13 More Heartfelt ❤️ HEART ❤️ Songs

13 More Heartfelt ❤️ HEART ❤️ Songs features songs by Blondie, Christina Perri, Kendrick Lamar, Shawn Mendes, Summer Walker, and The Weeknd.

I, The Musical Hype, presents to you a musical compendium that is filled with HEART ❤️! No, it wouldn’t be the first time, as 13 More Heartfelt ❤️ HEART ❤️ Songs follows 13 Heartfelt ❤️ HEART ❤️ Songs (2024). The criterion is simple: every song must feature some form of the word heart in its song title. Easy peasy, right? Right! 13 More Heartfelt ❤️ HEART ❤️ Songs features heartfelt songs by Blondie, Christina Perri, Kendrick Lamar, Shawn Mendes, Summer Walker, and The Weeknd. So, without further ado, or an unnecessarily long introductory paragraph that no one cares about, here are 13 More Heartfelt ❤️ HEART ❤️ Songs!

~ Table of Contents ~

1. Blondie, “Heart of Glass”

“Once I had a love and it was a gas,” Debbie Harry (b. 1945) sings, continuing, “Soon turned out had a heart of glass.” One of the biggest and most recognizable hits from Grammy-nominated pop/rock band Blondie is “Heart Of Glass”. Harry co-wrote “Heart” with guitarist Chris Stein.  Mike Chapman produced the track, which appears on the band’s 1978 album, Parallel Lines. A pop song with disco flavor, “Heart” marked the first of four number-one hits by the band. Blondie earned their first of four number-one hits with “Heart Of Glass.” Besides spending a week atop the Billboard Hot 100, the song was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

What makes “Heart of Glass” so iconic? Debbie Harry brings plenty of energy to her vocal performance.  The melody is quite distinct, catching the ears the first time you hear it.  Matters of the heart dominate. The love was once divine, but in her blindness, she discovered “Mucho mistrust, love’s gone behind.” The final verse of the song has a compelling case as the best: “Once I had a love and it was a gas / Soon turned out to be a pain in the ass.” Honesty is the best policy, Debbie.  The chorus can’t be neglected either, as Harry states what could’ve been – “Riding high on love’s true bluish light.” Beyond the memorable singing, lyrics, and melodies, the musical accompaniment is fire! A distinct percussive intro sets the tone.  The band cooks from the scintillating guitars (Stein and Frank Infante), electrifying bass line (Nigel Harrison), the anchoring drum groove (Clem Burke), and those picturesque keys (Jimmy Destri). Adding to the fun is some tasteful changing meter, which keeps the record engaging.  Blondie put their foot into “Heart Of Glass”, one of the best pop hits of the 1970s.  

~ Table of Contents ~

2. The Weeknd, “Open Hearts”

“Falling, falling in love / It’s never easy falling in love again.” Let that set in. After you have been hurt and experienced heartbreak, it is difficult to fall in love again. What if you get hurt all over again, taking the bait of the possibility of L-O-V-E, when it’s faux? On “Open Hearts”, The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) expresses his concerns, citing various reasons.  “All the silver and gold only made my skin cold,” he sings in the first verse, referencing that the material benefits from being a worldwide superstar aren’t the end-all, be-all. In the second verse, he’s “Trapped inside a limbo, watching through a window of my soul.” Damn, bro! But, “Suffering, I’ve been low, then I seen your halo.” Love, despite being risky, appears to be his savior on the gem from his 2025 album, Hurry Up Tomorrow.

Tesfaye, Max Martin, and Oscar Holter penned and produced “Open Hearts.” “Hearts” features sleek, quintessential synthpop production.  The backdrop electrifies with driving, rhythmic synths. The pads and synths produced by the keys are among the most striking sounds of the song, but don’t discount those strings! As always, The Weeknd, despite the issues he sings about, impresses with his smooth, pure tenor vocals.  He exceptionally brings the melodies to life, which are tuneful from start to finish.  The crowning achievement should come as no surprise: the chorus. “Where do I start / When I open my heart? / It’s never easy falling in love again,” he sings, continuing, “Cover my scars / When I open my arms / It’s never easy falling in love again.” Ultimately, “Open Hearts” is one of the most engaging and relatable moments from Hurry Up Tomorrow.

~ Table of Contents ~

3. Summer Walker, “Heart Of A Woman”

In the gospel according to Summer Walker, the “Only thing that’s saving you / Is the heart of a woman.” “Heart Of A Woman” is the promo single from Walker’s third studio album, Finally Over It.  Walker and Don Dias penned this R&B cut incorporating the cool, classic ‘urban’ sound – think the 1990s, early 00s R&B. Tavaras Jordan produced the record, which thrives off keys, strings, and refined musical cues.

