Songs come and go, but the ones that help spell out words leave a long-lasting impression. Some of the first songs that we ever learnt taught us how to spell, whether it was the ABC’s or the 123’s.
As we all know music and spelling are tools that are mutually beneficial, however, some songs use this easy tool to make cheerleading camp choruses, which makes them more memorable.
There are several hit songs that literally spell out their hooks, with that in mind, let’s take a trip down memory lane as we talk about 5 FOREIGN SONGS THAT SPELL OUT WORDS
- JAHEIM FT. THA RAYNE: FABULOUS
This song is quite unique and should have received more applause than it did. Fabulous is the first song from Jaheim’s sophomore album Still Ghetto.
In the song, Jaheim describes what life in the ghetto is like without demeaning the people who live there in any way. The song is beautiful, and the message is brilliant.
The song spells, U-N-I-T-Y, R-E-S-P-E-C-T, G-I-V-E U-P, and H-E-A-D U-P, which are the catchiest lines from the song, and that makes it easy for many to remember.
- FERGIE: FERGALICIOUS
This song title is a combination of Fergie’s stage name and the word delicious. The song was officially released as the second single from the album, The Dutchess.
How could we forget her t-t-t-t-t-tasty, tasty hit? Not only does she help us spell her name, but then Will. I.Am comes in to help spell out ‘T to the A, to the S-T-E-Y’ and ‘D to the E, to the L-I-C-I-O-U-S’.
Only a few would have noticed Will.I.Am spelt tasty wrongly though.
- GWEN STEFANI: HOLLABACK GIRLS
This hit diss track was reportedly a response to Courtney Love, who had rolled her eyes and compared Gwen Stefani to a cheerleader. Using that statement, Gwen took it and turned it into a weirdo, marching band-driven cheerleader tune.
With the catchy bridge “BANANAS—B-A-N-A-N-A-S” and the rest of her cheerleading squad repeating the line, the song became a huge hit.
Stefani’s banana is however slang for nuts or crazy, so the next time you’re writing out the grocery list and are hung up on how many A‘s and N‘s there are in the word banana, Gwen’s got you.
- QUEEN LATIFAH: UNITY
This Grammy-winning song is generally about unity, but specifically about the everyday harassment that women have to endure, which was off her Black Reign album.
While it offers support both for women and for evolved men, it is about how unity is the key to success, and it’s a powerful message that still resonates today.
Thank you to the legendary Queen Latifah, for helping us spell U-N-I-T-Y and teaching us its importance. In case you are confused if the unity spelling is correct or not, this song would always serve as a reminder.
- ARETHA FRANKLIN: RESPECT
One of the most famous spelt-out lines in music is “R-E-S-P-E-C-T”. This lyric has won legendary soul singer Aretha Franklin eternal respect, as she modified Redding’s version to create her own magic and re-imagined the hit version, including its now-iconic spelling.
She also modified the lyrics to reflect the perspective of an empowered, respect-demanding black woman. Franklin’s “Respect” later became an anthem for the Civil Rights and women’s liberation movements.
See the video below for more!
