Real | 5ive Songs

On the 80^th edition of 5ive Songs (2021), we select five songs that are associated with the word REAL in some form or fashion.

W

elcome 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.  On the 80^th edition of 5ive Songs (2021), we select five songs that are associated with the word REAL in some form or fashion.  Okay, let’s get into it!

---

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

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

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.  The promo leading up to Love is the New Black suggested Mr. Hamilton, one of the most gifted yet underrated R&B musicians, had another hit LP on his hands.   Sure, he’s independent now, but on Love is the New Black, he remains true to self.  One song I’ve had on repeat from the LP is 🎵 “Real Love” featuring 🎙 Rick Ross.   

“Real Love” provides a brilliant balance between old-school and new school.  The neo-soul is firmly in play, amplified by an interpolation of 🎵 “Swahililand” courtesy of 🎙 Ahmad Jamal (💿 Jamal Plays Jamal, 1974). Those syncopated, jazzy chords are nothing short of awesome – epic to the nth degree! Besides that kick ass jazz sample, the beat provides a more contemporary anchor, while also recalling the hip-hop soul of the 90s.  As always, Anthony Hamilton is locked in, blessing the soulful, love-oriented track with his anointed, distinct pipes. As for Ross, he excels at a soulful, old-school beat, so like Anthony, he’s in his zone. “Real Love,” produced by 🎛 9^th Wonder, is ‘really’ good, NO CAP!

---

2. Camila Cabello, “Real Friends”

💿 Camila • 🏷 Epic • 📅 2018

“I’m just lookin’ for some real friends / All they ever do is let me down / Every time I let somebody in / Then I find out what they’re all about.” On 🎵 “Real Friends”, 🎙 Camila Cabello is in search of real friendship. The standout appears as the seventh track from her 2018 debut album, 💿 Camila.

The chorus, the crowning achievement of “Real Friends,” continues:

“Wonder where they’re all hidin’ out
I’m just lookin’ for some real friends
Gotta get up out of this town…”

Ultimately, it’s an enjoyable and thoughtful if low-key track. The production work is simple, with few frills (🎛 Frank Dukes).  Despite the conservative backdrop, it’s effective and fitting. Vocally, there’s more cooing than dynamic, overt vocals. Regardless, Cabello sounds beautiful and sincere. The message is strong, and vocal harmonization and subtle cues sufficiently carry the record.

Also appears on 🔽:
10 Songs About Friends, Enemies & Rivals
12 Friends & Strangers Songs
25 Songs That Celebrate Friendship… Well, Some of Them

---

3. Juice WRLD & Benny Blanco, “Real Shit”

🎵 “Real Shit” • 🏷 Grade A Productions / Interscope• 📅2020

“Real shit, real shit, never tell a lie.” It’s honestly a good philosophy that the late 🎙 Juice WRLD expresses on 🎵 “Real Shit”, a single released on what would’ve been his 22^nd birthday (December 2).  On the melodic single, he’s assisted by the pen and production of 🎙 benny blanco.  In addition to blanco, “Real Shit” is also produced by 🎛 Cashmere Cat, 🎛 Henry Kwapis, 🎛 Jack Karaszewski, and 🎛 Dylan Brady. 

“Real Shit” is characteristic of Juice WRLD.  It’s melodic, finding the deceased artist embracing the emo side of the genre.  The chorus is ear catching.  Beyond the chorus, the post-chorus continues the goodness (“Life’s good so I’m living great”), even before we get a single verse.  Early on, it’s clear, Juice is all about positive vibes.  On the second verse, he enthusiastically asserts:

“I’m eatin’ too damn good
Goddamn, tryna gain weight
Workin’ on my demons, they in better shape
Demons on my back, get them away from me.”

Sadly, Juice was unable to make the positive attitude and progress on this single a reality.

---

4. The Weeknd, “Real Life”

💿 Beauty Behind the Madness • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2015

“Tell ‘em this boy wasn’t meant for lovin’ / Tell ‘em this heart doesn’t stay to one.” Oh my! 🎵 “Real Life” kicks things off soundly on 💿 Beauty Behind the Madness, the breakthrough album by 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter, 🎙 The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye). The Canadian standout delivers rock-solid vocals, and is backed by energetic production (Tesfaye, 🎛 Stephan Moccio and 🎛 Jason Quenneville).

The 🎙 Michael Jackson comparisons Tesfaye receives are legit; his upper-register pipes rival The King of Pop.  The vibe of “Real Life” arguably trumps the song itself, though it’s enjoyable and respectable. The Weeknd directs listeners to a familiar place – shallowness when it comes to love. Essentially, he paints himself as not being made for love – “I wouldn’t know, never that boy.” Prior to that, on the pre-chorus, he sings:

“Mama called me destructive
Said it’d ruin me one day
Cause every woman that loved me
I seemed to push them away.”

What can you say but day-um?

---

5. James Blake, “Are You Even Real?”

🎵 “Are You Even Real?” • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2020

🎵 “Are You Even Real?” marks one of the most gorgeous 🎙 James Blake songs to date. What makes “Are You Even Real?” so awesome? First and foremost, it is the production.  Blake is known for his skill in the producer’s seat and as usual, he shows it off alongside 🎛 Josh Stradlen. He serves up great keyboard work and programming that comes together superbly.  Additionally, throw strings into the mix, and there’s additional color providing emotional effect. Violin enhances the overall soundscape.

Besides stellar production, Blake delivers lovely, tender vocals, perfectly complementing the emotional backdrop. He also has solid songwriting, thanks to a team comprised of himself, 🎼✍ Ali Tamposi, 🎼✍ Brittany “Starrah” Hazzard, and 🎼✍ Peter Lee Johnson.  This dreamy sounding record deals with love. The centerpiece is the gorgeous chorus:

“Cracking seals, guilty, no appeal
Trip down the hill, strawberry fields
Are you even real?
She said, ‘Tell me how you feel’
Are you even real?
Are you even real?”

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: July 2020

---

Real: 5ive Songs No. 80 (2021) [📷: Atlantic, BMG Rights Management, Brent Faulkner, Clovis Cheminot, Epic, Grade A Productions, Interscope, Louis Hansel, The Musical Hype, My Music Box, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay, Republic, Unsplash]

---