Rather | 5 Gems

Rather: 5 Gems No. 16 (2026) features songs by GIVEON, Leon Thomas & Halle, Gallipony, DON WEST, and Etta James.

That’s quite the statement, GIVEON.  According to DON WEST, “I’d rather be lonely / If I don’t have you.” The late Etta James also gets into the rather business, proclaiming, “I would rather, I would rather go blind boy / Than to see you walk away from me child.” All three artists have a common thread with the featured word, rather.  They also don’t want to be with someone other than that special person, with James’ willingness to go blind! The criterion is simple, on Rather: 5 Gems No. 16 (2026). Each song must feature rather in its respective title. Rather: 5 Gems No. 16 (2026) features songs by GIVEON, Leon Thomas & Halle, Gallipony, DON WEST, and Etta James.  So, without further ado, let’s embrace the R-A-T-H-E-R!

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1. GIVEON, “RATHER BE”	2. Leon Thomas & Halle, “RATHER BE ALONE”	3. Gallipony, “Rather Be Lonely” (Ft. Brandon Flynn & DJ Failure)
4. DON WEST, “Rather Be Lonely”	5. Etta James, “I’d Rather Go Blind”	5 Gems (2026)

 

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1. GIVEON, “RATHER BE”

BELOVED  » Epic / Not So Fast LLC » 2025

Eyebrow-raising lyrics, GIVĒON (Giveon Evans).  The titular lyrics aren’t easy to figure out on this one, as the Grammy-nominated R&B artist sings them a lot. “RATHER BE” is the second single from Evans’s 2025 album, BELOVED.  “RATHER BE” hearkens back to the soul of old.  The neo-soul sound suits GIVĒON perfectly.  There is a rhythm section, including organ, woodwinds, brass, and strings.  “RATHER BE” features nine songwriting credits, including the artist as well as the five producers, Matthew Burnett, Sevn Thomas, Jahaan Sweet, Maneesh Bidaye, and Jeff Gitty Gitelman.

With beautiful sounds accompanying him, it is unsurprising that GIVĒON delivers a gorgeous vocal performance.  His voice is distinct, given its depth, and he impresses with his expressiveness and tone. Although he sings with ease, he still packs a mean punch. Evans also gets a lift from radiant background vocals.  Throughout “RATHER BE,” GIVĒON reiterates his reluctance to move on. He is emotionally attached and won’t let go.  His vulnerability shines brightly in the second verse, where he sings, “Now I’m in this room / Wishin’ you would settle down or come around / I’ve been dancin’ to all the songs that you love all alone / Lost in the dark /… When I see your face in my phone, I can’t erase the memory.” My, my, my.  Ultimately, “RATHER BE” has a hypnotic quality – it sucks you in.  That is sort of what has happened to GIVĒON regarding his ex, right? This ‘old-school’ approach suits his voice well.

Appears in 🔻:

A Riveting Collection of R Songs (2025) 15 Beastly Songs Driven by the Power of BE (2026)

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2. Leon Thomas & Halle, “RATHER BE ALONE”

MUTT Deluxe: HEEL » EZMNY Records / Motown Records » 2025

Oh, indeed, Leon Thomas! The Grammy-winning R&B singer, songwriter, and producer collaborates with the talented, Grammy-nominated R&B singer-songwriter Halle (Halle Bailey) on “RATHER BE ALONE”. The duet appears as the sixth track on the second disc of Thomas’s 2025 album, MUTT Deluxe: HEEL. “ALONE” was written by Thomas, Halle, Robert Fairfax III, and D. Phelps (David Kenneth Phelps). Thomas, Freaky Rob, and D. Phelps produced it.

On “RATHER BE ALONE,” Leon Thomas and Halle have great synergy.  They are also supported by a sublime backdrop, with an intriguing harmonic progression.  This is R&B, but it also showcases Thomas’s creative spirit and versatility. He draws first blood, performing most of the chorus alone. “I’d rather be alone, rather be alone / Than in a broken home,” he sings, and concludes, “Tryin’ to do this for the both of us on my own.” Halle enters on the final word.  She sings alongside Thomas in the post-chorus, on the lyric, “Oh.” From there, Leon continues to ‘lead the charge,’ if you will.  He performs the refrain, first verse, and once more, most of the second chorus. “‘Cause you’re unpredictable, and I’m used to having control / Risk is acquired, I pay the toll,” he memorably sings in the first verse, adding, “My heart’s bulletproof, I’m wearing a vest.” In the second chorus, Halle plays a slightly bigger role, joining forces with Thomas in the final line. She earns her first notable solo moment performing the second verse and taking the lead on the third chorus.  Despite the dysfunction of their relationship, Halle asserts, “‘Cause without you I’m crazy / You’re dangerous, my baby, we’re broken, but beautiful.” Wow! Here, she sounds angelic. “RATHER BE ALONE” concludes with one final post-chorus and an outro, performed mostly by Thomas. All in all, both Leon Thomas and Halle bring it separately, and when duetting on “RATHER BE ALONE”.

