Try | 3 to 5 BOPS

Try: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 70 (2023), features musical BOPS courtesy of Darren Haynes, George Michael, Kirk Franklin, Shakira, and Teddy Pendergrass.

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 70^th edition of 3 to 5 BOPS (2023), we select songs that are associated with TRY in some form or fashion. The BOPS arrive courtesy of Darren Haynes, George Michael, Kirk Franklin, Shakira, and Teddy Pendergrass. Okay, let’s get into it!

1. Kirk Franklin, “Try Love”

“Try Love” • Fo Yo Soul Recordings / RCA • 2023

“This is your day love / This is your day that you can’t get away / I been waiting all day love (How ya doin’ love) / Waiting for your embrace love…” Grammy winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin delivers ample love and inspiration on “Try Love”, written alongside Andy Morris, Ian Owen Devaney, and Lisa Stansfield. Franklin produces this gem with Devin Morrison and Maxwell Stark. At the onset, the choir provides amorous, exuberant vocals in the eventual chorus, setting the tone. “Try Love” is filled with positivity, emphasizing the power of love: “Get out and touch somebody / Love somebody / Hold somebody / Don’t you know that you just may be the only Jesus that they see.” As far as sound, “Try Love” features sweet melodies and a solid, highly effective harmonic scheme.  Also, there are delightful vocal harmonies, always a pro.  While the chorus is the section to beat, the bridge is notable, providing a distinct change of pace, following the brief second verse. The tempo is quicker, while the message of love remains constant: “Love on the cross You paid the price (C’mon) / That’s why I trust You with my life, and I take the chance and try love / Don’t say goodbye love.” As always, Franklin plays the role of encourager, minister, preaching L-O-V-E. All told, “Try Love” has a great message that believers and non-believers can get behind .

2. Shakira, “Try Everything”

Zootopia (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) • Disney Enterprises, Inc. • 2016

“Birds don’t just fly, they fall down and get up.” Do not underrate the power of song from a Disney soundtrack! Zootopia (2016) has a marvelous song that both children and adults can learn from: “Try Everything” performed by Colombian superstar, Shakira. Written by Sia, who has penned her fair share of uplifting tunes, and StarGate, who also produce, “Try Everything” dented the Billboard Hot 100 at no. 63.  Regardless of whether you’ve seen Zootopia, this soundtrack cut stands alone from the film. “I messed up tonight, I lost another fight / I still mess up, but I’ll just start again,” she sings in the first verse, adding, “I keep falling down, I keep on hitting the ground / But I always get up now to see what’s next.” Basically, we all make mistakes, but the key is to get up and try again, not give up.  In fact, in the bridge, she asserts, “I’ll keep on making those new mistakes / I’ll keep on making them every day / Those new mistakes.” Why? Because we are only human and imperfect.  Mistakes help us to learn and become stronger.  Because the song touts a spirit of fearlessness, in the chorus, Shakira makes the proclamation, “I won’t give up, no I won’t give in / ‘Til I reach the end and then I’ll start again,” later encouraging us to “Try everything!” WOO!

Appears in :

• Shakira, Try Everything: Music Lifts 25 (2023)

3. George Michael, “One More Try”

Faith • Sony • 1987 

“‘Cause teacher / There are things that I don’t want to learn / And the last one I had / Made me cry.” The timeless “One More Try” was a no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 from Faith, the biggest album of George Michael’s career, ultimately winning the Grammy for Album Of The Year at the 31^st Annual Grammy Awards. Had Michael never released another album, Faith was enough to cement his legacy. “Now I think it’s time / That you let me know / So, if you love me / Say you love me / But if you don’t / Just let me go.” “One More Try,” an utterly sublime ballad, plays to his strengths, allowing him to flaunt his gorgeous tone.  Running nearly six minutes in duration, Michael milks this gem for all it’s worth, and who can blame him! Even better than Michael’s ravishing good looks was his marvelous instrument.  Regarding production, “One More Try” is firmly planted in the 80s. The backdrop, fueled by electric keyboard (the patch, pads, and synths) sounds little like the music of the aughts and beyond.  Despite lacking flashiness or pizzazz, the sound feels right. Beyond the vocals, shout out Michael’s songwriting skills. The result is a personal, authentic song that shines thanks to simplicity and sheer artistry.  The chorus is the centerpiece, thriving off love and heartbreak:  

“And teacher 

There are things that I still have to learn 

But the one thing I have is my pride 

Oh, so I don’t want to learn to 

Hold you, touch you 

Think that you’re mine 

Because there ain’t no joy 

For an uptown boy 

Who just isn’t willin’ to try.”

