On this edition of 5ive Songs, we select five compelling songs that are WEAK or associated with weakness in some form or fashion.
On 5ive Songs, we (I) keep things short and sweet – no extra calories or needless fluff. There’s a topic, five songs, and a short blurb that doesn’t exceed a paragraph. Yes, it’s a playlist, but it’s a miniature playlist that shouldn’t take much time to consume. On this edition of 5ive Songs, we select five compelling songs that are WEAK or associated with weakness in some form or fashion.
1. Black Atlass, “Weak”
Dream Awake • XO / Republic • 2020
“Weak,” the ninth track from Dream Awake, clocks in shy of three minutes. Brief it may be, it’s a Black Atlass (Alex Fleming) record that’s sexy as hell – NO CAP! On the second verse, Fleming coolly sings, “Only had you a couple times / But you’re my fuckin’ star / I don’t wanna close my eyes / While I’m watchin’ you perform.” The chorus is simple and repetitive, but he nails his ‘weakness’ when singing in that falsetto… day-um.
2. Tove Lo, “Passion and Pain Taste the Same When I’m Weak”
Bikini Porn – Single • Universal Music AB • 2020
“If you break my bones, I’ma hurt my soul / Gonna fuck it out again and again.” “Passion and Pain Taste the Same When I’m Weak” – what a song title! This four-minute ballad is a nice change of pace for Swedish alternative pop artist Tove Lo. Vocally, she sounds particularly strong, even when various effects come into play. The verses are pretty sweet, but the most interesting sections are by far the chorus, the post-chorus, and the interludes, which find her failing to finish certain words (“If you break my bones, if you br—…”). The production is quite awesome, thanks to FINNEAS. All in all, “Passion and Pain Taste the Same When I’m Weak” is a winner, thanks to the sound, high-flying vocals, and some truly intriguing songwriting moments.
3. Whitechapel, “Forgiveness is Weakness”
The Valley • Metal Blade • 2019
“He is finally dead / Come celebrate this day / It was slow and full of pain / Good riddance…” Tennessee metal (deathcore) collective Whitechapel, fronted by Phil Bozeman, pack a mean punch on “Forgiveness is Weakness,” (The Valley, 2019). Bozeman isn’t forgiving anybody anytime soon. Examine more lyrics and the band clearly believe that ‘forgiveness is weakness.’ Instead, there’s vindictiveness, evidenced on the first verse. “Revenge is sweet but so is disease / When it turns you into a slave,” Bozeman sings, continuing, “Gather your friends and your family / So they can watch me spit and piss on your grave.” On the bridge, he asserts, “Dig the casket from the dirt / You don’t deserve to be one with the earth.” Musically, it sounds quite brutal, filled with anger, angst, and loud to the nth degree. The drums punch you right in the chest, while the guitars roar passionately – in a most vindictive way.
4. Flo Milli, “Weak”
Ho, why is you here? • Flo Milli • 2020
Ho, why is you here? Now that’s certainly a memorable album title Flo Milli. Furthermore, the female rapper drops a dope, memorable song with “Weak.” There’s nothing weak about her or her flow on this SWV-sampling gem. Basically, she asserts these men are thirsty AF, and she’s not running after them in the least. She’s more concerned about her money – her bag – than sex or a relationship. The chorus is pretty sweet.
“These n***as weak (Eww) They’ve been textin’ me all week Just let me be (Let me go) Blowin’ me up, I’m tryna sleep I ain’t your freak (Stupid n***a) So don’t be callin’ after three I do what these bitches don’t That’s why they’re runnin’ back to me.”
5. AJR, “Weak”
The Click (Deluxe Edition) • BMG Rights Management • 2018
“But I’m weak, and what’s wrong with that? / Boy, oh boy I love it when I fall for that.” Oh the self-deprecation! The song that help to popularize AJR was anything but “Weak” – depending on who you ask! The New York trio (Adam Met, Jack Met, and Ryan Met), comprised of three brothers, have become noted for a millennial-style of alt-pop, perfectly exemplified on this standout from their 2016 album The Click (the deluxe edition arrived in 2018). Some love them, while others are quick to pan them. What is clear is, these boys are so WEAK!
“One sip, bad for me One hit, bad for me One kiss, bad for me But I give in so easily And no thank you is how it should’ve gone I should stay strong.”