J Songs: No Rhyme or Reason | Playlist

1. Kacey Musgraves, “Justified”

star-crossed • UMG Recordings, Inc. / MCA Nashville • 2021

“Justified”, the promo single from Star-crossed, the fourth studio album by Grammy-winning country musician Kacey Musgraves, confirmed she was dropping a divorce LP. “It was a fun, strange summer / I rolled on, didn’t think of you,” she sings on the first verse, continuing, “We lost touch with each other / Fall came and I had to move.”

The verses on find her reflecting on the state of things.  The first focuses on the aftermath of the divorce.  The second is also reflective, but looks back on the relationship itself, prior to ending. “And when you lied, said you didn’t want me / Tell me, what was I supposed to do?” The chorus, as well as the bridge, sums up conflicted feelings she experiences, highlighted by the assertion “That I [You] shoulda treated you [me] right.”

2. Kanye West, “Jesus Lord”

Ft. Jay Electronica

Donda • Def Jam • 2021

The song to beat on Donda, the 10^th studio album by Kanye West is “Jesus Lord” featuring Jay Electronica.  It’s no secret that Donda, named after West’s late mother, had the messiest rollout of his career.  Ultimately, the 27-track, nearly two-hour-long LP has its fair share of rewarding moments, including the song at hand. “Jesus Lord” is nine-minutes-long – ambitious – but it’s well worth it.

The mellow production work is sensational, enlisting MIKE DEAN, Swizz Beatz, and Gesaffelstein behind the boards.  Even though the sound is mellow – reverent and reflective – there’s hard-knocking beat that’s consistent throughout. West delivers a fine verse, reflecting on his life, particularly the loss of his mother: “Mama, you was the life of the party /… When you lost your life, it took the life out the party / That woman road with me like a Harley.”  This is a prime example where you sense the grief West has experienced.  Jay Electronica thrills on the second verse, featuring clever pop cultural and spiritual references.  Two more moments solidify the greatness of this song: West’s spiritual chorus, and the moving outro by Larry Hoover Jr. in support of his incarcerated father, Larry Hoover Sr. Worth noting, a lengthier version, “Jesus Lord, Pt. 2” concludes Donda, running an ambitious 11 ½ minutes! It adds three verses courtesy of The LOX ( Sheek Louch, Jadakiss, and Styles P).

Also appears on :
11 Spiritual/Not-So Spiritual Jesus Songs
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3. Lizzo, “Juice”

Cuz I Love You • Nice Life / Atlantic • 2019

“Mirror, mirror on the wall / Don’t say it ‘cause I know I’m cute (Ooh, baby) / Louis down to my drawers / LV all on my shoes.” What makes Lizzo’s “Juice” so ‘juicy?’ Well, at 3:15, it’s just the right duration. Adding to the pro of optimal length is a throwback, soulful groove that fuels her fire.  The Grammy-winning pop artist is feisty from the onset of this Cuz I Love You gem, pop-rapping initially.

As exemplified by the excerpt from the first verse, Lizzo spits some mad game. Even better than the verses is the, catchy, swagger-laden pre-chorus and chorus sections.  She closes out the pre-chorus with a bang, asserting, “Heard you say I’m not the baddest bitch, you lie,” with the chorus following in all its glory. She doesn’t lie when she says, “No, I’m not a snack at all / Look, baby, I’m the whole damn meal.” She is INDEED “the whole damn meal.”

Also appears on :
11 Songs Where the Juice is Totally Potent

4. Ed Sheeran, “The Joker and the Queen”

= • Atlantic • 2021

“How was I to know? It’s a crazy thing / I showed you my hand and you still let me win,” Ed Sheeran sings on the first verse of “The Joker and the Queen.” Sheeran continues, “And who was I to say that this was meant to be? / The road that was broken brought us together.” Man, oh, man, the Grammy winner delivers a stunning ballad that appears as the sixth track on the 2021 album, =.

“And I know you could fall for a thousand kings
And hearts that would give you a diamond ring
When I fold, you see the best in me
The joker and the queen.”

Sheeran sings fantastically on the radiant, touching chorus. Oh, the feels, the feels, the feels!  I heart the tenderness of his voice as well as a tender instrumental suiting the British singer/songwriter superbly.

5. Olivia Rodrigo, “Jealousy, Jealousy”

SOUR • Geffen • 2021

“I kinda wanna throw my phone across the room / ‘Cause all I see are girls too good to be true.” WOO! Generation Z pop standout Olivia Rodrigo is incredibly SOUR with “jealousy, jealousy.”  Even though she’s not in a good place, the song itself is rad – well, maybe Gen-Z prefers ‘badass’ as opposed to ‘rad!’

“Com-comparison is killin’ me slowly
I think I think too much
‘Bout kids who don’t know me
I’m so sick of myself
I’d rather be, rather be
Anyone, anyone else
My jealousy, jealousy started followin’ me (He-he-he, he)
Started followin’ me (He-he-he, he).”

