and tropical vibes. King infuses ample personality, and Jamaican patois, into her performance. “Roughneck man, mi nah waan nuhn a dem,” she asserts in the second verse, adding, “Big tings a gwaan fi all di shy man dem.” King sums up her feelings perfectly in the unforgettable chorus:

“Have mercy, mercy, mercy

But nuhn a dem nah move mi, move mi, move mi

Shy guy a weh mi wanty, wanty, wanty

Only him can mek mi irie, irie, irie.”

Word. The big-personality, big-voiced Diana King shines on the 1990s bop, “Shy Guy”. Hard to believe this song is pushing 30!

Appears in 🔻:

Diana King, Shy Guy: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 169 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~

9. The 1975, “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)”

Notes on a Conditional Form // Interscope // 2020

“If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)” arrives as the seventh single that The 1975 released before their gargantuan album, Notes on a Conditional Form. “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)” feels like ‘lucky number seven’ – it’s accomplished in just about every facet. Instrumentally, it serves up decadent ear candy, styled in the 80s vain with its horns and keys complementing the guitars. One of the brightest spots musically comes by way of an electrifying saxophone solo. Vocally, Matthew Healy is compelling, particularly given the subject matter: online dating. “I see her online, all the time / I’m trying not to stare down there.” Hmm, maybe it’s sketchier than online dating. Regardless, Healy is particularly intrigued by her looks and the sexual potential more than an emotional connection. In the second verse, he freakily adds, “I’ve been wearing nothing every time I call you / And I’m starting to feel weird about it…” Of course, the chorus is the crowning achievement:

“‘Maybe I would like you better if you took off your clothes

I’m not playing with you baby; I think that you should give it a go’

She said, ‘Maybe I would like you better if you took off your clothes

I wanna see and stop thinking if you’re too shy then let me –

Too shy then let me know.’”

Wow. “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)” is a fun, memorable cut – quite the bop thanks to its sound, energetic vocals, and theme & lyrics.

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~

10. The Pointer Sisters, “He’s So Shy”

Special Things // Sony Music Entertainment // 1980

“When I first saw him standing there / I longed to speak but did not dare.” Aww, the shyness! However, it was NOT June Pointer (1953 – 2006) or the rest of The Pointer Sisters (Ruth Pointer and the late Anita Pointer) who were the shyest! Adding in the first verse of “He’s So Shy”, June asserts, “And then he smiled and turned away / That told me all he could not say / That’s when I knew he wanted me too / But I had to do some breaking through.” “He’s So Shy” is the second track from the Grammy-winning collective’s seventh album, Special Things. One of seven top 10 hits by The Pointer Sisters, “He’s So Shy” peaked at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Cynthia Weil and Tom Snow wrote the gold-certified single. Richard Perry produced. It was nominated for a Grammy at the 23^rd Annual GRAMMY Awards for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal. Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb ultimately won the award in a stacked category for “Guilty”.

The sound of “He’s So Shy” is to die for. The musical accompaniment is sleek. The keys and synths are warm, the riffs are tight, and the groove is S-T-R-O-N-G 💪. The sound is idiomatic of 1980s pop and R&B. The melodies are tuneful in the verses, as evidenced by the first verse, particularly the chorus. The chorus is infectious melodically and lyrically:

“He’s so shy

He’s so shy

That sweet little boy who caught my eye

He’s so shy

He’s so shy

And he’s much too good to let get by.”

There are lyrical variations with the chorus, as well as some ad-libs. Regardless of the lyrics, The Pointer Sisters paints a picture of how special and sweet this man is. Yes, he’s shy and it took some work (“And I’m glad I took the time / That I had to take to make him mine”), but it was well worth it. Not only is the dedication sweet on “He’s So Shy”, but the song is utterly sweet too. Did The Pointer Sisters ever miss? Nope. ICONIC!

Appears in 🔻:

The Pointer Sisters, He’s So Shy: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 168 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~

11. Leon Bridges, “Shy”

Good Thing // Columbia // 2018

“Running from a feeling now / You know that I want you.” On “Shy” (Good Thing, 2018), Grammy-winner Leon Bridges is dealing with a girl he greatly desires but her shyness is a barrier. “Mmm, don’t get me started at this time of night,” he sings in the pre-chorus, adding, “Hard to keep my guard up and the feeling’s right.” Woo! He describes her as “standoffish, coy,” when meeting her, trying to woo her and make her realize how much he digs her. “Shy” may not be the crowning achievement from Good Thing – looking at you, “Bet Ain’t Worth The Hand” – but it is a sweet moment. It features simple but effective production work courtesy of Ricky Reed and Niles City Sound. One of the best features of this mid-tempo, romantic joint, besides those incredible vocals by Bridges (goes without saying, honestly) is its memorable chorus.

