I think you must be extraterrestrial/
‘Cause you can open up the heavens for me.

John Grant’s “Outer Space” is a great concept for a love song. There are only so many times you can say “you’re special” and “I love you” before the words start to lose their meaning from repetition or because we use those words to describe other things that we “love” like granola bars or reality tv.

John Grant has met someone who is life-changing. He wants to tell her(him?) he loves her in a unique way. He says, “You must be from outer space”, because no one has made him feel that way before. The new feeling is almost otherworldly compared to the past. It is such a touching sentiment, and a beautiful, quirky way to say “I love you”.

The reason the lyrics of John Grant’s “Outer Space” don’t come off as cheesy is because he sings them with such earnestness. We believe that he is in genuine awe and he is running out of words to describe the way he feels.

But it isn’t just the lyrics. “Outer Space” sounds amazing and borderline groundbreaking. The sound he creates with the keyboard to sound like outer space sounds celestial. It is genius. It kills.

This space-like vibe, coupled with a great melody and vocals make “Outer Space” a candidate for all-time great song. You May also like Space Oddity by David Bowie.

Outer Space Lyrics

I still don’t know what I’m looking at,
‘Cause I’ve never seen anything like this before.
I have a friend who’s an astronomer,
And he says he cannot help me,
‘Cause he doesn’t have a clue.

I think that you must be from outer space-
Maybe from somewhere beyond the stars.
I think you must be extraterrestrial,
‘Cause you can open up the heavens for me
With just one smile, just one smile, just one smile.

What is that sound coming out of your mouth?
(Cause I’ve never heard anything like that before).
It sounds like a language from another galaxy.
I wanna thank you ’cause you opened the door.

I think that you must be from outer space-
Maybe from somewhere beyond the stars.
I think you must be extraterrestrial,
‘Cause you can open up the heavens for me
With just one smile, just one smile, just one smile.

Written by John Grant

At first sight I felt the energy of sun rays/
I saw the life inside your eyes.

Rihanna made “Diamonds” famous and her version is great. Had I never heard Sia sing this song, Rihanna’s version would still be on this list. Then I heard Sia sing “Diamonds” on The Howard Stern Show live with just her and a piano. She put zero effort into the production.

Instantly you could see that Sia was the creative force behind the song and that there was something special about her singing it. Peculiarly, Rihanna mimics Sia’s Australian accent! That is so bizarre. What is even more bizarre is that it works for her.

The lyrics are standard Sia: very anthem-y. I think she does these songs the best of anyone this side of Queen. For some reason they don’t feel contrite to me. They are able to achieve the right mix of fun and uplifting without feeling dumbed down or angry.

I would like to see Rihanna release more songs like this and Stay. I like her voice doing up-tempo ballads. I am not really into the other stuff she does.

Diamonds Lyrics

Shine bright like a diamond,
Shine bright like a diamond.

Find light in the beautiful sea, I choose to be happy.
You and I, you and I, we’re like diamonds in the sky.
You’re a shooting star I see, a vision of ecstasy.
When you hold me, I’m alive,
We’re like diamonds in the sky.

I knew that we’d become one right away;
Oh, right away.
At first sight I felt the energy of sun rays,
I saw the life inside your eyes.

So shine bright tonight,
You and I.
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky.
Eye to eye,
So alive!
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky.

Shine bright like a diamond,
Shine bright like a diamond,
Shining bright like a diamond,
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky.

Shine bright like a diamond,
Shine bright like a diamond,
Shining bright like a diamond,
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky.

Palms rise to the universe, as we moonshine and molly.
Feel the warmth, we’ll never die,
We’re like diamonds in the sky.

You’re a shooting star I see, a vision of ecstasy.
When you hold me, I’m alive.
We’re like diamonds in the sky.
At first sight I felt the energy of sun rays.
I saw the life inside your eyes.

So shine bright
Tonight,
You and I,
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky.
Eye to eye,
So alive!
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky.

Shine bright like a diamond,
Shine bright like a diamond,
Shining bright like a diamond,
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky.

Shine bright like a diamond,
Shine bright like a diamond,
Shining bright like a diamond,
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky.

Shine bright like a diamond,
Shine bright like a diamond,
Shine bright like a diamond.

So shine bright
Tonight,
You and I.
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky,
Eye to eye,
So alive!
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky,
Shine bright like a diamond,

written by Sia

And in the morning when I kiss his eyes/
He takes me down and rocks me slow.

Whitney Houston’s “All The Man That I Need” is an incredibly well-written song. It rightfully gets overshadowed by Whitney’s amazing performance. I think Whitney Houston is one of the most under-rated performers—to music critics. Like what are they listening to?

Of course, fans adore her.

The way that Whitney hits the high notes on this song has practically ruined 20 years of American Idol and The Voice and the like. Every female singer thinks they should try to do something like this. They shouldn’t. They just shouldn’t. It would be like someone in a slam dunk contest sticking his tongue out. It has already been done by the best. Find a new gimmick.

Back to the song, the lyrics are remarkable sensual. It features the lyrics “he fills me up”. I suppose that could be interpreted in different ways. Perhaps she is talking “spiritually or emotionally”. I think the sax solo sounds good.  Also, I like the finger-snapping. You can rarely go wrong with that.

All the Man That I Need Lyrics

I used to cry myself to sleep at night
But that was all before he came
I thought love had to hurt to turn out right
But now he’s here
It’s not the same, it’s not the same

He fills me up
He gives me love
More love than I’ve ever seen
He’s all I’ve got
He’s all I’ve got in this world
But he’s all the man that I need

And in the morning when I kiss his eyes
He takes me down and rocks me slow
And in the evening when the moon is high
He holds me close and won’t let go
He won’t let go

He fills me up
He gives me love
More love than I’ve ever seen
He’s all I’ve got
He’s all I’ve got in this world
But he’s all the man that I need

He fills me up
He gives me love
More love than I’ve ever seen
He’s all I’ve got
He’s all I’ve got in this world
But he’s all the man that I need

He fills me up
He gives me love
More love than I’ve ever seen
He’s all I’ve got
He’s all I’ve got in this world
But he’s all the man that I need

written by Dean Pitchford / Michael Gore