Middle | 5ive Songs

In the 41^st edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with MIDDLE in some form or fashion.  

Welcome to 5ive Songs, where we keep things short and sweet – no extra calories or needless fluff! There’s a theme/topic, five songs, and a short blurb.  Yes, it’s a playlist, but it’s a miniature playlist that shouldn’t take much time to consume.  In the 41^st edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with the MIDDLE in some form or fashion.  Okay, let’s get into it

1. Panic! At The Disco, “Middle of a Breakup”

💿 Viva Las Vengeance • 🏷 Fueled By Ramen • 📅 2022

“Oh shit, you’re kissin’ my neck, kissin’ my chest / Now I remember why we fell in love.” Oh, sugar-honey-iced-tea indeed, 🎙 Brendon Urie! Urie and 🎙 Panic! At The Disco shine on 🎵 “Middle of a Breakup”, the second single from the collective’s seventh studio album, 💿 Viva Las Vengeance.  Man can this hunky, talented musician S-A-N-G 🤩!

There’s plenty to heart about “Middle of a Breakup.”  It commences with the signature, sped-up drum runs, something that has graced P!ATD’s music many times. I love the prominence of the guitar on this track, as well as the driving bass line. It’s incredibly gorgeous when harmonized guitar enters into the mix.  There are also other musical touches, like strings and harmonized backing vocals that make “Middle of a Breakup” a surefire vibe. Of course, the biggest draw is Urie.  The lyrics are another selling point beginning with the pre-chorus (excerpted above) and of course the chorus where makeup sex enters into play. Of course, prior to “Keep your disco, give me T. Rex” (in the chorus), Urie makes it clear “We ain’t no star-crossed lovers, we just get carried away” (verse one) and later, “You and me ain’t no Bonnie and Clyde” (verse two). Woo! All told, 🎵 “Middle of a Breakup” is another catchy single by Panic! At The Disco that also offers ample musicianship.

2. J. Cole, “Middle Child”

💿 Revenge of the Dreamers III • 🏷 Dreamville / Roc Nation • 📅 2019

“Niggas been countin’ me out / I’m countin’ my bullets, I’m loadin’ my clips / I’m writin’ down names, I’m makin’ a list / I’m checkin’ it twice and I’m getting’ ‘em hit.” 🏆 Grammy-winning rapper 🎙 J. Cole shines on 🎵 “Middle Child”, co-produced by 🎛 T-Minus. “Middle Child” benefits from its sickness behind the boards with a hard AF beat and biting brassy production.

Cole drops compelling rhymes, showcasing his consistent, elite flow.  The two most memorable sections of the record are the refrain and the chorus. Cole also brings plenty of heat to the verses.  Among topics covered include the incarceration of black males.  The best way to describe “Middle Child” is 🔥.

Appears in 🔻:

• 51 Best Songs of 2019: Year in Review
• Child 👦: 3BOPS No. 11 (2021)

3. Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey, “The Middle”

🎵 “The Middle” • 🏷 Interscope • 📅 2018

“Oh baby, why don’t you just meet me in the middle? / I’m losing my mind just a little / So why don’t you just meet me in the middle? / In the middle.” Yes, it was way overplayed, but can you deny that 🎵 “The Middle” was definitely a big deal? NO, you can’t.  It was among the most ubiquitous songs of 2018 period.  On “The Middle,” talented German producer 🎙 🎛 Zedd and production duo 🎙 🎛 Grey make magic with an unlikely collaborator, 🏆 Grammy-winning country artist, 🎙 Maren Morris. Whoa!

Morris exhibits her share of grit on “The Middle,” often part of the country script, but also amps up her pop sensibilities. Hearing Morris with vocal effects doesn’t sound like a total stretch, particularly considering her versatility.  That said, there’s nothing the slightest bit country about the backdrop, as Zedd and Grey are firmly planted in the electronic dance idiom. No problem whatsoever!  The best moment of “The Middle” is the chorus, the catchy, breakthrough moment.

Appears in 🔻:

• 101 Best Songs of 2018

4. Alex Aiono, “Work The Middle”

🎵 “Work the Middle” • 🏷 Interscope • 📅 2017

After signing with Interscope (he’s no longer on the label), heartthrob 🎙 Alex Aiono dropped an original, major label debut single, 🎵 “Work the Middle” following many awesome covers and mashups via YouTube. Like his vocal skills on the video platform, Aiono shows off his superb set of pipes. Pop, particularly gimmicky, modern pop, doesn’t always showcase the full breadth of vocals.  Despite the hyper drums and tropically driven production (🎛 Axident and 🎛 Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II), there is no vocal sacrifice.  Furthermore, Aiono is able to infuse personality and swagger.

“Come and meet me at the afterparty / Bring your body, mama work the middle / Just a little don’t tell nobody / Bring your body, mama work the middle.” Sex, of course, is the modus operandi. Aiono never crosses the line but is intentional in being suggestive.  Work is the go-to innuendo for the act. Even so, Alex keeps it classy. 

Appears in 🔻:

• 11 Songs Where It’s All Work and No Play

5. Luther Vandross, “Right in the Middle”

💿 Dance With My Father • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 2003

🎙 Luther Vandross was one of the smoothest vocalists, regardless of musical genre.  While he never reached no. 1 on the Hot 100 (🎵 “Endless Love” with 🎙 Mariah Carey settled for no. 2), the 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B artist had his fair share of success.  Vandross’ final studio album, 💿 Dance With My Father, earned him no. 1 on the Billboard 200 and eventual double-platinum certification – the biggest album of his career.  Sadly, he wasn’t well when Dance With My Father was released, something Billboard speaks about. Just two years later, Vandross died at just 54 – it still hurts.  The biggest song from Dance With My Father is the title track. However, this superb album has other songs that are terrific including 🎵 “Right in the Middle.”

“Right in the Middle” is an album track – nowhere near being a single.  Even so, it’s chill, classy, and incredibly sophisticated, just like Luther Vandross likes it.  His voice sounds as potent and buttery smooth as ever – no heavy lifting for him! He’s supported by background vocalists who further accentuate his cool but commanding and compelling lead.  What exactly is right in the middle in the context of this Vandross/ 🎼 ✍ Reed Vertelney-penned song? Love, of course:

“Not all bad, not all good (it’s just something that I believe)

Not all cold, not all hot (yeah, I like that, not all hot)

Not all bitter, not all sweet (sounds all right to me)

So don’t miss all the good, waiting for the best, there’s still happiness

Right in the middle.”

Middle: 5ive Songs No. 41 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Clovis Cheminot, Dreamville, Fueled By Ramen, Interscope, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pavel Danilyuk, Pixabay, Roc Nation, Sony Music Entertainment]