Single | 3 to 5 BOPS

Single: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 71 (2023), features musical BOPS courtesy of Beyoncé, Cameo, Fousheé, Morgan Wallen, and Selena Gomez.  

Ah, you know what time it is! It’s 3 to 5 BOPS time – WOO! On 3 to 5 BOPS, it’s all about brevity and sweetness… for the most part! There’s a theme/topic, 3, 4, or 5 songs, and a blurb – two paragraphs or less.  3 to 5 BOPS, hence, is a mini playlist that shouldn’t take much time to consume.  In the 71st edition of 3 to 5 BOPS (2023), we select songs that are associated with SINGLE in some form or fashion. The BOPS arrive courtesy of 🎙 Beyoncé, 🎙 Cameo, 🎙 Fousheé, 🎙 Morgan Wallen, and 🎙 Selena Gomez. Okay, let’s get into it!  

1. Selena Gomez, “Single Soon” 

🎵 “Single Soon” • 🏷 Interscope • 🗓 2023  

“Should I do it on the phone? / Should I leave a little note / In the pocket of his coat? Yeah.” Woo! One thing is for sure, 🎙 Selena Gomez is about to be 🎵 “Single Soon”. The pop artist has had her fair share of success, particularly when the song is tailored to her modest voice (no shade).  When it comes to “Single Soon,” Gomez writes alongside the likes of  🎼 ✍ Ammar Malik, Benny Blanco, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Lisa Scinta, Magnus August Hoiberg (Cashmere Cat), Phil Shaouy, and Ross Golan. In addition to writing, Blanco and Cashmere Cat work behind the boards 🎛. Gomez keeps things simple on “Single Soon.” Thematically, she’s ready to step out, unattached to a man.  This theme is one of the pros of the songs.  The production, with its banging beat, lush and warm pads, and colorful synths, also serves as a pro.  The chorus, adds to selling points, coming off as relatively catchy.  Less impressive are the vocals, which are okay – so-so – mostly during the verses.  As far as the tune, I find the melody in the verses a bit odd.  All told, 🎵 “Single Soon” is okay – enjoyable enough – but nothing groundbreaking or particularly innovative.   

2. Morgan Wallen, “Single Than She Was” 

💿 One Thing At A Time • 🏷 Big Loud • 📅 2023

Per 🎙 Morgan Wallen, “She’s a little more single than she was.” Um, okay… sure. 🎵 “Single Than She Was” appears deep in the country musician’s multiplatinum, 2023 album, 💿 One Thing At A Time.  The question is, why is she a little more single than she was? Well, when Mr. Wallen finds her, she’s alone at the bar, and while she claims she’s meeting someone she’s seeing, he never shows up.  In the chorus, the twang-heavy, East Tennessean asserts:   

“She let me buy her a drink 

She even stole a sip of mine 

She drug me front of the stage 

Dance on my boots ‘til closin’ time 

I got her number and her name 

I ain’t sayin’ her and her mans got any plans on breakin’ up 

But I’ll tell you what 

She’s a little more single than she was.”  

Makes sense, even if it is still a weird title and certainly isn’t grammatically correct.  As far as the sound, producer 🎛 Joey Moi serves up standard, contemporary country production.  The melodies are respectable – tuneful enough – with the chorus being the best moment.  The bridge provides some separation from the other sections, which is always a win.  “Single Than She Was” won’t change your life, but worth a listen.   

3. Fousheé, “single af” 

🎵 “single af” • 🗓 2020  

“I can proudly say I’m, I’m / Say that I’m / Single as fuck.” Well, that’s definitely blunt AF.  🎙 Fousheé.  We know exactly where the RB singer stands on her 2020 single, 🎵 “single af”. She cowrote “Single af” with 🎼 ✍ Jared Solomon aka Solomonophonic and Matthew Burnett.  Both Solomon and Burnett produce the record. Perhaps the f-bomb will offend those who are against the profane nature modern music but give her credit for making the chorus incredibly musical.  Melodically, it’s gimmicky, slick, and quite playful – atonement for being potty mouthed! She makes it clear that she is single because the past love has been flawed and totally not worth it.  Even so, she’s ready to try again. “Finally, ready to go out and get it,” she sings at the end of the first verse, continuing, “Never felt so sexy, feel bad for my exes / I’m living my life.”  Here’s the deal though, she may be “single, ready to mingle,” but she’s also “Not ready to settle but practice is helpful.” Her confidence is through the roof! Ultimately, “single af” is a fun, refreshing R&B joint.  

Appears in 🔻: 

• Awesome Songs: November 2020   

4. Cameo, “Single Life”

💿 Single Life • 🏷 The Island Def Jam Music Group • 📅 1985

“Every little thing you do / Makes me smile / And if I had my way, baby / I’d tie you up for a while.” Woo, 🎙 Cameo! The funk collective delivers up surefire funky vibes on 🎵 “Single Life”. “Single Life” is the second track from their 1985 album, fittingly titled, 💿 Single Life. Simply put, front man/lead singer 🎙 Larry Blackmon is “…living the single, single, single / Life / The single, single, single / Life.”  Yessir! Although it failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 (bummer 👎), “Single Life” peaked at no. 2 on the R&B songs chart 👍.

The original from the album runs six-and-a- half minutes in duration.  However, the single version runs four-and-a-half minutes. The sound is idiomatic of the 1980s through and through, with the big, boxy drums carrying a sick groove that you simply can’t resist tapping your foot too.  Furthermore, that robust bass line helps to anchor things down – construct the F-U-N-K! Larry Blackmon sounds terrific vocally, though it should be noted that the instrumental backing him is equally compelling. Vocal layering is another selling point of “Single Life.” Also, throw in the playful lyrics, which in some cases, are truly not that innocent, Britney!

“Just like a car I’ll drive you

Out of your mind

It’s always the first step

In us having a good time.”

Judging by 🎵 “Single Life”, living the single life is indeed lots of fun!

Appears in 🔻:

• Cameo, Single Life: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 138 (2023)

5. Beyoncé, “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”   

💿 I Am… Sasha Fierce • 🏷 Sony • 📅 2008 

“All the single ladies (All the single ladies) / All the single ladies / Now put your hands up.” WOO! Need an example of a truly ubiquitous song? Look no further than 🎵 “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” one of the best songs in the illustrious musical catalog of 🎙 Beyoncé.  The song, which rightfully won the 🏆 Grammy for Song of the Year, appears on her 2008 double album, 💿 I Am… Sasha Fierce. “Single Ladies” is filled with fun. Produced by Queen Bey, 🎛 The-Dream, and Tricky Stewart, “Single Ladies” remains fresh 15 years after its arrival.  The beat! The synths! Most of all, the assertive, attitude-laden vocals of Queen Bey with catchy lyrics makes “Single Ladies” a surefire winner.  The minute you hear it, whether you’re a single lady, a married lady, or a fella, it makes you wanna dance – #INFECTIOUS.  The chorus is golden, with Beyoncé telling these boys, if you like it (aka her) you better lock it (her) down!     

“‘Cause if you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it   

If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it   

Don’t be mad once you see that he want it   

If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it   

Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh   

Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.”   

Appears in 🔻:    

• Put Your Money 💵 on These 15 Put Songs (2022)
• 13 Blingy, Hella Icy Jewelry Songs (2023)   
• Incredible Songs: 2000s, Vol. 1 (2023)  

 Single: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 74 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Fousheé, The Island Def Jam Music Group, Sony; cottonbro studio from Pexels]