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The ‘talk-worthy’ list “Small Talk + More Songs Worth Talking About” features songs by Doja Cat, Halsey, James Blake, Khalid & Niall Horan.

According to JMSN via Velvet (2018), “‘Talk is Cheap’ / You got to show me it’s real / ‘Cause I ain’t got time to waste, no…” Fair enough.  For Florida Georgia Line, well, their modus operandi on “Talk You Out of It” (Can’t Say I Ain’t Country) is pleasure… Okay – one mo’! How about rapper Key Glock, who urged us to “Hold up, real quick, let me talk my shit / They like who the fuck is this with this ice-ass wrist (Glock).” That song, of course, would be “Talk My Shit,” which appeared on his 2018 mixtape, Glockoma.  All of these songs, which have TALKING in common, previously appeared on the 2018 playlist, 15 Songs Worth Talking About.

Now, my friends, we have a new talk-worthy list on hand: SMALL TALK & MORE SONGS WORTH TALKING! Yeah, baby, yeah! You can consider SMALL TALK & MORE SONGS WORTH TALKING both a supplement and sequel to the aforementioned list.  SMALL TALK & MORE SONGS WORTH TALKING is comprised of 15 songs total, including songs by Doja Cat (“Talk Dirty”), Halsey (“Walls Could Talk”), James Blake (“Put That Away and Talk to Me”), Khalid (“Talk”) and Niall Horan (“Small Talk”) among others. Get ready, get ready for even more talking… songs!

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1. Niall Horan, “Small Talk”

Heartbreak Weather • Neon Haze / Capitol • 2020

“Like wolves, we run wild, let passion get too much / Let ourselves get burned by the fire…” Woah! Prior to his sophomore album, Heartbreak Weather, I might’ve questioned Niall Horan’s ability to be, well, SEXY.  No, not as far as looks (the man’s a heartthrob) but selling that personality on a record. “Small Talk,” the fifth track on the album, finds him showing off such abilities, seamlessly – yeah, I said it!

“Tell me what you want because you know I want it too,” Horan sings passionately on the infectious chorus, continuing, “Let’s skip all the small talk and go straight up to your room / I’ve been thinkin’ what I’d do when I’m alone with you.” Hmm, someone’s a bit horny for sure! Making “Small Talk” even more convincing are the ad-libs.  Honestly, he’s totally invested into, well, ‘getting it in.’ I see you Niall, and I ain’t mad at ya!

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2. Verzache, “Talk”

“Talk” • Zach Farache • 2020

“Too many things in my head / I don’t even know what I’m thinking at the time / Think I gotta rewind / Think about what’s going on / Think about why I wanna die…” Wanna die? That’s certainly depressing, sigh. In an age where conformity is king, Verzache goes against the grain.  The 21-year old Toronto, Canada musician (Zach Farache) seeks to be more nonlinear in his approaches.  Characterized as “a pioneer in the modern experimental acoustic sound” and a “tastemaker in the next wave of both production and songwriting style,” Farache’s music naturally stands out from the crowd.  On “Talk”, the tastemaker comes up big.

“Talk” falls under the umbrella of alternative music.  That said, getting more specific, the record blends indie-pop, R&B, acoustic, singer/songwriter, and hip-hop.  No, Verzache doesn’t ‘bust a rhyme,’ but the hard-hitting beat is characteristic of urban music (R&B, hip-hop) as well as modern pop.  Additionally, Farache’s vocal performance, which features some lovely falsetto, embraces pop-rap in regard to phrasing and rhythm.  Still, this isn’t your standard hip-hop or R&B record – ‘alternative’ is the best characterization.  But he does reference bitches toward the end of the song:

“One of my bitches
Too many bitches
Why are you listening?
All these things that are sick.”

Beyond bitches, thematically, Verzache struggles with TALKING about his problems. He clearly thinks a lot yet doesn’t discuss his innermost thoughts. The aforementioned hook finds him in a bad spot, particularly the suicidal line.  On the verse, Farache also seems to be perturbed, yet, towards the end of the verse, is at least ambitious: “I been hiding from the world / Wanna change shit.” Later, he also talks about changing himself. All in all, “Talk” is quite a unique record. Verzache shows off his talent and unique approach and style.

