Levitate | 3BOPS

1. Dua Lipa, “Levitating”

Future Nostalgia • Warner •  2020

Dua Lipa is pretty awesome – that goes without saying! The Grammy-winning English pop artist delivered a certified bop on her self-titled debut album. Topping that brilliant pop album was a tall task.  That said, Lipa proved she was up for the challenge with her incredibly engaging, utterly consistent sophomore album, Future Nostalgia.  From start to finish, the English pop star is on autopilot.  Not only is she ‘on,’ but I dare you find a chorus that won’t get stuck in your head after listening!

“I believe that you’re for me, I feel it in our energy / I see us written in the stars / We can go wherever, so let’s do it now or never / Baby, nothing’s ever, ever too far.” Picking out the most accomplished, most fun songs on Future Nostalgia is tough – there’s literally an album’s worth of bops.  “Levitating” makes a compelling case among the crème de la crème, considering the ‘loving’ has the pop star rising/floating, defying gravity.  Every chorus is pretty amazing throughout Future Nostalgia, but “Levitating” hits especially hard:

“I got you, moonlight, you’re my starlight
I need you, all night, come on, dance with me
I’m levitating.” 

Also appears on :

 Dua Lipa, “Levitating” – Fun Friday

 Day 6: Dua Lipa, “Levitating”

 The 30-Day Song Challenge : The Playlist, Part 1

 30-Day Song Challenge : The Complete Playlist

15 L Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason

2. Twenty One Pilots, “Levitate”

  Trench •   Fueled by Ramen •   2018

“Oh, I know how to levitate up off my feet / And ever since the seventh grade I learned to fire-breathe.” Tyler Joseph showcases his ability to drop bars on “Levitate”, one of he best songs from the 2018 Twenty One Pilots album, Trench.  “Levitate” commences enigmatically.  The evolving pad has a floating, woozy sound suiting the title of the record.  Soon enough, the beat begins to develop, resulting in this awesome, hard-nosed anchor that’s incredibly rhythmic.  With a hard beat, as well as continual presence of the aforementioned pad, and the addition of various synths and sound effects, Joseph has ample fuel for the fire.  His flow is on-point – incredibly aggressive, turned-up, and ultimately, compelling.

He makes some great points lyrically.  At the beginning of the first verse, he correctly observes that, “Cowards only come through when the hour’s late / And everyone’s asleep mind you.” While this is part of the Trench concept, these open-ended lyrics are applicable to real-life.  The second verse is where his flow is most electrifying, featuring the killer lyric, “Don’t feed me to the vultures / I am a vulture who feeds on pain.” Also, he seems to visit familiar territory – matters of mental health, evidenced by the lyric, “Please, keep me from; please, keep me down from the ledges.” Short but sweet, “Levitate” is quite impressive from the Grammy-winning collective.

3. Macklemore, “Levitate”

Ft. Otieno Terry

  Gemini •   Bendo •   2017

Otieno Terry is featured on “Levitate,” a surprising record from Gemini, the 2017 album from Macklemore. Gemini runs a bit long, but has its fair share of enjoyable, worthwhile moments from the Grammy-winning rapper. “Levitate” marks one of the best moments, period.

On “Levitate,” the production work is exceptional, with its hella rhythmic beat and funked-up vibe.  Furthermore, Macklemore drops a compelling, agile flow with some kick ass rhymes.

“I said ‘woo,’ don’t make me
Break out the velour suit and the Stacey's
Give me a bassline and a break beat
Fuck around on the dance floor, make a baby, watch me.”

Amplifying the awesomeness, Otieno Terry drops great vocals on the chorus and the post-chorus that follows. Ultimately, this is a fun, up tempo rap cut to the nth degree.