Special | 3 to 5 BOPS

Special: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 10 (2023), features musical BOPS courtesy of Adele, Lizzo, Ray, Goodman & Brown, SZA, and The Winans.

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 10^th edition of 3 to 5 BOPS (2023), we select songs that are associated with SPECIAL in some form or fashion. The BOPS arrive courtesy of Adele, Lizzo, Ray, Goodman & Brown, SZA, and The Winans. Okay, let’s get into it!

1. Ray, Goodman & Brown, “Special Lady”

The Best of Ray, Goodman & Brown • Universal / UMG Recordings, Inc. • 1996

“You must be a special lady / And a very exciting girl / You gotta be a special lady / ‘Cause you got me sittin’ on top of the world / Sittin’ on top of the world.” Woo! What special lady she must be indeed! Ray, Goodman & Brown (formerly The Moments)  – Harry Ray (1946 – 1992), Al Goodman (1943 – 2010), and Billy Brown (1946 –) – scored a big time hit with their song, “Special Lady”. “Special Lady,” which graced the trio’s 1979 album, Ray, Goodman & Brown, peaked at no. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, charting for 18 weeks.

“Somehow I knew it would be you / To change my gray skies to blue.” Ah – that special lady has truly changed their worlds! The song celebrates love and finding ‘the one.’ There are a number of poetic lyrics, all relating back to her specialness.  Beyond the first verse, Ray, Goodman & Brown assert, “I was like a song so out of key / Then you came and gave my soul a melody.” Now that is sweet! Beyond the dedicated lyrics, the music is a vibe itself.  The backdrop is bright and sunny, matching the feel-good, lovey-dovey vibes conveyed by the lyrics.  Whether you have found your special girl or special guy, “Special Lady” is a song that touts the goodness and the sheer beauty of love.

Appears in :

• Ray, Goodman & Brown, “Special Lady”: Throwback Vibez 18 (2023)

2. Lizzo, “Special”

Special • Nice Life / Atlantic • 2022

“Fame is pretty new, but I’ve been used to people judgin’ me / That’s why I move the way I move and why I’m so in love with me.” “Special”, the title track from Lizzo’s sophomore album, is a reaction to the criticism she’s received for seemingly everything.  Her authenticity and honesty truly shine: “If it wasn’t me, then would you even get offended or / Is it just because I’m black and heavy? Y’all don’t hear me though.” Even though she’s had ample, unfounded negativity thrown her way, she doesn’t wallow in pessimism – she opts for optimism, encouraging herself, encouraging others, and taking the high road. The self-love is lit on “Special” where Lizzo turns the frowns into confident, empowered smiles!

“In case nobody told you today

You’re special

In case nobody made you believe

You’re special.”

Oh, yes, Lizzo – encourage us with that uplifting energy, those positive vibes! She adds on the utterly sublime chorus, “I’m so glad that you’re still with us / Broken, but damn, you’re still perfect.” Don’t we all need to hear that we are loved and special, even when we are flawed? “Special” marks one of the truly elite records from Special.  

Appears in :

• Lizzo, “Special”: Music Lifts 5 (2022)
• 13 Lit Songs To Lift You Up

3. SZA, “Special”

Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA • 2022

On “Special,” one of many great moments from her sophomore album, SOS, SZA laments her lack of perfection. Early on, the Grammy winner asserts, “I wish I was that girl from that Gucci store,” later speaking about struggling with body image in order to impress him.  “Boy, you got me fucked up, now I’m getting’ fucked up,” she sings in the second verse, adding, “Thinkin’ ‘bout us fucking, why you’d have to fuck her?” Yeah, she’s clearly not over him.  Her pain is our listening pleasure, with the chorus being the crowning achievement where her specialness has disappeared thanks to both him and her. 

4. Adele, “One and Only”

 21 •  XL Recordings Ltd. •  2011

“I dare you to let me be your, one and only / Promise I’m worth it / To hold in your arms.”  21, the critically acclaimed, 2011 album by  Adele has no shortage of hits.   “One and Only” definitely stands out on a truly deep, masterfully crafted album that won  six Grammys. This rousing, bluesy, gospel infused ONE record can’t be denied.  Adele penned this special gem with  Dan Wilson and Greg Wells.  Notably,  Rick Rubin produces. Hallelujah ! The robust nature of Adele’s voice is simply masterful on this emotionally charged, commitment-driven affair.  Love always wins, right? Well,

Appears in :

• Only: 5ive Songs No. 21 (2020)
• 11 Songs Associated with Number One

5. The Winans, “Special Lady”

Let My People Go • Word Entertainment / Curb • 1985

In black gospel music, the Winans name carries tremendous weight – an understatement.  Honestly, they’re some of the most gifted group of musicians you’ll find regardless of genre.  Gospel is their calling card, though, in 1985, on The Winans’ Let My People Go, they contrast with an inspirational, contemporary R&B tribute to their grandmother, “Special Lady”.  In all honesty, “Special Lady” has a case as the best song from Let My People Go given the smooth vocals, the vocal harmonies, and the touching sentiment.

“She was a very special lady

One who really shared

She was a very special woman who cared about

The things in life that only count

Truly, can’t you see

She was a very special lady to me.”

Oh, the feels, the feels, the feels! Furthermore, what about the smoothness of the sound and production work, as well as the harmonic progression?  Throughout, Carvin Winans, Marvin Winans, Michael Winans, and Ron Winans paint their grandmother as a marvelous woman.  “One to let us know / That true holiness was the only way to go,” they sing later, adding, “To live right / So that we could gain eternal life.” Special indeed!

Appears in :

• The Winans, “Special Lady”: Throwback Vibez 18 (2022)

Special: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 10 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Atlantic, Curb, Nice Life, RCA, Top Dawg Entertainment, Universal / UMG Recordings, Inc., Word Entertainment, XL Recordings Ltd.; ]