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3. Doja Cat, “Talk Dirty”

Hot Pink • Kemosabe / RCA • 2019

“Go down, go down, go down, yeah / Let me see you go to town, yeah.” In 2018, much of the world was introduced to bold, unapologetic rapper/singer Doja Cat.  Those lyrics hail from “Go to Town”, a standout from her debut album, Amala.  More than a year later, Amala Zandile Dlamini released her sophomore album, Hot Pink, an effort with no shortage of SEX.  Naturally, the song at hand, “Talk Dirty,” is totally sexed-up.

“Talk Dirty” doesn’t leave much to the imagination, but subtlety isn’t really Doja Cat’s style.  Her flow is explosive mind you, even if her subject matter is limited.

“Said when you talk like that, put that shit to work
Make that kitty hurt, make that kitty squirt
Tell me what’s my name, make that kitty yearn
Teach me how to jerk, make that kitty learn…”

Yeah, that’s a lot of ‘kitty’ references… Anyways, her sung moments are quite respectable, bringing some refinement to a very unrefined effort. The production by Kurtis McKenzie and f a l l e n is slick and quite sound if nothing else.

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4. Khalid, “Talk”

Ft. Disclosure

Free Spirit • RCA • 2019

“Yeah, started off right / I can see it in your eyes / I can tell that you’re wantin’ more…” “Talk” is among the best things regarding Free Spirit, the relatively disappointing sophomore LP by Grammy-nominated R&B. musician Khalid. “Talk” is sleekly produced to the nth degree, thanks to the talents of Disclosure.  The synths are warm, yet also have the right amount of bite.  The beat itself is perfectly suited for the singer and a modern, urban contemporary record in general.

As always, Khalid delivers a strong vocal performance, showcasing his inescapable, distinct tone.  Besides his compelling chest voice, he also delivers some lovely falsetto as well.  Adding to the strength of “Talk” is a memorable chorus which serves as the crème de la crème.

“Can we just talk? Can we just talk?
Talk about where we're goin’
Before we get lost, lend me your thoughts
Can’t get what we want without knowin’
I’ve never felt like this before
I apologize if I’m movin’ too far
Can we just talk? Can we just talk?
Figure out where we're goin’.”

“Talk,” unsurprisingly, was ranked among the best songs of 2019 – ninth to be exact.

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5. Katy Perry, “Small Talk”

“Small Talk” • Capitol • 2019

“And I just can’t believe / We went from strangers to lovers to strangers in a lifetime…” On the 2019 Katy Perry single, “Small Talk”, well, you could say that the talk, rather the buzz, was quite small. “Small Talk,” co-written by Charlie Puth, who also serves as a producer (another co-writer, Johan Carlsson, also produces), simply didn’t pack much of a punch required of a hit single. From a production standpoint, it sounds pleasant with its electronic-pop cues, but never blows you away.  Perhaps this is because the sound is so light, where a bit more punch wouldn’t have hurt the cause.  Vocally, Perry pleasant as well but never ascends to the next level. That isn’t to say she doesn’t bring some energy, but like the production, there’s that lack of a ‘wow’ factor.

Honestly, the aforementioned pre-chorus lyrics sum up the song.  Katy Perry and her ex-lover started off as strangers, became well acquainted as lovers, and now are complete strangers again. Basically, she knows everything about him (“Isn’t it wild that I know your weakness? / And everybody at the party thinks / That you’re the best thing since sliced bread”), he knows about her (“Isn’t it weird that you’ve seen me naked?”), but “Now there’s nothing left but small talk.” All you can say is, SMALL TALK indeed… BTW, “Small Talk” was selected among The Absolute Worst Songs of 2019.

