Invincible | 5ive Songs

On the 9^th edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with the word INVINCIBLE in some form or fashion.

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elcome 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.  On the 9^th edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with the word INVINCIBLE in some form or fashion.  Okay, let’s get into it!

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1. Omar Apollo, “Invincible” (Ft. Daniel Caesar)

Ivory • Warner • 2022

“Drip, drip, drip with the cold IV / Out of consciousness if I ever slip it.” I would be lying if I denied my love for Omar Apollo – He is the gift that keeps giving! No – I will NOT deny those handsome looks, but most of my love is dedicated to his musical talent, something he shows tremendously on “Invincible”, featuring Grammy-winning R&B standout, Daniel Caesar. “Invincible” is an advanced single from Ivory, Apollo’s full-length, 2022 debut album.

“Invincible” is truly incredible, period.  Musically, the sound palette (produced by Apollo, Caesar, and   Carter Lang) is satisfying with its minimal sound, including rhythm guitar, bass, and drum programming for much of the song.  We get a few colorful synths too, but a key component of “Invincible” is the voices.  Daniel Caesar carries much of the vocal weight, reminding us how gifted and soulful he is.  His falsetto is ripe and radiant on the recurring lyrics of the chorus, “If I were to go / Tell me, would you notice me?” Caesar also shines in the first verse.  Omar Apollo isn’t overshadowed in the least.  I love his tone in the second verse, which begins with legato singing.  Additionally, there’s a queer vibe, which recurs in his music to date, as well as the accompanying music video: “Sixty-four hours since my baby spoke to me / He kissed me, now I love his dopamine / I tried to go to sleep but my brain on 2C-B.” Apollo is a beast singing but he also delivers compelling, unexpected bars rapping too including “Latin boy, Frida Kahlo brow / Jacquemus jeans, Ferragamo brown.” Woo! Ultimately, Omar comes through with epic music on “Invincible.” He sounds great, as does Daniel Caesar.  Add in love, sexuality, and some swagger and “Invincible” is a must-hear.

Appears in :

• Awesome Songs: February 2022

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2. Eddie Vedder, “Invincible”

Earthling • Seattle Surf Co. LLC / Republic • 2022 

“Can you hear it? Are we clear? / Cleared for liftoff, takeoff / For making reverberations / Are we affirmative? No negatory.” Um, I think? “Invincible” serves as the opener on Earthling, the 2022 solo album by grunge vet, Eddie Vedder.  Early on, the rocker serves up ample personality on a colorful, extended intro.  Listening for the first time, it’s a bit difficult to see, rather hear, where Vedder is going with the song. Of course, eventually, “Invincible” sets up and settles in, yielding a rewarding listening experience.

One of the most rewarding aspects of “Invincible” is the chorus:

“Invincible when we love

Invincible when we love

When we love.”

The lyrics aren’t profound necessarily, yet, they kind of are, aren’t they? The verses provide more details, with no shortage of alluring lyrics. “There’s a theory for everything / Resurrection to the big ol’ bang / Rachmaninoff to the excitement gang / We got the density of our beings.” Woo, shout out Eddie Vedder for referencing composer Sergei Rachmaninoff! Thematically, Vedder seems to speak about humanity, and the ability to be invincible when we work together as one – exhibit that love.  Besides the fine lyrics and thoughtful theme, the music is a major selling point – bright, driving, and dynamic.

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3. Kelly Clarkson, “Invincible”

Piece by Piece • 19 Recordings Limited / RCA • 2015 

“You know I was broke down, I had hit the ground.” Ouch Kelly Clarkson – ouch!  Breaking down and hitting the ground is no fun – literally or metaphorically for that matter! Those personal lyrics hail from “Invincible,” a highlight from the Grammy-winner’s 2015 album, Piece by Piece.  The thing is, judging by those excerpted lyrics, I’m not hearing much invincibility!

In the first verse of the personal “Invincible,” Clarkson continues singing, “I was crying out, couldn’t make no sound / No one hears the silent tears collecting.” Still no invincibility! Though she shows fear and weakness in the passionate verse, by the chorus, Clarkson has “found her wings” you might say – the invincibility has arrived:

“Now I am invincible

No, I ain’t a scared little girl no more

Yeah, I am invincible

What was I running for?”

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4. Pop Smoke, “Invincible”

Meet the Woo 2 • Republic • 2020 

Despite only living 20 short years, rapper Pop Smoke has left an indelible mark in the music industry. Since his tragic death, Smoke, so far, has released two posthumous studio albums, including Aim for the Stars Shoot for the Moon.  Prior to death, however, he released the mixtape, Meet the Woo 2, which includes the brief, invincible opener, “Invincible.”

“I said I feel invincible (Hol’ on)

It’s a hundred niggas in the spot (Baow)

I’m walkin’ through ’em (I’m walkin’ through ’em)

It’s eighty-five just to walk on

I don’t talk to these niggas (Nah)

‘Cause a lot of these niggas be corny (Corny)

I’m feeling horny (I’m feeling horny)

And I shoot like Robert Horry (Horry).”

Woo! Pop Smoke is confident AF. Further elevating that confidence is the dramatic, minor-key production work courtesy of Yoz Beats.  As we’ve come to expect from Smoke, he embraces the drill sound, which adds another dimension of toughness in my opinion.  In the verse, it’s all flex for the late rapper, as well as some threats including, “I give her Perky and Hennessy / I give two shots to the enemy, hope he remember me” and “I shoot at any opp.”  One of the most memorable lyrics alludes to his eventual posthumous debut album and the song, “Aim for the Moon” (featuring Quavo): “They know I’m shootin’ for the stars (Uh) / Aimin’ for the moon (Moon).” R.I.P. Pop Smoke!

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5. TOOL, “Invincible”

Fear Inoculum • Tool Dissectional, L.L.C. / Volcano Entertainment II, L.L.C. • 2019

“Beating chest and drums / Beating tired bones again /Age-old battle, mine / Weapon out and belly in…” Well, that’s deep stuff right there, Maynard James Keenan.  The lyrics hail from “Invincible”, the fourth track from Fear Inoculum, the first new TOOL album in 13 years! The Grammy winning band, of course, is known for lengthy songs and “Invincible” is no exception. Unfortunately, if “Invincible” were trying to contend for the longest song on Fear Inoculum, it runs just nearly 13 minutes, good for the bronze metal, not gold.

On “Invincible,” the usual tricks are in play for TOOL. This includes mixed meter, potent rhythmic grooves, and the liberal use of space – letting things be static at times, and again, slowly evolving.  Thematically, age and relevance seem to be the modus operandi. One of the best allusions is historical:

“Tears in my eyes
Chasing Ponce de Leon’s phantoms
So filled with hope
I can taste mythical fountains.”

Um, okay, if you say so Maynard.

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Invincible: 5ive Songs No. 9 (2022) [: 19 Recordings Limited, Amir Babaei, Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Clovis Cheminot, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay, Pexels, RCA, Republic, Seattle Surf Co. LLC, Tool Dissectional, L.L.C., Volcano Entertainment II, L.L.C., Warner]

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