R Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2 | Playlist 🎧

6. Anthony Hamilton, “Real Love” (Ft. Rick Ross)

💿 Love is the New Black • 🏷 My Music Box / BMG Rights Management • 📅 2021

“Real love, the kind you dream of / Comes once in your life.” Woo! After an excruciating five-year wait, 🏆 Grammy-winning, contemporary soul singer/songwriter 🎙 Anthony Hamilton released a brand-new studio album, 💿 Love is the New Black. One song I’ve had on repeat from the 2021 LP is 🎵 “Real Love” featuring 🎙 Rick Ross. “Real Love” provides a brilliant balance between old- and new school.  Neo-soul is firmly in play, amplified by interpolation of 🎵 “Swahililand” (🎙 Ahmad Jamal). Those syncopated, jazzy chords are nothing short of awesome. Besides the kick-ass jazz sample, the beat provides a more contemporary anchor, while also recalling the hip-hop soul of the 90s.

“Real love, the kind worth heaven

You’ve gotta hold tight

Real love, real love, real love, real love

Real love.”

Phew, Anthony Hamilton, that’s a lot of ‘real love’ right there! As always, Hamilton is locked in, blessing the soulful, love-oriented track with his anointed, distinct pipes. In the first verse, he speaks about a special love, one that doesn’t appear to be ‘romantic’: “And I was a child in your arms of love / And I just wanted to make you proud.” As for Ross, he excels at a soulful, old-school beat, but opts for a romantic brand of love, sex, and of course, touts his drip.  There’s no gray area when ‘The Bawse’ asserts: “Baby girl, I’ma kill somethin’ / Let me eat you out and I’ma kill somethin’.” WOO!  “Real Love,” produced by 🎛 9^th Wonder, is ‘really’ good, NO CAP!

Appears in 🔽:

• Real: 5ive Songs No. 80 (2021)
• Best Songs of 2021: 50-36
• 13 More Songs Filled with Considerable Love

7. Jazmine Sullivan, “Roster”

💿 Heaux Tales Mo’ Tales: The Deluxe • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2022 

For the most part, on 💿 Heaux Tales Mo’ Tales: The Deluxe, it’s all about the ladies.  That said, Jazmine Sullivan makes an exception on two tracks: 🎵 “A Breaux’s Tale” and 🎵 “Roster.”  “Roster” is the focal point of this blurb, yet, we need some context courtesy of “A Breaux’s Tale.”

On “A Breaux’s Tale,” a nameless guy starts to get feelings for one girl, despite the fact he had a roster (multiple women, etc.).  When he confronts his feelings, the girl he wants to be official makes it clear she has her own roster, hence, playing his game on him.  This is where the song, “Roster” picks things up, sung from the perspective of Sullivan.  Here, the 🏆 Grammy-nominated R&B singer/songwriter explores avoiding love – there’ll be none of those catching feelings. “Always gotta have some options,” she asserts in the second verse, adding, “But for you, there’s one more spot left in my roster, baby.” My, my, my! At least he’s part of the starting five, I suppose 🏀 😏. 

8. Saucy Santana, “Rent Due”

🎵 “Rent Due” • 🏷 Arena Music Productions, LLC • 📅 2021 

“Rent, rent due, rent, rent due / Bet you can’t do it on the dick though / Bet you can’t do it on the dick though!” Woo, 🎙 Saucy Santana, that’s saucy AF! The openly gay rapper is a rarity, but he brings ample fun and sassiness to the brief, rent-driven gem, 🎵 “Rent Due!” The chorus is infectious, while the verses are L-I-T 🔥!

“No bill money then I leave him on read / It’s the first of the month, boy, I said what I said.” Shoo, Saucy Santana needs to pay them bills – he ain’t playing around! “(It’s the first) Boy the rent due / It’s the first (So that’s yo cue).” Furthermore, Santana enjoys the finer things in life like a Chanel bag, Louis (Vuitton), and how about “a lil’ Gucci on my coochie!” Woo! The attitude and personality are through the roof – NO CAP!

Appears in 🔽:

• Rent: 5ive Songs No. 8 (2022)

9. Brandi Carlile, “Right on Time”

💿 In These Silent Days • 🏷 A Low Country Sound / Elektra • 📅 2021

“It wasn’t right / But it’s right on time.” 🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 Brandi Carlile experienced a productive 2020-21 despite COVID-19.  She published a memoir (📚 Broken Horses: A Memoir) and recorded a new album, 💿 In These Silent Days.  The song at hand, 🎵 “Right on Time”, serves as an amazing opener and promo single.

