A Dazzling Drove of D Songs

Reading Time: 30 min read

A Dazzling Drove of D Songs features songs by Kesha, Korn, Omar Apollo, Sebastián Yatra, Victoria Monét, and The Weeknd.

Ah, ‘D,’ the fourth letter of the alphabet! Following the amazement of A, the bitchin’ buffet of B, and a captivating collection of C songs, D keeps things dazzling to the nth degree! In music, within this musical compendium, we celebrate the power of D via D songs. After celebrating A with 21 Randomly Curated, Amazing A Songs (2025), B with A Buffet of Randomly Curated B Songs, and C with A Collection of Randomly Curated C Songs, we unveil A Dazzling Drove of D Songs.

Each of the 25 songs that appear on A Dazzling Drove of D Songs begins with a d-word – no exceptions! A Dazzling Drove of D Songs features songs by Kesha, Korn, Omar Apollo, Sebastián Yatra, Victoria Monét, and The Weeknd. So, without further ado, let us all embrace the power of D on A Dazzling Drove of D Songs!

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1. The Weeknd, “Dancing in the Flames”	2. Lady Gaga, “Disease”	3. E.U., “Da Butt”	4. Jamie xx, “Dafodil” (Ft. Kelsey Lu, John Glacier & Panda Bear)
5. Kesha, “DELUSIONAL.”	6. Kendrick Lamar, “dodger blue” (Ft. Wallie the Sensei, Siete7x & Roddy Ricch)	7. Pharrell Williams & Miley Cyrus, “Doctor (Work It Out)”	8. Ty Myers, “Drunk Love”
9. Nicki Minaj, “Did It On’em”	10. Rauw Alejandro, “Déjame Entrar”	11. Victoria Monét, “DickAtNight”	12. Omar Apollo, “Drifting”
13. Bryce Quartz, “Daddy Dick”	14. NLE Choppa & Imagine Dragons, “Dare U”	15. Tommy Richman, “DEVIL IS A LIE”	16. Ruben, “December (honey, honey)”
17. Sebastián Yatra, “Dos Oruguitas”	18. BRONZE AVERY, “DANGEROUS”	19. Elton John & Kiki Dee, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”	20. Lil Nas X, “DREAMBOY”
21. BLP Kosher, “Dreidel Bop”	22. SAKIMA, “Daddy”	23. Snoop Dogg, “Drop It Like It’s Hot” (Ft. Pharrell Williams)	24. Korn, “Daddy”
25. The Miracles, “Do It Baby”

1. The Weeknd, “Dancing in the Flames”

Hurry Up Tomorrow // The Weeknd XO Music ULC / Republic // 2024

“Traffic dies while we are racin’ home / Melted lights cover the open road.” Poetic, The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye). He continues, “I hope we make it, ‘cause I’ve been chasin’ / Another odyssey, oh.” The Grammy-winning Canadian superstar returned in September 2024, with “Dancing In The Flames”, a promo single from his sixth studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow. Tesfaye, Max Martin, and Oscar Holter penned and produced the slick, mid-tempo, synthpop/R&B cut. The sound of “Dancing in the Flames” suits Tesfaye perfectly. It comprises bright, rhythmic synths, a bouncy bass line, pummeling drum runs, and 80s-sounding drum programming. He delivers strong, pure, and expressive vocals. The melodies are tuneful, with great attention paid to the melodic contour. The lyrics focus on driving and crashing, comparing it to love (“We’re dodgin’ headlights, and you say, ‘Hold tight’”). There is a nice use of vocal harmonies during the centerpiece, the chorus:

“I can’t wait to see your face

Crash when we’re switchin’ lanes

My love’s beyond the pain

But if I miss the brake

We’re dancin’ in the flames

It’s indescribable.”

Vocoder appears on the word, indescribable during the post-chorus, giving off Daft Punk vibes. The bridge section distinguishes itself from the rest of the song. The spacey, enigmatic instrumental outro is a nice touch. With memorable songwriting, a well-rounded vocal, and ear-catching production, Abel Tesfaye ‘does the damn thing’ on “Dancing In The Flames”.

Appears in:

Bops That Pop: September 2024

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2. Lady Gaga, “Disease”

MAYHEM // Interscope // 2025

“There are no more tears to cry / I heard you beggin’ for life / Runnin’ out of medicine / You’re worse than you’ve ever been.” Oh, snap! This man (we presume) is in bad shape, Lady Gaga. There is good news for them in “Disease”, however. Per the Lady, “I could play the doctor, I can cure your disease / If you were a sinner, I could make you believe.” Holy sugar, honey iced tea! Lady Gaga, Andrew Watt, Cirkut, and Michael Polansky penned the opener from Gaga’s 2025 album, MAYHEM. Gaga, Watt, and Cirkut produced this enjoyable, innuendo-heavy pop cut. Lady Gaga clarifies that he wants her – he’s “screaming for me, baby,” and admittedly, “I could be your antidote.” Continuing singing in the chorus, the centerpiece, she asserts, “Lay you down like one, two, three / Eyes roll back in ecstasy / I can smell your sickness, I can cure ya (Cure) / Cure your disease.” As always, Lady Gaga brings her ‘A game’ vocally. She’s assertive, bringing some utterly sublime grit. The melodies are memorable – tuneful to the nth degree. The lyrics are fun and sexy without crossing the line. The production is top-notch. It’s sleek with its guitars, synths, and infectious danceable beat. Has “Disease” ever sounded more desirable than in the hands of Lady Gaga? The answer is a resounding no!