In the context of her 2021 debut album, the script is rinse and repeat for Rodrigo.  In this case, rinse and repeat is positive.  She has a potent groove behind her, is chocked-full of attitude and feistiness, and honestly, continues to deliver ultra-relatable material.  Even if you’re not a teenager like she is, you can remember how you felt when you were her age and experienced such jealousy.

6. Badflower, “Johnny Wants to Fight”

This is How the World Ends • Big Machine / John Varvatos • 2021

“Yeah, if Johnny wants to fight, let him fight / Let him kick my fucking ass into the ground.” Day-um!  “Johnny Wants to Fight” appears as the fourth track on This is How the World Ends, the sophomore album by L.A. rock collective,   Badflower. As always, front man  Josh Katz is blunt and brutally honest – we wouldn’t have it any other way. He gives us a compelling story.  Prior to verse, there’s a spoken skit that sets up this narrative, which involves “shit’s been going down with your girl” – Johnny’s girl, of course.

Katz expounds on this on the verses, asserting, “He’s [Johnny] looking for somebody to pound /… He’s fucking mad ‘cause he knows that somebody was with her.”  Of course, later, on the second verse, we find out that Josh was ‘with her,’ hence, why, as the chorus confirms, “Let him break my fucking nose until I’m barely breathing / … Give it everything you got / Because your girlfriend put her body on me / Shallow loser.”  In the process, as you can already see, Badflower and Katz keep those f-bombs flying.  The music = energetic AF.

Also appears on :
Fight : 3BOPS No. 61 (2021)
Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: September 2021

7. Mahalia, “Jealous”

Ft. Rico Nasty

“Jealous” • Warner Music UK • 2021

“Hm, I’m going crazy / Think you know me, but you never made me.” British R&B singer Mahalia brought attitude on her single, “Jealous” featuring Rico Nasty. The resulting record is a bop. “Jealous” commences with a mysterious intro with a chill vibe. Soon enough, that subdued intro is superbly integrated into the production ( Cadenza) once the record settles in.  That beat anchors things down adding some more oomph.  Mahalia drops some cool vocals but also manages to pack a mean punch, bringing that attitude.  Attitude is required for lines like “All my bitches with me we paved our way / Cinnamon and sugar, yeah, I’m made this way,” right?  In addition to aggressive lyrics, there’s some sweet, harmonized vocals.

The centerpiece of the record is the chorus, excerpted above and continued as follows: “Hm, cannot play me / I’ve been bad from when I was a baby.” After Mahalia kills it on her second verse (“Always with the shit, no, I don’t play no games”) Rico Nasty appears on the third, dropping melodic but potent, tough bars.  She complements and contrasts Mahalia.  The outro by both artists is sick – quite aggressive:

“Baby, buss it, turn me out
I’m a winner, there’s no doubt
They too inner, leave me out
Show me somethin’, what you ‘bout?”

8. Daniel Caesar, “Japanese Denim”

Get You – Single • Daniel Caesar • 2016

“I’m bending it over / You’re my four-leaf clover / I’m so in love, so in love.” How sweet! The talent of Daniel Caesar has never been in question – he’s a terrific R&B singer/songwriter.  Furthermore, Caesar can tout the fact that he’s a Grammy winner – deservingly so.  Where things haven’t been as smooth selling for this gifted musician have been non-musical controversies, which have dimmed his star to some degree.  That said, listen to the smooth, neo-soul joint “Japanese Denim,” and you’re easily reminded of his marvelous musicianship.

On “Japanese Denim,” it’s all about love.  From Caesar’s perspective, he is taken with her, like he’s never been taken by anyone else (“Never would’ve thought you’d be the one, I got a homie”).  So, where does the denim come into play? “My blue jeans / Will last me all / My life, oh yes.” That’s vague but leave it to the Geniuses to provide awesome insight unveiling the cleverness of the chorus (everlasting fabric, everlasting love, the fit of the denim, etc.). The outro puts a damper on things, depending on how you read into it:

“You don’t even know me
You don’t even know me, yes
I’m hanging from the tree.”

Yikes.  Despite a sadder conclusion, this is a fabulous song. 

Also appears on :
11 Captivating Songs Associated with Japan

9. Brandi Carlile, “The Joke”

By the Way, I Forgive You • Elektra • 2018

“You’re feeling nervous, aren’t you, boy? With your quiet voice and impeccable style / Don’t ever let them steal your joy / And your gentle ways, to keep ‘em from running wild.” The crown jewel of Grammy-winnning, Americana singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile’s 2018 album ( By the Way, I Forgive You) is “The Joke”.  There’s nothing funny about the excellence that is “The Joke,” period.  The under-appreciated and under-represented folks of the world have quite an anthem, which Carlile delivers with high-flying vocals and an indisputable authentic performance.  On the excerpt, Carlile magnificently captures the pressure that a more effeminate, less masculine male feels from the ‘stereotypical,’ close-minded world. Notably, Carlile also goes beyond the implied LGBTQ+ angle, referencing the plight faced by women in a man’s world on the second verse.

