M Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason | Playlist 🎧

1. Miley Cyrus, “Midnight Sky”

🎵 “Midnight Sky” • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 2020

“The midnight sky is the road I’m takin’ / Head high up in the clouds (Oh, oh).” So many Miley Cyrus singles of late have left me desiring more. “Midnight Sky” finally finds this talented musician showing her superstar power.  All boxes are checked off on “Midnight Sky.”

“Midnight Sky” is written and produced by some of the best in the game. Notably, “Midnight Sky” samples “Edge of Seventeen” by Stevie Nicks, nothing short of an awesome choice.  Obviously, the sample alone signals another about face for Miley: ‘disco-pop.’ Most importantly, “Midnight Sky” features aggressive, assertive vocals from Miley Cyrus.  Her instrument has always been her best weapon; she has a distinct, cutting, powerful voice. She uses her vocals to command this fresh, yet retro dance/disco pop number.  Well written, it features a straightforward, easy navigable form. Cyrus delivers her most passionate vocals on the chorus:

“I was born to run, I don’t belong to anyone, oh no
I don’t need to be loved by you (By you)
Fire in my lungs, can’t bite the devil on my tongue, oh no
I don’t need to be loved by you.”

“Midnight Sky” previously appeared on 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: August 2020.

2. James Blunt, “Monsters”

💿 Once Upon a Mind • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 2019

“You’re Beautiful” is undoubtedly the crowning achievement of Grammy-nominated, singer/songwriter James Blunt’s discography. That said, in 2019, Blunt released a song that is easily one of his best in years, not to mentioned potentially the ‘second-best’ of his career.  “Monsters”, from Once Upon a Mind isn’t monstrous because it’s scary in the least.  I might even opt for ‘beastly’ as opposed to monstrous, because of the thoughtful, personal, and incredibly relatable lyrics.

Dedicated to his ailing, aging, and dying father, James Blunt seems to cherish the time he has left (“Oh, well, I’ll read a story to you / Only difference is this one is true / The time has gone…”).  He also prepares to take the torch passed on by his father – truly ‘man up.’ The crème de la crème (besides those ever-distinct vocals) is the soaring chorus.  If you listen to the chorus, or better yet, watch the music video accompanying “Monsters” and don’t shed a tear (or at least sniffle or get ‘moist’), well, you’re incredibly coldhearted.

“I’m not you son, you’re not my father
We’re just two grown men saying goodbye
No need to forgive, no need to forget
I know your mistakes and you know mine
And while you’re sleeping, I’ll try to make you proud
So, daddy, won’t you just close your eyes?
Don’t be afraid, it’s my turn
To chase the monsters away.” 

“Monsters” previously appeared on 🎧 13 Monstrous Songs About Monsters.

3. Camila Cabello, “My Oh My”

Ft. DaBaby

💿 Romance • 🏷 Epic • 🗓 2019 

“I swear on my life that I’ve been a good girl / Tonight, I don’t wanna be her…” Hmm, I’ll leave it at that! Camila Cabello certainly gave ample bops on her sophomore album, Romance. Among those bops was “My Oh My,” a tongue-in-cheek gem where Cabello taps infectious, ubiquitous rapper DaBaby for a guest spot – that’s a winning formula!

“Look, I’m the type to make her turn on her daddy
DaBaby make her forget what she learned from her daddy
I don’t be trippin on lil’ shawty, I let her do whatever she please
I don’t be kissing on lil’ shawty, she don’t be kissing on me either...”

Oh DaBaby! The song itself is also infectious, with Cabello coming off playful and fun, particularly on the chorus:

“They say he likes a good time (My oh my)
He comes alive at midnight (Every night)
My mama doesn't trust him (My oh my)
He’s only here for one thing, but (So am I).”

Camila Cabello and DaBaby together – that’s a formidable, kick ass duo! “My Oh My” previously appeared on 🎧 11 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy in December 2019. 

4. The Killers, “My Own Soul’s Warning”

💿 Implode the Mirage • 🏷 Island • 🗓 2020

The Killers get off to an electrifying start on their 2020 album, Implode the Mirage. Opener “My Own Soul’s Warning” is a prime example of an awesome song that was tailor made to tickle one’s fancy. The record is the exemplification of ‘go big or go home!’ The production is epic and turned up to the nth degree.  Furthermore, front man Brandon Flowers is locked-in and from the jump.

Flowers shows poise on the verse, but kicks things up a notch beginning with the pre-chorus (“I tried going against my own soul’s warning / And in the end, something just didn’t feel right”). He absolutely soars on the chorus, flexing his gorgeous tone as well as how truly powerful and potent he can be.

“But then I thought I could fly
And when I hit the ground
It made a messed up sound
And it kept on rattling through my days
And cutting up my nights
Like a goddamn knife
And it got me thinking, no matter how far
I just wanted to get back to where you are.”

“My Own Soul’s Warning” previously appeared on 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: August 2020.