Appears in:

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3. E.U., “Da Butt”

School Daze (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) // Capitol // 1988

“(Yeah-yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah) / What you gonna do about it? / (Yeah-yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah) / Shake it.” E.U. (Experience Unlimited) dropped a song for the ages with “Da Butt”. “Da Butt” is the opener from the School Daze soundtrack, released in 1988. It was the only top 40 single from the go-go/funk collective, making E.U. a one-hit-wonder. It peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was nominated for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal at the 31st Annual GRAMMY Awards. Marcus Miller and Mark Stevens composed “Da Butt.” Miller produced it.

The funk is turned up to the nth degree. The percussive groove is infectious and filled with energy. The biting horn hits amplify the excellence and funkiness. The vocals are also filled with energy, attitude, and personality. One of the cool features of “Da Butt” are the call and response vocals (“Tanya got a big ol’ butt (Oh yeah) / Shirley got a big ol’ butt (Oh yeah)”). The melody is tuneful in all sections, whether it be the verses (“The way she shook her booty sho’ looked good to me”) or the centerpiece, the chorus:

“She was doin’ the butt, hey pretty, pretty

When you get that notion

Put your backfield in motion, hey

Doin’ the butt, hey sexy, sexy

Ain’t nothing wrong

If you wanna do the butt, all night long.”

“Da Butt” may be a one-hit-wonder, but it’s an unforgettable one-hit-wonder. Notably, Wale samples it in his own ‘butt’ anthem, “Clappers”, memorably rapping, “Shawty got a big ole butt, oh yeah.” LL Cool J (“Big Ole Butt”), Nas (“Hood2Hood”), and Rhapsody (“Michelle”) sampled the 80s bootylicious gem. One pop culture moment that stands out regarding “Butt” – Glenn Close dancing to it during the Academy Awards!

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4. Jamie xx, “Dafodil” (Ft. Kelsey Lu, John Glacier & Panda Bear)

In Waves // Young // 2024

“Lovely sweetness that filled the air / Came from a daffodil in your hair / I placed it there.” Grammy-nominated DJ/producer Jamie xx (James Smith) is the man when it comes to producing music. Ahead of his second studio album, In Waves, Smith released the ear-catching single, “Dafodil”, assisted by Kelsey Lu, John Glacier, and Panda Bear. Also, he collaborated with Rodaidh McDonald on the production. The results are stellar. “It all started one summer night in London.” Word. “Dafodil” is enigmatic from the onset. The intro sets the tone for a distinct, experimental track. “Dafodil” is built on spoken word, sang vocals, and makes unique use of samples. Specifically, it samples “Touching You” by Astrud Gilberto and “I Just Make Believe (I’m Touching You)” by J.J. Barnes. The assisting musicians nail their respective parts, contributing to this musical tour de force. A great example of ‘dream work makes the team work,’ part of the charm of “Dafodil” is the fact that there is no star – everyone does their fair share. Besides the samples, the instrumental accompaniment is tasteful. With a distinct form, the bridge distinguishes itself from everything else, keeping the song engaging (“Lost just thinking of someone / Think they met at a party / There’s someone for everyone…”). “Dafodil” is a winner from Jamie xx.

Appears in:

Bops That Pop: September 2024

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5. Kesha, “DELUSIONAL.”

Kesha //. // Kesha // 2025

“You had potential, but potential doesn’t matter / I’m already long gone.” Oh, snap! Kesha (Kesha Sebert) returned at the tail-end of November 2024 with “DELUSIONAL.”. “DELUSIONAL.” is the fourth track from the Grammy nominee’s first independently released studio LP,. (Period). She co-wrote the enjoyable, well-rounded record with Madison Love and Zhone. Sebert and Zhone produced it. Kesha brings plenty of sass to “DELUSIONAL.” Before the excerpted lyrics from the first verse, she asserts, “You’re so lucky I was jealous / Now you’re just another song on my set list / Now you’re just another charm on this necklace.” She’s even feistier in the second verse, singing, “I’ve been living the goddamn dream / My time expensive, and you’re too cheap.” Damn! The exclamation point comes in the chorus, where she tears their ex down to the ground: “Baby, you’re delusional / Thinking you could find someone better now.” Sebert sings well, rising above the musical accompaniment with ease. The backdrop is warm with its bright pads and synths. Big drums add a mean punch to the major key accompaniment. The verses and choruses are tuneful, with the chorus ‘taking the cake.’ Now free of a bad lover and situation, Kesha shows she’s living her best life on “DELUSIONAL”.

Appears in:

N/A

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6. Kendrick Lamar, “dodger blue” (Ft. Wallie the Sensei, Siete7x & Roddy Ricch)

GNX // pgLang / Interscope // 2024

“My neck on Tarantino, Alejandro, Spike Lee / Just know you took a scenic route if you stand by me.” Ooh-wee! Grammy and Pulitzer-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar never ceases to impress with his rhymes. At the end of the first verse of “Dodger blue”, the eighth track from his 2024 album, GNX, he cleverly shouts out three visionary, Academy Award-winning directors/filmmakers (Quentin Tarantino, Alejandro González Iñárritu, and Spike Lee). While all three filmmakers had roots elsewhere, they have been big in Hollywood and have connections to Los Angeles. “Dodger blue” (which references the Los Angeles Dodgers), despite its brevity, is jam-packed – the expectation of any Kendrick Lamar song.

Kendrick enlists the services of Wallie the Sensei, Siete7x, and Roddy Ricch on “dodger blue.” All three artists appear in the melodic chorus, which only occurs once:

“So fly in this bitch

Fifty on me, don’t die tryin’ and shit (Ooh-ooh)

You know I’m up and down when I slide in this bitch

Dreamers and the Jets outside in this bitch

Westside, get the money, yeah, that’s fo’ sho’

Streets don’t love you, better respect the code

Ain’t no sleepin’ in on Sunday

If it’s ’bout the money, then my niggas on go.”

