Tight | 3 to 5 BOPS

Tight: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 9 (2023), features musical BOPS courtesy of Aloe Blacc, Archie Bell & The Drells, Ohio Players, Ravyn Lenae, and ZAYN.

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 9^th edition of 3 to 5 BOPS (2023), we select songs that are associated with TIGHT in some form or fashion. The BOPS arrive courtesy of 🎙 Aloe Blacc, 🎙 Archie Bell & The Drells, 🎙 Ohio Players, 🎙 Ravyn Lenae, and 🎙 ZAYN, Okay, let’s get into it!!

1. Ravyn Lenae, “Skin Tight”

💿 HYPNOS • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 2022

“Hope you understand we won’t go as planned / Hold me while you can, hold me while you can.” First and foremost, 🎵 “Skin Tight” by 🎙 Ravyn Lenae sounds incredibly sexy and steamy.  There are clear romantic vibes in play despite the fact that there isn’t a relationship at all, or the relationship has ended – interpret it how you will.  The concept is interesting, something that the music, produced by featured artist, 🎙 Steven Lacy, reflects. Lenae continues singing in the chorus, “I’ll still be your friend, you’ll come back again / Hold me while you can, hold me while you can.”

Lacy appears for the first time vocally in the first verse, singing the titular lyric.  Here, there is clearly a bond of some sort, even if it is not a relationship. “Hold me know, skintight,” he sings, complimenting her. Later, within the same verse, Lenae ponders the state of what they are or have, singing, “Who could’ve thought? It’s not black or white / Now every time that I tug, you bite / Ever I call, will you spend the night?” It’s intriguing because the physical connection is lit. In the second verse, which is purely Lenae, she clearly desires him, though sends conflicting messages: “I care for you, no one else baby,” following up with, “You deserve someone new.” Is this highlight from 💿 HYPNOS the perfect Make Out Jam? With its lyrics, sweet vocals (Lenae and Lacy), and lush instrumental, including warm guitar, the answer is a resounding YES!

Appears in 🔻:

• Ravyn Lenae, “Skin Tight”: Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥 8 (2023)

2. Ohio Players, “Skin Tight”

💿 Skin Tight • 🏷 Mercury • 🗓 1974

“You are a bad, bad missus /In them skin tight britches,” 🎙 Ohio Players frontman, 🎙 Leroy ‘Sugarfoot’ Bonner, sings in the first verse of the funk/soul classic, 🎵 “Skin Tight”. He continues singing on the highlight from the band’s 1974 LP, also named 💿 Skin Tight, “Runnin’ folks into ditches / Baby you’re about to bust the stitches, yeah.” Woo! This surefire throwback vibe performed well on the Billboard Hot 100 peaking at no. 13.

Lyrically, “Skin Tight” is limited. Even so, the few, often repetitive lyrics served up by Bonner are sufficient.“You are a real fine lady / Though your walk’s a little shady,” he asserts in the second verse, adding, “Step on the strip on time / There’s money you’re bound to find, yeah.” Day-um! Besides being risqué (though tame by today’s standards), the music is absolutely electrifying. The bass line kicks serious butt – one of those must-hear, must-learn lines if you’re a bassist. Furthermore, the groove is lit, while those horns are the sugar honey iced tea. Beyond Bonner’s lead vocals, those backing vocals on the titular lyrics are also utterly sublime. Amazingly, this nearly 50-year-old joint remains relevant today – quite the VIBE!

Appears in 🔻:

• Ohio Players, “Skin Tight”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 17 (2023)

3. Aloe Blacc, “Hold On Tight”

💿 All Love Everything • 🏷 Aloe Blacc / BMG Rights Management GmbH • 📅 2021 

“If you’re struggling / Let me know where you’re at / Life gets heavy / And that road can be long.” 🎵 “Hold on Tight” marks a winning gem from 💿 All Love Everything, the 2020 comeback album by 🎙 Aloe Blacc. “Hold on Tight,” which appears as the penultimate cut on the original edition of All Love Everything, features marvelous production courtesy of 🎛 Jonas Jeberg. In addition to the strong backdrop, Blacc gives us top-notch vocals (which is the case throughout the LP) and the ‘D’ word (DEDICATION). The love, as well as the quality are undeniable.

“When the rain comes

And the sky’s falling down

In your darkest hour

When there’s no one around

It won’t be long

Keep your head strong

Hold on tight to me.”

The messaging perfectly suits the kind of guy Aloe seems to be – touting chivalry, positivity, and supportiveness.  “The sun is shining behind the clouds / It won’t be long / ‘Til your pain’s gone / So hold on tight to me.”

4. ZAYN, “Tightrope”

💿 Nobody Is Listening • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2021

“Why’s it gotta feel like I’m walkin’ a tightrope / Why you wanna see how far I fall?” 🎵 “Tightrope” appears as the penultimate cut on 💿 Nobody is Listening, the third studio album by 🎙 ZAYN. “Tightrope” is in line with much of the 35-minute LP, which deals with embracing and fully committing to love. Per ZAYN, “‘Cause I’m already up here and I got my eyes closed / And I ain’t never fell from a love this tall.” Here, ZAYN is dedicated to his significant others, understanding there’s the possibility things could go awry, but feels like it’s unlikely.  A prime example: “Baby, I’m ready, any minute we might fall / Lately, I feel like my grip is gone / But you got my arm.” That right there hits different!

5. Archie Bell & The Drells, “Tighten Up”

💿 Tighten Up • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 1968

“In Houston we just started a new dance / Called the Tighten Up/ This is the music / We tighten up with.” WOO! 🎙 Archie Bell & The Drells struck gold in 1967 with their infectious soul classic (and dance), 🎵 “Tighten Up”. In the 1960s, there were many dances that earned success, fueling their respective soundtracks up the charts. “Tighten Up” earned the Houston, Texas collective their sole no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.  The lyrics, centered around tightening up, are fun, period. Even so, “Tighten Up” is about the aesthetic.  The music, which Archie Bell highlights lyrically, is locked-in – on autopilot.  Bell encourages the backing band to “Tighten up on the drums,” “Tighten up on that bass now,” “Now let the guitar fall in,” and “Tighten up on that organ now.” The significance of the dance goes without saying.  Also, the chorus of sorts helps solidify the catchiness (and tightening) with Bell sings, “Let’s tighten up now / Do the tighten up / Everybody can do it now / So get it.” Perhaps more could be said but honestly, there is no need to. “Tighten Up” by Archie Bell & The Drells, from their 1968 album, 💿 Tighten Up, speaks for itself.

Appears in 🔻:

• Archie Bell & The Drells, “Tighten Up”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 16 (2023)

 Tight: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 9 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Aloe Blacc / BMG Rights Management GmbH, Atlantic, Mercury, RCA; shalender kumar via Pexels]