5. Baby Goth, “Mary”

 Baby Goth • Republic • 2019

“Mary dropped a new record / And she won the best new flexer / So high you cannot measure / So rich like I am the treasure.” Heavily tatted pop artist Baby Goth serves up “Mary,” which appears as the fourth track off of her seven-song, 21-minute-long debut album, Baby Goth. The sound is idiomatic of modern pop, filled with urban and hip-hop production cues (Boom, Staccato, and Winch) that give it a tough sound.  Those cues include killer synth action and hard-nosed, bass-heavy 808s ad clapping snares. Call it what it is, a pop banger.

Not only does the sound of the record rival hip-hop, so does Baby Goth’s performance.  While she sings as opposed to pop-rapping, she approaches her performance with the confidence of a rapper.  This is evident when Baby Goth sings lyrics like “Roll up in the city / Roll like G at home” (verse one) and “We stay high as fuck / Mary, take me away / … Mary rolling heavy / Foreign whips and diamond wrist” (verse two). Also, interestingly, there’s a coolness and nonchalance about the performance that embraces the ‘goth’ vibe as well.  And, did I fail to mention that nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb” is in play throughout “Mary?” Why?  Because OF COURSE it is, sigh. “Mary” previously appeared on 🎧 11 Totally Merry, Mary, Marry Songs.

6. blackbear, “me & ur ghost”

💿 everything means nothing • 🏷 Alamo / Interscope • 🗓 2020

Up-tempo, energetic pop cut “me & ur ghost” is a highlight from everything means nothing, the 2020 studio album from pop/R&B artist, blackbear. “Me & ur ghost” commences with the chorus, which is catchy from the jump: “I’m not alone, it’s just me and your ghost / And this cripplin’ depression…” Furthermore, it sets the tone for the feelings that blackbear is experiencing.

Following the chorus, he delivers a short first verse, where he’s basically ‘mad as hell,’ destroying his ex-girlfriend’s belongings:

“I got four red bottoms, up in flames now
I burned three Chanel dresses, three words we don’t say now.”

The second verse is wordier, in a pop-rap approach that’s more regretful:

“I can’t even kick it with the homies that we both know
I can’t even fuck with any places that we used to go...”

On the bridge, he tries to erase it all. It’s overdramatic, but ‘bear manages the role reversals well – the man is scorned here!

7. Lady Gaga, “Million Reasons”

💿 Joanne • 🏷 Interscope • 🗓 2016

Lady Gaga became a much more personal artist post-ARTPOP (2013). Her early hits weren’t devoid of substance, but even the depth of the all-encompassing message of “Born This Way” felt less heavy given its danceable groove. “Million Reasons”, a standout from her 2016 album, Joanne, finds Lady Gaga dig-in-deep lyrically, with the help of Hillary Lindsey.

Lindsey, renowned for writing for numerous country musicians, adds a dash of country to “Million Reasons.” This is a pop-rock, singer-songwriter-oriented song – a stark contrast to more danceable records by the pop artist, including her 2020 album, Chromatica.  The high-flying record feels authentic and incredibly personal from the jump.  The crowning achievement of “Million Reasons” is undoubtedly the chorus:

“I bow down to pray
I try to make the worst seem better
Lord, show me the way
To cut through all his worn-out leather
I’ve got a hundred million reasons to walk away
But baby, I just need one good one to stay.” 

8. Conan Gray, “Maniac”

💿 Kid Krow • 🏷 Republic • 🗓 2020

Conan Gray maintains the energy level of the high-flying “Wish You Were Sober” on follow-up “Maniac,” another highlight from his 2020 debut album, Kid Krow. Though he sings in an undertone on the verses, he rises to the occasion on the chorus.  Furthermore, he exhibits great personality on the post-chorus, as he assertively and playfully sings, “You maniac.”

The bridge also marks another winning moment for Gray, as he sings, “Psychopath, don’t be so dramatic / We had magic, but you made it tragic…”  Adding to the allure of this electro-pop infused number is the production work by Dan Nigro. His role definitely can’t be neglected regarding the constructing this surefire, M-titled bop. It’s mmm, mmm good!!!

9. Fleet Foxes, “Maestranza”

💿 Shore • 🏷 Anti- • 🗓 2020 

“Now that a light is on / Now that the water runs / And the heartless are nearly gone / No time to get it wrong.” “Maestranza” has compelling argument as the crowning achievement of Shore. Shore is the highly anticipated, fourth studio album by Fleet Foxes, which arrived following a four-year hiatus by the band. Fleet Foxes is fronted by the talented Robin Pecknold.

Musically, “Maestranza” shows superb musicianship with a stellar harmonic progression and awesome arranging. Vocally, Pecknold shines, particularly given his assertiveness, coupled with the dynamic nature of the music, and the aforementioned chorus.

10. Roddy Ricch, “Moonwalkin”

Ft. Lil Durk

💿 Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 2019

Roddy Ricch had a breakout year in 2019. The Compton rapper’s debut studio album, Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial, debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard 200. Given the fact that this playlist is filled with M-songs, “Moonwalkin” is an ideal fit, featuring Lil Durk. Fabio and Sonic produce this joint.