From an instrumental perspective, the production (Sounwave, Terrace Martin, Jack Antonoff, Tane Runo, and Tim Maxey) is sleek. The groove is infectious as hell, while the overall vibe is smooth… like butter, of course! Lamar shines with his sharp melodic bars. He is confident: “When I walk in, oh yeah, bring that / It’s unanimous, how I pop shit.” Word. Sure, “Dodger blue” is shy of two-and-a-quarter-minutes of song, but it’s fab, nonetheless.

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7. Pharrell Williams & Miley Cyrus, “Doctor (Work It Out)”

“Doctor (Work It Out)” // Columbia // 2024

When Pharrell Williams and Miley Cyrus join forces, plenty of magic is unleashed. These Grammy-winning standouts bring the heat on “Doctor (Work It Out)”. This three-minute and change joint was penned by Williams, Cyrus, and Michael Pollack. Pharrell hands the work behind the boards, kicking things off with his signature, four count. From there, over a minimal but potent instrumental, following the tone-setting, introductory bar, Miley gets to work! “I could be your doctor / And I could be your nurse / I think I see the problem / It’s only gon’ get worse,” Cyrus sings, in all her ‘medical’ glory in the tuneful chorus. She continues, “A midnight medication / Just show me where it hurts / I need to rock you, baby / Before your body bursts.” Ooh-wee! In the post-chorus, for good measure, she asserts, “Let lil mama work you out.” Gah-day-um! The record only features a sole verse, but Miley makes it worthwhile whenever and whatever she sings. Her lead vocals are expressive and playful, while the background vocals add to the fun and allure with their tongue-in-cheek vibes. The songwriting isn’t deep, nor is it intended to be – “Are you on the fence? / Still playing on the side / Are you on the fence? / Don’t waste my damn time” – but ultimately, “Doctor (Work It Out)” is entertaining… also, groovy.

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8. Ty Myers, “Drunk Love”

The Select // RECORDS Label, LLC / Columbia // 2025

“All our clothes scattered on the floor / Do not disturb sign posted on the door,” country singer/songwriter Ty Myers sings in the first verse of his self-penned song, “Drunk Love”. He adds, “Cuervo has a way of cloudin’ minds / It wasn’t supposed to go this way.” Uh-oh! Alcohol and matters of the heart make for an intriguing listening experience. What makes “Drunk Love” even more special and impressive is that Myers is still a teenager! He sounds much more mature than 17. “Drunk Love” is the 13^th track from his debut album, The Select. Brandon Hood produced this four-minute gem.

Another reason why it is hard to believe that Ty Myers is so young is the traditional sound of “Drunk Love.” The country instrumentation is standard: rhythmic, acoustic guitars, electric guitar, pedal steel, etc. While the sound is excellent, the ‘star of the show’ is Ty, who delivers authentic, dynamic, and expressive vocals. With his twang and robust tone, you buy what he’s selling. The chorus is the centerpiece:

“I’m tired of drunk love

You can only feel the lust when your body’s numb

Another one leads to keepin’ the lights on

Clothes off, decisions you regret

When the sun comes up

Cause it’s nothin’ to speak of

I’m tired of drunk love.”

Yes, the elephant in the room is how drunk the youngster has been, not to mention the details of his drunk love. Regardless, forget about the age, and embrace the musical excellence and relatability, and “Drunk Love” is nothing short of terrific.

Appears in:

Intriguing Songs Fueled by LOVE, Vol. 5 (2025)

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9. Nicki Minaj, “Did It On’em”

Pink Friday // Cash Money // 2010

“Shitted on ‘em / Man, I just shitted on ‘em.” Holy shit, that is disgusting, Nicki Minaj! You should not be shitting on anybody! Toilets will gladly accept your shit! Okay, okay, okay, I’m being silly, but how can I not with such a shitty chorus? “Did it On’em” is the third track from Pink Friday, the Grammy-nominated debut album by Nicki Minaj. After proclaiming to be the best and taking us into a wild experience with Roman, Nicki shits on ‘em! This was long before Ice Spice asserted, “Think you the shit, bitch? You not even the fart”. “Put your number twos in the air if you did it on ‘em.” Damn, Nicki!

To successfully pull this shitting off, Nicki Minaj tapped Bangladesh to produce the track. As always, he constructs a musical backdrop that kicks ass and takes names. At the time (2010), “Did It On’em” sounded incredibly fresh from its beat to its synths. Minaj matches the energy of the sleek, minor-key joint beyond poop bars. In the first verse, she memorably asserts, “All these bitches is my sons / And I’ma go and get some bibs for ‘em.” Gah-day-um! She adds, “If I had a dick, I would pull it out and piss on ‘em.” Woo! The second verse is a trip too: “This stone is flawless, F1 / I keep shooters up top in the F1 / A lot of bad bitches beggin’ me to F one / But I’ma eat them rap bitches when the chef come.” There is another verse, too, where Nicki continues to eat, no cap. “Did it On’em” is not the top song from Pink Friday but it marks one of the album’s better moments. Minaj is unapologetic az fucc.

