13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus

13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus features songs by Bren Joy, Chaka Khan, Meghan Trainor, Rihanna, T-Pain, and Teddy Swims.  

Remember, YOU can make a difference and be influential in many ways. You are a big deal.  You, as a second-person pronoun, appears in many songs.  This playlist, 13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus, celebrates the power of – wait for it – Y-O-U!  If you have read that much of this introductory paragraph before, it is because I plagiarized myself TWICE 😝. Continuing, you, or some form of the word is the only requirement for songs selected on this follow-up to previous YOU-centric playlists 13 Irresistible YOU Songs (2024) and 13 More Irresistible YOU Songs (2024). 13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus features songs by Bren Joy, Chaka Khan, Meghan Trainor, Rihanna, T-Pain, and Teddy Swims. So, without further ado, prepare to be wowed by MORE irresistible Y-O-U songs!

~ Table of Contents ~

1. James Brown, “I Got You (I Feel Good)”

I Got You (I Feel Good) // UMG Recordings, Inc. // 1966

“Wow! I feel good, I knew that I would now / I feel good, I knew that I would now / So good, so good, I got you.” James Brown is the undisputed Godfather of Soul. One of Brown’s most revered songs is “I Got You (I Feel Good)”, which he performed with The Famous Flames. “I Feel Good” is the opener from Brown’s 1966 album, I Got You (I Feel Good).  The song was released as a single in 1965.  It marked Brown’s highest-charting single on the pop charts.  It peaked at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.  On the R&B charts, it reached no. 1.  Brown composed and produced the iconic classic.

“I Got You (I Feel Good)” is an infectious, feel-good song. What makes James Brown feel good? Her, of course! After Brown sets the tone with expressive, spirited vocals, the groove reveals itself in all its glory.  Those Famous Flames ‘bring the heat’ in the musical accompaniment.  The horns are locked in, with a brief but delightful saxophone solo.  Like most James Brown songs, the lyrics are minimal and repetitive.  The funkiness and the vibe take precedence, in addition to the energy ball that was Brown.  “Wow! I feel nice, like sugar and spice,” Brown asserts in the ‘second chorus,’ adding, “So nice, so nice, I got you!” In the bridge, filled with intensity, he sings, “When I hold you in my arms / I know that I can do no wrong / And when I hold you in my arms / My love won’t do you no harm.” Woo! Little needs to be written about “I Got You (I Feel Good)” – it is best experienced by listening to it! Notably, the ending is sweet, with the late, great icon giving his all: “Hey! Oh!”

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~

2. Teddy Swims, “Are You Even Real” (Ft. GIVĒON)

I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2) // SWIMS Int. / Warner // 2025 

“Are you even real / Or did I make you up?” Teddy Swims (Jaten Dimsdale) asks in the first verse of “Are You Even Real”, a single from I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2). “How could someone like you / Wanna give me love?” Word. Dimsdale taps Grammy-nominated R&B artist GIVĒON (Giveon Evans) for the assist on this soulful ballad.  Set in a lilting, compound duple meter, the aesthetic is old-school. The drum groove and big bass line are big boosts on this Peter Thomas and Julian Bunetta-produced gem. Swims delivers marvelous, smooth vocals.  He ‘draws first blood,’ showing off the magnificence of his instrument.  This includes ripe falsetto and top-notch ad-libs.  GIVĒON is a force too, contrasting Sims with his deeper voice in the second verse: “I can feel the rush / Even when you slow-dance for me / Lookin’ at you layin’ right there / Are you from this world? I swear.” There is more punch instrumentally during Giveon’s verse, upping the energy level.  Like Swims, his vocal ad-libs are glorious.  The section to beat is the chorus:

“Tell me

Are you? Are you?

…Made up in my head, or are you in my bedroom

Questions that I ask ever since I met you

…Questions that I ask every time that I wake up.”

“Are You Even Real” is a bop.

~ Table of Contents ~

3. T-Pain, Yaeji & Girl Talk, “Believe In Ya”

“Believe In Ya” // C&G / Stem // 2025 

“You can do it, you can do it!” What happens when three millennial musicians collaborate? Musical excellence, of course! T-Pain (Faheem Najm), Yaeji (Kathy Yaeji Lee), and Girl Talk (Gregg Gillis) join forces on the infectious, sunny-sounding pop single “Believe In Ya”. Najm and Lee penned it, while Gillis produced it with excellent results. The groove ‘grooves hard.’ The sound has old-school vibes yet sounds refreshing. T-Pain kicks things off with an infectious, tuneful chorus everyone can believe in:

“Oh

I got faith in ya (Oh)

You can do it, you can do it

I believe in ya, baby, put your all into it

Get your back up off the wall.”