“Say she wanna fuck another bitch, I made it happen
Felt like Michael Jackson moonwalkin’
Smooth Criminal, smooth criminal talkin’, yeah…”

The title of the song is a reference to Michael Jackson’s signature dance, the moonwalk. In Ricch’s hands, moonwalkin’ is drenched in confidence, swagger, drip, and most of all, sex. “Hit that booty on the trip and make her pussy drip,” Ricch raps on the chorus, continuing, “Pussy designer, she fuck with fifth / She like to ride ‘round on top the dick.” As for Lil Durk, he’s also quite horny, opening the second verse with the lyrics, “I see that pussy through your panty, oh / I fuck on the back, I put my thumb in her –.” Wow.  Durk goes on later to say, “We havin’ sex and I don’t like to brag,” though I have my doubts he doesn’t enjoying bragging – there’s plenty of it on “Moonwalkin’.” “Moonwalkin’” previously appeared on 🎧 12 Unique Songs Loosely Associated with the Moon.

11. Kacey Musgraves, “Merry Go ‘Round”

🎵 Same Trailer Different Park • 🏷 Mercury • 🗓 2013

“Mama’s hooked on Mary Kay / Brother’s hooked on Mary Jane / And Daddy’s hooked on Mary two doors down.” Wow! On February 10, 2019, Kacey Musgraves would earn the most coveted Grammy of them all – ‘Album of the Year’ for her third studio album, Golden Hour. Five years before Golden Hour (2018) was released, Musgraves released her debut studio album, Same Trailer Different Park (2013).  Notably, she’d win two Grammys for the set – one for ‘Best Country Album’ and another for ‘Best Country Song’ for “Merry Go ‘Round.”  Did “Merry Go ‘Round” deserve such accolades? You bet it did!  The aforementioned pre-chorus lyrics should be evidence enough!

On “Merry Go ‘Round,” Musgraves seems to focus on unchanging routines, traditions – that vicious circle called southern life.  On the first verse, Musgraves opens with a bullet about being a young parent – “If you ain’t got two kids by 21 / You’re probably gonna die alone.” She also references the mindset of church in the south – “Come Sunday morning you best be / There in the front row, like you’re s’posed to be.” The second verse is ‘like unto it,’ highlighting the viciousness of that circle – the ‘merry go ‘round.’  The chorus is the centerpiece, of course.

“Mary, Mary, quite contrary
We get bored so we get married
And just like dust we settle in this town
On this broken merry go ‘round
And ‘round and ‘round we go
Where it stops nobody knows
And it ain’t slowin’ down
This merry go ‘round.”

“Merry Go ‘Round” first appeared on the list, 🎧 11 Songs Fit for an Amusement Park and 🎧 11 Totally Merry, Mary, Marry Songs.

12. Maroon 5, “Memories”

🎵 “Memories” • 🏷 Interscope • 🗓 2019

“Here’s to the ones that we got / Cheers to the wish you were here, but you’re not / ‘Cause the drinks bring back all the memories / Of everything we’ve been through…” According to a tweet by Maroon 5 front man Adam Levine, “Memories” is “for anyone who has ever experienced loss. In other words, this song is for all of us”  (see the tweet below).

Levine’s description of “Memories” is spot-on, further exemplified by the excerpted lyrics from the chorus, which continues as follows:

“Toast to the ones here today
Toast to the ones that we lost on the way
‘Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
And the memories bring back, memories bring back you.”

On the verses, Adam remains reflective, using the loss and memories of loved one to become a better person.  “When I felt all of the hatred was too powerful to stop,” he sings on the second verse, he adds, “Now my heart feels like an ember and it’s lighting up the dark / I’ll carry these torches for ya that you know I’ll never drop.” Musically, the backdrop is simple but effective, placing more weight on Levine’s vocals and most of all, the lyrics and the reflective, remembering theme of the song itself.  The theme and thoughtfulness of “Memories” makes it pack quite a respectable punch.  It’s not the flashiest Maroon 5 record, but certainly effective and meaningful.

13. Aloe Blacc, “The Man”

💿 Lift Your Spirit • 🏷 Interscope • 🗓 2014

“I got all the answers to your questions / I’ll be the teacher you could be the lesson / I’ll be the preacher you be the confession / I’ll be the quick relief to all your stressing / (This is my world).” Man, that’s confidence right there! For many, Lift Your Spirit served as the first impression of R&B singer Aloe Blacc. Lift Your Spirit is actually the singer’s third studio album. Lift Your Spirit arrived on the heels of the big-time hit with the late Aviici (“Wake Me Up”) and his own solo smash, the ubiquitous promo single, “The Man.”

“The Man” is nothing short of enthusiastic – a sensational opening cut.  “Girl you can tell everybody…I’m the man, I’m the man, I’m the man,” Blacc sings passionately on the on the simple, yet absolutely terrific chorus. The throwback vibe hearkening back to R&B’s prime just makes “The Man” just that much greater.  As confident as Blacc may be on quote that commences this blurb, it’s an ‘admirable confidence’ as opposed to cockiness – confidence that those who struggle with it should embrace.  “The Man” previously appeared on 🎧 13 Songs About ‘The Man,’ Whoever He May Be.