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10. Rauw Alejandro, “Déjame Entrar”

Cosa Nuestra // Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC // 2024

“Cambiamo’ la pose y me pide feroz / Llevamo’ to’ el día fumando (Oh-oh) y chingando (Oh-oh).” Ooh-wee, Rauw Alejandro! Roughly in English, these lyrics from the first verse of “Déjame Entrar” (Cosa Nuestra), translate as “We change the position, and she asks me to do it rough / We’ve been smoking all day (Oh-oh) and fucking (Oh-oh).” Tyler Spry, MAG, El Zorro, and Mick Coogan assist the Latin Grammy-winning Puerto Rican singer with production. Matching the steamy lyrics, the single cover art is muy caliente 🥵 (a shirtless, tatted Alejandro in the bathtub). “Déjame Entrar” benefits from its mellow, slick, smooth production. Rauw delivers gorgeous, boyish vocals, possessing a sweet sound. As lovely as his vocals are, he’s ‘all man’ bringing ample swagger to the track. He sings, but also incorporates melodic Latin trap – more rhythmic pitched melodies. Once the beat drops, it’s ‘on.’ After the steamy first verse, he tones it down a bit in the second (“Mami, espero que estemos juntos hasta el otro verano”). The chorus marks one of the best moments:

“No puedo descifrar lo que dice su mente (Eh)

Pero su cuerpo pide algo diferente (Oh)

Cuando se pega al mío ya no es tan inocente

Y yo quiero ponérselo entero solo si ella me deja (Oh).”

In English:

“I can’t decipher what her mind says (Eh)

But her body’s asking for something different (Oh)

When she sticks to me, she’s not so innocent anymore

And I want to put it all on only here if she lets me (Oh).”

All told, “Déjame Entrar” is sweet, whether you understand a lick of Spanish or not!

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11. Victoria Monét, “DickAtNight”

Jaguar II: Deluxe // RCA // 2024

“I had a couple of shots in a tequila glass / And maybe that’s why I’ve been out here shakin’ ass.” Oh, snap! Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter Victoria Monét unleashes her desires on “DickAtNight”, a highlight from Jaguar II: Deluxe. Amazingly, Monét is classy with her delivery. Her vocal performance is refined. The musical accompaniment, likewise, is sophisticated. The backdrop features jazzy horns, warm piano, and eventually, a sensational, inescapable groove. Even though Monét embraces the music of old, her freak is firmly planted in the sex-positivity of the times. Monét penned “DickAtNight” with producers D’Mile and Camper with sickening results. The tequila shots Victoria mentions are the first sign of naughty things to come. She continues in the chorus, “And if I’m being honest, I think it’s time for me to get laid / Dick at night, I’m trying to get some dick tonight.” Those lyrics need no further analysis – they speak for themselves. But, if you live under a rock, Monét adds for good measure, “I’m tryna get dicked down tonight.” Damn, girl! Besides the chorus, there is one verse where Victoria breaks from celibacy despite the fact she “can’t be out her getting wet just for the hell of it.” Her requests: “I need some head and shit” and, “Need you to leave me dickmatized.” Adding to the beauty of this raunchy cut are sublime background vocals. Monét concludes “DickAtNight” with a bang that keeps it jazzy: “I love dick at night / Dick at night.” Can you blame her?

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12. Omar Apollo, “Drifting”

God Said No // Warner // 2024

“I wish I could jump from here / I wish I could fall from here / Could you take all my fears? / ‘Cause I’m drifting / I’m drifting away.” Ah, the escapism! The stunning, gay Mexican American singer/songwriter Omar Apollo (Omar Velasco) is talented. Before officially coming out, the queer elements of Apollo’s music were easily perceptible. In his second studio album, God Said No, Omar further embraces who he is. “Drifting” marks one of many gems from his underrated sophomore LP. Teo Halm produced “Drifting,” which samples “Edge of The Ocean” by Ivy. Omar sounds stellar throughout “Drifting.” He sings expressively and with ease. Even so, he is reflecting on his feelings. As light as the calm and cool but rhythmic backdrop is, as are Omar’s pipes, the things weighing on him are heavier. At the end of the first verse, he sings, “Last night was the last night / That I tried to ignore.” So, he seeks to move forward from “past life.” In the second verse, he admits he’s “more restless than before.” That leads to the pre-chorus, where Velasco admits, “And I’m so tired of climbing / I can’t let go, maybe I should let go.” Perhaps. That, in turn, leads to the centerpiece, the chorus, excerpted earlier. He seeks that happier, sunnier place, something Dominique Durand expounds on in the post-chorus (“There’s a place I dream about / Where the sun never goes out…”). Omar Apollo is the sugar honey iced tea – how many more ways can I say it? “Drifting” is awesome!

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13. Bryce Quartz, “Daddy Dick”

The Sextape // AVO Entertainment // 2024

“Give me that daddy dick, dick is immaculate, he’s packin’ it.” Woo! Bryce Quartz is bold to the nth degree – unafraid to raise eyebrows with his music. Sex positivity is a big part of the compelling thick boy’s script as well, particularly as an openly gay rapper. In 2024, he released his NSFW project, The Sextape, featuring the bear-touting song at hand, “Daddy Dick”. Fittingly, “Daddy Dick” comes with a ‘clean’ music video that involves hooking up with bears… the gay kind, of course! It stars Daddy Leo, SIR CUB, and The Durty Bears. There is a spicier music video, too… who is shocked? It’s Bryce ‘fucking’ Quartz, an admitted Sodomite 😉! The song title tells you what you need to know about the theme of the song. Sex with daddies, specifically, those hairy, delectable bears 🐻! It’s giving Growl…r 😝! “I’m feeling horny, let me fuck up on your dad / I’m fucking over forty different men at your pad,” Quartz raps enthusiastically about the pleasure. 40? We listen and we don’t judge! The beat goes hard as… fuck, of course! Furthermore, there are spicy sound effects (moans) that are a surefire catalyst for S-E-X. As that beat pounds us in the chest, Quartz raps about being pounded, among other things 😈? There is no shortage of lyrical highlights, even if all of them are sex-related. He requests “ejaculate.” What does he do with said ejaculate? “Devour(s) it / …Swallows and vacuum it,” of course 💦! It’s giving Hoover! And of course, Daddy is packing, for all of you size queens! Enough puns and silliness, though! “Daddy Dick” needs no extensive analysis or commentary – it speaks for itself.

