13 Intriguing Because Songs | Playlist 🎧

13 Intriguing Because Songs features songs by Céline Dion, Halle, Jerry Butler, Lauv, Lenny Williams, and the Patti Smith Group.           

So, why is it? According to the late, great Jerry Butler, it is “Just Because I Really Love You”.  According to Patti Smith, it is “because the night belongs to lovers”. Sabrina Carpenter received backlash “because I liked a boy”.  So, the answer to why is it is because.  Because is the keyword on 13 Intriguing Because Songs. All song titles must feature the word because or an abbreviation of the word such as ‘cause or cuz. 13 Intriguing Because Songs features songs by Céline Dion, Halle, Jerry Butler, Lauv, Lenny Williams, and the Patti Smith Group.  So, without further ado, let us dive into these intriguing B-E-C-A-U-S-E songs!

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1. Lauv, “Because Of You”

“Driving fast in the lane / Of the cold remains of L.A.” Los Angeles always gets a ‘bad rap,’ doesn’t it? Lauv (Ari Leff) adds to it in his brief but entertaining single, “Because Of You”.  He continues singing in the first verse, “Winter comes, winter goes / But it all just stays the same.” Is it because of L.A. or someone in L.A.? It’s the latter. Leff and Michael Pollack penned the song. Leff and Federico Vindver produced.  There’s a lot to ‘sink your teeth’ into in “Because Of You.” The sound of “Because Of You” is a huge selling point.  The song is a vibe from the beginning.  The instrumental is bright and spirited.  Specifically, the strings (programming) are sublime.  Another musical touch that shines is the harmonic progression, specifically in the pre-chorus (“Don’t you say that you want me back, baby…”).  Matching the spirit of the accompaniment are sweet vocals. He pours his heart out: “It’s not celebration, it’s just a big occasion / From the man who loved you at all.” The section to beat is the chorus:

“Because of you, babe

Oh-ooh, oh-ooh, oh-ooh

Because of you, babe

Oh-ooh, oh-ooh, oh-ooh.”

“Because Of You” gives our handsome, talented pop singer/songwriter/producer another worthwhile addition to his collection.

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2. Halle, “Because I Love You”

“Because I Love You” // Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia // 2024 

“And it’s all because I love you, babe / Love you, babe, love you, babe.” Ooh wee, that is a lot of love, Halle (Halle Bailey)! Grammy-nominated R&B singer, songwriter, and actress Halle dropped a surefire bop in 2024. In “Because I Love You”, she sings angelically over warm, contemporary R&B production by Dem Jointz. In the chorus, the first major section of the song, Bailey’s voice is warm and lush.  She does drop some profanity, intensifying the love (“I motherfucking love you, babe”). Even securing the parental advisory sticker with the ‘mf bomb,’ the chorus is infectious and memorable to the nth degree.  Furthermore, it is the verses that have more attitude.

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3. Obscurest Vinyl, “I’d Really Like To Get In Your Pants, Because I Just Shit Mine”

“I’d Really Like To Get In Your Pants, Because I Just Shit Mine” // Hallwood Distribution // 2024 

Obscurest Vinyl is responsible for releasing ‘the greatest records you’ve never heard.’ Among those records is an ‘obscure’ one from the risqué jazz crooner Vito Lovejoy.  You’re not alone if you’ve never heard of him until he unleashed the ‘charming’ song, “I’d Really Like To Get In Your Pants, Because I Just Shit Mine”.  The title not only contains innuendo, but also fecal matter – shit! Before Lovejoy gets ‘down and dirty,’ the listeners are privy to a refined instrumental intro. Beyond the old-school, big band backdrop, “I’d Really Like To Get In Your Pants, Because I Just Shit Mine” isn’t refined in the least.  I mean, the title is on-the-nose to the nth degree.