“I just want to see you, you could come over
I know ya shy, you can be shy with me
You know I need you and I’m not quite sober
I know ya shy baby, you can be shy, shy it’s alright.”

Appears in 🔻:

Shy: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 4 (2023)

~ Table of Contents ~

12. NewJeans, “Super Shy”

NewJeans 2^nd EP ‘Get Up’ // ADOR Co., Ltd. // 2023

“I’m super shy, super shy / But wait a minute while I make you mine, make you mine /… I wanna tell you but, I’m super shy, super shy.” The most relatable part, personally, is the super shyness that NewJeans exhibit on “Super Shy” from their 2023 EP, NewJeans 2^nd EP ‘Get Up’. Perhaps less relatable for some of us shy peeps on the second track from the EP is landing the boy or girl, phew 😮‍💨! Despite their shyness on this slickly produced K-pop cut, NewJeans have a plan! They keep things simple: “And I wanna go out with you / Where you wanna go? / Find a lil spot, just sit and talk / Looking pretty, follow me.” Hmm, so, they pursue/ask him out? That’s the scary part, girls 😱! Naturally, “Super Shy” is a mix of English and Korean, so, perhaps some of NewJeans’ tricks are lost in translation so to speak. But, clearly, the girls refuse to let their shyness hold them back from securing that man! On God!

~ Table of Contents ~

13. Great White, “Once Bitten Twice Shy”

Twice Shy // Capitol // 1989

“Well, the times are getting hard for you, little girl / I’m a-humming and a-strumming all over God’s world.” Word. “You didn’t know that rock and roll burned / So, you bought a candle, and you lived, and you learned.” Also, word. “Once Bitten Twice Shy” is the ninth and final track from the multiplatinum Twice Shy, the 1989 album by American rock band, Great White. The song was written and originally recorded by Ian Hunter in 1975. Yes, that means the successful Great White version is indeed a cover 🤯! The gold-certified single marked the biggest hit of the band’s career. Their sole top 10 hit peaked at no. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Sometimes a marvelous cover is a song to beat, particularly if it earns more attention and notoriety than the original (Hunter charted one song on the Billboard Hot 100, and it was not “Once Bitten Twice Shy”).

“My, my, my, I’m once bitten, twice shy, baby.” “Once Bitten Twice Shy” dons a sick groove from the onset. The tone of the drums is awesome. Also awesome is the rhythmic guitar accompaniment. Later, things get bluesier with piano riffs giving Great White the ‘glam.’ Well, piano doesn’t determine the glam-ness but it is a killer touch. Also, ‘killer’ is the electrifying guitar soloing that occurs later in this high-energy gem. Flowers must be given to Jack Russell, who sadly passed away in August 2024. He delivers assertive, dynamic lead vocals. He brings ample punch and oomph to the lyrics. “Woman, you’re a mess, going to die in your sleep / There’s blood on my amp and my Les Paul’s beat,” he sings in the third verse, continuing, “Can’t keep you home, you’re messing around / My best friend told me you’re the best lick in town.” Ooh-wee, oh, snap! Not only is “Once Bitten Twice Shy” one of the gems from the Great White catalog, but it is also one of the most memorable rock songs from the 1980s 🤘. “You told me I was the only one / But look at you now, it’s dark as it’s dumb.” WOO!

Appears in 🔻:

Great White, Once Bitten Twice Shy: Covers No. 43 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ intro ~

Incredibly Shy Songs, Vol. 1 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; ADOR Co., Ltd., Atlantic, BRONZE AVERY, Capitol, Columbia, EMPIRE, Equity Distribution, Fueled By Ramen, Interscope, Musical Freedom, School Boy, Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment Australia Pty Ltd., Tinashe Music Inc., Wavy Gang; Anna Shvets, Ayberk Mirza, cottonbro studio, Deeana Arts, Ila Bappa Ibrahim, Maria Pashkova, Mikhail Nilov, Samson Katt, SHVETS production from Pexels]

Incredibly Shy Songs, Vol. 1 | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on November 8, 2024November 8, 2024