Name | 5ive Songs

On the 92^nd edition of 5ive Songs (2021), we select five songs that are associated with the word NAME in some form or fashion.  

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elcome 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.  On the 92^nd edition of 5ive Songs (2021), we select five songs that are associated with the word NAME in some form or fashion.  Okay, let’s get into it!

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1. Lil Nas X, “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”

MONTERO • Columbia • 2021

“I’m not fazed, only here to sin / If Eve ain’t in your garden, you know that you can…” Grammy-winning, openly gay pop artist Lil Nas X returned in 2021 with a controversial single, “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)”, the title track from his debut album, MONTERO. Here, he reflects on his own experiences with his sexuality. Fueling the fire musically is sleek production courtesy of Roy Lenzo, Omer Fedi, and Take A Daytrip. It’s the lyrics, narrative, and music video that make the record ‘controversial.’

“MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)” shares experiences associated with many gay men at some point. Lil Nas X expresses desire: “I wanna feel on your ass in Hawaii / I want that jet lag from fuckin’ and flyin’ / Shoot a child in your mouth while I’m ridin’.” He’s a man who wants to have sex, but plenty of folks are quick to criticize him for ‘promoting a gay agenda.’ Gay sex remains taboo, sadly.  Another interesting lyric – “Never want the niggas that’s in my league / I wanna fuck the ones I envy, I envy” – is ear-catching because of its layers.  While ‘incredibly gay’ to those who aren’t gay, Nas X speaks about crushing on someone more fit, handsome, as well as potentially hetero- as opposed to homo- sexual. Furthermore, he expresses the plight of being gay, whether it’s being trapped in the closet, religious tension, and other factors. You know what created an even bigger stir than the song? The music video , which is unapologetic indeed!

 

Also appears on :
Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: March 2021
A Must-Hear PRIDE ‍ Compendium: 2021
Lil Nas X, MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name): Controversial Tunes No. 3
13 Unapologetic, Controversial Tunes

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2. Alicia Keys, “You Don’t Know My Name”

The Diary of Alicia Keys • RCA • 2003

“Baby, baby, baby / From the day I saw you / I really, really wanna catch your eye.”  On “You Don’t Know My Name,” Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter Alicia Keys had a serious crush.  The problem? He doesn’t notice her or know who she is! “Will you ever know it? / No, no, no, no, no, no, no.”  “You Don’t Know My Name” ranks among the biggest hits of Keys’ career, peaking at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Furthermore, the song, written alongside Harold Lilly, J.R. Bailey,Kanye West, Ken Williams, Mel Kent, won the Grammy for Best R&B Song.  Worth noting, Kanye West produced this neo-soul gem, which samples The Main Ingredient ( “Let Me Prove My Love to You”).

The good news about this The Diary of Alicia Keys standout is that Keys ensures he DOES know her name! Check out the music video and Keys’ crush frequents the coffeehouse where she works.  So infatuated, Keys informs us that, he “always orders the special.”  She eventually reveals her feelings via cell, eventually securing the date during the spoken word interlude (“I know girls don’t usually do this / But I was wondering if maybe we could get together / Outside the restaurant one day”).  Ultimately, “You Don’t Know My Name’ is a fabulous song about crushing on someone.  Furthermore, it’s one of the finest songs of the aughts.

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3. Justin Bieber, “Name” (Ft. Tori Kelly)

Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe) • Def Jam • 2021

If you didn’t hold out for the Complete or Triple Chucks Deluxe edition of Justice, the 2021 album by Justin Bieber, chances are, you’ve never heard “Name.” “Name” pairs the Grammy-winning pop superstar with another Grammy winner, Tori Kelly.  The resulting duet is sweet, ultimately. Thematically, two former lovers reminisce about their now defunct relationship.  Even as both still experience feelings, they understand it’s over.

“You’re making promises to someone else’s face / If those should break, call out my name,” Kelly sings on the first verse.  Similarly, Bieber sings on the second, “Cards on the table that we never got to play / Oh, what a shame, call out my name.” Bieber also comments on Kelly’s new flame (her character, of course), saying, “I bet he’s cool, but I put fire in your veins.” Even if both “think about laying side by side / On the Goodwill couch,” they also admit, “We’re only getting better at pretending we’re okay.” Just clocking in at over two-and-a-half minutes, “Name” is potent – enjoyable.

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4. The Weeknd, “Call Out My Name”

My Dear Melancholy, [EP] • Republic • 2018

“We found each other / I helped you out of a broken place,” The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) sings on “Call Out My Name,” continuing, “You gave me comfort / But falling for you was my mistake.” “Call Out My Name” opens the Grammy winner’s 2018 EP, My Dear Melancholy, in moody fashion. Adding to the mood, “Call” is set in a minor key.

The production work by Frank Dukes helps to establish the vibe, particularly the piano, dark synths, and the soulful drum groove.  After exhibiting more poise and restraint on the first verse, the chorus soars, incorporating some distorted vocals, expanded vocal range, and more oomph all around.

“So, call out my name (Call out my name)
Call out my name when I kiss you so gently
I want you to stay (Want you to stay)
I want you to stay even though you don’t want me.”

Listening to “Call out My Name,” the authenticity and emotion shown by The Weeknd is indisputable.

Also appears on :
101 Best Songs of 2018
Recapping 40 Stunning Ballads from 2018

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5. Ed Sheeran, “Remember the Name” (Ft. Eminem & 50 Cent)

No.6 Collaborations Project • Atlantic • 2019

“Remember the Name,” the eighth track, is among those enjoyable moments of No.6 Collaborations Project (2019). No.6 Collaborations Project arrives as the fourth studio album by Grammy-winning pop singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran.  Here, Sheeran enlists Eminem (their second collaboration, following “River” from Revival) and 50 Cent for the assist.

“Remember the Name” thrives off its groove, infectiousness, and swagger.  Sheeran raps the first verse, commencing with the line, “Yeah, I was born a misfit.” Fair enough!  Eminem takes the reins on the second verse, reminiscing on his come up (“From Taco Bell to TRL”), while 50 Cent arrives on the final verse (“Bitch, we be ballin’ out, the king bring you 50 bottles”). The best part of the record is the chorus, hands down – it easily gets stuck in one’s head!

“You know it ain’t my time to call it a day
I got rap locked and I’m already paid
But it’s ‘bout time you remember the name
Ayy, ayy.” 

Also appears on :
11 Memorable Songs You Are Sure to Remember
Remember My Name: 3BOPS No. 51 (2021)

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Name: 5ive Songs No. 92 (2021) [: Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Clovis Cheminot, Columbia, Def Jam, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay, RCA, Republic]

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