Appears in:

Bryce Quartz, Daddy Dick: Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥 29 (2025)

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14. NLE Choppa & Imagine Dragons, “Dare U”

“Dare U” // NLE Choppa Entertainment Inc. / Warner // 2025

“Dare you, dare you / Say it to my face, I dare you,” Dan Reynolds asserts in the intro to “Dare U”. NLE Choppa and Imagine Dragons join forces on “Dare U,” a single that clocks in under two-and-a-half minutes. This seems like an unlikely collaboration, yet, here we are.“Dare U” features nine songwriters, including NLE Choppa, the members of Imagine Dragons, and producer Johnny Goldstein. Following Reynolds’ intro, NLE Choppa spits in the first verse. Despite lacking obscenities, NLE Choppa still brings the heat with a compelling cadence and flow. “I knock a few M’s, my bank account trim / I promise you you ain’t richer than my daughter,” he raps, concluding, “Step by step and take it day by day / I pray that death ain’t a second a way / Minimum wage was back in them days / But now we paid, they say I’m the greatest.” Woo! The rapper also spits in the second verse, dropping Jamaican patois and remaining confident to the nth degree. Dan Reynolds gets into the mix, too, holding things down in the centerpiece, the chorus:

“You can take my life, whet your knife

You’ll never get me out alive

Try and try the cat’s nine lives

You’ll never get me out alive

Dare you, dare you

Say it to my face, I dare you…”

Ultimately, “Dare U” is entertaining. Is it the second coming? No, but NLE Choppa and Dan Reynolds are high-energy throughout. It’s a fun collaboration. The production is sleek, with big, minor key synths and thunderous hits. The chorus is catchy if corny. It is a harmless, inoffensive hip-hop/pop cut.

Appears in:

13 More Songs Where YOU Are the Focus

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15. Tommy Richman, “DEVIL IS A LIE”

“DEVIL IS A LIE” // ISO Supremacy / PULSE // 2024

Tommy Richman is refreshing. The rapper, singer, and songwriter represented Virginia like a champ on his breakout hit, “MILLION DOLLAR BABY”, one of the best songs of 2024. The Gen-Z musician dropped another banger with his self-penned single, “DEVIL IS A LIE”. Jonah Roy, Max Vossberg, and Kavi produced it. “DEVIL IS A LIE” commences with an enigmatic intro. The keys/synths are ear-catching. The beat is also part of the success of the accompaniment. It’s not a heavy-handed beat, but it anchors superbly. The record is rhythmic, another selling point. You can hear the Brent Faiyaz vibes and the influence of The Neptunes (Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo). Richman brings ample confidence and swagger to the table. Are the lyrics deep? No, but they are entertaining (“I tell her, ‘Pipe down, baby,’ hell nah (Yeah) / You know my roundabouts, baby, hell nah (Yeah)”). His voice is compelling. This includes when he dips into his falsetto. Adding to the allure is the vocal production and arrangement. The vocal harmonies are sweet. The section to beat, unsurprisingly, is the chorus:

“But you really got no confidence, lately (Mm, mm)

Really wanna run around and chase me (Mm, mm)

I’m not no Travis, baby, not no Chase B(Ah, ah, ah)

I work too hard, can you fuckin’ pay me?”

“DEVIL IS A LIE” is another short but utterly sweet winner from Tommy Richman.

Appears in:

Bops That Pop: June 2024

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16. Ruben, “December (honey, honey)”

So Long, Ruben (EP) // Markussen Music / Warner Norway AS // 2024

“I’ve been drinking every weekend, but I’ve quit smoking.” Oh, snap! Well, Ruben (Ruben Markussen), at least you put down the cancer sticks 🤮! What is the cause of the drinking? Heartbreak. “Came to terms that you won’t come back, but now I’m hoping,” he continues singing in the first verse, “After all this time, you tell me that you’ve been lonely.” Those pesky, pesky matters of the heart are something else! “December (honey, honey)” was released as a single at the tail-end of May 2024. It ultimately appears on Markussen’s 2025 EP, So Long, Ruben. The Norwegian musician penned “December (honey, honey)” alongside producers Mogilla and Santell. The big takeaway? Ruben can’t get past him. “I can’t get your sweat off my body / All the shit from our past / Baby, it’s coming back,” he sings in the pre-chorus. Given their relationship, naturally, things were left behind. Markussen wants his ex to pick up a sweater, though, in reality, he wants to rekindle things, including intimately. In the chorus, the centerpiece, it’s revealed where December falls into this song. “Ooh, you got me thinking about / How December looks like June on you, love,” he sings, adding, “Poh, please, stop me from turning around.” Again, Ruben can’t get past him. He sings beautifully, backed by groovy musical accompaniment. There’s a cool guitar solo that occurs between the final two choruses 🤘. Ruben’s falsetto is sweet, particularly in the pre-chorus and chorus. Notably, in the second pre-chorus, Markussen is more assertive – his ex-boyfriend’s sweat really got to him! All told, the handsome Norwegian musician delivers relatable feelings on “December (honey, honey)”. His feelings of longing for an ex are relatable regardless of sexual preference.

Appears in:

Ruben, December (honey, honey): Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 79 (2024)

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17. Sebastián Yatra, “Dos Oruguitas”

Encanto (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) // Disney Enterprises, Inc. // 2021

Two oruguitas / Cocooned and waiting / Each in their own world / Anticipating / What happens after / The rearranging?” Keeping it 💯, Colombian singer, songwriter, and actor Sebastián Yatra (Sebastián Obando Giraldo) is fine as hell 😍. He is a handsome man who does not ever need to wear a shirt 🥵, but he is also talented, hence why he appears in this playlist 😉. Yatra sung on “Dos Oruguitas”, the song from the soundtrack of the Walt Disney Studios animated masterpiece, Encanto, nominated for an Academy Award (“We Don’t Talk About Bruno” was not submitted). Lin-Manuel Miranda penned the song, which also appears on the soundtrack in its English version (“Two Oruguitas”). He produced “Oruguitas” (translates as little caterpillars in English) with Mike Elizondo. “Do Oruguitas” reached number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100. The meaningful song was certified platinum by the RIAA.