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6. Kevin Gates, “Walls Talking”

I’m Him • Bread Winners’ Association • 2019

“I’m a prisoner in my own mind / I feel like these walls talkin’ to me / I feel like these wall talkin’ to me.” Damn, that’s a scary thought Kevin Gates. “Walls Talking” appears on the Baton Rouge rapper’s sophomore album, I’m Him, which serves as the proper follow up to Islah (2015).  “Walls Talking,” produced by Richie Souf and Roark Bailey, appears as the eighth track on the 17-track LP. Fitting, the record previously appeared on the playlist, 12 Intriguing Songs That Reference Walls.

The aforementioned chorus is quite melodic, definitely a contrast to the edgier rhymes we associate with Gates.  That melodic sensibility continues on the first verse, with the rapper’s approach being reminiscent and reflective.  That said, he’s honest about the hard knock life he’s lived, specifically some bad decisions.  “Never spoke on this, they say that I murdered my best friend,” she spits, continuing, “It was just business, it wasn’t personal, you know how the world is…” Wow.  The second verse is actually less melodic and more un-pitched, but maintains the reflective, reminiscent tone. Some of my favorite lyrics appear on both the first verse and the bridge:

“And I’ll admit it, bein’ young, I made some bad decisions
Heart too big, that’s when my loyalty got used against me.”

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7. Hozier, “Talk”

Wasteland, Baby! • Columbia • 2019

“I won’t deny, I’ve got in my mind now / All the things I would do / So I try to talk refined for fear that you find out / How I’m imaginin’ you.” “Talk” appears as the ninth track from Wasteland, Baby!, the long-awaited sophomore album by Irish singer/songwriter, Hozier. “Talk,” moderate in pace, possesses a seductive vibe, and is anchored by soulful groove.  The aforementioned lyrics, excerpted from the chorus, serve as sufficient evidence of the seduction.

Of course, there are more examples. On the first verse, Hozier references Orpheus and the lengths he went to be with Eurydice after her death (“I’d be the voice that urged Orpheus / When her body was found…”).  On the second verse, the seductive tone is clear, with lyrics like, “I’d be the sweet feeling of release / Mankind now dreams of…” Ultimately, “Talk” is a balanced performance that packs a punch without even threatening to become overwrought. Hozier does a fine job of keeping one foot in the door of the past (soul), while also remaining relevant in the present.

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8. Future, “Talk Shit Like a Preacher”

Future Hndrxx Presents: The WIZRD • Epic • 2019

“I designed my sneakers, yeah / I done fucked my teacher / Talk shit like a preacher (talk) / On the corner with a beeper (on the corner with a beeper).” Woah Future, whoa! “Done fucked my teacher” and “Talk shit like a preacher” – WOW! “Talk Shit Like a Preacher,” the eighth song from Future Hndrxx Presents: The WIZRD (2019), has previously appeared on another playlist: 11 Secular Songs About Praying, Preaching & Baptism. Of course, given its reference to talking, it’s a perfect fit for the playlist at hand, SMALL TALK + MORE SONGS WORTH TALKING ABOUT.

You might argue that Future does a lot of ‘damage’ in a short amount of time.  How so? Well, the southern rapper keeps things ‘short and sweet’ on his colorful joint.  On “Talk Shit Like a Preacher,” he references sex, money, material, and expectedly, all things ‘flex.’ As the title suggest, he talks a lot of shit. Of course, fair warning – don’t play this one in church! #Facts.

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9. Sam Fender, “Will We Talk?”

Hypersonic Missiles • Polydor • 2019

“And she said / ‘If you dance with me, darlin’ / If you take me home / Will we talk in the mornin’?” Sounds like a legitimate question to me Sam Fender! If you’ve never heard the British singer/songwriter, well, he’s pretty rad.  Similarly, so is his entire debut album, Hypersonic Missiles.  What makes Hypersonic Missiles the ‘cat’s meow?’ Excellent musicianship in regard to vocal performances and colorful, creative, and poetic songwriting. Fortunately, Fender has a talk-centric song, “Will We Talk?”, that we can lock into SMALL TALK + MORE SONGS WORTH TALKING ABOUT.

“There’s no romance
Sprawled out across the couch
Can’t even make his fuckin’ face out
An age-old ritual.”

