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Linkin Park, Pink Floyd, Rihanna, and Usher are among the biggest musicians appearing on the ‘These 13 Songs Will Totally Numb You’ playlist.

Prepare to be totally numbed! Are you shook already? Welcome to the latest, greatest addition to our playlist collection, These 13 Songs Will Totally Numb You!  The criteria are incredibly simple – the song must feature some form of the word numb in its title.  “Simple as 1-2-3,” right? Notable musicians appearing on this list include rising artists Carlos Vara and XXXTENTACION, as well as the established (Linkin Park), and the iconic (Pink Floyd).

 

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1.Carlos Vara, “Numb”

Numb – Single • Carlos Vara • 2018

“You fill me up to pour me up

You build me just to break me down.”

“Numb” is the debut single by 20-year old, Nashville-based pop-soul newcomer, Carlos Vara. It blends old-school soul with some modern pop and urban contemporary trickery.  Among the superb sounds are the vintage guitar chords, dusty, hard-hitting drums, a dash of trumpet, and synths. Narratively, Vara’s lover has him completely out of sorts.  With his expressive, robust pipes, he sums up his feelings, particularly on the record’s centerpiece, the chorus.

“You make me go numb

Hypnotized, I know it’s dangerous

Don’t speak, just make me come down.”

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2. XXXTENTACION, “NUMB”

Writers: Jahseh Onfroy, John Cunningham, Oren Yoel & Robert Soukiasyan | Producers: John Cunningham & Robert Soukiasyan

? • Bad Vibes Forever • 2018

Throughout the course of ?, XXXTENTACION explores a variety of styles.  On “NUMB,” the style of choice is pop/rock. Among key features of the production are the driving bass line, pummeling drums, and biting guitars.  The vibe is everything here.  Also, unlike some of the other album cuts, it’s a full-length, three-minute-plus song.

“And every single year
I’m drowning in my tears, I’m drowning in my tears again
I can’t seem to forget the pain I seem to give
The pain I seem to give, my friend.”

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3. Ryan Caraveo, “Numb”

At Least I Tried • Ryan Caraveo • 2018

“Don’t wake me up, I’m having good dreams
I can’t feel nothing, and that’s a good thing
I feel useful when I get used
So numb, I don’t wanna hear the truth.”

25-year old melodic hip-hop artist Ryan Caraveo hails from the Pacific Northwest – Seattle, Washington. Caraveo delivers “Numb” in cool, calm, and mellow fashion, yet the record still packs a punch.  Naturally, throughout the course of the record, Caraveo speaks on his inability to feel – numb to it all.

“So numb (so numb, so numb)
We’ve become so numb (so numb, so numb)
How’d we get so numb? (so numb, so numb)
We’ve become so numb (so numb)
So numb.”

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4. Ibeyi, “Numb”

Writer: Lisa Kainde Diaz

Ash • XL Recordings • 2017

Ibeyi, a duo comprised of French-Cuban twin sisters, first arrived on the scene in 2015.  Their self-titled album showcased a progressive spirit in regards to music.  Perhaps the most notable record on their sophomore album, Ash, is “Deathless.” Nonetheless, their own contribution to this numbing list, “Numb,” has a killer vibe, anchored by dusty, hip-hop drums.

“Numb
Alone
Numb
I ache for home.” – Chorus

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5. 21 Savage, “Numb”

Writers: Leland Wayne & Shayaa Joseph | Producer: Metro Boomin

Issa Album • Epic • 2017

Despite the pain he’s experienced throughout his life, 21 Savage chooses to “Numb the pain with the money.”  At least that’s what he asserts on “Numb,” one of the highlights from his debut album, Issa Album.  It shines because it’s dark and there’s the sense that he showcases a bit more edge compared to some other tracks.

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6. Linkin Park, “Numb”

Writers: Linkin Park | Producers: Don Gilmore & Linkin Park

Meteora • Warner Bros. • 2003

“I’m tired of being what you want me to be

Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface

Don’t know what you’re expecting of me

Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes.”

Rest in peace Chester Bennington.  “Numb” is the crème de la crème of the Linkin Park catalogue without question. The vocals, the lyrics, the messaging, and the angst are nothing short of awesome.

“I’ve become so numb, I can’t feel you there

Become so tired, so much more aware

I’m becoming this, all I want to do

Is be more like me and less like you.”

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7. Phora, “Numb”

Writers: Marco “Phora” Archer | Producers: Anthro & Eskupe

Yours Truly Forever • Warner Bros. • 2017

“Look, I know I ain’t been myself lately
I’ve been feelin’ like someone else lately
It’s prolly this empty Colt 45 that’s numbing the pain inside
‘Cause truthfully I ain’t felt lately
I’m still a sinner, I’m losing myself, I need a sign
I needed space, I needed love, I needed time
And I never understood how you could treat me so heartless
Until I realized that you just needed mine.”

Phora delivers the sole verse on the brief “Numb” with incredible honesty and authenticity.  In the aforementioned excerpt, the rapper numbs pain of a defunct relationship with substance, specifically liquor.  Basically, he’s in full-on reminiscent and reflective mode.

“We running from the past and we numb ourselves hoping that it lasts

‘Cause you left me when I need you most

I said we always seem to run from those that love us the most

And never open up because we scared to get close.”