“Two oruguitas / In love and yearning / Spend every evening / And morning learning.” Aww 🥰. Yatra’s voice is sweet on both the English and Spanish versions of the song. Also sweet are the tender, tuneful melodies. The songwriting is also a gargantuan selling point: “Ay, oruguitas / Don’t you hold on too tight / Both of you know / It’s your time to grow / To fall apart, to reunite.” Caterpillars do grow to become beautiful butterflies 🦋. In the movie, the song captures the Madrigal family history, specifically Mirabel’s abuela, Alma, and late abuelo, Pedro.

“Dos” features gorgeous musical accompaniment from guitars. Eventually, the song grows more dynamic with fuller instrumentation (including a sickening percussive groove) and bigger vocals from Yatra. Even as “Dos Oruguitas” finds its groove, it never grows overwhelming or overwrought. Sebastián digs in, mind you, yet he maintains a cool energy. Sebastián shines on “Dos Oruguitas” / “Two Oruguitas”, which many argue is the best song from Encanto.

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18. BRONZE AVERY, “DANGEROUS”

HEATWAVE // BRONZE AVERY // 2024

“You called and I love to decline,” BRONZE AVERY asserts on his brief but potent single, “DANGEROUS”. “DANGEROUS” is the 10^th track from his 2024 album, HEATWAVE. He continues singing, “All your typical lines don’t have any effect on me.” Clearly, the pop singer/songwriter/producer is #OVER IT, PERIOD! Confident, AVERY offers more of the same fierceness on this self-penned record, which is co-produced with White Noise. “You knew I left ya but you never asked me why,” he asserts in the second verse, adding, “Burning up in all your smoke / Cause I caught you in a lie.” Oh, snap! AVERY has me beaming with pride because he can see through the BS – he won’t be taking any of that nonsense!

Besides those confident lyrics in the verses, BRONZE AVERY maintains confidence in the centerpiece, the chorus:

“There’s not much to discuss

Baby, you’re too dangerous

I, I don’t need you, don’t need us

This cuts just enough

Baby, you’re too dangerous

I don’t need you or us.”

Word. AVERY sings those lyrics sensationally, showing of a capable instrument. Speaking of instruments, the supporting instrumental easily gets you hype on this two-and-a-quarter-minute song. The beat is sick, the keys and synths pop, while the vibe is – wait for it – LIT 🔥! BRONZE has plenty to say regarding eliminating this dangerous person out of his life (“You choose to lose out on all the good from me”). Whether you’re a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, or an ally, “DANGEROUS” is a groovy, honest pop gem that’ll easily make you beam with pride.

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19. Elton John & Kiki Dee, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”

Rock Of The Westies // Mercury // 1975

“Don’t go breaking my heart,” Elton John (1947 – ) sings in the first verse of his classic, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”. His duet partner, Kiki Dee (1947 – ), responds, “You take the weight off of me.” Word. Once more, both talented singers trade lines: “Oh, honey, when you knocked on my door / Ooh, I gave you my key.” “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” is the 10^th and final cut on John’s 1975, platinum-certified album, Rock Of The Westies. One of his biggest hits, it spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was certified double platinum by the RIAA. It was nominated for the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus at the 19th Annual Grammy Awards (1976). Elton John composed the music, while his longtime partner in crime, Bernie Taupin (1950 – ) composed the lyrics. Gus Dudgeon produced it.

To reiterate, both Elton John and Kiki Dee ‘bring it’ in the vocal department. They sing superbly separately, and ‘strike gold’ when they sing together. Beyond the playful verses, the two sections that shine brightest are the pre-chorus and the chorus. “Ooh, nobody knows it / When I was down, I was your clown,” they sing, respectively, continuing, “Ooh, nobody knows it (Nobody knows it) / Right from the start, I gave you my heart / Oh, I gave you my heart.” Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus, in all its catchy, titular glory!

“Don’t go breaking my heart

I won’t go breaking your heart

Don’t go breaking my heart.”

Beyond the singing and songwriting, the music is ear-catching. The orchestration, particularly the strings, is lovely. The production is well-rounded. The tightness of the rhythm section is a selling point (drums, percussion, bass, and guitar). Ultimately, Elton John and Kiki Dee made a duet for the ages with “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”.

Appears in:

Elton John & Kiki Dee, Don’t Go Breaking My Heart: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 84 (2025)

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20. Lil Nas X, “DREAMBOY”

“DREAMBOY” // Columbia // 2025

“Alright, okay, shit, let’s talk infatuations,” Lil Nas X (Montero Lamar Hill) raps in the first verse of “DREAMBOY”. He continues, honestly, “I like long black dick, and I like long conversations / I like cuddlin’ with my cats, and I like boys who have a smell to ‘em.” Hill never shies away from his sexuality or being true to self. Those lyrics support his self-described role of “controversy king.” Lil Nas X penned “DREAMBOY” alongside producers Ariana Wong, Jahnei Clarke, and Roy Lenzo. Hill keeps it bold, entertaining, and queer.

“I heard the shit y’all say about me when y’all in ‘em churches / Y’all stanky booty bitches take my fun and make it misery.” Oh, shit! Lil Nas X gives us playful, rhythmic rapping throughout “DREAMBOY.” His lyrics are honest and unapologetic. His confidence is through the roof as he infuses plenty of attitude. At the end of the first verse, he references his controversial flop of a single, “J CHRIST”:

“Fell off for a minute, now I’m back on

I just do what I want, I don’t care what they like

Say it with me, nigga (Bitch, I’m back like J. Christ).”