The tempo is quick on “Will We Talk?”, a record that Fender states is about one-night stands.   When originally reviewing Hypersonic Missiles, I didn’t consider “Will We Talk?” to be the very best, but revisiting it, it gives Sam Fender another enjoyable record featuring a high-energy performance. Notably, Fender, who has been compared to Bruce Springsteen, exhibits legit ‘Springsteen vibes’ on this cut, and there’s nothing wrong with that! Additionally, there’s a dash of 80s rock, without overdoing the synths or the gloss, which is pretty sweet.

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10. A Perfect Circle, “TalkTalk”

Eat the Elephant • A Perfect Circle / BMG Rights Management • 2018 

In 2018, A Perfect Circle returned with, Eat the Elephant, their fourth studio album. For Maynard James Keenan, it was a long time coming; Eat the Elephant arrived 14 years after the band’s third album, Emotive, released in 2004. Wow! The song at hand, single “TalkTalk”, arrived as the third advance single from the LP.   

“TalkTalk” is set in d minor, certainly an often-used key for Maynard James Keenan throughout his career.  The record has one pure verse, and it’s not particularly assertive structurally. The first chorus, which follows, brings more extra oomph to “TalkTalk,” including the utterance of a f-bomb:

“Sit and talk like Jesus
Try walkin’ like Jesus
Sit and talk like Jesus
Talk like Jesus
Talk, talk, talk, talk
Get the fuck out of my way.”

The intense chorus, capped off by the bomb, is followed by an extended bridge.  That bridge is highlighted by lyrics including “Don’t be the problem, be the solution” and “Faith without works is… dead.” The first half is much more reserved, sung in an undertone.  The second half is bit more like a second verse, though not quite. Nonetheless, it’s a bit more assertive leading into the second chorus, a variation of the first. Safe to say, “TalkTalk” is an interesting song.

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11. Spencer Sutherland, “Talk”

“Talk” • NEC • 2018

Urban-pop singer Spencer Sutherland hails from Pickerington, Ohio.  Notably, he was a finalist on the UK version of X Factor.  Listening to him sing, it’s crystal clear why he was so successful on the competition, and why he’s compelling as an artist. Sutherland showed off his full range of abilities on his 2018 single, “Talk”, definitely a record worth talking about.

The well-produced “Talk” features groovy, contemporary pop production. In regard to the form, the sections are well-defined: verse, pre-chorus, chorus, and later, a brief bridge. Notably, the bridge is comprised mostly of ad libs, leading into the final chorus. The chorus, as to be expected, is the centerpiece:

“All we do is talk
When we should be kissing
I keep staring at your lips, but just can’t seem to listen
All we do is talk
Tell me why we’re waitin’
We both know it’s time our bodies have a conversation
All we do is talk, talk, talk,
Talk, talk, talk.”

Sutherland delivers compelling, nuanced vocals throughout.  He has a distinct tone of voice, sounding relatively husky in his middle register.  He also surprises beyond his alluring middle register, exhibiting a lovely falsetto on the chorus. Ultimately, the brightness and ripeness of the falsetto is nothing short of awesome.

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12. Halsey, “Walls Could Talk”

Hopeless Fountain Kingdom • Astralwerks • 2017

Halsey has had quite a successful career.  Her debut album, Badlands, and her sophomore album, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, were certified platinum by the RIAA.  Focusing on the album at hand, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, released in 2017, is conceptual, incorporating the artist’s own love issues as well as referencing Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, among numerous other influences.  After “Walls Could Talk” first got into the ‘wall’ action on the playlist 12 Intriguing Songs That Reference Walls, she reappears on SMALL TALK + MORE SONGS WORTH TALKING ABOUT thanks to, well, talking and specifically, the word, talk.

“And we both hope there’s something / But we bo-both keep fronting / And it’s a closed discussion / And I’m thinking, ‘Damn, if these walls could talk.” Pretty sweet pre-chorus if I do say so myself. “Walls Could Talk,” the 10^th track from Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, is actually pretty sweet overall to be honest.  It’s a record that sounds like a throwback to 90s teen-pop, in all its bubblegum, urban-infused glory.  This includes the quick rhythmic nature of the melody on the verses.  Halsey has some attitude as well – “But you’re so damn good with a bobby pin / Now you gon’ play me like a violin, hittin’ these notes.” Arguably, the most unfortunate thing about this certified bop is its brevity.

