Names… | 5ive Songs

On the 12th edition of 5ive Songs, we select five interesting songs that feature names in their titles. 

On 5ive Songs, we (I) keep things short and sweet – no extra calories or needless fluff.  There’s a topic, five songs, and a short blurb that doesn’t exceed a paragraph.  Yes, it’s a playlist, but it’s a miniature playlist that shouldn’t take much time to consume.  On this edition of 5IVE SONGS, select five interesting songs that feature names in their titles. 

1. Fiona Apple, “Shameika”

Fetch the Bolt Cutters • Epic • 2020

“But Shameika said I had potential / But Shameika said I had potential,” Fiona Apple sings on the infectious chorus of “Shameika”, a gem from her 2020 masterpiece, Fetch the Bolt Cutters.  A record about someone she met as a kid, but doesn’t describe as a friend, Shameika certainly had an influence on Apple – one of many stories that adds to the sheer excellence of Fetch the Bolt Cutters. Throughout, she recounts her childhood experiences, not to mention throwing in a colorful lyric inspired by bassist, Sebastian.  Musically, the listener is blessed with acrobatic piano lines, and quick, rhythmic, and playful melodic lines. Sometimes, they’re not even melodic – chanted, spoken word.  This is art pop with a lot of approaches idiomatic of jazz.

2. Perfume Genius, “Jason”

Set My Heart on Fire Immediately • Matador • 2020

“Jason undressed me / Lying on his sheets / He did not do the same / Even his boots were on…” “Jason,” a highlight from the superb, 2020 Perfume Genius (Mike Hadreas) album, Set My Heart on Fire Immediately, explores sexuality. “Jason” details a one-night stand when Hadreas was 23.

The ‘hook-up’ occurred with a straight guy (perhaps ‘questioning’) and apparently, involves some nurturing from Mike.  “He was afraid / Tears streaming down his face,” he sings on the second verse, adding on the third, “I was proud to seem / Warm and mothering / Just for a night.” Musically, the biggest triumph on “Jason” is Hadreas’ falsetto – simply amazing.

3. K. Michelle, “Just Like Jay”

All Monsters are Human • Chase Landin, LLC d/b/a No Color No Sound • 2020

K. Michelle commences All Monsters are Human with some punch with the honest “Just Like Jay,” referencing Jay-Z. She specifically references the rapper’s 2003 album, The Black Album, and his 2004 documentary, Fade to Black. The context? Criticism, exemplified by standout lines like “I walked away from Atlantic ‘cause they wanted me to be Mary J. / And the whole time I was thinkin’, ‘Who the hell gon’ be K?” “Just Like Jay” sets the tone and confirms that K. Michelle is very much true to self.

“Where is the love (where is the love?) ‘Cause they not givin’ me none
What have I done (what have I done?) to make them hate me so
It’s been so tough (It’s been so tough) it made me wanna give up
Crucified for my mistakes, make me wanna walk away.”

4. Logic, “BOBBY”

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind • Def Jam • 2019

“BOBBY” appears on the ‘penultimate’ Logic record (supposedly), Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.  Worth noting, it features his dad, credited as My Dad. On “BOBBY,” Logic literally just spits cocky, hella egotistical rhymes.  Even so, the production helps to atone for dumb lyrics, which includes one of multiple penis references throughout the album (“Who’s biracial only in his penis?”).

As for My Dad’s most memorable line, well it also involves the same organ… a ‘pipe’ organ if you will: “This is Logic’s dad, this is Bobby Smokey Hall / And he came out of my balls (Bobby).”  Geez Louise!

5. Lizzo, “Jerome”

Cuz I Love You • Nice Life / Atlantic • 2019

On “Jerome,” one of many standouts on Cuz. I Love You, Grammy winner Lizzo tells ole boy, “Take your ass home / And Come back when you’re grown.” Oh snap! Lizzo is not messing with a man who is acting or playing around like a child – no man-child allowed!

 A contemporary neo-/retro-soul gem, within the context of Cuz I Love You, “Jerome” marks another brilliant collaboration with X Ambassadors.  The alt-rock band seems to get the best out of the Minneapolis standout, who laments his trifling, boyish, and totally immature ways.   

Names…5ive Songs No. 12 [Photo Credits: Allie (acreativegangster), Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Chase Landin LLC, Def Jam, Epic, Nice Life, Matador, No Color No Sound, Unsplash]