He follows up with the first verse (“I want you in my crib, wakin’ me up / Redbone, redbone, I’m makin’ ya blush,” and the ‘encouraging’ pre-chorus (“You’re so close, baby, don’t you stop, I’m watching”).  Ooh-wee! Autotune and all, T-Pain’s vocals are exuberant and dynamic.  Yaeji contrasts in the second verse, showing off her distinct pipes. “Surrounding energy for you / And me and the ones we love,” she sings, adding, “I got faith in you and us.” There are also some collaborative moments with T-Pain before the return of the chorus and the outro where both assert, “Get your back up off the wall.” Clocking in at a respectable three minutes, T-Pain, Yaeji, and Girl Talk deliver a highly believable bop in “Believe In Ya”!

~ Table of Contents ~

4. Meghan Trainor, “Made You Look”

Takin’ It Back // Epic // 2022

“I could have my Gucci on / I could wear my Louis Vuitton / But even without nothin’ on / Bet I made you look (I made you look).” Woo! “Made You Look” is the second track from Takin’ It Back, the fifth studio album by Grammy-winning pop singer/songwriter Meghan Trainor. “Made You Look” continues to embrace the retro-pop stylings that Trainor has been known for. Trainor, Sean Douglas, and producer Federico Vindver penned it. The production is crisp and clean. The dynamic instrumental sounds include biting, articulated horns, warm strings, and a rhythm section. Another hit for Trainor, “Made You Look” just missed the top 10 on the pop charts, peaking at no. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Made You Look” benefits from rhythmic and tuneful melodies. Trainor infuses ample personality into her vocals.  She sings beautifully.  Her tone is distinct, and her ad-libs are non troppo and refined. Besides fabulous lead vocals, the vocal harmonies are super sweet.  Still, the big takeaway is empowerment – body positivity, confidence, and self-love.  “‘Cause I’m ‘bout to make a scene, double up that sunscreen,” she sings in the first verse, continuing, “I’m ‘bout to turn the heat up, gonna make your glasses steam / Ooh, tell me what you, what you, what you  gon’ do, ooh.” One of the lyrical gems occurs in the second verse, where Trainor asserts, “This ain’t that ordinary, this that 14 karat cake.” Noted! While some have accused Trainor of being narcissistic in the past (“Me Too” comes to mind), that doesn’t seem to be her intent.  This one is for the ladies to feel good about themselves.  “Made You Look”, hence, is a body-positive, uplifting pop bop. I bet it made you listen!

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~

5. Bren Joy, “NEVER WANNA LET YOU GO”

SUNSET BLACK // Bren Joy // 2025

“And if I won a billion dollars in the lottery / But found out that it meant / I’d have to give you up well / I’d take your love for what it’s worth.” Aww, Bren Joy! The love-oriented “NEVER WANNA LET YOU GO” is the 10^th track from his 2025 album, SUNSET BLACK. Joy and Conrad Boyd penned the soulful, folky-sounding cut (alternative R&B vibes), while Cameron Evans, Blake Ruby, and Kevin McCombs produced it. “NEVER” is groovy from the beginning.  Bren Joy sings well, though there is a significant amount of vocal production beyond his natural voice. There are compelling lyrics from the opening tip: “I should be fired by the God who invented roses / Cause I pick and kill each one for you / And still, I smile / With the weight of the world on my / Neighbors shoulders / Cause I’ve got nothing left to prove.” Poetic, thought-provoking lyrics. The chorus is simple but tuneful: “Singing oh oh oh oh oh / Oh, I never wanna let you go.” The bridge is intriguing, with more ear-catching lyricism:

“Oh, sometimes we all just
Wait it out for something bigger
Pointing fingers, dodging bullets
Pulling triggers
Judging love like
Governmental supervillains
Everyone falls down.”

Ultimately, “NEVER WANNA LET YOU GO” is a fine single from Bren Joy.  Great vocals, meaningful lyrics, tuneful melodies, and strong production work make it a winner.

~ Table of Contents ~

6. Chaka Khan, “I Feel for You”

I Feel for You // Warner // 1984 

“Chaka, Chaka, Chaka, Chaka Khan / Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan.” Word, Melle Mel! 10-time Grammy-winning R&B artist Chaka Khan scored a huge hit with “I Feel for You”, the sixth track from her 1984, platinum-certified album, I Feel for You. A cover, the original was composed and performed by Prince. Arif Mardin produced it.  The biggest solo hit of her career, matching the chart success of “Tell Me Something Good” with Rufus, “I Feel for You” peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was certified platinum by the RIAA.  Adding to the accolades, “I Feel For You” won the Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female.

