Pink… | 5ive Songs

On the 17th edition of 5ive Songs, we select five songs that are pink – or at least somehow associated with the color in some form or fashion.

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, we select five songs that are pink – or at least somehow associated with the color in some form or fashion.

1. Charli XCX, “pink diamond”

how I’m feeling now • Warner UK • 2020

“pink diamond” is the first indication that how i’m feeling now – the ‘quarantine’ album by Charli XCX – is quite a trip. The ‘raw’ nature of the LP begins here. The synths are wild – totally in your face.  Furthermore, when there is a groove, it’s also quite aggressive and feels like it’s going to pummel the 💩 out of you.

At the same time Charli actually isn’t turned up to the same overt degree as her backdrop, yet manages to capture the same emotion – weird, but true.  Here, her lines are fast-paced, rhythmic, and chanted/pop-rapped.  If it does nothing else, “pink diamond” sets the tone.

2. Blackbear, “Pink Rolex”

ANONYMOUS • Alamo / Interscope • 2019

“Seein’ me draped in wool / It’s Saint Laurent and it’s itchy / Got your name and your city in the back of my mind / My heart’s iced over, I found a new owner.”  Blackbear commences Anonymous with a bang on the brief “Pink Rolex.” 

Blackbear is clearly doing well financially. However, he’s suffering from broken heartedness, and finding legitimate friends who aren’t superficial or fans via social media.

3. James Bay, “Pink Lemonade”

Electric Light • Republic • 2018

“‘Do you wanna talk? Do you wanna talk it through?’ / Swear I ain’t got anything on my mind / I don’t wanna talk to you.” “Pink Lemonade” marks one of the truly elite moments from Electric Light, the 2018 sophomore album from James Bay.  Bay focuses on the highly consumed beverage, pink lemonade, or does he? Of course, he DOESN’T!

The first and only mention of pink lemonade occurs on the bridge, near the end of the song! “Pink Lemonade” has little to do with fruit juice. Bay stated in the behind the scenes video that the song is about “this massive urge and desire to escape.”  Definitely interesting, and so are the lyrics throughout the verses, not to mention the aforementioned, brilliant, ‘pink lemonade-less’ chorus. Ultimately, this is an aggressive, thrilling rock joint

4. Alessia Cara, “Four Pink Walls”

Know-It-All • Def Jam • 2015

“Four Pink Walls” is one of many highlights from Know-It-All, the debut album by Alessia Cara. The record is drenched in authenticity.  Why so authentic? It’s real talk about Cara achieving her dreams: “Then the universe aligned / With what I had in mind / Who knew there was a life / Behind those four pink walls?” More artists would benefit from speaking upon their personal experiences.

The second verse confirms Cara’s come-up from those ‘four pink walls’:

“Now I wake up to a different bedroom everyday
Living up in the clouds thinking of how it all changed
Used to sit and watch paint dry
Amazed by the limelight
I can’t ever be afraid.”

5. Blackbear, “Bright Pink Tims”

Ft. Cam’ron

Cybersex • Interscope • 2017

“Yeah, I make money, I start trends / My first car, it was a Benz / My whole closet, your whole crib / See through shirt on, bright pink Tims.” On the second pink blackbear song, he gets specific about his clothing on banger “Bright Pink Tims”, He also gets an assist from Cam’ron.  The cybersex standout opens with dark, mysterious, foreboding production work, including trap drum programming. Ultimately, the backdrop sets the tone for the record.

Blackbear flexes from the jump, pop-rapping the first verse with the cocky, confident hip-hop clichés (“Your main chick a 6, a 7 at best / She leave with me, she turned to a 10…”).  The chorus is confident too, intact with ‘bear’s natural vocals, as well as pitch-shifted, hip-hop vocals.

Pink … 5ive Songs No. 17 [Photo Credits: Alamo, Brent Faulkner, Def Jam, Ian Dooley, Interscope, The Musical Hype, Republic, Unsplash, Warner UK]