Morning | 5ive Songs

In the 53^rd edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with MORNING 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 53^rd edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with MORNING  in some form or fashion.  Okay, let’s get into it!

1. Mary J. Blige, “Good Morning Gorgeous”

💿 Good Morning Gorgeous • 🏷 Mary Jane Productions Inc • 📅 2022 

There’s a lot to heart about 🎵 “Good Morning Gorgeous”, the crowning achievement from 💿 Good Morning Gorgeous, the 2022 studio album by 🎙 Mary J. Blige. Blige delivers commanding vocals and has a fine melody to work with.  Melodically, it’s rhythmic, particularly in the second verse. Thematically, she reflects on past pain and vows not to let it bring her down now.  She’s resolved to uplift herself, exemplified in the chorus, where she’s supported by superb backing vocals, upping the ante.

“I wake up every morning and tell myself

‘Good morning gorgeous’

Sometimes you gotta look in the mirror and say,

‘Good morning gorgeous’

No one else can make me feel this way

‘Good morning gorgeous.’”

Worth noting, “Good Morning Gorgeous” was written by Blige, 🎼✍ 🎛 D’Mile, 🎼✍David Brown, 🎼✍ 🎛 H.E.R., and 🎼✍ Tiara Thomas – an elite team.  As far as the production (D’Mile and H.E.R.), the sound embodies slow, soulful R&B with old-school vibes.  I love the use of a lilting, six-eight meter as well as a robust bass line. Blige sounds potent and powerful as ever.  This song plays to her strengths, reminding us why she’s among the best in the game.

Appears in 🔻:

• Awesome Songs: December 2021

2. Jxckson, “When Morning Comes”

🎵 “When Morning Comes” • 🏷 Jxckson Music • 📅 2022

Question: “Will you still love me / When morning comes?” Hmm, that’s thought-provoking, 🎙 Jxckson.  The pop musician goes on the sing, “Or will you forget me / With the rising sun?” Both of these valid, love-oriented inquiries appear in his 2022 musical gem, 🎵 “When Morning Comes”.  From the start of “When Morning Comes,” you won’t be able to resist moving your body.  The production (🎛 Sevenths) is slick AF, providing the ears ample musical candy.  The rhythmic synths, the lush, warm pads, and the rhythmic groove are all GIVING.  There’s a massive wall of sound that appears during the pre-chorus section which is epic.  Arguably, this colorful section is one of the crowning achievements. Similarly, the bridge is picturesque, providing separation from the verses and chorus while remaining connected to the central idea of the record.

The chorus is incredibly tuneful – it’s the centerpiece.  There’s no doubt that after hearing it, you’ll keep on singing it to yourself.  Of course, the key part of “When Morning Comes” that deserves the most praise: Jxckson! The tone of his voice is perfect for this club-driven joint. Those playful, flirty vocals are utterly sensational! “When Morning Comes” is enjoyable, entertaining, and ready-made for the club.

3. Teyana Taylor & Kehlani, “Morning”

💿 The Album • 🏷 Def Jam • 🗓 2020

“Got my legs up, hands up, at attention / You make me stand up and switch up on it…” 🎙 Teyana Taylor doesn’t hold back on 🎵 “Morning” from 💿 The Album (2020).  She’s assisted by 🎙 Kehlani on this lush, sexed-TF-up affair.  There’s no innocence or modesty as “Morning” is all about S-E-X.  Explicit is the game for Teyana in the first verse.  “Talk that shit, play with that clit, and watch it rain on you babe,” she boldly sings, adding, “Funny how you thought I tapped out when we was fuckin’.” HOLY S#!T! Taylor doesn’t stop on the pre-chorus that follows, which involves touch, titties, and tongue: “Touch it, ooh / Titties in your mouth / With your tongue all out.” Wow…

“Tryna see if I feel what it look like / Been had an urge that I can’t fight,” Kehlani, sings, adding, “Yeah, I fuckin’ feel you / Mean I feel you fuckin’ / Shit, I feel you cummin’ / Ain’t gon’ be no runnin’, oh.” In the chorus, the naughty tandem combines forces on select parts. Beyond the seductiveness, the production (🎛 Mixx, 🎛 Tune Da Rula, and 🎛 Miguel “Louis Gold” Jiminez) perfectly captures SEX too. How much you wanna bet the accompanying music video for “Morning” made ladies feel some type of way? Furthermore, straight men were turned on too as “Morning” depicts a sexual experience between two women.  Interestingly, it hits different when its two ridiculously gorgeous women, or so it seems.  What’s undeniable is, regardless of gender or sexuality, “Morning” is one of the sexiest songs and music videos you’ll ever see.  Furthermore, it’s important that relationships depicted in songs, music videos, film, TV cover the full spectrum.

Appears in 🔻:

• Naked: 5ive Songs No. 1 (2020)
• Teyana Taylor & Kehlani, “Morning”: After Dark No. 4 (2021)
• 15 Steamy Songs Best Listened to After Dark

4. Florence + The Machine, “Morning Elvis”

💿 Dance Fever • 🏷 Universal Music Operations Limited • 🗓 2022

🎙 Florence + The Machine concludes their fifth studio album, 💿 Dance Fever (2022) with 🎵 “Morning Elvis.” Expectedly, 🎙 Florence Welch references 🎙 Elvis Presley throughout, making it clear that she “Never made it to Graceland.” As to be expected, there’s plenty to unpack about “Morning Elvis.”

First, Elvis died at Graceland from a drug overdose in 1977.  Welch, notably, struggled with alcoholism for years, so much so, that she hoped to make it to the stage. She is now sober, and she has essentially made it to ‘Graceland’ – the stage, without substance abuse holding her back. Furthermore, post-COVID-19 pandemic, she’s also returned to a place she’s complained about, yet lives for, something she does a fabulous job highlighting in the bridge.

“And after every tour, I swear I’ll quit

It’s over, boys, now this is it

But the call, it always comes

And the songs like children beggin’ to be born

But, oh, I guess I got my wish

But anything, anything, anything but this.”

5. Maroon 5, “Sunday Morning”

💿 Songs About Jane • 🏷 A&M / Octone • 📅 2002

“Sunday morning, rain is falling / Steal some covers, share some skin…” 🎵 “Sunday Morning” ranks among the best 🎙 Maroon 5 songs.  Notably, it appears on their breakout, debut album, 💿 Songs About Jane (2020).  The record is a total vibe, not to mention being romantic.  Previously, it was featured on the list, 🎧 10 Songs Where the Ten Commandments Were Broken.  Why you ask? Well, 🎙 Adam Levine and his then unnamed lover happen to rest on Sunday, but they don’t necessarily keep the day holy as the commandment suggests 👿 😂 (“You twist to fit the mold that I am in” or “Fingers trace your every outline / Paint a picture with my hands”).

For whatever reason, “Sunday Morning” seems to get the least love of Songs About Jane’s singles.  It shouldn’t as this sunny, pop number has as much punch and redeeming value as anything else.  Besides the production, harmonic progression, and vocals, the chorus is a major selling point:

“That may be all I need

In darkness, she is all I see

Come and rest your bones with me

Driving slow on Sunday morning

And I will never leave.”

 Appears in 🔻:

• 10 Songs Where the Ten Commandments Were Broken
• 11 Superb Sunday Songs

Morning: 5ive Songs No. 53 (2022) [📷: A&M, Andrea Piacquadio, Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Clovis Cheminot, Def Jam, Jxckson Music, Mary Jane Productions Inc, The Musical Hype, Octone, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay, Universal Music Operations Limited]