Sanctified | 3BOPS

1. Years & Years, “Sanctify”

💿 Palo Santo • 🏷 Polydor • 📅 2018

British synthpop band 🎙 Years & Years brilliantly fuses sexuality and spirituality on 🎵 “Sanctify”, which appears on their 2018 sophomore album 💿 Palo Santo. The production is bright, despite being set in a minor key (with major moments). The backdrop sets up Y&Y for a surefire bop.  Adding to the glory, front man 🎙 Olly Alexander delivers exuberant, expressive vocals, filled with authenticity.

The chorus is the centerpiece, but there are numerous notable lyrics, including the following excerpt with a double meaning:

“You don’t have to be straight with me
I see what’s underneath your mask
I’m a man like you, I breathe the rituals of the dancer’s dance...”

The “straight” lyric is key, as Alexander, who is gay, was inspired with experiences with straight guys.  In the linked article from Attitude, Olly asserts said straight guys were “struggling with their sexuality.” He touches upon issues of masculinity regarding sexuality.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 53 LGBTQ Songs That Beam with Pride

🔗 🎧 15 Notable LGBTQ Songs from 2018

🔗 🎧 50 Best Songs of 2018 (So Far)

🔗 🎧 101 Best Songs of 2018

🔗 🎧 Totally Awesome LGBTQ Songs Beaming with Pride

🔗 🎧 19 Songs That Reference Coming Out

🔗 🎧 A Compendium Comprised of 100 Notable LGBTQ+ Songs

🔗 🎧 Masculinity: 3BOPS No. 36 (2021)

2. Joji, “Sanctuary”

💿 Nectar • 🏷 88rising / 12Tone Music • 📅 2020

“Not anyone, you’re the one / More than fun, you’re the sanctuary.” Wow – she must truly be special to say the least! So is 🎵 “Sanctuary,” which has a compelling argument as the best song from 💿 Nectar. Nectar, of course, is the sophomore album by alternative R&B artist, 🎙 Joji, released in 2020.

The production on “Sanctuary” by 🎛 Justin Raisen is sleek to the nth degree, idiomatic of the late 2010s/20s.  Vocally, Joji impresses, with a blend of his unique tone in his middle register, as well as a ripe, stirring falsetto. His falsetto shimmers on the chorus, the masterful centerpiece:

“If you’ve been waitin’ for fallin’ in love
Babe, you don’t have to wait on me
‘Cause I’ve been aimin’ for Heaven above
But an angel ain’t what I need.” 

Oh, the dedication!

3. Rick Ross, “Sanctified”

Ft. Kanye West & Big Sean

💿 Mastermind • 🏷 Def Jam • 📅 2014

Something is amiss regarding the sanctification of 🎵 “Sanctified.” The 14^th song from 🎙 Rick Ross’ first album of 2014, 💿 Mastermind  lacks godliness. God-status, however, is turned up to the nth degree. 🎙 Betty Wright, who serves up the glorious throwback hook, escapes the sacrilege – HALLELUJAH!

“There’s a field with angels movin’ around me
I just worship thee, for all he’s done for me...
I’ve been born again; I’ve been born again...
His word is so clear to me.”

The same can’t be said of 🎙 Big Sean, 🎙 Kanye West, or Rick Ross.  Big Sean desires “A hundred million dollars and a bad bitch,” and admits the guilt of “Fornicatin’ from my status.” Kanye West also wants the same things, adding, “And wash my sins in the blood of Jesus / People sayin’, ‘Ye we need another Yeezus.’” Blasphemy! False idolatry! Ross’ biggest sin is his materialism. Also, if you want to get downright Biblical, premarital sex, though that’s commonly practiced being honest…

“‘Til I fuck a girl, that girl tweeted that I was stylish
When we fucked again, she told me, ‘That was just some foul shit.’”