As always, Summer Walker matches the ‘cool energy’ of the instrumental accompaniment.  Her vocals are smooth and warm. She never sounds like she breaks a sweet.  Even so, she remains potent and firmly in command of the track.  Besides sweet lead vocals, the supporting background vocals are awesome.  Also, the vocal production is well-rounded.  Even though Walker never gets too high, it doesn’t mean she doesn’t bring attitude.  “Wanna give up on you but, damn, I know I can’t / I put the blame on me for giving you chance after chance,” she sings in the first verse.  In the second, she asserts, “It’s my mind and my soul versus your pride / Nigga, check your ego ‘cause I left mine at the door.” Oh, snap! Memorably, in the pre-chorus, she tells him, “Put your words on your life this time / And I hope your ass ain’t lyin’ ‘cause / Only thing that’s saving you / Is the heart of a woman.” “Heart Of A Woman” is another bop from Queen Summer Walker!

~ Table of Contents ~

4. Kendrick Lamar, “heart pt. 6”

“Grindin’ with my brothers, it was us against them, no one above us, bless our hearts.” GNX marked another special album by the Grammy and Pulitzer-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar. Filled with hits, “heart pt. 6” marks another respectable, well-rounded song from K-Dot. His performance can be described as heartfelt, with ample references to the heart (“Top had given us dominion in the home he lived in / Hopin’ that we see some millions, God bless our hearts”, and “Hand-to-handshake is good when you have a heart-to-heart”). The production by Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, Juju The Fool, and M-Tech is top-notch. The musical backdrop is lush, while the beat, albeit simple and old-school, provides a mighty anchor. Multiple elements of “Use Your Heart” by SWV are sampled, including the lyrics from the chorus (“Use your heart and not your eyes… / If you got time, then I got time”). Kendrick delivers a marvelous cadence and flow. He never misses while discussing his rap career, specifically his experiences with Top Dawg Entertainment. Smooth, sung vocals by Sam Dew during the chorus add warmth to this heartfelt track. I like the contrast (musically) that occurs during the second verse. It returns to the familiar after a change of pace. Once more, in the third verse, there’s another musical contrast, keeping “heart pt. 6” consistently engaging.

~ Table of Contents ~

5. Lainey Wilson, “Heart Like a Truck”

“I gotta find a field, I need to spin my wheels / I gotta hankerin’ for four wide tires.” Hmm, sounds like a truck to me! Fittingly, country singer Lainey Wilson is indeed referencing a truck on “Heart Like A Truck”, a highlight from her 2022 album, Bell Bottom Country. As important as the truck is, the key noun in this is the heart.  Still, to have a “heart like a truck,” you’ve gotta have both. Wilson, Trannie Anderson, and Dallas Wilson penned “Heart Like A Truck” while Jay Joyce produced it. Wilson sings in the chorus, “I got a heart like a truck / It’s been drug through the mud / Runs on dreams and gasoline / And that old highway holds the key,” and continues, “It’s got a lead foot down when it’s leavin’ / Lord knows it’s taken a hell of a beatin’ / A little bit of love is all that it’s needin’.” Is any further explanation needed? Wilson’s heart is like a truck, which is a prized possession among country artists.  Wilson sings with incredible feeling, impressing with her power and her twang.

~ Table of Contents ~

6. Rod Wave, “Break My Heart”

On “Break My Heart”, Rod Wave continued to be prolific. The single appeared on his 2022 EP, Jupiter’s Diary: 7 Day Theory (EP).  TnTXD and trillgotjuice produced it. Besides the additional music added by the producer, a sample fuels the fire.  What’s interesting is the fact that it’s not an old-school sample but another 2022 song, “Love Me More” by Sam Smith.  Rod lets the beat ride before joining the party.  Ultimately, the sound is characteristic of him – firmly planted in his comfort zone.  As always, he delivers a sweet melodic rap flow with trap sensibilities (“I don’t want no broke friends ‘cause I’m larger than a bitch (Larger) / Don’t want no rap friends, ‘cause they be flawer than a bitch”).  The sweetest moments hail from the memorable chorus.

“I said, ‘Girl, where you going?’ (Where you going, love?)

You can’t stay a little while longer?’ (Why you going, love?)

The real from the fake and the fake from the flawed (And the fake)

Gettin’ harder to tell ‘em apart (Apart)

And it breaks my heart, (My heart), and it breaks my heart.” 

“Break My Heart” is enjoyable and well-rounded.