The second verse is briefer and more melodic than the first. The tenor of the verse is more of the same: “Baby, I’m a boss… I’m a CEO / Baby, I’m that nigga, I’m that boy, I’m that negro.” In the third verse, there is no backing down either: “I’m on Nasarati road, made a lane for me.” The chorus marks the most memorable section of the record, where he embodies being a “DREAMBOY”: “Dream on, when the going get tough / Dream on, when it all gets rough.” Lil Nas X, both controversial and fearless, continues to ‘bring the heat’ making sickening bops.

Appears in 🔻:

Appears in:

Lil Nas X, DREAMBOY: Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 23 (20 25)

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21. BLP Kosher, “Dreidel Bop”

“Dreidel Bop” // Dreidel Gang LLC / Encore Recordings // 2024

“Hit ‘em with the bands, now they in a trance / I don’t wanna do this no more.” Fair enough, BLP KOSHER (Benjamin Landy Pavlon). The Jewish rapper from Florida continues in the chorus of his colorful 2024 single, “Dreidel Bop”, “I’m back where I started / And I ain’t never been to this party / But I don’t wanna leave it alone.” Word. “Dreidel Bop,” which clocks in at all of two minutes and change, was produced by Snapp Beats (Brady Snapp). It features dramatic, moody production at the onset, which sets the tone of the record. Expectedly, the production continues to fuel Pavlov’s fire with its knocking beat, keys, synths, and moody strings. The chorus, excerpted above, in all its autotune glory, serves as the centerpiece. That said, BLP KOSHER delivers a compelling flow, ear-catching bars, and a distinct personality in the verses as well. Honestly, on “Dreidel Bop,” there is no shortage of clever one-liners. Fittingly, Pavlon gives us sex: “She gave me top in the forest, I’m in the neck of the woods / I feel like Blake, I’m a carpenter how I rip the wood.” We also get Taylor Swift: “Jit thought he was swift, I interrupt him like that boy, Kanye.” Geography: “Now my pockets stay like Alabama ‘cause my money mobile / I’m fucked up ‘bout the middle east, I’m tryna make peace.” And, more sex: “You try to take my ice, you need the stick, like I’m Bobby Orr / Leave him sleep on the floor, like the furniture store / You don’t hit your bitch right, bad cock and more.” “Dreidel Bop” is, indeed, a bop!

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N/A

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22. SAKIMA, “Daddy”

Ricky (EP) // SAKIMA // 2017

“I don’t need a lot of love, you’ll see,” SAKIMA (Isaac Sakima) sings, adding, “Cover up my mouth, don’t need to breathe.” Instantly, “Daddy” becomes a freaky musical experience, doesn’t it? It doesn’t take long for the UK musician to establish the modus operandi – S-E-X. “Daddy” is the sixth and final track of his 2017 EP, Ricky. He and YLXR produced this brief but potent sex song. Sleek production – a chilly, sensual backdrop – fuels SAKIMA’s fire. His performance is flirty, playful, and sexy to the nth degree. The lyrics are catchy, filled with lust and sheer naughtiness. “Put it down on me, take it out on me” suggests rough sex – nothing cookie-cutter! Enticing his partner, in the second verse, SAKIMA asserts, “Keep your focus on my hips and jeans / Supercut, I’ll be your favorite scene.” Wow! For good measure, he’s compiled a list of what he is willing to do sexually. The pre-chorus and chorus are electrifying. In the pre-chorus, he sings, “Baby, I’m falling in love / Will you look at me, put me on your TV / Baby, I’m falling in love / Boy, text me, booty call, call me.” Sex with a visual component… Of course, in the chorus, this is where the titular lyric arrives: “Will you be my da-a-addy, da-a-addy, daddy?” SAKIMA came to ‘play hard’ on “Daddy”, NO CAP!

Appears in:

SAKIMA, Daddy: Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥 102 (2024)

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23. Snoop Dogg, “Drop It Like It’s Hot” (Ft. Pharrell Williams)

R&G **(Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece // Geffen // 2004**

“Snoop / Snoop!” Ooh wee! Snoop Dogg (Calvin Broadus) earned his first no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Drop It Like It’s Hot”. The 16-time Grammy-nominated rapper (who should have won at least one) got a huge lift from the production of The Neptunes. Beyond the distinct, minimalist accompaniment crafted by the duo, Pharrell Williams serves as a featured guest. 20 years old, “Drop It Like It’s Hot” remains fresh and well deserving of the title of a rap classic. With innovative production and two big personalities collaborating (Snoop and Pharrell), magic was inevitable.

The chorus, first and foremost, is the section to beat regarding lyrics:

“When the pimp’s in the crib, ma

(Drop it like it’s hot, drop it like it’s hot, drop it like it’s hot)

When the pigs try to get at you

(Park it like it’s hot, park it like it’s hot, park it like it’s hot)

And if a nigga get a attitude

(Pop it like it’s hot, pop it like it’s hot, pop it like it’s hot)

I got the Rollie on my arm and I’m pourin’ Chandon

And I roll the best weed, ’cause I got it goin’ on.”

Gah-day-um! One of the best, most infectious hooks, hands down. Beyond the hook, which ignited the popularity of the phrase ‘drop it like it’s hot,’ Snoop says his fair share of memorable lines. “I keep a blue flag hangin’ out my backside / But only on the left side, yeah, that’s the Crip side,” he raps in the second verse, referencing his gang affiliation. In the third verse, the former pimp asserts, “I’m a bad boy with a lotta hoes / Drive my own cars and wear my own clothes.” Translation: he’s rich, bi-otch! Pharrell also deserves his flowers for the first verse, confidently and raunchily rapping, “Eligible bachelor, million dollar beat / That’s whiter than what’s slippin’ down your throat.” Oh, snap! No deep analysis is necessary for “Drop It Like It’s Hot”, one of the best rap songs to come out of the 2000s. SNOOP!

