Parsons Playlists: Sampled Gems!!!

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Laeticia (class of 2026) and features some songs that have used samples of other songs in interesting ways.

Sampled Gems!!!

Nothing ignites my passion for music quite like a masterpiece, but there’s something truly exhilarating about a great song that breathes new life into another. This playlist is a celebration of the art of sampling, showcasing some of the most innovative and impactful uses of sampled songs in music history. Each track is infused with nostalgia and authenticity as artists transform tunes we all love into fresh and exciting experiences. Here are some songs that best use sampled music to elevate the original tunes to new heights!

Tayc – “Anogo”
* Samples Brandy and Monica – “The Boy Is Mine”

Tyler the Creator – “Are We Still Friends?”
* Samples Al Green – “Dream”

Twista, ft. Kanye West & Jamie Foxx – “Slow Jamz”
* Samples Luther Vandross – “A House Is Not A Home”

Bvfy – “Basta”
* Samples Jovi ft. Reniss – “B.A.S.T.A.R.D.”

Drake – “Cameras”
* Samples Jon B. – “Calling On You”

Tems – “Wickedest”
* Samples Magic System – “Premier Gaou”

Kendrick Lamar – “Money Trees”
* Samples House Beach – “Silver Soul”

Mariah Carey – “Fantasy”
* Samples Tom Tom Club – “Genius of Love”

Victony – “Everything”
* Samples Post Malone ft. Swae Lee – “Sunflower”

Kiana Lede – “Mad At Me”
* Samples Outkast – “So Fresh, So Clean”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZeweaY0kva_JMe7Tl8P9pMdL&si=z-t92gObGRDD82aL

Parsons Playlists: Take Me To The River

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library associate Melanie and features some music having to do with rivers.

Take Me To The River

This is a playlist with lots of songs about rivers – both literal and metaphorical – around the world. Enjoy!

Al Green – “Take Me To The River”

Madness – “Night Boat To Cairo”

Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Green River”

Mavis Staples – “In The Mississippi River”

Alison Krauss (from O Brother, Where Art Thou?-2000) – “Down to the River to Pray”

Lefty Frizzell – “James River”

Original Broadway cast of Big River – “River in the Rain”

Joni Mitchell – “River”

Memphis Minnie & Kansas Joe McCoy – “When the Levee Breaks”

Old Crow Medicine Show – “James River Blues”

Hemant Kumar (from Kabuliwala – 1961) – “Ganga Aaye Kahan Se”

Gerry and the Pacemakers – “Ferry Cross the Mersey”

Billy Joel – “River of Dreams”

Pete Seeger – “Waist Deep in the Big Muddy”

Paul Williams (from Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas – 1977) – “When the River Meets the Sea”

Neil Young – “Down By The River”

R.E.M. – “Cuyahoga”

Enya – “Orinoco Flow”

The Melodians – “Rivers of Babylon”

Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint – “The River in Reverse”

Pixies – “River Euphrates”

Ike and Tina Turner – “Proud Mary”

Randy Newman – “Burn On”

Jimmy Cliff – “Many Rivers To Cross”

Bruce Springsteen – “The River”

Zitany Neil/Soukous Stars – “Marcory Gasoil”

Talking Heads – “Take Me To The River”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZeyX1sWqgssBjMJjTw11gEgh&si=pluZcqQHX3VZYmVi

And here is a version of it on Spotify: