Star ⭐ | 5ive Songs

On the 84^th edition of 5ive Songs (2021), we select five songs that are associated with a STAR or STARS in some form or fashion.  

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elcome to 5ive Songs, where we keep things short and sweet – no extra calories or needless fluff! There’s a theme/topic, five songs, and a short blurb.  Yes, it’s a playlist, but it’s a miniature playlist that shouldn’t take much time to consume.  On the 84^th edition of 5ive Songs (2021), we select five songs that are associated with a STAR ⭐ or STARS ⭐⭐in some form or fashion.  Okay, let’s get into it!

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1. Kacey Musgraves, “Star-crossed”

💿 Star-crossed • 🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. / MCA Nashville • 📅 2021 

“Let me set the scene / Two lovers ripped right at the seams.” Early on 🎵 “Star-crossed,” 🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 Kacey Musgraves sets the tone on her fourth studio album, 💿 Star-crossed.  She’s honest and transparent about divorcing 🎙 Ruston Kelly, sans naming him explicitly. 

Notably, “Star-crossed” features one sole verse post-intro, followed by a reflective chorus and an outro. On the outro, the titular lyrics is uttered far more times than I care to count.  Listeners have become accustomed to Musgraves not sounding country. That is the case on “Star-crossed” which incorporates psychedelic, dreamy synths, which represent romance now expired. 

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2. Britney Spears, “Swimming in the Stars”

💿 Glory [Deluxe] • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2020

After 🎵 “Mood Ring (By Demand)” arrived on a reissued version of 🎙 Britney Spears’ 2016 studio album, 💿 Glory, another previously unheard cut, 🎵 “Swimming in the Stars” arrived in December 2020.  🎛️ Matthew Koma  gives the pop queen 🔥 production to do work with.  It’s lush, sleek, smooth – perfect for Spears to put in work.   Obviously, she’s not, um, particularly renowned for her voice itself.  That’s no shade, as it’s always been more about the sound of the record, as well as the degree of infectiousness.  That’s partially the case here on “Swimming in the Stars.” That said, as far as her vocals are concerned, she delivers some nice moments on this moderate ballad.

What’s the theme of “Swimming in the Stars?” Carefree, dedicated love.  Essentially, Britney and her guy are going all-in on the relationship.  “In gravity’s arms we’ll drown,” she sings on the chorus, continuing, “The world is ours / When we’re swimming in the stars.” “Swimming in the Stars” is positive for both Britney and her multitude of fans.

 

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: December 2020 

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3. Playboi Carti, “Rockstar Made”

💿 Whole Lotta Red • 🏷 AWGE / Interscope • 📅 2020

🎙 Playboi Carti has proven himself to be a ‘one of a kind’ rapper.  Is that a positive description? In some ways, yes, it is, while in other words, not necessarily.  Nonetheless, his 2020 studio album, 💿 Whole Lotta Red, has its fair share of intriguing moments including 🎵 “Rockstar Made.” 

Carti kicks off Whole Lotta Red with the wild number. His energy is unquestionable.  The same can be said regarding his sexual appetite:

“She suckin’ my dick (What?), she eat it for lunch (What? Uh)
I hit it from the back (What?), yeah, I’m beatin’ it up...”

Wow.  Just wow.  I guess it goes with the territory.  Rappers can’t rap without being open about their sexual encounters. “Rockstar Made!” 

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 13 Songs That Totally Have It Made
🔗 🎧 Hip-Hop Rockstar: 3BOPS No. 40 (2021)

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4. Years & Years, “Starstruck”

💿 Night Call • 🏷 Polydor • 📅 2022

Once a three-person collective, 🎙 Years & Years vis now a solo act by front man 🎙 Olly Alexander. Despite the changes, Olly has totally got us 🎵 “Starstruck” with his new single. “Starstruck” was written by Alexander alongside 🎼✍ Clarence Coffee Jr., 🎼✍ Mark Ralph, and 🎼✍ Nathaniel Ledwidge.  Ralph and Ledwidge produce this bright sounding, energetic pop cut, set to appear on Y&Y’s 2022 album, 💿 Night Call. With a great backdrop behind him, Olly delivers assertive vocals that are colorful, nuanced, and filled with personality.  His tone is stunning. 

In addition to his singing, Olly ‘puts in some work’ with his pen, delivering some fun lyrics (“If I could bottle you up / I would sip ya like cosmic juice”). Of course, the centerpiece is none other than the chorus which is hella catchy.  Furthermore, the brightness ascends to an even higher level.

“I can’t help it
I get starstruck around you
What can I do baby?”

Quite a relatable sentiment.  In addition to the love-centric lyrics, “Starstruck” is well organized regarding form.  Years & Years keeps it standard with verse, pre-chorus, chorus, and later, a breakdown section, which serves as a bridge essentially (“Starstruck / Not giving you up”). All boxes are checked off on “Starstruck”:  strong vocals, catchy songwriting, and ear catching production. 

 

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: April 2021
🔗 🎧 ‘S’ Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2
🔗 🎧 A Must-Hear PRIDE 🏳️‍🌈 Compendium: 2021

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5. Tommy Newport & EARTHGANG, “Stargazer”

🎵 “Stargazer” • 🏷 Real Dirty Boy / Silk Ivory Inc. • 📅 2021

“Speed racer, heartbreaker / I can feel it comin’,” 🎙 Tommy Newport sings expressively on 🎵 “Stargazer”.  He continues the infectious centerpiece, the chorus, singing, “Maybe start later, stargazer / I can see you runnin’.”  The alternative musician sets the tone marvelously on “Stargazer,” the epitome of a VIBE. He collaborates with the gift that is 🎙 EARTHGANG.

Backed by a potent production that mixes some classic cues with contemporary freshness, Newport and EARTHGANG have ample fuel for the fire.  🎙 Doctur Dot gets right to work on the first verse, serving up chill vibes and plenty of swagger with his potent flow.  “So, what’s the point in fightin’ nature?” he spits, continuing, “You’d rather get to chuggin’ and say, ‘Fuck it, I don’t blame you.’” Read into things more, and clearly, matters of the heart are in play.  Newport follows with a colorful pre-chorus that features sweet falsetto, contrasting the chorus he unveils at the jump. 🎙 Johnny Venus drops awesome bars in his own right on the second verse.  “Relationships become performative for your enjoyment / Fakin’ the funk, no love,” he raps, adding, “You hit the target audience, you play me like accordion / According to the bro code, I’d be a fool if I took you back.” Woo! Man, oh man, there’s so much to like about “Stargazer.” This record checks off boxes in the production, performance, and songwriting department.

Also Appears On 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: April 2021
🔗 🎧 ‘S’ Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2

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Star ⭐: 5ive Songs No. 84 (2021) [📷: AWGE, Brent Faulkner, Clovis Cheminot, Interscope, MCA Nashville, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay, Polydor, RCA, Real Dirty Boy, Silk Ivory Inc., UMG Recordings, Inc.]

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