Vito Lovejoy is brutally honest about his shitting problem. “I just can’t stop ruining all of these pants / I’m just shittin’ and shittin’ and shittin’.” Damn, that’s ample shit, bruh!  Irritated regarding his irritable bowels, Lovejoy adds an intensifier to the shit: “Trying to get in your pants / Because I keep fuckin’ shittin’ in mine.” What more can you say but, holy fuckin’ shit! “I’d Really Like To Get In Your Pants, Because I Just Shit Mine” is all about shock value. Although it’s brief, running north of a minute, Vito Lovejoy and Obscurest Vinyl get their point across loud and clear.  And that point involves lots of shit! In all seriousness, this ‘unreal’ record should be taken with a grain of salt. It’s all for the sake of entertainment and thoroughly gets the job done.

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4. Sabrina Carpenter, “because I liked a boy”  

emails I can’t send fwd: // Island // 2023 

Ah, the love triangle – always an intriguing thing to watch unfold. Disney had a juicy love triangle play out for the ages between Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, and Sabrina Carpenter, which The Daily Beast expounds upon.  The drama involving these three has been nothing short of a hot mess. Bassett has received plenty of heat, but as Carpenter suggests on “because I liked a boy” from her 2022 album, emails I can’t send, she’s received the ire of fans. In the chorus, she bluntly sings, “Now I’m a homewrecker, I’m a slut / I got death threats fillin’ up semitrucks / Tellme who I am, guess I don’t have a choice / All because I liked…” Wow 😯 – well, that sort of sums it up, doesn’t it?  

Besides the chorus, Carpenter cites other instances of the ramifications of her relationship with Joshua Bassett.  “Who knew cuddling on trampolines could be so reckless?” Indeed! Far more tied into the triangle are the lyrics, “Was only tryna hold you close while your heart was failing.” Bassett experienced heart failure, seemingly a result of all this mess, which he has sung about in his song, “Life Line”. Essentially, Carpenter was trying to be supportive, yet, again, the backlash has been horrific.  One thing is for sure, on “because I liked a boy”, Carpenter has learned a valuable life lesson: “Dating boys with exes / No, I wouldn’t recommend it.” At least Sabrina delivers a colorful pop bop out of this shit, written alongside John Ryan (who also produces), Julia Michaels, and JP Saxe.   

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5. Ne-Yo, “Because of You”

Because of You // The Island Def Jam Group //2007

“And I know this much is true / Baby, you have become my addiction / I’m so strung out on you / I can barely move, but I like it.” Oh my! Ne-Yo (Shaffer Smith) has had an incredibly successful run in R&B. The singer/songwriter’s most successful period of his career was undoubtedly in the mid-late aughts, where he released hit after hit.  Smith won three Grammys, including a win for Best Contemporary R&B Album for Because Of You. The platinum-certified album debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard 200. “Because of You,” the opening track and single, was a big pop hit, peaking at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Because of You” shined because of the chill and cool potent vocals by Ne-Yo, memorable songwriting (Smith, Tor Erik Hermansen, and Mikkel Storleer Eriksen), tuneful melodies, particularly in the chorus, and sweet production work (StarGate – Hermansen and Eriksen).  There’s no extensive analysis necessary as “Because of You” speaks for itself. Matters of the heart dominate the script. Ne-Yo is addicted – he can’t get enough or stop thinking of her: “And it’s all because of you /… Never get enough / She’s the sweetest drug.” Not only was he addicted to her, we – the listeners – were addicted to this song. Even 16 years later, “Because of You” is truly a fierce pop record. Fabulous singing, cool harmonic scheme (specifically the bridge), and a sophisticated, well-rounded ‘pop & B’ styled R&B record.   

