On this mini playlist, we examine ‘5 songs where the anxiety is real.’  Artists making appearances include Logic, Jason Isbell, and blackbear. 

“Anxiety / How do you always get the best of me? / I’m out here living in a fantasy / I can’t enjoy a goddamn thing.” That’s a total bummer Jason Isbell.  According to Web MD, “everyone feels anxious now and then.” But, the organization goes on to differentiate between anxious emotions and anxiety disorders.  On this mini-playlist, we don’t get too technical.  The only requirement for the five songs that grace this list is that some form of the word anxiety, even misspelled, is in the song title.  Without further ado, here are 5 Songs Where the Anxiety is Real.

1. Logic, “Anziety”

Ft. Lucy Rose

Album: Everybody

Def Jam, 2017

It should be noted that in the context of Everybody, the third studio album by Logic, “Anziety” follows a gargantuan hit, “1-800-273-8255.” Assisted by Lucy Rose, Logic gets personal.  Rather than focus on race, a prominent theme throughout Everybody, he focuses on anxiety, specifically his own health scare.

Ultimately, he thinks big picture: we all have our fair share of issues, but they shouldn’t hold us back.  He seeks to educate and uplift his audience.

2. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, “Anxiety”

Album: The Nashville Sound

Southeastern, 2017

“Anxiety” is nothing short of epic.  Fitting for an equally epic artist like Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.  The lengthiest song off The Nashville Sound, “Anxiety” is worth every bit of its seven minutes. The title explains it all – Isbell can’t get past his anxiety.  On the chorus, he passionately sings:

“Anxiety / How do you always get the best of me? / I’m out here living in a fantasy / I can’t enjoy a goddamn thing.”

What causes his anxiety? Life itself.  On the first verse, he’s worried about losing his family, which is his world.  On the second verse, he starts it off with “It’s the weight of the world.” The music on this particular song is awesome, particularly the instrumental at the end.

3. blackbear, “Anxiety”

Ft. FRND

Album: cybersex

Interscope, 2017

“Anxiety” was the final teaser track that blackbear issued ahead of his mixtape, cybersex. Assisted by FRND, the record has more of a modern, pop-infused, urban contemporary sound. Within the context of cybersex, “Anxiety” is by far the most danceable joint, contrasting everything else.  It doesn’t ‘go hard’ like bangers “Gucci Linen” or “Bright Pink Tims,” but it’s enjoyable.

4. How to Dress Well, “Anxious”

Album: Care

Domino 

How to Dress Well is in a state of anxiousness throughout the course of “Anxious,” the eighth song off his 2016 album, Care. Despite his frantic state, the tempo is quick, the music incredibly groovy, and the vocals, sung in falsetto, are ripe to the nth degree. Nonetheless, Tom Krell asks a number of questions about his state of mind – “Why am I so pathetic?” “Wonder why I feel so vacant and wake up so anxious?”

What is Krell anxious about? Likely a number of things, but love seems to be involved as well.

“This is only happening / Because something has to happen babe / You’re only panicking / ‘Cuz you thought you could have changed something / If I don’t want anything / Could I merge into the shadows baby? / But it’s all shadows babe / Bodies dreaming in the dark.”

5. Ginuwine, “So Anxious”

Album: 100% Ginuwine

Atlantic, 1999 

For our final song filled with anxiety, we take it back to the 1990s.  In 1999, R&B artist Ginuwine was ‘kind of a big deal.’  This was after his hit “Pony,” yet before he serenaded us with “Differences.” Take one listen to “So Anxious” and it is clear how different R&B sounded back in the day. It’s also hard to believe that “So Anxious” is nearly 20 years old… But the real subject at hand – anxiety.  What is Ginuwine anxious about exactly? Sex of course.

Photo Credits: Def Jam, Southeastern, Interscope, Domino, Atlantic