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The 14 songs that grace this playlist, Songs Where It’s All About the Numbers, numbers serve as a central part of the song and song title.

“24K Magic”, “8TEEN,” “33 ‘GOD’” … Sigh. Sometimes, numbers make the best, most creative song titles. Minimally, the use of a number or numbers can accentuate a title.  In the case of the 14 songs that grace this playlist, numbers serve as a central part of the song and song title in some capacity.  In most cases, the number is the first part of the song title you read.  These 14 songs are a small, SMALL percentage of songs where it’s all about the numbers.

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1. Bruno Mars, “24K Magic”

24K Magic • Atlantic • 2016

With “24K Magic”, Bruno Mars has a gem on his hands.  “24K Magic” initiates 24K Magic fiercely, drenched in swagger.  He elevates himself as the player of players, spitting mad game.  If he did lack confidence, it never shows on this slick funk opener, which feels like the natural follow-up to “Uptown Funk”. “24K Magic” is 80s to the core, with the introductory vocoder leading the charge.

The chorus is infectious:

“Players only, come on
Put your pinky rings up to the moon
Girls, what y’all trying to do?
24 karat magic in the air
Head to toe so player
Uh, look out!”

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2. Khalid, “8TEEN”

American Teen • RCA • 2017

Within American Teen, “8TEEN” serves as a welcome change of pace following a trio of brokenhearted songs.  Up-and-coming R&B artist Khalid continues to show why he’s the next big thing in R&B. The record feels like a companion cut to an earlier track, title track “American Teen.” Why? “8TEEN” embraces a similar overall sound, with Khalid reflecting on being young and dumb.  The signature line comes on the chorus, as he sings, “So let’s do all the stupid shit that young kids do.” 

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3. Trey Songz, “#1Fan”

Tremaine the Album • Atlantic • 2017

“Having sex with my number one fan / So why am I so nervous?” Sigh, the sexcapades of Trey Songz know no ends. “#1Fan” (Tremaine the Album) shows how low the R&B singer will stoop.  Utterly ridiculous, Trey is concerned about his performance with a groupie!

On the bridge, he further expands on his anxiousness:

“You ready?
Will I live up to the man she sees?
Will I give her everything she needs?
I just hope that when we’re done she’s pleased
I hope it’s everything you thought it’d be.”

Ugh! Ultimately, “#1Fan” is shallow to the nth degree. #GHETTO

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4. The Chainsmokers, “The One”

Memories…Do Not Open • Columbia • 2017

By 2017, it’s incredibly easy to identify a song written, performed, and produced by The Chainsmokers.  In some respects, the same thing can be said of “The One”, which features many of the same characteristics of their past work.  Still, beyond its romantic theme and Andrew Taggart handling lead vocals, “The One” gives the duo a ballad, something new.

The record captures an ended relationship, summarized on the chorus:

“Down and down we go
We’ll torch this place we know
Before one of us takes a chance
And breaks this, I won’t be the one
No, I won’t be the one.”

“Paris” and “Something Just Like This” are more engaging, but give The Chainsmokers credit for showing slightly more range on “The One.”

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5. Bon Iver, “33 ‘GOD’”

22, A Million • Jagjaguwar • 2016

“33 GOD” served as the promo single from 22, A Million, the third studio album from Bon Iver.  The record is stunning, if bizarre, particularly to the inexperienced Bon Iver ear. Ultimately, it is well produced, ambitious, and captivating. Keeping in step with the themes of 22, A Million, “33 “GOD”” dabbles in romance and spirituality.  On the romance front, Vernon is searching for a hook-up (or relationship) that ultimately goes awry.

Additionally, Bon Iver seems skeptical about spirituality, turning it into a sexual metaphor:

“We find God and religions too
Staying at the Ace Hotel.”

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6. Tuxedo, “2^nd Time Around”

Tuxedo II • Stones Throw • 2017

The music that Tuxedo – Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One – releases isn’t hip in the contemporary sense.  That said, Tuxedo is hip AF, at least in respects to hearkening back to the glory days of R&B. “2^nd Time Around” definitely exhibits a high hipness factor, serving as a single from Tuxedo II.  Old-school to the core, “2^nd Time Around” is infectiously penned, well-performed, and soundly produced.  Essentially, the song is about rekindling a relationship and building it up the right way. After all, “I think it’s gonna be better / the second time around.”

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7. Lukas Graham, “7 Years”

Lukas Graham • Warner • 2016

“7 Years” by Lukas Graham is the rare meaningful, catchy pop song. Frontman Lukas Graham Forchhammer possesses a distinct voice perfectly suited for this emotional, reflective number. “7 Years” is realistic, hypothetical, and captivating all-in-one. Authenticity is the ultimate selling point for “7 Years.”

 

 

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8. Kevin Gates, “2 Phones”

Islah • Breadwinner’s Association • 2016

Kevin Gates keeps it pretty simple on “2 Phones.” If Gates can keep it simple, so should we.  In his own words, he spits, “I got two phones, one for the plug and one for the load / I got two phones, one for the bitches and one for the dough.” Interpreting the rap-speak, one of Gates’ phones is for hustling, his job.  The other phone is for his personal use, including hollering at girls.  Separation of work and play.