In “I Feel for You, ” Khan sings her face off, showing the dynamic, expressive, and powerful nature of her instrument.  She infuses ample personality. Before she ever sings a note, she is prefaced by rapper Melle Mel, the rare rap feature at the time.  After the stuttering intro where Melle Mel ‘gasses her up,’ he drops a brief, relatively clean verse.  “I’ll make you more than just a physical dream / I wanna rock you, Chaka,” the spits, continuing, “Baby, ‘cause you make me wanna scream / Let me rock you, rock you.” From there, Chaka is on autopilot, making the Prince original hers.  “There’s something about the things you do / That keeps me satisfied,” she asserts in the first verse, adding in the pre-chorus, “It’s mainly a physical thing.” Ooh-la-la.  It leads to the satisfying sing-along chorus, “I feel for you, I think I love you.” Beyond her continual desire for this man, Khan is supported by a marvelous backdrop.  The music is funky, amplified by exuberant, high-energy synths, an inescapable groove, and a lit harmonica solo by the one-and-only Stevie Wonder.  No deep analysis is necessary for “I Feel for You”, one of the most epic R&B joints of the 1980s.  Chaka Khan did that!

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~

7. Luca George, “Before You Hold Me”

“Before You Hold Me” // Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd. // 2024

“I just remembered that I’m lonely / Every two months / I need someone to hold me / Is that too much?” Loneliness is a ‘bear,’ and not the cute, cuddly kind… or the hairy dominant kind 😝.  Luca George does a marvelous job of expressing his feelings and showcasing vulnerability in his moving single, “Before You Hold Me”.  George’s voice is stunning.  The Australian musician often sings cool, calm, and collectedly.  He does bring more oomph by the end. Beyond singing about loneliness, he questions his adequacy and how much he deserves to be loved.  He is flawed, plagued by ‘faux prettiness,’ and suffering from body dysmorphia. Ah, the relatable feeling of inadequacy.  It strikes a chord when George sings, “If there was a pill I could take right now / To change everything I hate about myself.” George’s attitude changes by the end of the song. He’s more positive, opening himself up for love:

“Before you hold me

I need to like my body

I need to start believe that I’m pretty ‘cause I am

If I change the things I hate

It’s a never-ending fate

I’ve gotta know me

Before you hold me.” 

“Before You Hold Me” is about the importance of believing in yourself and not cheating yourself of the opportunity for love. George, Gabrielle Aplin, and producer Joseph Wander composed a gorgeous, meaningful, and must-hear song.

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~

8. Rihanna, “Where Have You Been”

Talk That Talk // The Island Def Jam Music Group // 2011

“I’ve been everywhere, man, looking for someone / Someone who can please me, love me all night long.” Ooh-wee, it’s getting steamy, Rihanna! “Where Have You Been” is the second track from the Grammy-winning R&B/pop artist’s  2011 album, Talk That Talk. “Where” embraces a dance-pop sound that is a far cry from some of Ri’s more R&B-centric work. Dr. Luke, Cirkut, and Calvin Harris produced the highlight that features a kick-ass backdrop with some utterly fierce sounds. “Where” performed superbly on the pop charts, peaking at no. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was certified multiplatinum by the RIAA.  It was nominated for the Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance.

“Where Have You Been” samples vocals and lyrics from “I’ve Been Everywhere” by Lucky Starr. The introductory chorus, excerpted above, sets the tone.  The song begins tamely but quickly evolves beyond a thumping, four-on-the-floor beat. I did mention the production kicks ass, right? Rihanna delivers confident, commanding lead vocals from the start.  Her distinct instrument was tailor-made for this record. The vocal production is marvelous. A song with a nontraditional form, in the post-chorus, she asks, “Where have you been / ‘Cause I never see you out / Are you hiding from me, yeah? / Somewhere in the crowd.” Following the instrumental drop, the production during the chorus benefits from variations, growing bolder and more dynamic.  Rihanna makes it crystal clear, “You can have me all you want / Any way, any day / Just show me where you are tonight.” Oh, snap! “Where Have You Been” has its fair share of gimmicky moments (“Li-i-i-i-fe” and “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah”), but that’s characteristic of Rihanna and the dance-pop music of the 2010s.  “Where” is nothing short of a bop, PERIOD!

