Wrong… ⛔️ | 5ive Songs

On the 4th edition of 5ive Songs, we select five songs that are totally wrong ⛔️ – or at least associated with the word itself.

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 songs that are totally wrong – or at least associated with the word itself.   

1. Teyana Taylor, “Wrong Bitch”

The Album • Getting Out Our Dream / Def Jam • 2020

Five words: “You got the wrong bitch.” On the unapologetic “Wrong Bitch” from The Album, Teyana Taylor is NOT playing around. She actually makes this crystal clear before ever uttering the titular lyric. A prime example is the totally fierce opening bullet: “Ain’t no more insecure Issa Rae shit (nope).” LOL! It’s a funny line, particularly if you are aware or have seen the television show she references.  That said, there’s nothing funny about a woman scorned, especially a black woman scorned… “Keep fucking ‘round, you gon’ look stupid / That’s why I’m telling you right now.”

2. Shawn Mendes, “Perfectly Wrong”

Shawn Mendes • Island • 2018

On “Perfectly Wrong,” the lovely penultimate cut from Shawn Mendes, Shawn asserts, “Me and you / We are made to break.” Matters of the heart – always a great theme for a song in nearly any genre, especially pop. On the chorus, the then teenaged musician sings, “You’re perfectly wrong for me / All the stars in the sky could see / Why you’re perfectly wrong for me.” Give him credit – he portrays vulnerability well, particularly as he gets all riled up on the bridge. His voice is absolutely stunning.

3. Hailee Steinfeld, “Wrong Direction”

Half Written Story (EP) • Republic • 2020

“I don’t hate you / No I couldn’t if I wanted to / I just hate all the hurt that you put me through.”  Those heartbroken lyrics commence the 2020 Hailee Steinfeld gem, “Wrong Direction” from her EP, Half Written Story. Her ex might’ve exposed her naivety and pulled her in the ‘wrong direction,’ but the direction of this pop ballad itself is 100% perfect. Steinfeld delivers expressive, nuanced vocals, which she uses to authentically convey heartbroken lyrics. She matches the vibe vocally, exhibiting vulnerability.  After experiencing hurt, she ultimately comes to her senses She sums up his horrid ways on the chorus, the centerpiece on this lushly produced ballad, where her pain is our listening pleasure.

“Loved me with your worst intentions
Didn’t even stop to question
Every time you burned me down
Don’t know how; for a moment it felt like heaven.”

4. Chris Stapleton, “I Was Wrong”

From a Room: Volume 1 • Mercury • 2017

There’s a reason why Chris Stapleton won Best Country Album for From a Room: Volume 1 – nothing the slightest bit wrong about that (“Them Stems” is a treat).  However, there is one ‘wrong’ song, “I Was Wrong.” In the context of the LP, “I Was Wrong” doesn’t accelerate the tempo much, but quickly establishes a groove. The record finds Stapleton on his A-game.  The production helps fuel his fire yet is tidy; uncluttered. The electric guitar is distorted, but not overdone while the bass line anchors things down with superb clarity.  As for Stapleton, he’s fully present, never fights the backdrop for supremacy as he admits, “I don’t know why I told you that I didn’t need you / Can’t you see that, baby, I was wrong.”

 5. H.E.R., “Wrong Places”

“Wrong Places” • RCA • 2020 

Grammy-winner H.E.R. is one of the prominent voices in R&B in the late 10s and into the 00s – FACTS! After getting into the NBC songwriting competition show Songland, one of the episodes I was most enthused to see was the one she was being pitched a prospective song to record.  The final song of 5ive Songs is “Wrong Places,” the song she selected, written by Raquel Castro.  Of course, ultimately, a team of writers receives credits including H.E.R. herself (ha!), Ester Dean, Ryan Tedder, and Shane McAnally.  The concept is a tried and true one – looking for love in all the wrong places. It never seems to fail though, does it? “I was always looking for lust when I’m wine-drunk and faded / Looking for love, I think we should make it.”

Wrong… ⛔️ | 5ive Songs No. 4 [Photo Credits: Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Capitol, Interscope, The Musical Hype, Pixabay, Roadrunner, Roc Nation]