As masterful as the lyrics of the verses are, it’s the soaring chorus both vocally and instrumentally that seals the deal in all its glory.

“Let ‘em laugh while they can
Let ‘em spin, let ‘em scatter in the wind
I have been to the movies; I’ve seen how it ends
And the joke’s on them.”

Also appears on :
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10. The Lonely Island, “Jizz in My Pants”

Incredibad • Universal Republic • 2009

First and foremost, take comedy trio The Lonely Island with a grain of salt.  In 2009, Andy Samberg had everybody and his brother (or sister) asserting, “I’m on a boat, motherfucker.”  Woo! While “I’m on a Boat” proved to be the most successful song on Incredibad (epic title), “Jizz in My Pants” was no slouch, period.  Outlandish and absurd, the guys tackle losing control and letting it erupt! “Jizz in My Pants” precedes “I’m on a Boat” in the track list, by the way.

The music video for “Jizz In My Pants” is a mess, and not merely on the pants, haha! The Lonely Island’s facial expressions are something to behold.  There are some killer one liners, whether it’s “…It’s your fault, you were rubbing my butt / I’m very sensitive, some would say that’s a plus,” or “It’s perfectly normal, nothing wrong with me / but we’re gonna need a clean-up on Aisle 3.” Incredibad at its baddest, right? Right!

11. Jhené Aiko, “Jukai”

Trip • Def Jam • 2017

“If anyone should try and find me / Just know I’m where I wanna be.” Hmm, troubling Jhené Aiko. Why, you ask? Well, the second track from Trip is named “Jukai.”  What is Jukai? Well, it’s an infamous forest in Japan.  Jukai is another name for The Sea of Trees aka Aokigahara Forest.  The forest is infamous because is known for its high incidence of suicide in Japan.

As you’d expect, “Jukai,” the Grammy-nominated R&B singer/songwriter references a trip to the infamous Sea of Trees – in her mind, ‘mind’ you. “I’ve made my way down to the forest,” she sings on the verse, continuing, “Way down to the sea of trees.” Later, she adds, “I tried, but my feet kept touchin’ the ground / … If I died, would it even make a sound in the sea of trees.” Her question is psychologically-driven – thought provoking to say the least.  Even in the literal sense, it runs deep.   The good news regarding Aiko’s exploration of life and death is that she survives the forest and doesn’t surrender her life.

“Okay now, I’m okay now
Alive, alive
Made it out alive, made it out alive
Surprise, surprise, surprise, surprise
I’m out alive.”

Also appears on :
11 Captivating Songs Associated with Japan
13 Songs That Explore Mortality (In Some Form or Fashion)

12. Twenty One Pilots, “Jumpsuit”

Trench • Fueled By Ramen • 2018

“Jumpsuit” is a wildly ambitious, brilliant opener on Trench, the fifth studio album by Grammy-winning collective, Twenty One Pilots. “Jumpsuit” commences mysteriously, including distorted vocals by Tyler Joseph singing, “Cover Me.”  Those words end up being part of the conceptual narrative. The intro expands, including a heavy, assertive bass line and groove.  Additional sounds fill out the production, before settling down when Joseph begins singing normally.

Joseph’s vocals are tender on the chorus, which blends a conceptual narrative, self-consciousness, and insecurities.

“I can’t believe how much I hate
Pressures of a new place roll my way
Jumpsuit, jumpsuit, cover me
I crumble underneath the weight...”

The form is a bit nontraditional, but this unpredictability is part of the charm. “Jumpsuit” is an intriguing record for all the reasons mentioned, as well as the unique concept dealing with a fictional place (Dema), bishops, and the yellow on the jumpsuit that the bishops can’t see.  It’s complex but alluring. 

13. Stevie Wonder, “Joy Inside My Tears”

Songs in the Key of Life • Motown • 1976 

One rarely finds albums as accomplished as Songs in The Key of Life.  Songs in the Key of Life, of course, is the 1976 masterpiece by multi- Grammy-winning R&B icon, Stevie Wonder.  There are hits upon hits upon hits – it’s a truly terrific project.  Among my favorite songs is “Joy Inside My Tears,” which appears as the second track on the second disc (12^th track overall).

There is nothing the least bit sad about this six-and-a-half-minute ballad. As he often does, Wonder brings a heaping dose of positivity.  If Wonder was depressed at some point, crying, he isn’t anymore – this person has totally brought him joy. “And baby that’s you, you, you / Made life’s history / Because you’ve brought some joy inside my tears,” he sings on the epic chorus, continuing, “And you have done what no one thought could be / you’ve brought some joy inside my tears.”  Now that’s some J-O-Y right there!

Also Appears On :
10 Songs Filled with Considerable Joy
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