“Right on Time” commences simply with Carlile accompanied by piano, with bass entering the mix.  She sings with great control, eventually expanding her scope, showing off the sheer power of her pipes.  The instrumentation expands on the second verse including drums, guitar, and backing vocals sweetening the mix as well. Carlile does a fantastic job of starting minimal and building “Right on Time” into a gorgeous, grandiose record. The songwriting is elite; the lyrics are poetic, and Carlile sings them with great emotion.  Notably, she highlights the title of her album: “It’s not too late / Either way, I lose you in these silent days.” “Right on Time” plays to her strengths: great writer, great singer, and a top-notch artist.

Appears in 🔽:

• Awesome Songs: July 2021
• Right: 5ive Songs No. 79 (2021)
• 13 Intriguing Right or Left Songs
• Time ⏰: 5ive Songs No. 86 (2021)
• 13 Intriguing Songs Fixated on Time ⏰
• Best Songs of 2021: Top 20

10. Asbjørn, “Remember My Name”

💿 Boyology • 🏷 Embassy of Music • 📅 2022

“But you’re gonna remember my name / The boy that got away / You’re gonna remember my name / You’re gonna be so happy soon…” 🎵 “Remember My Name” is a triumphant record from Danish pop musician 🎙 Asbjørn (Asbjørn Toftdahl Terkelsen).  The song appears as the 5^th track on Terkelsen’s 2022 album, 💿 Boyology. The production work is picturesque – sleek to the nth degree. There’s ample R&B influence on this pop cut, that has more of that urban feel. Also, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to say that the sound is reminiscent of the late 90s/early aughts.  Terkelsen sings with a beautiful tone and performs confidently.  His vocal ad-libs are on point, as is the vocal production. In addition to the lead vocals, there is some fantastic vocal harmonization.

What else makes “Remember My Name” a bop? There’s the memorable, tuneful chorus. In addition to the chorus, the melody on the verses is also tuneful and rhythmic.  I love how the bridge section distinguishes itself from the rest of the record; it’s a sublime, unpredictable change of pace. The lyrics are also awesome. Asbjørn serves up sharp songwriting. Terkelsen continues to enhance and successfully expand the LGBTQ+ catalog.  “Remember My Name” fits the catalog perfectly given the ex-lover tilt while also fitting the broader idea that one day, he’ll be acknowledged and remembered.

Appears in 🔽:

• Remember My Name: 3BOPS No. 51 (2021)
• Awesome Songs: July 2021
• 15 Compelling Name Songs

11. Lizzo, “Rumors” (Ft. Cardi B)

🎵 “Rumors” • 🏷 Nice Life / Atlantic • 📅 2021

“They don’t know I do it for the culture, goddamn / They say I should watch the shit I post, oh, goddamn.” 🎙 Lizzo comes out swinging from the get-go on 🎵 “Rumors”.  Feisty and unapologetic, the 🏆 Grammy-winning pop artist has a bone to pick with the haters.  Her attitude = IDGAF – NONE! She’s assisted by fellow 🏆 Grammy winner, 🎙 Cardi B.

“Rumors” keeps things brief but potent – well – depending on whom you ask. Lizzo flips the bird to the haters and uses adversity as fuel for her fire.  Her vocals are playful, sometimes pitched while rapped and un-pitched at others. The melodic pre-chorus includes the memorable lines, “If you thought that I was ratchet with my ass hangin’ out / Just wait until the summer when they let me out the house, bitch.” Holy SHITake mushrooms! Besides ample attitude and personality, the production work by 🎛 Ricky Reed is sensational. The backdrop shines particularly during the chorus section when brass enters in a spirited fashion.  Furthermore, the drum programming deserves a shout-out. The addition of Cardi B in the second verse is perfect:

“Last time I got freaky, the FCC sued me

But I’ma keep doin’ what I wanna do

‘Cause all the rumors are

All the rumors are true, yeah!”

Lizzo and Cardi B make a formidable pair – two bada$$, unapologetic women! Still “Rumors” ultimately had a mixed reception and didn’t materialize into a lucrative, memorable hit.  You win some, you lose some, I suppose.

Appears in 🔽:

• Awesome Songs: August 2021

12. Troye Sivan, “Rager teenager!”

💿 In a Dream (EP) • 🏷 Capitol • 🗓 2020

🎵 “Rager teenager!” is arguably the crowning achievement from 💿 In a Dream (EP), the 2020 EP by South African/Australian pop sensation 🎙 Troye Sivan. 🎛️ OZGO (Oscar Görres) spoils us with his production skills with lovely warm pads, big, pummeling drums, and a great harmonic progression. Troye’s sound is ‘liberated’ throughout, particularly the pre-chorus and chorus. His vocals are top-notch, sounding incredibly masculine, expressive, and sexy simultaneously.