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9. Charlie Puth, “One Call Away”

Nine Track Mind • Artist Partner Group • 2016

 

Critics panned Nine Track Mind, the debut album from sensitive, up-and-coming pop artist, Charlie Puth.  The criticism was founded as the album was sappy, safe, and lacked edginess. One of the better moments was “One Call Away,” but don’t call it a classic.

The biggest deal breaker is a cringe-worthy reference to Superman, a key lyric: 

“I’m only one call away
I’ll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
I’m only one call away.” 

Sigh, even with such a corny line, admit it – “One Call Away” is catchy. Still, oversensitivity makes this the perfect song one loves to hate.

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10. Maren Morris, “80s Mercedes”

HERO • Columbia • 2016 

Maren Morris killed it on “My Church,” a record that eventually became a Grammy-winning country performance.  Topping the crème de la crème from her Grammy-nominated album Hero is impossible, but Morris does a fantastic job on “80s Mercedes.” “80s Mercedes” represents new-look country, that transcends typical country cues.  True to its title, the 80s gets a nod here, giving the record a unique, surprisingly successful sound.

The lyrics shine from the start:

“Still runs good, built to last
Moves like a hula girl on the dash
She ain’t made for practicality
Yeah, I guess she’s just like me.”

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11. Ty Dolla $ign, “3 Wayz”

Ft. Travis Scott

Campaign • RCA • 2016

Rather than release a new album, Ty Dolla $ign issued a new mixtape in 2016, Campaign. On single “3 Wayz”, lean plays a notable role.  The sound is mysterious from the jump. The pace is slow and lethargic, embracing a druggy vibe. Dolla seems to want fans to experience the same high he sings about.

Travis Scott delivers the faded hook:

“One more stop ‘fore the world stop
We gon’ roll this loud it’s prohibited
Making money moves off the laptop
Codeine, codeine, codeine, no prescriptions here.”

“3 Wayz” is the ultimate example of excess. Expectedly, sex is incorporated as well. It lacks substance, but this slow jam is irresistible.

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12. Jon Bellion, “80’s Films”

The Human Condition • Capitol • 2016

On “80s Films,” eclectic, multifaceted pop musician Jon Bellion is going back to his high school days, and what ‘love’ felt like back then: “We just need a night like this / Take me back to 9^th grade / Take me back to 9^th grade shit.” “80s Films” ends up being one of the better moments from his underrated 2016 debut, The Human Condition. Bellion superbly captures the 80s sound, vibes, and overall sentiment.  Hooking up is among his goals, much like any teen boy: “Just like the 80s films / We’ll hook up in my backseat and let my best friend drive.”

Adding to the 80s vibe, he references the most 80s movie ever (The Breakfast Club) as well as one of the most 80s artist ever, Cyndi Lauper.

“I can’t let go and your lips feel retro
You’re my Breakfast Club
You’re my song from Cyndi Lauper...
Take me back into the future.”

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13. Mac Miller, “100 Grandkids”

GO:OD AM • Warner • 2015

Somehow, Mac Miller is able to blend grandkids and 100 grand on the electrifying “100 Grandkids.” “100 Grandkids” is a great balance of Miller’s underground rap and what major labels desire from an artist.  Undoubtedly, “100 Grandkids” was the tour de force from Miller’s 2015 album, GO:OD AM (yes, the title is a stylization of god damn.)

Miller starts off with depth:

“I made a promise to my mama
That I’ll bless her with some grandkids, she can spoil them.”

The depth exits the picture, with him eventually bragging about money and upgraded status. He kills it, making anybody a believer in what he has to offer:

“I swear to God I put the hero in heroin
These flows, kilos, I could sell snow to a ski slope
I could sell evil to the devil
Nonbelievers to a temple
Shit, I could sell water to a speedboat”

Continuing to brag, Mac thought he was the shit and a king when he made $100,000.  Mac is flexing, bragging, and most of all, he’s making that paper.

“When I first made a hundred grand, thought I was the shit
When I first made a hundred grand, thought I was a king.”

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14. BØRNS, “10,000 Emerald Pools”

Dopamine • Interscope • 2015

Michigan-bred, Cali-based artist BØRNS dropped a fantastic debut album in 2015, Dopamine.  Dopamine wasn’t a commercial success, predictably, but established BØRNS as an artistically restless, eclectic musician. “10,000 Emerald Pools,” the opener from Dopamine, does a fantastic job of setting the tone, showcasing BØRNS’ mad pipes. “10,000 Emerald Pools” isn’t the album’s best song, nor does it necessarily rank among the short list of gems, but it’s sound and enjoyable.

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Photo Credits: Atlantic, RCA, Columbia, Jagjaguwar, Stones Throw, Warner Bros., Breadwinner’s Association, Artists Partner Group, Capitol, Interscope

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