Touch… | 5ive Songs

1. Ro James, “Touchy Feely”

MANTIC • By Storm Entertainment / RCA • 2020

“Hands on you, hands on me / I’m on you, she’s on me (Yeah)…” “Touchy Feely” appears as the third track from Ro James’ sophomore album. MANTIC. Significantly shorter than the preceding song, James continues to effectively convey romantic, sexy vibes. He sings with conviction, balancing the soulfulness of the R&B of old with the swagger and hip-hop vibes of the modern edition of the genre.  MP808 gives him a nice lift regarding the production.

2. Ariana Grande, “Touch It”

Dangerous Woman • Republic • 2016

“‘Cause every time I’m with you, I go into a zone / And I remember all the places you wanna go / Take me all the way / Ain’t nobody gonna touch it, touch it, touch it.” Wow! Ariana Grande is a Dangerous Woman indeed.  Her 2016 album definitely marked a more mature, adult Ariana.  “Touch It,” the 13^th track, brilliantly balances an emotional connection as well as physical pleasure.  “Touch It” ends up being a late highlight on Dangerous Woman.

3. Future, “Touch the Sky”

High Off Life • Epic • 2020

“In the penthouse in my room, I can touch the sky, yeah, yeah.” “Touch the Sky” arrives early on High Off Life, the 2020 album by autotune loving rapper, Future.  It shouldn’t surprise you that “Touch the Sky” isn’t the deepest record ever.  “I just put a brand-new Phantom no my credit card,” he brags on the first verse, continuing, “I just brough the Rollie store with my credit card.” Yeah, “Touch the Sky” thrives on drip and little else.  It certainly lacks profundity. The backdrop is simple – some keyboard work and a heavy hitting beat providing the spark.

4. Solange, “Don’t Touch My Hair”

Ft. Sampha

A Seat at the Table • Sony • 2016

“Don’t touch my hair / When it’s the feelings I wear / Don’t touch my soul / When it’s the rhythm I know…” Solange served up a home run with “Don’t Touch My Hair” (featuring Sampha), one of many gems from her 2016 album, A Seat at the Table. “Don’t Touch My Hear” plays up black stereotypes and naivety; hair certainly isn’t the focal point. “Don’t Touch My Hair” is deep and metaphorical; The jazzy neo-soul affair tackles invasiveness, racial profiling, and pride. “What you say to me,” sung by Sampha might seem incredibly simple, but unpacked, it really says it all – the built-up response from invasiveness, profiling, stereotyping, and more.

5. Cascada, “Everytime We Touch”

Everytime We Touch • Robbins Entertainment LLC • 2007

“‘Cause every time we touch, I get this feeling / And every time we kiss, I swear I could fly.” Cascada is known for one hit and one hit only – “Everytime We Touch.” Of course, the part of the song that instantly comes to mind is the chorus, period. It continues: “Can’t you feel my heat beat fast? I want this to last / Need you by my side.” Honestly, this dance gem is quite tasteful when it comes to matters of the bedroom. Oh the power of innuendo, sigh.