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6. Patti Smith Group, “Because the Night”

Easter // Arista // 1978 

“Love is an angel disguised as lust / Here in our bed until the morning comes.” Ooh-wee! Patti Smith, ‘the high priestess of punk-poetry,’ was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.  That is a big deal. Surprisingly, by pop standards, Smith has one hit to her name.  That one hit wonder, “Because the Night”, is attributed to the Patti Smith Group. It is the third track from the group’s 1978 album, Easter.  “Night” peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. Notably, Smith penned the song with a fellow rock legend, Bruce Springsteen. Springsteen had begun writing it initially. Smith finished the song. Jimmy Iovine is responsible for getting Springsteen to give Smith the song. He also produced it. 

“Because the Night” commences with piano accompaniment. Smith sings quietly and reservedly initially. “Take me now, baby, here as I am / Pull me close, try and understand,” she sings in the first verse, continuing, “Desire is hunger, it’s the fire I breathe / Love is a banquet on which we feed.”  Soon, “Because of You” becomes bigger, and Smith belts. It features dramatic, hard-rocking musical accompaniment.  The punk energy is prevalent in this non-punk-rock song.  I love the heaviness of the sound of the drums. Later, there is also an electrifying electric guitar solo. Rock on! The melodies are tuneful, while the overall songwriting instrumentally and lyrically are strong.  The chorus is the section to beat:

“Because the night belongs to lovers

Because the night belongs to lust

Because the night belongs to lovers

Because the night belongs to us.”

Great contrast is provided in the bridge. The songwriting continues to be ‘on point’ as Smith asserts, “With love we sleep / With doubt the vicious circle turns and burns / Without you, I cannot live.” Smith may have only notched one hit, but “Because the Night” is a rad one.  Patti Smith ate this track up 🤘! 

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7. Afroman, “Because I Got High”

The Good Times // Republic // 2001

“‘Cause I got high / Because I got high / Because I got high / (La-da-da da da da-da-da-da).” Afroman (Joseph Foreman) earned brief success. His main claim to fame was his song, “Because I Got High”, which appeared on his 2001 gold-certified album, The Good Times. “Because I Got High” cemented its place in 2000s hip-hop/rap history.  It peaked at no. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, was certified platinum, and earned a Grammy nomination (Best Rap Solo Performance).

“Because I Got High” is self-explanatory – no deep analysis is necessary.  Because Afroman spends far too much time getting high (on weed), frankly, he does lots of dumb shit. It’s not so bad early on though: “I was gonna clean my room until I got high /… I was gonna get up and find the broom, but then I got high.” Not cleaning a room? Forgivable.  His academics are affected by his weed intake, which is less than stellar, hence why he’s “Taking it [the class] next semester” because he flunked.  Where things get hairier on this infectious, melodic rap cut is Afroman shirking bigger responsibilities.  Not going to court and paying his child support – DEAD BEAT DAD! Running from the cops instead of pulling over like he should, and because he was high, he ends up paraplegic… Process that one.  Among the funniest and lewdest happenings in “Because I Got High” occur in the seventh verse:

“I was gonna make love to you (Oh!) but then I got high

… I was gonna eat yo pussy too, but then I got high

Now I’m jacking off and I know why

‘Cause I got high

Because I got high

Because I got high.”

Damn, Afroman! At least he’s transparent when he asserts, “I messed up my entire life because I got high.” His mistakes are troubling but sweet music to our ears on the unforgettable “Because I Got High”, a stoner anthem for the ages!

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8. Kelly Clarkson, “Because of You”  

Breakaway // 19 Recordings Ltd. //  2004      

“Because of you / I never stray too far from the sidewalk / Because of you / I learned to play on the safe side, so I don’t get hurt.”  When you really analyze the lyrics from “Because of You,” of the best songs from the Kelly Clarkson catalog, they hit immensely hard.  Without any additional context, Clarkson has experienced something that has affected her throughout her entire life. “Because of You” marks a sadder moment from her multiplatinum, Grammy-winning sophomore album, Breakaway. “I will not make the same mistakes that you did / I will not let myself cause my heart such misery.” Oh, boy, what is Clarkson getting at? A difficult childhood thanks to the d-word, DIVORCE.  Clarkson’s parents divorced when she was six, and she wrote “Because of You” when she was 16, reflecting on the experience. Essentially, Clarkson doesn’t want to repeat the mistakes made by her parents.  Also, how she was affected as a child has made her extremely careful as an adult about pursuing love. She’s seen the misery firsthand, and apparently, she felt forced to suppress her own emotions:    

