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The playlist ‘Lengthy Song Titles, Vol. 1’ is comprised of 12 songs with seven or more words in their respective song title.

Here is the criteria – the ground rules – for selecting songs for this lengthy song titles playlist. (1) Song titles must have a minimum of seven-words. (2) No multi-part song-titles, usually indicated by slashes, are allowed. (3) Parentheses are allowed. (4) Short-hand song titles are permitted if they read or represent a longer title, comprised of seven or more words. That was a mouthful! (5) It doesn’t matter what year the song was released, though all on this particular list hail form 2017. Without further ado, Lengthy Song Titles, Vol. 1.

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1. The National, “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness”

Sleep Well Beast • 4AD • 2017

Ah, “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness” – a song title featuring seven words. Frontman Matt Berninger described “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness” as, “An abstract portrait of the weird time we’re in”.  That explains the odd vibes of the record.  On the first verse, lyrically, he’s disappointed and arguably, deceived.

“Maybe I listen more than you think / I can tell that somebody sold you / We said we’ve never let anyone in / We said we’d only die of lonely secrets.”

Such deception continues on throughout the chorus section.  Likewise, the second verse finds Berninger surprised by the condition of things, approached like a relationship.  As stacked as Grammy-winning album Sleep Well Beast is, “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness” is the crowning achievement.

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2. Taylor Swift, “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things”

Reputation • Big Machine • 2017

The eight-word-titled “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” ranks among the most fun records of Reputation. The production is filled with swagger, as is Taylor Swift, who’s amps up the gimmickry.

“This is why we can’t have nice things, darling / Because you break them / I had to take them away / This is why we can’t have nice things, honey / Did you think I wouldn’t hear all the things you said about me? / This is why we can’t have nice things.”

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3. Lana Del Rey, “God Bless America – And All the Beautiful Women in It”

Lust for Life • Interscope • 2017

The beastly 10-word song title “God Bless America – And All the Beautiful Women in It” is a women’s empowerment record, written in anticipation of politics affecting women. It follows “Coachella – Woodstock in My Mind” in the sequence of Lust for Life, a record that is the catalyst for numerous social and politically-charged records. The melody on the chorus is simple, yet beautiful, while the messaging is pitch perfect for the current climate.

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4. Fleet Foxes, “If You Need To, Keep Time on Me”

Crack-Up • Nonesuch • 2017 

The eight-word song title “If You Need To, Keep Time on Me” is one of the most accessible records on Fleet Foxes’ Crack-Up. Even so, it retains the superb songwriting that characterizes the album as a whole. Robin Pecknold and company offer a hint at the onset as to what the song is about with a particular date: January 20, 2017.  That, friends, was the day that Donald J. Trump officially became the 45^th President of the United States. Pecknold sings from the jump:

“How could it all fall in one day? / Were we too sure of the sun?”

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5. Demi Lovato, “You Don’t Do It for Me Anymore”

Tell Me You Love Me • Island / Hollywood • 2017

The seven-word-titled ballad “You Don’t Do It for Me Anymore” gives Tell Me You Love Me another excellent moment. On the verse, Demi Lovato showcases her low register, before ascending to her powerful, cutting, upper register on the chorus. Her best vocal moment arrives on the final chorus of the song, when she nails a high A-flat.

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6. Chris Stapleton, “Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning”

From a Room, Vol. 1 • Mercury • 2017

Chris Stapleton gets into the lengthy song title action with eight-word-titled, country classic, “Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning.” “Last Thing I Needed…” takes the vintage country sound to the next level, sounding anachronistic in 2017 (It’s a Willie Nelson cover).  Anachronistic is meant as no disrespect here. It’s chocked full of character, led by Stapleton’s signature vocals.

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7. blackbear, “If I could I would feel nothing”

digital druglord • Interscope • 2017

Blackbear is brutally honest on the seven-word-titled “If I could I would feel nothing” from digital druglord.  Although he has money, he’s still unhappy.  Furthermore, even though he plans to hook up, it’s nothing more than empty sex – a one-night stand.  Throughout this slow, but rhythmic joint, blackbear emphasizes “no feelings, no strings attached, girl.”

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8. Zak Abel, “All I Ever Do (Is Say Goodbye)”

Only When We’re Naked • Atlantic UK • 2017

“All I Ever Do (Is Say Goodbye)” (seven words) closes Zak Abel’s debut album, Only When We’re Naked, soundly. It features an enthusiastic vibe from the onset. The tropical influence continues, most pronounced on the chorus. His vocals impress.

 

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9. Death from Above 1979, “All I C is U & Me”

Outrage! Is Now • Warner Bros. • 2017 

“All I C is U & Me,” which reads as All I See is You and Me, a seven-word title, is up-tempo, embodying the punk-revivalist spirit.  It’s not nearly left-field as the majority of songs from Outrage! Is Now.  Normally, that might be a rub, but it’s a nice change of pace as nothing else sounds like it.  Ultimately, it’s enjoyable and energetic.

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10. Kesha, “Old Flames (Can’t Hold a Candle to You)”

Ft. Dolly Parton

Rainbow • Kemosabe • 2017 

One of the very best songs from Rainbow doesn’t arrive until near the end. Regardless, “Old Flames (Can’t Hold a Candle to You)” is certainly worth the wait. It also happens to be a cover, co-written by Kesha’s mom, Pebe Sebert. “Old Flames” gives Kesha another country cut, this one more successful than the aforementioned “Hunt You Down.” Also helping the cause is the fact she enlists country royalty, Dolly Parton, who also once covered this gem.  Ultimately, the duet is magical, memorable, and among the crème de la crème of Kesha’s career.

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11. Lana Del Rey, “When the World Was at War We Kept Dancing”

Lust for Life • Interscope • 2017 

The nine-word-titled “When the World Was at War We Kept Dancing” finds Lana del Rey perturbed about the state of America.  On the chorus, she asks a series of questions, before answering them as a good patriot should:

“Is it the end of an era? / Is it the end of America? / No, it’s only the beginning / If we hold onto hope, we’ll have a happy ending / When the word was at war before / We just kept dancing.”

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12. Coldplay, “All I Can Think About Is You”

Kaleidoscope EP • Parlophone • 2017

“All I Can Think About Is You” (seven words) kicks off Kaleidoscope (EP) successfully. Heavy drums, prominent bass line, and solid production make this a head-nodding gem. Another highlight of the opener is the harmonic progression.  Sure, the beginning hangs around the tonic, but following some development, Chris Martin and Coldplay spread their wings.  Another pro is that the band embraces more of alt-sound as opposed to pop.

Photo Credits: 4AD, Big Machine, Interscope, Nonesuch, Island, Hollywood, Mercury, Atlantic, Warner Bros., Kemosabe, Parlophone

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