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~

9. INXS, “Need You Tonight”

Kick // Atlantic Recording Corporation // 1987

“I need you tonight / ‘Cause I’m not sleepin’ / There’s something about you, girl / That makes me sweat.” Ow! For Michael Hutchence (1960 – 1997), the late frontman of INXS, the lust is ‘turned up to the nth degree’ on “Need You Tonight”.  He wants to ‘get down and dirty’ with her badly! Besides being overtly sexual, the ‘white girl’ Hutchence lusts for that makes him sweat is addictive and deadly.  “Need You Tonight” is the fourth track from the Grammy-nominated Australian rock band’s sixth studio album, Kick. Kick was a massive success, earning multiplatinum certification from the RIAA. “Need You Tonight” played a sizable role in those platinum plaques. Among INXS’s seven top-10 hits, “Need You Tonight” was their sole number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It reached its peak position in January 1988.  Hutchence and Andrew Farriss penned “Need.” Chris Thomas produced it.

From the beginning, you can feel the sweat Hutchence sings about. It’s dripping, baby! In the first verse, he encourages her to ‘live,’ wooing her to do naughty things. “All you got is this moment / Twenty-first century’s yesterday,” he sings.  In the second verse and the bridge, he shares his loneliness and inability to think. Despite these issues, he’s “Gonna live my life.”  The chorus sums things up, with Hutchence embracing pleasure to atone.  “So, slide over here and give me a moment,” he sings, continuing, “Your moves are so raw, I’ve got to let you know.” These moves can be sexual and, from a druggy perspective, devastating.  Musically, “Need You Tonight” is the sugar honey iced tea.  The drum groove and guitar riffs are incredibly infectious. They are a crucial part of the song’s success.  There’s a reason why Grammy-winning pop artist Dua Lipa sampled this classic in her Future Nostalgia standout, “Break My Heart”.  Hutchence sounds fantastic as he unveils his cravings with plenty of charisma and ample personality.  He oscillates between calm, cool, and collecting singing and a more dynamic approach. The melodies are tuneful while the chorus is the crème de la crème. “Need You Tonight” is timeless.

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~

10. Gerald Levert, “Made To Love Ya”

Gerald’s World // Elektra Entertainment // 2001 

“I remember saying to my friends / There is my future wife / I took the step to need / Someone who would change my life / It had to be my destiny.” Oh, how sweet 🥰! Gerald Levert (1966 – 2006) possessed a commanding, expressive, and nuanced voice.  His instrument was dynamic – powerful! Despite his shocking, untimely death at 40 years old in 2006, Levert left a rich catalog of music.  One of his best songs is the slow jam “Made To Love Ya”, the 12^th track from his 2001 album Gerald’s World.  “Made To Love Ya” was written by Eddie Berkley and Harold Lilly Jr..  Warryn “Baby Dubb” Campbell produced the lush, sensual, grown-folks R&B cut.  It didn’t impact the pop charts, but it did reach no. 37 on the R&B charts.

The dedication is lit on “Made To Love Ya” – easily perceptible. Gerald has found that special woman and has ‘forever’ and matrimony on his mind.  “I remember our first date / Our first argument / Our very first breakup / And makeup that got us to this moment,” he sings in the second verse.  He adds, “Every heartbreak and every heartache led me to you.” Oh, the feels! The centerpiece is the chorus, where he proclaims, chest out, “Made to love you / My hands, to touch ya / My arms, to hold ya / My legs, to stand / My time, to spend with ya forever / I was made, made to love ya.” Woo! As the song progresses, Levert grows more overt and soulful as he professes mad love for her. “Made To Love Ya” is a smooth joint perfect for action in the bedroom and the wedding.  The late, great singer put his foot and heart into this one!

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~

11. Jennifer Holliday, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”

Dreamgirls: Original Broadway Cast Album // Universal Music Enterprises // 1982

“And I am tellin’ you I’m not going / You’re the best man I’ll ever know / There’s no way I can ever go.” When you think of Jennifer Holliday, one song, and one song only comes to mind:  “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”.  Holliday, playing Effie White, performed the big demanding ballad in the original Broadway cast of Dreamgirls.  The Henry Krieger (music) and Tom Eyen (lyrics) penned song is the crown jewel from Dreamgirls: Original Broadway Cast Album. “And I Am Telling You” is Holliday’s sole top 40 hit.  It peaked at no. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100. Deservedly, Holliday won her first Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female at the 25^th Annual GRAMMY Awards.  Take one listen to her dynamic, expressive performance on “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” and there is no way that she could’ve been denied!