~ Table of Contents ~

7. Christina Perri, “Jar of Hearts”

“I learned to live half-alive / And now you want me one more time.” Those emotionally charged, painful lyrics remain potent years after  “Jar of Hearts” arrived. The fifth track from lovestrong., the 2011 debut album by pop singer-songwriter Christina Perri, “Jar of Hearts” is one of the best and most moving pop songs of the 2010s. Perri co-wrote “Hearts” with Drew Lawrence and producer Barrett Yeretsian. Debuting on the charts in 2010, it reached number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2011. In 2020, the single was certified sextuple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Why is “Jar of Hearts” the sugar, honey, iced tea? It thrives because of gorgeous melodies and stellar songwriting. Perri begins singing abruptly in the first verse, sans introduction; it works out magnificently: “I know I can’t take one more step towards you / ‘Cause all that’s waiting is regret.” She sings beautifully, impressing as she sings in her lower and middle registers. Beginning as a piano ballad, the strings add richness, upping the ante.  Following the first verse and pre-chorus (excerpted earlier), the listener is given one of the most radiant choruses of the 2010s:

“And who do you think you are

Runnin’ ‘round leaving scars

Collecting your jar of hearts

And tearing love apart?

You’re gonna catch a cold

From the ice inside your soul

So don’t come back for me

Who do you think you are?”

The second verse is more dynamic than the first. The vocals, including harmonies, match the strength of the lyrics: “But I have grown too strong / To ever fall back in your arms.” Fittingly, the second chorus is also more dynamic than the first; more overt and pronounced. Moving on, the bridge distinguishes itself from the verses and chorus. The melody is significantly different, while the string and piano arrangement also bring contrast. Perri sounds commanding, asserting, “I wish I had missed the first time that we kissed,” and telling that fool, “You don’t get to get me back.” The second time the glorious chorus is repeated at the end, there are melodic tweaks that keep “Jar” engaging and haunting. The outro marks another breathtaking moment as Perri asks him, “Who do you think you are?” “Jar of Hearts” is breathtaking.

~ Table of Contents ~

8. Shawn Mendes, “Heart of Gold”

Yes, he, Grammy-nominated pop singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes, is incredibly handsome 😍.   Moving on, Shawn, released in 2024, marked the Canadian heartthrob’s first album in nearly four years. “Heart of Gold” marked the fourth single and sixth track from the LP. “You had a heart of gold,” Mendes sings in the chorus, adding, “You left too soon, it was out of your control / Underneath your skin and bone / You had a heart of gold.” In “Heart of Gold,” Mendes has lost a friend, whom he memorializes and shares his reaction.  The verses provide context. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there / To hug your mama at the funeral,” he sings in the first verse, confirming the unfortunate ending.   In the second verse, Shawn asserts, “I didn’t even cry / I didn’t even feel the pain / And then it hit me all at once / When we talked about you yesterday.” As he has throughout the Shawn album cycle, Mendes is transparent about what he’s been experiencing in life.  Losing a friend is never easy, and it seems that Shawn didn’t fully process the loss of this person.  Grief hits everyone differently.  As always, Mendes sings beautifully – his voice is a gift.  The songwriting is also well-rounded, penned by Mendes, Mike Sabath, Eddie Benjamin, and Scott Harris.  The sound is folksy, singer-songwriter pop.  He and Sabath produced this thoughtful track.   “Heart of Gold” marks another well-rounded addition to his catalog.

~ Table of Contents ~

9. Twenty One Pilots, “Tear in My Heart”

Twenty One Pilots, comprising Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun, had a huge year in 2015. Blurryface, the duo’s third studio album, marked their breakthrough project.  One of the biggest and best songs not named “Stressed Out”, which won them a Grammy, which they accepted in their undies, was “Tear In My Heart”.  Not a tear 😭 but tear as in, noun: ‘damage from being torn’ especially a hole or flaw made by tearing.’ Set in a major key, “Tear In My Heart” contrasts the previous, minor-key record, “Fairly Local”.  The chorus is infectious – “She’s the tear in my heart, I’m alive / She’s the tear in my heart, I’m on fire” – while Joseph’s vocal performance is spot-on. The best moment is the ‘off-beat’ bridge about potholes of all things:

“You fell asleep in my car, I drove the whole time

But that’s okay, I’ll just avoid the holes, so you sleep fine

I’m driving here, I sit

Cursing my government

For not using my taxes to fill holes with more cement.”  

Only Tyler would write and sing such a lyric, folks! So, do the potholes really matter? Nope – he is referencing his dedication to his wife and is trying to disallow his idiosyncratic tendencies to ruin his relationship after all, “She’s the tear in my heart / Take me higher than I’ve ever been.”   

