5 Songs I Love w/ Goldie Luxe

Every artist has a collection of songs that leave a lasting mark, whether they inspire a creative spark, capture a defining moment or offer a sense of confidence and possibility. For Goldie Luxe, those influences reflect the bold, theatrical and unapologetically glamorous pop sensibilities at the heart of her own sound, drawing from the larger-than-life productions of the ’90s and 2000s, the worlds of R&B and hip-hop, and the empowering spirit that runs through her music.

With her new single “Touch the Sky” ushering in the next chapter of her artistic evolution and forthcoming album The Swan, Goldie Luxe joins Flex for 5 Songs I Love. Along the way, she shares five tracks that have shaped her musical identity, exploring the artists and sounds that fuel her creativity, the pop moments that have stayed with her, and the influences behind her glittering, genre-blurring vision.

Mariah Carey - We Belong Together

I’m such a Lamb, I had to put a Mariah song on this list. On top of being one of the best vocalists of all time, she is such an amazing songwriter and a super underrated producer. I love artists, especially women, (Lady Gaga also comes to mind), who wear multiple hats in the studio. This song in particular really showcases all three skills. She has such an amazing flow to her lyrics. Jermaine Dupri who produced this track and “Always Be My Baby” and a number of the mega hits with her, said “Mariahs actually a rapper, too.” And you can absolutely hear that in her lyrics. She’s such a poet and has such an amazing expansive vocabulary. 

She really inspires me to find more interesting and complex words choices and to think of unexpected cadences and rhythms with lyrics. I’m always trying to find internal rhymes and really push how to make my lyrics complex yet digestible. It’s quite a challenge. 

Also it’s just one of the catchiest songs ever written. What else can be said?

Gwen Stefani - What You Waiting For?

God this song is a masterpiece. I really love how introspective and self-referential it is. I mean a pop hit about being stuck trying to write the very pop hit the song is. It’s mind melting. What better way was there for her to come swinging into the world of pop? It’s so catchy. That “tik-tok tik-tok” just gnaws its way into your head and you can’t get it out. The bridge ties in so many of the other concepts on the album. It’s like a mini-overture in the middle of the opening track of the project. Also it’s so clear how it’s sort-of  fashion-focused breakdown walked so the bridge of “Bad Romance” could run. 

Also the visuals? Alice in Wonderland on acid with a dash of bling? Extraordinary. The fashion?? Galliano for Dior Haute Couture F/W ’04?? To die for! So many things about this song and this album have seeped into my artistry it’s hard to numerate. As more of my album comes out It’ll be more and more apparent how much of an impact she’s had on me for sure. 

Ginuwine - Pony

I picked “Pony” by Ginuwine, but I really could’ve picked anything produced by Timbaland. I just love his production so much. He’s definitely one of my biggest influences. He really shaped the whole sound of 90s and 2000s. His use of samples is so innovative and interesting, pulling from really unexpected places. The beat is so fun with those breaths and tire skid samples and “Pony” has that AMAZING bass “bow bow” sound that I shows up in one of my other picks, “Stronger” by Britney Spears. 

You can definitely hear the influence of this song on my latest release. The half time dubby feel was absolutely inspired by this. And what else can I say, the songs iconic. Genuwine’s voice is amazing. And it’s just so sexy.

Britney Spears - Stronger

Is there a more soaring anthemic pop song? You can’t help but want to belt out “I’m stronger than yesterday!” It’s a perfect storm of sexy vocal delivery, empowering lyrics, huge maximal production, and hook after hook. Max Martin and Rami Yacoub are just geniuses here. This is the mega pop song. The visuals and Britney Spears’ dancing are just insane too. There is such a mesmerizing superstar energy about her here. You just can’t deny it. 

I’ve been trying to study maximal pop explosions like this song as much as I can. What makes them hit so hard? It’s so easy to go over that line into hackney or cheesy. Getting it right is so hard. I’m building an album right now that is full of these empowering anthems. And so much of it draws on Brintey and Max Martin.

I’m also obsessed with her referencing her previous work. “My loneliness ain’t killing me no more.” I mean how brilliant is that? She was crafting a narrative from album to album. Showing growth and further developing the persona of “Brintey Spears.” I don’t know. It’s iconic. It’s a classic. She’s perfection. 

Madonna - Vogue

How could I not include the queen of pop? I was going through my favorite Madonna songs and I wanted to pull more of a deep cut or something of hers more avant-garde. “Rain” from Erotica, “The Power of Goodbye” from Ray of Light, “Till Death Do Us Part” from Like a Prayer, “Get Together” from the first confessions are some of my favorites that come to mind, but I can’t deny that “Vogue” has made such a profound impact on me as an artist. I’m just  obsessed with the floating pad synths, strings, and that 909. I’ve been incorporating the iconic 909 snare roll in a lot of the songs I’ve been working on recently. 

It’s just such an iconic song. The perfect blend of house / dance / pop. Loves it. 

Listen to "Touch The Sky"