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9. Deniece Williams, “Cause You Love Me Baby” 

This Is Niecy // Columbia // 1976  

“There’s nothin’ better that I like to do / Than sitting here cuddle up next to you / ‘Cause you love me, baby / Just the way I want to be loved.” Aww, that’s so romantic, Deniece Williams!  Williams is one of my personal favorite soul musicians, period.  She possesses the voice of an angel.  Her range, technical skills, and her ability to be commanding without over-singing is incredibly impressive. “Cause You Love Me Baby” marks another stellar song from her catalog, appearing as the fourth track on her 1976, gold certified album,  This Is Niecy.  Of course, if you are familiar with This Is Niecy, you’ll know the biggest hit is the song that follows in the track list, “Free”.  Even if “Cause You Love Me Baby” peaked modestly at no. 74 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, it still has ample Niecy magic.  Part of the magic of “Cause You Love Me Baby” is the classy, colorful, and soulful production.  This backdrop is comprised of lovely keys, guitar, and winds. The sound is idiomatic of the 1970s brand of R&B/soul.  Furthermore, the melody is tuneful throughout. Of course, it is the talented Deniece Williams who brings that melody to life.  Her vocals are incredibly nuanced and smooth. Even as she ascends into her potent upper register, she does so with ease, barely breaking a sweat.  Furthermore, she’s supported by superb backing vocals, complementing the soulfulness of her pipes and the record itself.  The big takeaway: “‘Cause you love me, baby / Just the way I want to be loved.” PERIOD! 

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10. Jerry Butler, “Just Because I Really Love You”

The Ice Man Cometh // UMG Recordings, Inc. // 1968

“Just because I really love you / I let you treat me bad, let you make me sad.” Love will make you do crazy things or allow yourself to be mistreated.  That’s what Jerry Butler (1939 – ) asserts in his classic, “Just Because I Really Love You”. “Just Because I Really Love You” is the fifth track from his 1968 album, The Ice Man Cometh.  Butler penned “Just Because…” alongside Kenneth Gamble, Mikki Farrow, and Thomas Randolph Bell.  Notably, it was produced by the iconic duo Gamble & Huff (Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff).  The instrumental arrangement and production are superb: articulated, biting horns, robust bass, sweet rhythm guitar, and glorious keys. As epic as the musical accompaniment is, the ‘star of the show’ is Jerry!

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11. Céline Dion, “Because You Loved Me (Theme from ‘Up Close and Personal’)”

Falling Into You // Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc. // 1996

In 1996, Grammy-winning pop superstar Céline Dion released one of the biggest songs of her career,  “Because You Loved Me (Theme from ‘Up Close and Personal’)”. “Because You Loved Me” is the second track from her 1996 diamond-certified album, Falling Into You. It was written by master songwriter Diane Warren. David Foster produced it. “Because”  was nominated for four Grammys at the 39^th Annual Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and Best Song Written Specifically For A Motion Picture Or For Television. Warren won her sole career Grammy (!) for the Best Song Written Specifically For A Motion Picture Or For Television. “Because You Loved Me” spent six weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It was certified double platinum by the RIAA.  

So, what makes “Because You Loved Me (Theme from ‘Up Close and Personal’)” so epic? First and foremost, it is the beautiful vocals of Céline Dion. Dion gives an authentic, honest, and sincere vocal performance.  She hits some impressive notes and slaughters (positively) the vocal runs.

