Problem | 5ive Songs

1. Katy Perry, “Champagne Problems”

Smile • Capitol • 2020

“I wanna see you soon as I wipe the crust from my eyes / ‘Til the day I die, could you be the love of my life?” Maybe? In the context of Smile, “Champagne Problems” keeps the album groovy, upbeat, and sleek AF in the production department.  Although it is set in a minor key, Katy Perry’s ‘champagne problems’ are actually pretty enjoyable on the ears, particularly the strings and namely, the catchy chorus.

“‘Cause, baby all we got (All we got are)
Are champagne problems now (That's all we got)
‘Cause, baby, all we got (All we got are)
Are champagne problems now.”

2. Chance the Rapper, “No Problem”

Ft. Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz

Coloring Book • Chance the Rapper • 2016 

“You don’t want no problems, want no problems with me!” No indeed Chance the Rapper – no indeed! “No Problem” ranks among the gems from Coloring Book, the Grammy-winning mixtape by the rapper.  He’s assisted by Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz on this gem. The aforementioned chorus is catchy, infectious, and utterly sweet.  All of the verses – one per rapper – definitely yield NO PROBLEM(s) whatsoever.  Even the hella dumb 2 Chainz manages to rein himself in, lol.

3. Nick Jonas, “Champagne Problems”

Last Year Was Complicated • Island • 2016

“How many times have we been here before? / How many pieces have to break? / So many reasons not to celebrate / But I hate to see you cry, so let’s drink before goodbye…” With Last Year Was Complicated, we get adult Nick Jonas – praise the lord! Sorry for the sacrilege, Father.  Anyways “Champagne Problems,” the second track off the album, continues showcases the edge (and a minor key) following opener “Voodoo”.  A song where misery is best drowned in alcohol (“I hate to see you cry, so let’s drink before goodbye”), “Champagne Problems” is by no means a miserable listen.  Nick sounds looser than ever, despite the tension characterized within the record.

4. Ariana Grande, “Problem”

Ft. Iggy Azalea

My Everything • Republic • 2014

Ariana Grande truly stepped up her game on the infectious “Problem” from sophomore album, My Everything.  Furthermore, the Grammy-winner brough one of the year’s hotter MCs in for the assist in Iggy Azalea.  While Iggy’s star would ultimately fade (no shade), Grande had no PROBLEM getting bigger and better with each successive single and album – no cap. Focusing on the song at hand, there is no shortage of swagger, absolutely sick vocals (Ari), and potent rhymes (Iggy). Notably, Grande was dating Big Sean at the time.  He appears on the album, including providing the pivotal chant, “I got one less problem without you,” on the this undisputed, totally unproblematic urban-pop smash.

5. A$AP Rocky, “F**kin’ Problems”

Ft. Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar

Long.Live.A$AP • RCA • 2013

“I love bad bitches, that’s my fuckin’ problem / And yeah I like to fuck, I’ve got a fuckin’ problem…” “F**kin’ Problems” was DEFINITELY a big deal in 2013, period.  It gave rapper A$AP Rocky a surefire hit from his debut album, Long.Live.A$AP.  Aiding the explicit hit wasn’t only the visible f-bomb featured in the title, but also assists from a star-studded cast. 2 Chainz takes the majority of the catchy, shameful, explicit chorus.  As for Rocky, he delivers the first verse: “All these MF’s wanna dress like me / Put the chrome to your dome, make you ‘sweat’ like Keith.” Drake brags on the second verse, “Ain’t heard my new album? Who you sleepin’ on? You should print the lyrics out and have a fuckin’ read along…” Kendrick Lamar kills it on the final verse: “She eying me like a n***a don’t exist / Girl, I know you want this di-.”  No ‘fuckin’ problems’ with this mega hit!