Appears in:

Leon Thomas & Halle, RATHER BE ALONE: Dazzling Duets No. 20 (2026)

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3. Gallipony, “Rather Be Lonely” (Ft. Brandon Flynn & DJ Failure)

“Rather Be Lonely” » Gallipony » 2025

Gallipony (Matt Gallipoli) asserts in his minor-key pop single, “Rather Be Lonely”.  As the title suggests, the incredibly handsome musician would rather be lonely than be with ‘him’ anymore.  Gallipoli gets a lift from gorgeous actor Brandon Flynn and DJ Failure.  Gallipony penned and produced “Rather Be Lonely” with Flynn and DJ Failure.  The results are positive despite Gallipoli’s willingness to be lonely. The sound of “Rather Be Lonely” is one of many selling points.  The synths are warm, anchored by a sickening, dance-pop groove. Gallipony serves up beautiful vocals, flaunting his lovely tone. Reiterating his handsomeness, the accompanying music video shows us the muscular, hairy specimen in all his glory. Hot! Note: the single cover art is hot too! Adding to the eye candy is Flynn, who graces the video as Gallipoli’s lover (or ex…).  Notably, he delivers a dramatic, spoken-word interlude: “And all these faggots just kept dancing / Where’s your fucking decency / What’s wrong? / You suck my dick, that’s what’s wrong.” Oh, snap! The tension between these two hotties is, well, hot! Ultimately, “Rather Be Lonely” is a fabulous, gay 🌈 dance-pop bop. Gallipony, Brandon Flynn, and DJ Failure ‘bring the heat!’

Appears in 🔻:

Bops from 2025 That Make You Beam with Pride A Riveting Collection of R Songs (2025) 15 Beastly Songs Driven by the Power of BE (2026)

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4. DON WEST, “Rather Be Lonely”

Don West (EP) » Don West / Mandatory Music » 2024

To be next to you, Don West (Bartholomew Rollins) – there’s so much I would do! I mean, as he sings about wanting to “Be the sunshine in your bedroom / Makin’ love in the afternoon,” it gives you some NSFW thoughts 😈. Mr. West is a beautiful man. He is a model, after all.  Beyond making us swoon, the Australian hunk is also a talented soul musician.  He shows off his chops in his delightful 2024 single, “Rather Be Lonely”. It appears as the first track from his 2025 self-titled EP. Focusing on the music and not his tea body, Rollins and Tasker wrote and produced a terrific song that fits him to a T.

“Rather Be Lonely” commences with a dramatic, Motown-inspired instrumental introduction. The instrumentation includes saxophone, keyboards, vibraphone, bass, and drums.  The sounds recall vintage soul, firmly planted in the 1960s.  Once Don West enters the mix, he keeps the same energy. His vocals ooze with soul. He never forces things.  Honestly, it sounds like that chiseled body never breaks a sweat, despite the work put in 🤭.  “What I would do to be by your side / Try to give you all the love that you could never find.” Word, Don. Adding to the captivating sounds are background vocals, which sound primarily female.  As calm, cool, and collected as Don is, he brings a bit more during the second verse.  Still, he allows his rich, warm tone to do the work rather than gospel histrionics or vocal acrobatics. The chorus is incredibly simple but fabulous:

“I’d rather be lonely (Lonely, lonely)

Than find someone new (Find someone new)

I’d rather be lonely

If I don’t have you.”

“Rather Be Lonely” is the sugar, honey, iced tea, particularly if you are an old-school soul music enthusiast.  Excellent singing, songwriting, and a thoughtful musical arrangement and production makes this contemporary soul record special.

Appears in:

Don West, Rather Be Lonely: Bangerz N Bopz No. 35 (2026)

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5. Etta James, “I’d Rather Go Blind”

Tell Mama » UMG Recordings, Inc. » 1968  

  Those lyrics hail from the timeless Etta James classic, “I’d Rather Go Blind”.  The late, great blues and R&B musician earned a surefire hit with this gem from her 1968 album, Tell Mama. “Something deep down in my soul said, ‘Cry girl,’ / When I saw you and that girl, walking around.” Intriguing.  James sings with incredible expression and nuance. Furthermore, the music – the arrangement and production – is simply beautiful.  The vintage soul aesthetic is idiomatic of 1960s blues/soul.

From my perspective, “I’d Rather Go Blind” appears to be about a defunct romantic relationship.  Early on, all indications suggest that that’s the direction Etta James (and her songwriters) were opting for.  “Something told me it was over,” she sings in the first line of the first verse, continuing, “When I saw you and her talking.” That adds up perfectly to an ended relationship.  However, throwing in lyrics like child, and even the repeated use of boy, open up “I’d Rather Go Blind” to a potentially different interpretation. This is owed to the clever lyrics.  The other interpretation is perhaps that a mother is losing her son, and that’s what’s made her feel sad.  I find it to be a slight stretch, but songs like “I’d Rather Go Blind” that offer multiple possibilities are truly brilliant. 

Appears in 🔻:

Etta James, I’d Rather Go Blind: Throwback Vibez No. 75 (2022)   Blind: 5ive Songs No. 46 (2022) 15 Blind Songs That Totally Stand Out (2022)   15 Must-Hear, Throwback Vibez, Vol. 5 (2022)   Incredible Songs: 1960s, Vol. 2 (2023)

 

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5 Gems (2026)
Almost: 5 Gems No. 1	Alone: 5 Gems No. 2	Am: 5 Gems No. 3
Big: 5 Gems No. 4	Break, Breaking, or Broken: 5 Gems No. 5	Can’t!: 5 Gems No. 6
Magic : 5 Gems No. 7	Money: 5 Gems No. 8	Mama: 5 Gems No. 9
Nut: 5 Gems No. 10	Watch: 5 Gems No. 11	Pretty: 5 Gems No. 12
Lube: 5 Gems No. 13	Goodbye: 5 Gems No. 14	Band: 5 Gems No. 15
Rather: 5 Gems No. 16

 

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Rather: 5 Gems No. 16 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Don West, Epic, EZMNY Records, Gallipony, Mandatory Music, Motown Records, Not So Fast LLC, UMG Recordings, Inc.; Rulo Mora from Pexels; Gordon Johnson, OpenClipart-Vectors, Sandra Schön from Pixabay]

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