Lay | 5ive Songs

1. Shelley FKA DRAM, “The Lay Down”

Ft. H.E.R. & watt

Shelley FKA DRAM • Atlantic / EMPIRE • 2021

Shelley FKA DRAM embraces R&B exclusively on his sophomore album, Shelley FKA DRAM.  Shelley, which runs just 10 tracks deep and 38 minutes long, proves to be well worth the wait, with a number of gems.  Among those gems is “The Lay Down,” where DRAM truly outdoes himself.

On “The Lay Down,” the lushness and buttery smooth vibes are breathtaking.  This particular record definitely shows various faces of R&B. DRAM sings angelically, as does his Oscar and Grammy-winning co-vocalist, H.E.R. The chemistry is epic.  Also, throw in watt writing and working behind the boards and “The Lay Down” only grows into a bigger juggernaut.  The two best moments: the chorus and a stellar guitar feature.

2. Isaiah Rashad, “Lay Wit Ya”

Ft. Duke Deuce

“Lay Wit Ya” • Top Dawg Entertainment / Warner • 2021

Top Dawg Entertainment standout Isaiah Rashad taps fellow rapper Duke Deuce for the entertaining, dirty south banger, “Lay Wit Ya”. There’s plenty to heart about this record with the sound and vibe arguably being the biggest triumph.  Hollywood Cole does a fantastic job producing this hardcore southern record.  Part of the reason that the ‘dirty south’ is firmly in play is sampling a Three 6 Mafia classic, “Ridin’ n’ tha Chevy”.

From there, both rappers really bring heat.  Isaiah Rashad kills it on a hella catchy chorus, followed by a short but enjoyable verse.  He doesn’t change the game with his rhymes, but you’ve got to love lines like “I’m a cold piece of work / Whippin’ up to serve, what was for dessert? / I’m a Gucci Mane, you a Captain Kirk.” Woo! Duke Deuce actually gets the longer verse, which is confident and tough.  Deuces clearly gives no Fs:

“The pussy ass rappers keep fuckin’ with me
You’re hustling backwards, I pull up in Raptor
I’m strapped with them triple M brothers with me.”

“Lay Wit Ya” may not change the game, but it’s definitely a B-A-N-G-E-R.  Great production, confident lyrics and the overall dirty south aesthetic make it a vibe.

3. Sam Smith, “Lay Me Down”

In the Lonely Hour • Capitol • 2014

“Told me not to cry when you were gone / But the feeling’s overwhelming, it much too strong.” On “Lay Me Down,” a gem from In the Lonely Hour, Sam Smith is devastated.  Their love is gone, and they miss everything about him. They tug at the heartstrings on the chorus, which is particularly relatable to anybody who’s experienced heartbreak.

“Can I lay by your side, next to you, you?
And make sure you’re alright
I’ll take care of you
I don’t want to be here if I can’t be with you tonight.”

The music video amplifies the significance from the LGBTQ+ perspective.  Initially set as a funeral, it ends in a same-sex marriage at a London church.  The Church of England is notably divided about homosexuality.  The funeral scene seems to be symbolic – subject to interpretation.  Perhaps Smith lays their past to rest and embraces the present.  Perhaps it represents the death of the old guard and birth of the new – freedom to marry whoever.  Regardless, they make a statement which serves as a catalyst for conversation, debate, and discussion.

Also appears on :

A Compendium Comprised of 100 Notable LGBTQ+ Songs

4. Al Green, “Lay it Down”

Lay It Down • Blue Note • 2008

During the aughts, legendary soul singer Al Green returned to his roots.  After embracing gospel music after his storied soul career (he is a pastor, too), Green dropped three R&B albums.  The best of the three was undoubtedly Lay It Down, released in 2008. With Lay It Down, Green truly recaptured his vintage, Memphis soul sound.  One of the prime examples is “Lay It Down,” the title track featuring fellow Grammy-winner Anthony Hamilton (on backing vocals) and produced by James Poyser and ?uestlove.

“Lay it down, let it go, fall in love / Lay your body.” Al Green managed to be ‘sexy’ on “Lay It Down” without crossing any lines.  Vocally, he sounds pure – a ripe as he did in his heyday to be honest.  Furthermore, the organ, strings, and horns may be vintage, but they sounded incredibly refreshing in the late aughts.  No, Green didn’t necessarily win over a new generation, but he certainly pleased those who followed him back in the day.

5. Shirley Murdock, “As We Lay”

Shirley Murdock • Elektra / Asylum • 1986

Sometimes it just takes one song to solidify your legacy.  For big-voiced R&B singer Shirley Murdock, that one gem is “As We Lay.”  A truly breathtaking mid-80s R&B record, Murdock ‘gives her all’ as she performs.  Her performance is characterized by incredible authenticity, expression, and nuance.  Perhaps it’s not fair when some folks assert ‘they don’t make music like this anymore.’ That said, are they totally wrong or wrong in the least?

Kelly Price would go on to remake this beloved classic on her superb sophomore album, Mirror Mirror from 2002.  Also, “As We Lay” has become a popular sample and for good reason – the harmonic progression, the arrangement, and overall sound are totally on-point. Of course, it all goes back to Shirley Murdock, who masterfully imparts the tale of two people in a separate relationship having a one-night stand. Damn.  The chorus, the centerpiece, perfectly captures the repercussions:

“As we lay
We forgot about tomorrow
As we lay
As we lay
We didn’t think about the price we’d have to pay.”