Examining key sections, the pre-chorus might be the best.  It’s more dynamic than the chorus, and establishes the ‘liberated’ sound:

“I just wanna go wild
I just wanna fuck shit up and just ride
In your car tonight
In your bed tonight
I just wanna sing loud
I just wanna lose myself in a crowd
In your arms tonight
Or in his arms tonight.”

The pre-chorus is varied each time, keeping things fresh and providing variance. The chorus remains the same each time with no variation. Calmer, it’s potent as well: “Hey, my lil’ rager teenager / Tryna figure it out…”. Besides those two sections, the instrumental outro is a nice touch. Great singing, great writing, and great production makes “rager teenager!” a gem.  The swear words also give it a little more pizzazz!

Appears in 🔽:

• 15 Songs That Illustrate the Role of Family
• A Must-Hear PRIDE 🏳️‍🌈 Compendium: 2021

13. Mitski, “Remember My Name”

💿 Be the Cowboy • 🏷 Dead Oceans • 📅 2018

“‘Cause I need somebody to remember my name / After all that I can do for them is done / I need someone to remember.” Sigh, those are some powerful, emotional, and ambitious lyrics from Japanese American singer/songwriter 🎙 Mitski.  Mitski keeps things short but incredibly sweet on 🎵 “Remember My Name,” which graces her 2018 album, 💿 Be the Cowboy.

As to be expected from a singer/songwriter, the lyrics are superb. On the sole verse, Mitski reflects on giving her all to her craft (“I gave too much of my heart tonight”) and needing love that she can “Save ‘till tomorrow’s show.” After the excerpted pre-chorus, on the chorus, she goes ‘big.’ How so? Well, she needs “Something bigger than the sky.” Ultimately, she goes onto question, “Just how many stars will I need to hang around me / To finally call my name.” There’s no doubt whatsoever that the singer/songwriter wants to be remembered forever.

Appears in 🔽:

• Remember My Name: 3BOPS No. 51 (2021)
• 15 Compelling Name Songs

14. Aaron Frazer, “Ride with Me”

💿 Introducing… • 🏷 Dead Oceans / Easy Eye Sound • 📅 2021

“Tell all the children / There’s a new day dawning / If you aare willing / You can hear that train a crawlin’.” SAY THAT, SAY THAT!!! 🎙 Aaron Frazer of 🎙 Durand Jones & The Indications, stepped out on his own  in 2021 releasing his debut album, 💿 Introducing…. Throughout the retro-soul LP, Frazer makes the best of a soulful backdrop and his ability to croon like an absolute boss.  With Introducing being the mark of consistency, 🎵 “Ride with Me” continues the groove-heavy, driving nature of Introducing… in all its glory.

While the potency of groove can’t be overstated, there’s still a laid-back vibe, just how Aaron likes it.  Most of all, he compels with his sweet, sweet, easygoing pipes.  “Ride with me / Come on and ride with me,” he sings on the simple, memorable chorus, continuing, “I will set you free / All you gotta do is ride with me.” Ride with him, people! Frazer wrote this four-minute gem with 🎼✍ Bobby Wood and 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Dan Auerbach who also produces.

Appears in 🔽:

• Ride: 3BOPS No. 47 (2021)

15. Nirvana, “Rape Me”

💿 In Utero • 🏷 Geffen • 🗓 1993

“Rape me / Rape me, my friend / Rape me / Rape me again.” Say what? Good intentions don’t always deliver the intended results if that makes sense.  For 🎙 Kurt Cobain and 🎙 Nirvana, 🎵 “Rape Me” had good intentions.  The fourth track from the band’s 1993 album, 💿 In Utero, is intended as a message against abuse/sexual abuse towards women.  However, the song title is bold and unapologetic, while the offensive titular lyric is repeated a lot.  Yes, Cobain intends anti-sexual-abuse messaging, yet doubling down didn’t necessarily strip the negative energy and courted controversy.

Anti-abuse has been confirmed as the intent of Cobain, period.  That said, many continue to question and speculate that “Rape Me” is metaphorical.  Could Kurt have been referencing his own personal life in some regard? In the second verse, it seems clearer abuse isn’t being encouraged, but rather a sense of activism and seeking to ultimately take power back from the abuser: “Hate me / Do it again and do it again / Waste me / Rape me, my friend.” It never gets comfortable hearing “Rape Me.”  I understand Kurt Cobain/Nirvana’s intent, and perhaps, they desired a strong reaction (I’m pretty sure they did).  Still, this is one of those Outlandish Rock 🎸🤘 records that leaves the listener with more questions than answers.  Of course, we’ll never get those answers, sadly.

Appears in 🔽:

• Nirvana, “Rape Me”: Outlandish Rock 🎸🤘 No. 5 (2021)