All told, “One More Try” is a classic that remains potent approaching 40 years later.

Appears in :  

• George Michael vs. Mariah Carey: Head 2 Head ️ 5 (2021) 
• George Michael, One More Try: Throwback Vibez ️ 19 (2021)
• Incredible Songs: 1980s, Vol. 2 (2023)

4. Darren Haynes, “Let’s Try Being in Love”

Homosexual • Powdered Sugar Productions Ltd. • 2022

“Am I five decades? Am I twenty-four /… Teenage passion, middle-aged despair / All the pregnant thoughts linger in the air,” Darren Hayes sings on the single, “Let’s Try Being in Love”, from his 2022 album, Homosexual.  Woo, it’s hard to believe that the Savage Garden heartthrob is in his 50s ! Hayes, who is openly gay (and married) never mentions sexuality explicitly on “Let’s Try Being in Love,” BUT it sounds very queer, and the accompanying music video is – wait for it – G-A-Y!

From the onset, the record draws you in with its hypnotic beat (production courtesy of Matthew Rowbottom).  Danceable and groovy, Darren Hayes runs with it, emphasizing L-O-V-E.  The desire is legit, as Hayes sings in the first verse, “It’s in the air, bergamot and humidity / I’ve seen it before in your eyes, adolescent dreams.” Woo! In the second verse, the sensuality is lit too, as Hayes asserts, “I absolve all my responsibilities / If I take your hand in my mouth will I taste the sea? / Eros evolves by the pool, skin inviting me.” It all leads to the centerpiece, the chorus, where Darren states, “Let’s try being in love.” Interestingly, the second time Hayes sings the chorus, he ascends an octave – a welcome musical touch.  As referenced earlier, the bridge finds Hayes reflecting, playing into the theme of the song but also extending, referencing his age, etc.  Hayes may be in his 50s, but he proves he’s ‘still got it’ on “Let’s Try Being in Love”.  

Appears in :

• Darren Hayes, Let’s Try Being in Love: LGBTQ Bopz 19 (2022)

5. Teddy Pendergrass, “Can’t We Try”

TP • Sony Music Entertainment • 1980 

Breaking up is hard to do. Truer words have never been spoken. On the 1980 soul ballad, “Can’t We Try”, Teddy Pendergrass (1950 – 2010) is struggling to end things with his significant other.  The breakup is inevitable, but he hates to see this result. “Come lay your head on my heart / Soon it’ll be apart, stay here to the touch of morning.” Regardless, the couple is ending things as friends, but still, it is S-A-D.  “In case I don’t see you again,” Pendergrass sings in the second verse, “Really wish you well, baby, this is hell.” Indeed, indeed.

The crowning achievement of this gem from TP, lyrically, is the chorus.  Teddy Pendergrass is a master at balladry and “Can’t We Try” ranks among his best.  It is a shame it only managed to peak at no. 52 on the Billboard Hot 100! Anyways, he sings, lovingly:  

“Can’t we try 

Love was never born to say goodbye 

Just another helpless fool in love is what I am 

But I don’t give a damn 

Sorry, I forgot myself 

I guess that I’m just not myself.”

Of course, TP is not himself – he’s breaking up with his baby ! Even though it is a sad day for him, it is sweet music to our ears.  That music is amplified by lush production, courtesy of Teddy and Jack Faith (who arranges).  Who penned this sheer excellence? Why, that would be Ronald Miller and Ken Hirsch. Kudos fellows! Of course, the star of the show that is “Can’t We Try” is the late, great, sexy baritone himself, Mr. Teddy Pendergrass. 

Appears in :

• Teddy Pendergrass, Can’t We Try: Throwback Vibez ️ 78 (2023)

Try: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 70 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Disney Enterprises, Inc., Fo Yo Soul Recordings / RCA, Sony; ]