I’m no stranger to music, but then again, who is? This is one of my last articles for The Tattler, and with summer rapidly approaching, I’ve decided to make my own playlist. It features a variety of genres and will give you a break from today’s music. And don’t worry—you won’t see any Backstreet Boys in this playlist.
“Guilty Conscience”: Eminem (Explicit)
Eminem faces a fair amount of controversy, and this song is no exception: “Guilty Conscience” is a bit more controversial than his other signature pieces. This song features a duel between Eminem and Dr. Dre, both of whom are providing guidance to three individuals about to make bad decisions. The song is NSFW, but it’s worth a listen.
“Africa”: Toto
From the start, you’ll have no trouble singing along to this Toto classic. “Africa,” with its summer vibes, is perfect for the season, especially if you’re spending your vacation there. If you pay close attention to the lyrics, you’ll find them to be quite vague; it’s hard to tell if he is singing about a lover or about Africa itself. Guess we’ll never know.
“Lights”: Ellie Goulding
Although it was released in 2010, this song didn’t hit American radio charts until 2012. It hit number one and was the most requested song at the time. The melody of the song is catchy, upbeat, and won’t fail to get you in the mood. Every time this song comes up on shuffle on my iPod, I can’t help but sing along. Fun fact: this song was actually inspired by Ellie Goulding’s fear of the dark.
“O.N.E”: Yeasayer
I’m mentioning this song only because of its presence on the FIFA 11 soundtrack. The genre is experimental, usually not my thing, but the lyrics and instrumentals are quite catchy, resulting in a tasteful song. The music video is borderline weird and mindboggling.
“Come On, Let’s Go”: Ritchie Valens
It’s such a shame that Ritchie Valens died in the plane crash known as “The Day the Music Died.” “Come On, Let’s Go” has a bit of a 50s/60s feel. It’s also worthwhile to listen to the cover by Los Lobos.
“Carry On My Wayward Son”: Kansas
With its guitar solos and profound lyrics, everyone can agree that this song is one of the greatest classic-rock hits of all time. This is Kansas’s signature song and one of the most recognizable songs in the world.
“Wavin’ Flag”: K’Naan
The FIFA World Cup is one of the largest sporting events in the world. The 2010 edition took place in South Africa, with Spain beating the Netherlands in extra time. Shakira’s “Waka Waka” was its theme song. However, K’Naan’s “Wavin’ Flag,” as Coca-Cola’s promotional song, may have been the more memorable anthem of the event.
Coke’s version of the song celebrates the nation of South Africa and its excitement to host the World Cup. At the 2010 World Cup, hearing this song around South Africa gave me chills and made me feel more African than ever. The explicit version of the song has deeper meaning than the altered version, referencing the struggle of refugees displaced by war, but Coca-Cola obviously had to get rid of these lyrics for the sake of advertising for the World Cup. Regardless, both versions send a feel-good, meaningful message to all of us in the world.
“Can’t C Me”: Tupac (Explicit)
This well-known song was produced by Dr. Dre. It begins with a subliminal message from Tupac himself followed by a head-rocking beat. The lyricism in this rap song is spot on, but then again, the lyrics are completely NSFW.
“1,000 Miles”: Vanessa Carlton
Anyone will instantly recognize this song with its catchy piano hook. It was featured in the movie White Chicks, and most people can remember Terry Crews lipsyncing to it. Crank up the volume!
“Mrs. Robinson”: Simon and Garfunkel
This Simon and Garfunkel hit received two Grammys in 1969, and it was the first rock song to win the category “Record of the Year.” The guitar instrumentals with the lyrics make this song memorable and recognizable.
“Mas Que Nada”: Sergio Mendes ft. Black Eyed Peas
Originally written and sung by Jorge Ben, “Mas Que Nada” is considered one of the best Brazilian songs ever. Sergio Mendes’s revamp of the song has a very solid and melodious beat consistent with the Brazilian samba style. The Black Eyed Peas only make it better.
“Man In The Mirror”: Michael Jackson
It’s not “Thriller” or “Don’t Stop till You Get Enough,” but it is one of those songs that gets you thinking. MJ deserved a spot on this list so I decided to choose this meaningful and mesmerizing song, even though it’s not typical of him. The song has such a positive message, explaining how an individual has to be aware of their surroundings in order to be successful.
“Life is a Highway”: Rascal Flatts
I don’t listen to country often; this song is the only exception. My dad used to play this on every road trip. The guitar backups and lyrics are exceptional. The calm bridge in the song is the cherry on top of this country hit. It was written and originally sung by Tom Cochran and later covered by Rascal Flatts. This version was featured in the Pixar film Cars, and peaked in the top 10 on Billboard in 2006. Remember to play this song when you’re cruising on the highway.
“I Want It That Way”: Backstreet Boys
Yeah, I lied about not mentioning any Backstreet Boys music in this playlist. To be honest, the song was never going to be excluded from the list in the first place. I could not get it out of my head for weeks. It seemed to be playing everywhere, from dressing rooms to restaurants to my orthodontist’s office. It’s a very catchy song and has such a vague meaning that even Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys doesn’t know what the song means. It’s a great karaoke and radio jam and will always be one of my favorite songs in the world. If you’ve never listened to this song, I suggest you listen to it ASAP and tell me why it’s your first time.
It’s been a wonderful ride, IHS. Have a great summer.