~ Table of Contents ~

10. Kirk Franklin, “Brokenhearted”

“Come ye, brokenhearted / Come ye, weary soul / There is healing water / That can make you whole.” What encouraging and hopeful lyrics Kirk Franklin penned on his 2005 gem, “Brokenhearted”. “Brokenhearted” is the 11^th track from his Grammy-winning, platinum-certified album Hero. Notably, on the encouraging, thoughtful, and uplifting-penned number, Franklin tapped the anointed Marvin L. Winans.  Franklin himself is the encourager and minister, while the choir sings warm, reverent vocals with incredible authenticity. The robust, churchy organ sets the tone of “Brokenhearted.” Before Marvin L. Winans enters the mix, the choir continues to testify to the wholeness that God can create.  “Come bring tears of sorrow / Come bring years of pain,” they assert in the second verse, adding in the bridge, “And it flows from the veins of Jesus my savior / My healer and redeemer / My lover so true / It has power to heal / All our sin-sick diseases / So come to the throne / Your healing is here.” Amen! Winans enters the mix during the vamp, bringing superb, spiritual vocals.  He begins poised, relatively slow, eventually picking up steam. His riffs ooze with soul, supported by the dynamic vocals of the choir. Things ‘kick up a notch’ when the choir sings, “Joy is here,” with Winans touting “unspeakable joy.” The choir continues to cycle through the greatness of God (grace and love). “Brokenhearted” remains a powerful and timeless Kirk Franklin classic. It exemplifies a musical blessing.

~ Table of Contents ~

11. Candi Staton, “Young Hearts Run Free”

“Say I’m gonna leave / A hundred times a day / It’s easier said than done / When you just can’t break away.” Thought-provoking lyrics. Grammy-nominated, multi-faceted singer Candi Staton scored the biggest hit of her career with “Young Hearts Run Free”.  Staton was the first to release it in 1976. It appeared on her album, also titled Young Hearts Run Free. Dave Crawford wrote and produced it. Interestingly, the lyrics were inspired by Staton’s abusive and toxic marriage, which she was trying to escape. “Young Hearts Run Free” peaked at no. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Young Hearts Run Free” benefits from bright, exuberant production. Among the striking sounds are sweet strings and bright horns (including gritty baritone sax). The rhythm section is tight: Rhythm guitar, active, robust bass, tasty keys, and hard-grooving drums. The backdrop exemplifies a sophisticated 1970s backdrop. The star is Staton, who delivers commanding and soulful vocals.  She never over-sings yet brings the right punch. The songwriting marks another selling point. “Love only breaks up to start over again / You’ll get the babies,” Staton sings in the first verse, and continues, “But you won’t have your man / While he is busy loving every woman that he can.” She responds to this scenario in the second verse, asserting, “I’m gonna love me for the rest of my days / Encourage the babies every time they say / Self-preservation is what’s really going on today.” The melodies are tuneful throughout, particularly in the memorable, sing-along chorus. The background vocals provide fabulous support during the crowning achievement, the chorus:

“Oh! Young hearts run free

They’ll never be hung up

Hung up like my man and me

You and me

Oh! Young hearts

To yourself be true

Don’t be a fool when love don’t love you

Don’t love you.”

“Young Hearts Run Free” remains fresh five decades after its release.

~ Table of Contents ~

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

“Don’t go breaking my heart,” Elton John (b. 1947) sings in the first verse of his classic, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”. His duet partner, Kiki Dee (b. 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 (b. 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”.

~ Table of Contents ~

13. The Isley Brothers, “This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)”

“Maybe it’s my mistake to show this love I feel inside / ‘Cause each day that passes by / You got me never knowing if I’m coming or going.” Oh, snap! Those arduous matters of the heart. The iconic, Grammy-winning soul collective, The Isley Brothers, sings about love and its complications in the scintillating “This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)”. “This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You),” which emerged during their Motown days, is the third song from their 1966 album, This Old Heart Of Mine. It was a hit on the pop charts, peaking at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. The classic was penned by Songwriting Hall of Famers Holland-Dozier-Holland (Brian Holland, Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier (1941 – 2022)), and Sylvia Moy (1938 – 2017), with Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier also taking on production duties.

“This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)” is a quintessential example of the Motown sound from the 1960s. The orchestration is dazzling with its vibrant horns cutting through the arrangement, particularly the baritone saxophone. The strings provide a lush, warm layer that is equally striking. The rhythm section thrives, particularly the piano and the groove carried by the drums. The vibraphone, a staple of 1960s soul, adds a distinct color.  Vocally, Ronald Isley (1941 –  ) brings the heat with his dynamic and nuanced performance. In the second verse, he sings, “These old arms of mine miss having you around,” and continues, “Makes these tears inside start pouring down.” Oh, the feels, the feels, the feels! He receives excellent support from the background vocals of the rest of The Isley Brothers. The memorable chorus is one of the song’s biggest selling points:  

“‘Cause I, I love you

This old heart, darling, is weak for you

I love you, yes I do, yes I do.” 

The timeless “This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)” has been covered by various musicians, including Rod Stewart and Boyzone.  The song right here is one for the ages!  

~ Table of Contents ~ » ~ intro ~