5 Songs I Love w/ Courtney Rhodes

Following the release of her latest single 'Mini Shorts (On)', we caught up with Rising R&B artist Courtney Rhodes to find out what influences her eclectic sound. If you enjoy Courtney's picks, be sure to check out 'Mini Shorts (On)' at the end of the article.

1. Paramore - That’s what you get

I would like to say Paramore was my first introduction to the Alternative genre in music.

One of my favorite songs that came out back in 2009, was That’s what you get. I

remembered, many times getting ready for school, back when I was 10 years old, this

song playing in the background on MTV when they would do their early morning specials

for the new and classic music videos. There’s something nostalgic hearing that guitar

break at the intro of the song that makes you want to get up and jump around and “go

crazy”. The Leading singer, Hayley Williams, since then, has always been a part of my

top 10 favorite female singers. Her range and tone delivery throughout her songs, rather

if it was an intimate or ranging style song, she always carried. Essentially, she is the first

of many people that inspired me as an artist.

2. Luther Vandross- Take you out

“Take me out” is another one of my nostalgic songs. Every time I hear it, I instantly get

goosebumps. One of my earliest memories of hearing this song is me getting dropped

off at my Elementary school in Atlanta. Early in the morning this song would be playing

on every RnB station in the A. “Take me out” is a simple song and it’s my depiction of a

“walk in the park” type of a song(which are my favorite type of songs). The lyrics always

gave “chivalry” vibes and Luther simply took you through the motions of asking a girl

“can I take you out tonight”. Being at the young age of 6-7 years old, after hearing this

song, my standards for guys asking me out were set high.

3. Adele-Chasing Pavements

Chasing pavements was the first song I ever heard from Adele. This song was one of

many that really started to shape my writing style in music. Just in the story telling, the

play on words, even in tone delivery (knowing when to add a little to knowing when it’s

too much) Chasing pavements was that starter packet for me. Getting ready for school in

the mornings and having MTV on playing the new and classics music videos, was the thing growing up in my household. MTV would always have Chasing pavements on

rotation, and everytime I would see the video, I grew more in love with it.

4. Tasha Cobbs- For your Glory

Tasha Cobbs is simply amazing! When I go into my “praise and worship” time with

Jesus, there are a few Gospel songs that I put in rotation that really lifts up my spirit. For

your glory is such a beautiful song that was composed together in a way that everytime

you play it, you feel God’s presence. As I continue to dive into my RnB records, I aspire

to work on some Gospel records as well and one day get a feature with Tasha Cobbs.

5. B.o.B ft Bruno Mars- Nothin on you

“Nothin on you” is one of my favorite collaboration projects! This song is another one of

my nostalgic records. Every everytime I hear it, it takes me back to my middle school

days feeling like “that girl”. I mean just the chorus itself, “beautiful girls, all over the

world, I could be chasing, but my time would be wasted they got nothin on you” was so

simple, but it makes any girl in the room feel seen and special. And the piano keys that

start the song off are just magical. “Nothin on You” is what I would like to call “feel good

music” and being an Artist, that’s something I aspire to create every time you hear my

music.

Listen to Courtney Rhodes 'Mini Shorts (On)'