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8. Nick Jonas Ft. Angel Haze, “Numb”

Writers: Mike Posner, Nick Jonas, Nick Monson & Raykeea Wilson | Producer: Nick Monson

Nick Jonas X2 • Island • 2015

“This is so dumb, this is so bad

Gotta be numb to push you like that

Liftin’ me up, lettin’ me fall

Fuck with my head like it’s nothin’ at all.”

Nick Jonas X2 showed Nick Jonas evolving from a teen heartthrob to a more mature young man.  In the process, he drops the f-bomb (in the aforementioned lyrics), something that would grow more prevalent on his 2016 follow-up, Last Year Was Complicated.  Ultimately, her effect on dumping him and finding a new boo leaves this Jo-Bro numb.

“You don’t know what it is you do to me

Yeah, you stole my heart

And all I have is a hole where it used to be

And the hardest part is

Now you’ve got some substitute for me

But he’s not the one

You don’t know what it is you do to me

Yeah, you leave me numb.”

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9. Witt Lowry, “Numb”

I Could Not Plan This • Witt Lowry • 2017

“They turn a rap in a mumble, I keep it real and stay humble, I know.”  Now that’s some confidence, and actually, a factual line – at least the mumble part.  Anyways, I Could Not Plan This – what a cool album title by Connecticut rapper, Witt Lowery.  On “Numb,” this dude proves he has bars – the flow is killer.  Give Lowery the mic, allow him to drop a couple of mf bombs, and it’s all good – numb or not.

“I know where I’m from but I don’t stay no more

‘Cause everyone back home don’t act the same no more

So tell these motherfuckers I ain’t playin’ no more

I’m drownin’ out my problems ‘til my pain no more

I’m goin’ numb, hey

I hope you see what you’ve done to me

I’m goin’ numb, hey

Blurry vision, live it fast

Motherfuck my past, I’m goin’ numb.”

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10. Flume Ft. Kučka, “Numb & Getting Colder”

Skin • Mom+Pop • 2016

“‘Cause you say it, but you won’t admit it, oh
Numb and getting colder, physical existence
Disappears.”

“Numb & Getting Colder” commences in agitated fashion – mysterious and unsettling. Things grow more stable – at least somewhat. Kučka’s vocals are drenched in effects, amplifying the experimental nature of the record.  Ambitious, Grammy-winner Flume deserves ample credit for thinking outside of the box.

“Said you begged to leave

I won’t be behind you

And I can’t breathe, breath

I won’t be behind you.”

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11. Usher, “Numb”

Writers: A. Lindblad, A. Hedfors, J. Harris, K. Ahlund, R. Lovett, S. Ingrosso, S. Angello, T. Lewis & U. Raymond | Producers: Allessandro Lindblad, Axwell, Klas Ahlund, Sebastian Ingrosso & Steven Angello

Looking 4 Myself • RCA • 2012

“They say life is a battlefield

I say bring it on…

I’m just saying that what don’t kill

Only makes you strong.”

“Numb” is among the highlights from Usher’s electro-infused, 2012 album, Looking 4 Myself. “Numb” shines because it is uplifting.  The major key and enthusiastic production doesn’t hurt its case either. Usher is reflective, looking to move forward against fear and adversity.

“Let’s go numb

You never know until you let go

Let’s go numb

I can feel you now.”

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12. Rihanna Ft. Eminem, “Numb”

Writers: Aldrin Davis, Andrew Wansel, Connie Mitchell, Kanye West, Marshall Mathers, Robyn Fenty, Ronald “Flip” Colson, Sam Dew & Warren Felder | Producers: “Pop” Wansel, @Oakwud, Flippa123 & Kuk Harrell

Unapologetic • Def Jam • 2012

“Ecstasy in the air

I don’t care

Can’t tell me nothing

I’m impaired

No worse for wear.”

While “Diamonds” was the centerpiece of Rihanna’s 2012 album, Unapologetic, the effort also had some sick bangers. Among those bangers was “Numb,” where she’s assisted by Eminem.  Obviously, Rihanna is “going numb” from excess…

“‘Cause I’m going numb

I’m going numb, I’m going numb

I’m going numb, I’m going numb…

(Let the champagne splash, let that man get cash

Let that man get past, let that man get cash).”

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13. Pink Floyd, “Comfortably Numb”

Writers: David Gilmour & Roger Waters | Producers: Bob Ezrin, David Gilmour & Roger Walters

The Wall • Sony • 1979

“Hello?

Is there anybody in there?

Just nod if you can hear me

Is there anyone at home?” – Roger Waters, Verse 1

A classic concludes this numb playlist.  Long before Chester Bennington would sing about numbness, Pink Floyd would be “Comfortably Numb.” Roger Waters sang the verses, while David Gilmour sang the choruses. Notably, Scissors Sisters would transform the late 70s gem into a dance record on their 2004 self-titled debut.

“There is no pain, you are receding

A distant ship, smoke on the horizon

You are only coming through in waves

Your lips move but I can’t hear what you’re saying

When I was a child I had a fever

My hands felt just like two balloons

Now I’ve got that feeling once again

I can’t explain, you would not understand

This is not how I am

I have become comfortably numb.” – Gilmour, Chorus 1

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