Night | 5ive Songs

In the 68^th edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with NIGHT 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 68^th edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with NIGHT in some form or fashion.  Okay, let’s get into it!

1. Joji, “NIGHT RIDER”

💿 SMITHEREENS • 🏷 88rising / Warner • 📅 2022

Side B of 💿 SMITHEREENS, the brief but potent 2022 album by 🎙 Joji features just four tracks.  The album itself features just nine tracks, spanning 24 minutes and ¢hange.  That said, one of the best moments from the LP is the sleek, rhythmic 🎵 “NIGHT RIDER”.  Notably, Joji makes it clear, in one of the track’s most memorable lines, “I’m too precious” in a refrain that follows the sole verse, precedes, and proceeds the chorus.

Hmm, what’s the context? Why is Joji too precious in “NIGHT RIDER”?  Well, SMITHEREENS is an album that finds Joji struggling with the end of a relationship. In the case of being too precious, it seems Joji is reflecting on protecting his feelings and not allowing himself to be hurt again. Clearly, the longing for his past relationship – or the character he represents musically – lingers on.  Think of “Night Rider” as being a bite-sized bop.

2. Chlöe & Latto, “For the Night”

🎵 “For the Night” • 🏷 Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia • 🗓 2022

“You can leave your guard at the door / And let me love you for the night.” Woo! 🎙 Chlöe and 🎙 Latto conjure up magic on the enjoyable, sexy single, 🎵 “For the Night”. “For the Night” was produced by 🎛 London On Da Track as well as 🎛 Omer Fedi, 🎛 Boobie among others. Given the skills behind the boards, “For the Night” has a sweet sound.  It’s modern – sounding very 2022 – yet it also hearkens back to the hip-hop-infused, contemporary R&B and pop of old.  The musical inspiration is there for both Chlöe (melodically) and Latto (un-pitched, with her rhymes).

As is often the case with Chlöe’s music, and pop/R&B in general, sex plays a sizable role.  “And you crave those long nights with me,” Chlöe sings in the chorus.  The verses feature rhythmic melodic lines that a filled with sharp, ear-catching lyrics, particularly the second verse: “You and your mouth, cashing checks that you know gonna bounce /  You say you promise and promise, you’ll figure it out / But I cannot wait, you’re teasing me, I back down.”  As for Latto, she’s true to self, asserting, “You need a bitch, know what to do with you,” later adding, “I’m the only one who know everything you like / You can have this for the night or for your life.” Ultimately, Chlöe and Latto put in work on 🎵 “For the Night”. It’s fun, memorable, and sexy.

3. Harry Styles, “Late Night Talking”

💿 Harry’s House • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2022

“If you’re feeling down, I just wanna make you happier, baby.” Ooh-la-la! The enthusiastic 🎵 “Late Night Talking” marks one of the best moments from 💿 Harry’s House, the third studio album by 🏆 Grammy-winning pop musician 🎙 Harry Styles 😍. “Late Night Talking” features more of a synth-driven sound that’s funky as H-E-double-hockey sticks!

“Late Night Talking” features a 1980s-centric.  Styles sings with coolness while also presenting ample swagger and a plenteous personality (“I’ve never been a fan of change / But I’d follow you to any place /If it’s Hollywood or Bishopsgate, I’m coming, too”).  His tone is warm and beautiful – quite pleasing to the ear. Musically, there’s plenty to heart about this including the harmonic progression, the memorable chorus, and of course the theme – love.

“We’ve been doin’ all this late-night talkin’

‘Bout anything you want until the morning

Now you’re in my life

I can’t get you off my mind.”

4. GIVĒON, “For Tonight”

💿 Give or Take • 🏷 Epic • 📅 2022

🎵 “For Tonight” arrived in 2021 as an early promo single for 💿 Give or Take, the debut album by 🏆 Grammy-nominated R&B artist, 🎙 GIVĒON (Giveon Evans). Mr. Evans’ celestial, one-of-a-kind voice, remains intact here, which is a big-time selling point.  Evans wrote “For Tonight” alongside 🎼 ✍ Marcus Semaj, 🎼 ✍ Sevn Thomas, and 🎼 ✍ Tony Dixon.

The songwriting on “For Tonight” is well-rounded, setting up GIVĒON to enjoy her, though solely “For Tonight,” as the title implies.  “For tonight, I’m yours,” he sings on the tuneful chorus, continuing, “So deny the truth / We’ll stay behind closed doors / ‘Cause all I wanna do is lie with you / Even though it’s wrong to lie with you.” Sure, we’ve heard this scenario time and time again, and yet, it never gets old.  Evans does it justice. Helping him out beside a strong pen is the production, crafted by Sevn alongside 🎛 Jahaan Sweet and 🎛 Akeel Henry. “For Tonight” sounds modern enough for an R&B record, but also reminisces on the R&B of the past. I appreciate the soulful sounds, which complement the commanding, nuanced, soulful vocals of Evans.

Appears in 🔻:

• 15 F Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2

5. Benson Boone, “Nights Like These”

💿 Walk Me Home… (EP) • 🏷 Night Street / Warner • 🗓 2022

“Now I’m standing at your door / And I hope that you’re not home / So, I can get used to being alone.” 🎙 Benson Boone is a prime example of fresh, young talent. Furthermore, he totally looks the part of a star.  It’s understandable why 🎙 Dan Reynolds (of 🎙 Imagine Dragons) signed him to his label.  After releasing multiple singles, Boone released his debut EP, 💿 Walk Me Home…, in 2022. Notably, 🎵 “Nights Like These” gives Boone, known for his balladry, more tempo, and groove to work with.

“Nights Like These” was written by Boone and 🎼 ✍ Nolan Sipe.  Notably, it has some folk-pop elements.  At the same time, the falsetto-laden chorus is modern, R&B-infused pop through and through – a fitting sound for a big-voiced talent like Benson. The chorus is where the artist truly shows off his skills.  It’s incredibly tuneful, easily getting stuck in one’s head.

“On nights like these when my willpower’s weak

I’m gonna call, so just let it ring

I’ll drive these streets, don’t come looking for me

If you’re letting go, then I’m gonna need

More nights like these.”

Night: 5ive Songs No. 68 (2022) [📷: 88rising, Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Clovis Cheminot, Columbia, Epic, João Luccas Oliveira via Pexels, The Musical Hype, Night Street, OpenClipart-Vectors, Parkwood Entertainment LLC, Pixabay, Warner]