Table | 5ive Songs

1. Ariana Grande, “Off the table”

Ft. The Weeknd

💿 Positions • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2020 

Ariana Grande keeps things hot on 💿 Positions, her surprise 2020 album with 🎵 “Off the table,” her second duet with 🎙 The Weeknd (🎵 “Love Me Harder”, 💿 My Everything, 2014).  Since their first collaboration, it’s clear that both artists have matured.  This contemporary R&B slow jam was readymade for The Weeknd – the man excels when there’s a lethargic tempo in play.  That said, Grande shines bright like a diamond, giving us a blend of her cool energy as well as some grittier, more aggressive vocals as the record progresses.  In addition to gorgeous vocals (including the ad libs and layering), the listener is blessed with gorgeous, ear catching production.  Something tells me, this has little to do with the kitchen or dining room table… 

Also appears on 🔽:

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2. Janelle Monáe, “Turntables”

🎵 “Turntables” • 🏷 Bad Boy • 📅 2020

“America, you a lie / But the whole world ‘bout to testify / I said, the whole world ‘bout to testify / And the tables ‘bout to / T-t-tables ‘bout to.” Preach 🎙 Janelle Monáe – PREACH! The lyrics hail from 🎵 “Turntables”, a single that appears from the Amazon Original Movie, All In: The Fight for Democracy.  Monáe wrote “Turntables” alongside 🎼 ✍ George “George 2.0” A. Peters II and 🎼 ✍ Nathaniel Irvin III. The brief cut was produced by 🎛️ Nate “Rocket” Wonder, with superb results.  You know what else is superb? That attitude by Monáe! She incorporates a mix of rapping and singing, delivering a complete, compelling performance. The lyrics are politically and socially charged, with Monáe being very woke. There are some awesome one-liners throughout, such as “You gaslightin’, ‘bout to meet your match, uh / You fuck up the kitchen, then you should do the dishes.” An epic outro is a perfect way to cap things. Janelle’s definitely turning them tables!

Also appears on 🔽:

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3. Harry Styles, “From the Dining Room Table”

💿 Harry Styles • 🏷 Columbia • 🗓 2017

“Woke up alone in this hotel room / Played with myself, where were you?” I feel that, 🎙 Harry Styles, I feel that… maybe not my best choice of words, ha ha.  Obviously, the eyebrow raising line from 🎵 “From the Dining Table” can be interpreted however you deem.  Most importantly, on this TABLE song, which concludes his 2017 debut album, 💿 Harry Styles, he makes it clear he’s heartbroken.  “We haven’t spoken since you went away / Comfortable silence is so overrated,” he sings on the chorus, continuing, “Why won’t you ever be the first one to break / Even my phone misses your call, by the way.” Despite Harry’s sadness, “From the Dining Table” is absolutely radiant, and shows an incredible amount of poise and subtlety.

4. Fiona Apple, “Under the Table”

💿 Fetch the Bolt Cutters • 🏷 Epic • 📅 2020

“Kick me under the table all you want / I won’t shut up; I won’t shut up.” Sure, 🎵 “Shameika” has the best chorus of 💿 Fetch the Bolt Cutters on 🔒, but 🎵 “Under the Table” gives it a run for its money.  🏆 Grammy-winning singer songwriter 🎙 Fiona Apple makes it clear that she won’t be muzzled – she’ll always speak her mind, no matter the occasion.  The song was inspired by a dinner where, wouldn’t you know, Fiona was true to self.  One of many winners from the 🎧 best album of 2020.

Also appears on 🔽:

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5. Adele, “Turning Tables”

💿 21 • 🏷 XL • 🗓 2011

💿 21 turned out to be a massive success for 🎙 Adele – understatement.  If you had to pick a pair of songs to best represent the success of the album, the likely two choices are the two number one hits: 🎵 “Rolling in the Deep” and 🎵 “Someone Like You”.  That said, Adele’s co-write with 🎼 ✍ Ryan Tedder, 🎵 “Turning Tables,” is pretty sweet in its own right. On the pre-chorus, she asserts, “I can’t keep up with your turning tables.” Damn right, Adele – you tell him! On the chorus, she goes on to sing, “So, I won’t let you close enough to hurt me / No, I won’t ask you, you to just desert me /… It’s time to say goodbye to turning tables.” And the bridge section – “Next time I’ll be braver, I’ll be my own savior” – to die for! The 🏆 Grammy-winner sounds utterly fantastic in this stripped setting, accompanied brilliantly by piano and strings. Yeah, producer 🎛️ Jim Abbiss definitely does his thing.