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13. Charlie Puth, “We Don’t Talk Anymore”

Ft. Selena Gomez

Nine Track Mind • Artist Partner Group • 2016

On “We Don’t Talk Anymore” Charlie Puth, assisted by Selena Gomez, cooked up a harmless, moderately delicious hit single. Early on in his career, Puth has a knack for cheesiness.  No disrespect intended, of course, but he comes off a wee bit too sensitive.  At the same time, it works – to an extent. “We Don’t Talk Anymore” is certainly one of the better moments from his spotty 2016 debut album, Nine Track Mind.

“We don’t talk anymore, we don’t talk anymore
We don’t talk anymore, like we used to do
We don’t love anymore
What was all of it for?
Oh, we don’t talk anymore, like we used to do.”

“We Don’t Talk Anymore” is light, innocent sounding pop. The production work isn’t incredibly flashy, comprising of guitar and a relatively basic beat. Puth and Gomez both sound respectable, which isn’t always true of either – no shade. Gomez actually sounds better than she has on some of her own songs. Moderately fun, it’s not far-fetched or surprising that “We Don’t Talk Anymore” gained traction at radio. Still, it lacks lyrical substance and thematic contrast. The ultimate point is “We don’t talk anymore” and, well, there isn’t a deeper narrative.  Worth talking about? To an extent – just don’t dive too deep.

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14. James Blake, “Put That Away and Talk to Me”

The Colour in Anything • Polydor • 2016

“Put that away and talk to me / I’m not the one with a fantasy / As lonely as you feel right now / Put that away and talk to me.” Alternative/electronic (and generally genre-bending) musician James Blake is one of the most creative artists in the music business – that’s NOT up for debate. Furthermore, he’s among the most distinct, with his unique vocals and his approach to production.  Among the best songs on his 2016 album, The Colour in Anything is “Put That Away and Talk to Me.”

“I’m in a waiting after every inhalation,” Blake sings on the second verse, continuing, “They’re keeping me full today / Where is my beautiful life?” Say what? “Put That Away and Talk to Me” is nothing short of a trip. That said, the ‘trip’ part is literal, considering Blake has admitted, the song is about smoking too much weed. Makes sense – the high seems to permeate by all means.   The music is minimalist but brilliant; mysterious and a bit trippy.  He embraces his falsetto, always a win, as well as autotune. All in all, his high is also high-flying for listeners everywhere.

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15. Jason Derulo, “Talk Dirty”

Ft. 2 Chainz

Talk Dirty • Warner • 2014

“Talk Dirty” kicks off Talk Dirty, the 2014 studio album by R&B/pop sensation Jason Derulo, alluringly with its sinful brilliance.  Calling the joint heavenly is blasphemous considering its suggestive lyrics and equally ‘dirty’ production. “Talk Dirty” owes a ton to Balkan Beat Box’s “Hermetico” –the majority of the production actually. That seductive sax comes off as nasty as opening lyrics from verse one.

On the first verse, Derulo sings, “I’m that flight that you get on, international / First class seat on my lap, girl, riding comfortable.”  If he’s a bit subtler regarding sexual endeavors, 2 Chainz is more explicit. Sure, both dudes are quite shallow, but the addictive nature of the song, particularly the chorus, is undeniable.  It’s definitely worth talking about!

“Been around the world, don’t speak the language
But your booty don’t need explaining
All I really need to understand is when you
Talk dirty to me.”

“Talk Dirty” previously appeared on the playlist, 11 Dirty, Filthy & Unclean Songs.

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Small Talk + More Songs Worth Talking About [Photo Credits: A Perfect Circle, Artist Partner Group, Astralwerks, BMG Rights Management, Bread Winners’ Association, Brent Faulkner, Capitol, Columbia, Epic, Kemosabe, The Musical Hype, NEC, Neon Haze, Pexels, Pixabay, Polydor, RCA, Warner, Zach Farache]

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