Simple | 5ive Songs

On the 86^th edition of 5ive Songs (2021), we select five songs that are associated with the word SIMPLE in some form or fashion.  

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

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1. Kacey Musgraves, “Simple times”

💿 Star-crossed • 🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. / MCA Nashville • 📅 2021

“‘Cause being grown up kinda sucks / And I’m really just missing the simple times, ah-ha.”  Agreed 🎙 Kacey Musgraves, agreed. Adulting is hard, and sometimes, I find myself revisiting the simpler, more carefree times of my youth, sigh.🎵 “Simple times” appears as the fourth track from her fourth album, 💿 Star-crossed. Much of Star-crossed, notably, encompasses her divorce from singer/songwriter, 🎙 Ruston Kelly. Even on “Simple times,” you can sense the effects of a troubling, emotional experience.

As the quote suggests, Musgraves wants to return to better days – simpler times.  However, at this point, life and the plight of love have hit her and it’s messing with her.  If she could escape – “Put this game on pause / Skip this round” – she’d feel better.  Again, the 🏆 Grammy-winning country singer has a legit point, accentuated even more thanks to continually embracing those mellow, psychedelic vibes.

“Wish that I could put this game on pause
Skip this round, take the headset off
Put my lip gloss on
Kick it at the mall like there’s nothing wrong
I need to step away
If I don’t, I’m gonna go insane
‘Cause being grown up kinda sucks
And I’m really just missing the simple times, ah-ha.”

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 13 Intriguing Songs Fixated on Time ⏰

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2. Florida Georgia Line, “Simple”

💿 Can’t Say I Ain’t Country • 🏷 Big Machine • 📅 2019

“It’s like one, two, three / Just as easy can be / Just the way you look at me / You make me smile.” As the simplistic title suggests, 🎵 “Simple” (💿 Can’t Say I Ain’t Country, 2019) is hella ‘simple.’ Country duo 🎙 Florida Georgia Line (🎙 Brian Kelley and 🎙 Tyler Hubbard) teaches its audience how to spell… literally: “It’s just that simple, S-I-M-P-L-E…”

Despite the simplicity, the production is busy with rhythmic acoustic guitars, banjo, whistles, and hard-hitting drums. The sound of “Simple” embraces country music, but like many FGL songs, they’re hip enough for crossover appeal.  This includes lyrics, specifically an Instagram reference on the second verse (“We used to live on Instagram / Worry ‘bout who all gives a damn…”).  If you don’t mind utter simplicity, you’ll be on board.

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3. Tinie Tempah, “Simply Unstoppable”

💿 Disc-Overy • 🏷 Parlophone • 📅 2011

“So involved in this moment, I can’t let it go / Tick tock, check my Rollie wristwatch / Fuck how much a drink costs, we about to kick off like” Woo! 🎙 Tinie Tempah was indeed unstoppable on 🎵 “Simply Unstoppable,” the second track from his 2011 debut album, 💿 Disc-Overy.  The British rapper brought the heat, though other songs, such as 🎵 “Written in the Stars” received far more attention.

What makes “Simply Unstoppable” just that? Brilliant production work helps with an electronic, synth-driven sound thanks to 🎛 Shux.  The backdrop matches the aggressiveness of Tinie Tempah, making a match made in heaven.  Of course, the flow by Tinie kicks some serious ass.  His rhymes are sharp go hard (“My mom 44 years with no wrinkles/ I got a hundred thousand on me I could sprinkle…”), while his British accent comes off incredibly endearing.  Great form and structure also make “Simply Unstoppable” a rousing success.  Support from 🎙 Vanya Taylor on the memorable chorus doesn’t hurt the unstoppable nature of the joint either!

“I can’t explain it
But you’re gonna love this
So crazy outrageous,
Simply unstoppable.”

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4. Marc E Bassy, “So Simple”

Ft. G-Eazy

💿 Gossip Columns • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2017

🎵 “So Simple” serves as a standout from 💿 Gossip Columns, the 2017 debut album by pop artist 🎙 Marc E. Bassy. It’s well-produced, featuring a balanced sound that’s not under- or over-produced.  The thing that truly stands out about the production is the groove, which is infectious. Vocally, Bassy showcases his awesome pipes, never over-singing, effectively exhibiting composure and poise.  The subject matter isn’t game changing, centering around a superficial girl, but successful.

Some other selling points include the simple, but catchy chorus. Bassy has also slips some game into the mix (“I slid a couple bitches I was cold as ice.”) 🎙 G-Eazy is the perfect fit as a guest, even if he drops predictable rhymes. All in all, Bassy does his thing on “So Simple.”

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5. Tamar Braxton, “Simple Things”

💿 Calling All Lovers • 🏷 Epic • 📅 2015

“Cause I don’t really need / All the house, cars, clothes, rings / I don’t need nothing else from you / But the simple things.” 🎵 “Simple Things” is by far the most soulful record from 💿 Calling All Lovers, the 2015 studio album by 🎙 Tamar Braxton.  Here, the 🏆 Grammy-nominated R&B artist sings her butt off, showing incredible vocal grit and incredible range.  I guess it helps that she has compelling songwriting on her side, co-writing alongside 🎼✍ Felisha King, 🎼✍ Jamal Jones (aka 🎛 Polow da Don), and the late 🎼✍ LaShawn Daniels.  The chorus is the crowning achievement, but the verses, as well as a spoken bridge prove elite as well.

“But I don’t think you need to go on out here
And kill yourself over
No car, no house, no jewelry
Because at the end of the day, baby
While you chasing all that
I’m really chasing you.”

Ah, those “simple things!” Braxton gives all the goods and more on this stirring, memorable throwback soul joint. Also, shout-out the production.  Sure, Braxton evokes the throwback vibes on her own, but producers 🎛 Blac Elvis and 🎛 Polow da Don deserve credit too.

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Simple: 5ive Songs No. 86 (2021) [📷: Atlantic, Big Machine, Brent Faulkner, Clovis Cheminot, Epic, Jeff Burroughs, MCA Nashville, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors, Parlophone, Pixabay, RCA, UMG Recordings, Inc.]

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