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24. Korn, “Daddy”

Korn // Sony Music Entertainment, Inc. // 1994

“Mother, please forgive me / I just had to get out all my pain and suffering / Now that I am done, remember I will always love you / I’m your son.” What a way to begin a song! What was the pain that Jonathan Davis, the frontman of the nu metal band Korn, was experiencing? Sexual abuse. Capturing such abuse in a song naturally makes “Daddy” controversial. It also makes the song incredibly powerful. Davis experienced abuse in real life at the hands of a babysitter who has since passed away. Davis has plenty to express on the 12^th and final track from Korn’s 1994 self-titled debut. Nine and a half minutes of this 17 ½ minute song capture Davis’s reaction to his trauma. Written by Korn, Ross Robinson produced this difficult, controversial, but important listen. Robinson is credited with getting one of the rawest, most emotional performances from Davis.

“Innocent child, looking so sweet / I’ll rape your mind and now your flesh I reap.” Yikes! Those lyrics hail from the first verse, which is performed enigmatically, sounding troubled and weird. The same sentiment occurs in the second verse, where Davis asserts, “Come out and play, I’ll be your daddy.” Davis’ vocals grow angrier and louder during the choruses that follow the verses. He shouts, “You raped, I feel dirty / It hurt, as a child / Tied down, ‘that’s a good boy’ / And fucked your own child.” Davis wasn’t singing about his father committing this heinous, pedophilic, and predatory act. But he is a victim, and he is upset with his parents (mom) in this song about their unbelief regarding the incident. “I didn’t touch you there / Mommy said she didn’t care,” he sings in the bridge, continuing, “I didn’t touch you there / That’s why Mommy stopped and stared.” Far too many times, the abused stories are ignored and neglected. It already takes immense courage to reveal such a personal, troubling experience. In the final chorus, Davis is truly torn to shreds, singing “I scream, no one hears me / It hurt, I’m not a liar / My God, saw you watch / Mommy, why your own child.” Post-chorus, Davis lets the f-bombs fly, as he unleashes his raw emotion towards his abuser:

“I fuckin’ hate you

Oh, you fucker

Motherfucker, I fuckin’ hate you, fuck you

You son of a bitch,

You fuckin’ ruined my life

I wanted to die…”

“Daddy” does a phenomenal job of capturing angst, pain, and tension. It is uncomfortable to listen to, as it should be. No one, particularly an innocent child, deserves to be abused. Furthermore, their story should not be dismissed. This is trauma that deserves to be addressed justly. This could not have been an easy song for Jonathan Davis to sing, yet he gave his all and delivered one of the best performances of his illustrious career.

Appears in:

Korn, Daddy: Controversial Songs No. 16 (2025)

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25. The Miracles, “Do It Baby”

Do It Baby // Motown // 1974

“You’ve got a love that’s really real / Sweet and spicy / Come on, entice me / You know the way I like to feel.” Oh, snap! The Miracles are among the most iconic acts of Motown, period. The collective is most renowned for its catalog with legendary lead singer and songwriter, Smokey Robinson. After 1972, Robinson pursued a solo career. Despite Robinson’s exit, the soul group experienced success with a new lead singer, Billy Griffin (1950 – ), who helped “Do It Baby” reach number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Do It Baby” is the opener on their 1974 album, fittingly titled Do It Baby. Christine Yarian and Freddie Perren composed it. Perren produced it.

“Do It Baby” cooks from the onset. It features scintillating bass riffs. The groove is electrifying – oozing with the soul aesthetic. Speaking of the soul aesthetic, the sweet, orchestral touches are emblematic of the style, particularly in the 1970s. Griffin does a fabulous job stepping into Smokey’s shoes. His voice is silky smooth. “Tantalizing, so appetizing / You’ve got me hungry for your love,” he sings in the second verse, adding, “Ooh, how you love me, baby / You keep me coming back for more.” Ooh-wee! Beyond the strong verses, the sections to beat are the memorable, incredibly tuneful pre-chorus and the chorus:

“Don’t you know?

(Can’t nobody groove me) Can’t nobody groove me

Can’t nobody move me like you do (Like you do)

…Do it, do it, do it, do it, do it, baby…”

Sometimes, the exit of a star can stifle a group forever. In the case of The Miracles, it is a ‘miracle’ they carved out success post-Smokey. Billy Griffin and company put their foot into “Do It Baby”.

Appears in:

The Miracles, Do It Baby: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 65 (2025)

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A Dazzling Drove of D Songs (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; AVO Entertainment, BRONZE AVERY, Capitol, Cash Money, Columbia, Disney Enterprises, Inc., Dreidel Gang LLC, Encore Recordings, Interscope, ISO Supremacy, Kesha, Markussen Music, Motown, NLE Choppa Entertainment Inc., pgLang, PULSE, RCA, RECORDS Label, LLC, Republic, SAKIMA, Sony Music Entertainment, Inc., Sony Music Entertainment US Latin LLC, The Weeknd XO Music ULC, Warner, Warner Norway AS, Young; A Roy, Jonathan Goncalves, Niko Twisty, Leonardo Goncalves wild, Vanessa Loring from Pexels; AcatXIo, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Eugene, Gerd Altmann, LapinVert [AI photo], Ribhav Agrawal [AI photo] from Pixabay]

A Dazzling Drove of D Songs | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on June 9, 2025June 9, 2025