If you’ve seen Holliday perform “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” you can tell she infuses every ounce of herself.  Her performance is gritty and soulful and exhibits top-notch musicianship.  A ‘big’ song, few vocalists can bring the punch needed to successfully deliver this Broadway classic. Holliday makes us believe every word.  “Darlin’, there’s no way / No, no, no, no way / I’m livin’ without you,” she sings, spiritedly, confirming her love for “the best man I’ll ever know.” In the bridge, she remains unshakable, dramatically asserting, “Tear down the mountains / Yell, scream, and shout / You can say what you want / I’m not walking out.” Word.  The chorus, of course, is the crème de la crème.  Still, the outro seals the deal: “Love me / Love me / Love me / Love me / You’re gonna love me.” Besides winning a Grammy for her once-in-a-lifetime performance of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”, Holliday won the Tony for Actress (Musical).  Holliday may be a ‘one-hit wonder,’ but who wouldn’t kill for this juggernaut to be their sole pop hit? 

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~

12. Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes (Ft. Teddy Pendergrass) // Epic // 1972 

“All the things / That we’ve been through / You should understand me / Like I understand you.” Sing it, Teddy Pendergrass (1950 – 2010)! The late soul singer brings his dynamic and expressive baritone to the high-flying Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes classic, “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”.  “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” is the fourth track from Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes (Ft. Teddy Pendergrass), released in 1972.  It marks the soul collective’s best-charting song on the pop charts. It peaked at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Expectedly, on the R&B charts, “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” reached no. 1. Penned and produced by the iconic duo Gamble & Huff (Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff), “Know” is one of the all-time classics in the soul catalog.

Pendergrass’ ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ vocals play a huge role in the success of “If You Don’t Know Me By Now.”  He masterfully brings lyrics and melody to life.  The verses are terrific.  So is the varying pre-chorus, where first, Teddy sings, “Oh, don’t get so excited / When I come home a little late at night / ‘Cause we only act like children / When we argue fuss and fight.” Oh, snap! In the second pre-chorus, he makes a valid point: “What good is a love affair / When we can’t see eye to eye?” The centerpiece is the chorus, which features sublime background vocals by The Blue Notes and top-notch ad-libs and vocal riffs from Pendergrass:

“(If you don’t know me by now)

If you don’t know me by now

(You will never, never, never know me)

You will never, never, never know me

(If you don’t know me by now)

If you don’t know me, baby

(You will never, never, never know me)

No, you won’t.”

Beyond songwriting and vocal performance, the musical accompaniment is stunning. This comes as no surprise with Gamble & Huff at the helm.  This is Philly soul at its finest.  The rhythm section! The dramatic, lush strings! The ambiance! “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” is a masterpiece.

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~

13. The Flamingos, “I Only Have Eyes for You”

Flamingo Serenade // Parlophone // 1959 

“My love must be a kind of blind love; / I can’t see anyone but you.” Chicago Doo-wop group The Flamingos is best known for “I Only Have Eyes for You”, among the greatest songs ever.  The song is also distinct and unusual in a positive way. “Eyes” is the opener from the legendary group’s 1959 album, Flamingo Serenade.  Fun fact: it is a cover of a song from the 1934 musical Dames – not a Flamingos original 🤯.  The music was originally composed by Harry Warren. Al Dubin penned the lyrics.  “I Only Have Eyes for Me” peaked at no. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“I don’t know if we’re in a garden / Or on a crowded avenue.” Word.  “I Only Have Eyes for You” commences with a signature chordal guitar riff.  Beyond the guitar, the piano ostinato is a key feature.  From a vocal perspective, the lead vocals are buttery smooth.  Glorious harmonies from The Flamingos support, fully imploring the doo-wop style. Can you say, “Sha bop sha bop?”  This is early, vintage R&B at its best.  The melodies are tuneful in the verses and chorus.  The harmonic progression marks a stellar and crucial element of “Eyes.” Specifically, during the titular lyric, “I only have eyes for you, dear,” the song modulates (if temporarily) from C to F.  Despite the key change and wandering progression, “I Only Have Eyes for You” returns to the home key, triggered by the “Sha bop sha bop(s).” The greatness of  “I Only Have Eyes For You” endures seven decades after its arrival.

Appears in 🔻:

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ intro ~

13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic Recording Corporation, Bren Joy, C&G, Elektra Entertainment, Epic, Parlophone, Stem, SWIMS Int., The Island Def Jam Music Group, UMG Recordings, Inc., Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd., Universal Music Enterprises, Warner; Ahmed Aziz from Pexels; AcatXlo, Niek Verlaan, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]