“For all the love I found in you

I’ll be forever thankful, baby

You’re the one who held me up

Never let me fall

You’re the one who saw me through, through it all.” — (verse one) 

Dion gets awesome support courtesy of multiple background vocalists.  The melodies she brings to life are gorgeous.  She’s backed by warm, adult contemporary production. The backdrop is not particularly innovative, but it is characteristic of the late 1990s sound. A tuneful, uplifting chorus is the centerpiece where Dion’s bread is buttered.

“You were my strength when I was weak

You were my voice when I couldn’t speak

You were my eyes when I couldn’t see

You saw the best there was in me

Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach

You gave me faith ‘cause you believed

I’m everything I am

Because you loved me

Ooh, baby.”

Beyond the chorus, there is great musical contrast provided during the bridge section. It separates itself from the verses and chorus. The theme of love remains the same (“Through the lies, you were the truth / My world is a better place because of you”).  Ultimately, “Because You Loved Me (Theme from ‘Up Close and Personal’)” is among the crème de la crème of the Céline Dion catalog.

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12. Lenny Williams, “‘Cause I Love You”

Spark Of Love // UMG Recordings, Inc. // 1978 

“Girl, you know I, I, I, I love you / No matter what you do / And I hope you understand me / Every word / I say is true / ‘Cause I Love You.” One of the most heartfelt and dramatic songs from the soul catalog comes courtesy of Lenny Williams (1945 – ).  “‘Cause I Love You” is the fifth track from his 1978 album, Spark Of Love. Williams penned “‘Cause I Love You” with Michael Bennett. Set in a lilting compound duple meter, “‘Cause I Love You” is a lengthy number that runs north of seven minutes. It is worth every second of its duration.

“‘Cause I Love You” is EVERYTHING! The record thrives off lush, soulful production and sublime orchestration. The strings are particularly gorgeous.  Lenny Williams delivers expressive and nuanced vocals that ooze with soul.  He shows his velvety middle register, as well as a stellar falsetto.  The personality and drama that Williams brings to this performance sounds authentic and utterly sincere: “Some men needs lots of women / For their passions to fill / But I / Want only you, girl /… If it’s in /God’s will.” Much like Williams’ vocals, the musical accompaniment has its fair share of dramatic moments. Williams gets support from background vocals. There is a spoken word section where Lenny continues to be vulnerable regarding love.

“But I found myself waking up a few hours later

And the tears were running down my face And my friend told me

He said, ‘Lenny, you just oughta forget about her.’

But I told my friend, I said

‘You know, maybe you’ve never been in love like I’ve been in love

And maybe you’ve never felt the things that I’ve felt.’”

At around the 4:45 mark, Williams begins picking up the singing, continuing his heartfelt, dramatic performance, supported by background vocals and silky smooth musical accompaniment. Matters of the heart drive this extraordinary ballad. The excellence of “‘Cause I Love You” speaks for itself. Williams’ gem is a popular source for sampling.

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13. Vicki Yohe, “Because Of Who You Are”

I Just Want You // Pure Springs // 2003

“Because of who You are, I give You glory / Because of who You are, I give You praise.” Those are powerful words that gospel singer Vicki Yohe sings in “Because Of Who You Are”.  Yohe has an incredibly powerful voice.  It’s simultaneously beautiful and powerful, perfect to deliver a meaningful, rousing, and spiritual gospel record.  It should be noted that Yohe didn’t pen this beloved classic – that was the great Martha Munizzi. This record, penned by Munnizi, and brought to life by Yohe, truly captures the power and the glory of The Most High, God.  Yohe goes on to sing, “Because of who You are, I will lift my voice and sing / Lord I worship You, because of who You Are.”

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13 Intriguing Because Songs (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 19 Recordings Ltd., Arista, AWAL Recordings America, Inc., Columbia, Hallwood Distribution, Island, Lauv, Parkwood Entertainment LLC, Pure Springs, Republic, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., The Island Def Jam Group, UMG Recordings, Inc.; AcatXlo, ernestflowerss from Pixabay]