Parsons Playlists: Inspired by Taylor Swift’s “Midnights”

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features songs inspired by Taylor Swift’s newest album Midnights.

Inspired by Taylor Swift’s Midnights

This playlist is inspired by Taylor Swift’s latest album. If you liked Midnights, check out these ten songs similar to her latest tracks!

Taylor Swift - Midnights

Doja Cat – “Been Like This”

Harry Styles – “Daylight”

Billie Eilish – “TV”

Taylor Swift – “Cornelia Street”

Arcade Fire – “My Body Is A Cage”

Dua Lipa – “Boys Will Be Boys”

Coco & Clair Clair – “Pretty”

Lana Del Ray – “13 Beaches”

Born At Midnite – “Hawt Heart”

Troy Sivan – “Easy”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZewUUyWFhQfDSJDIm3st-Y7q

Parsons Playlists: “La Rochelle, je t’aime”

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features musical discoveries from her study abroad experience in La Rochelle, France.

La Rochelle, je t’aime

This summer I had the opportunity to study abroad on the coast of France with other UR students. I spent a month travelling, learning, and eating a ton of croissants. Every year, Dr. Olivier Delers takes students to La Rochelle, a beautiful city just north of Bordeaux. Our trip also happened to coincide with two major festivals that happen in the downtown area: Francofolies and FERMA La Rochelle. Francofolies is a four-day music festival showcasing some of the most popular French artists, while FERMA is international film festival that takes place the week before.

Prior to my trip, I had listened to mostly Indian and American music. I enjoy listening to music in different languages, so I had high hopes for Francofolies. This playlist is inspired by my favorite French and Belgian artists, some of who I had the chance to see live in La Rochelle. This trip gave me some of the best memories, and I am so grateful to have experienced everything that this city had to offer.

Photo by Kiran Saini

1. “Elle m’a dit” by MIKA

2. “Bruxelles je t’aime” by Angèle

3. “Fever” by Dua Lipa (feat. Angèle)

4. “Papaoutai” by Stormae

5. “Dernière danse” by Indila

6. “Amour censure” by Hoshi

7. “Tu me Play” by Juliette Armanet

8. “Grace Kelly” by MIKA

9. “Et même après je t’aimerai” by Hoshi

10. “A la Folie” by Juliette Armanet

11. “Démons” by Angèle (feat. Damso)

12. “Le Dernier Jour du Disco” by Juliette Armanet

Here is the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZewLM26S9ojkqrc28RWQwdMO

Arachnophonia: Main Hoon Na

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Kiran (class of 2024) and features the 2004 Bollywood film Main Hoon Na. Thanks, Kiran!

Main Hoon Na

“Main Hoon Na – The Importance of Support During College”

Main Hoon Na - movie poster

Growing up, I didn’t understand much about my culture. It wasn’t until I was in middle school that I really started to appreciate my ethnic background. Bollywood movies changed my entire perspective on a hidden part of my identity that I had neglected to explore. I began to immerse myself in India’s film industry, enamored by the music, dancing, and storylines. Main Hoon Na (I am there) quickly became one of my favorite movies and a staple pick for family movie night.

Main Hoon Na explores the journey that a young soldier (Ram) takes to find his half-brother after the death of their father in the midst of a peace treaty between India and Pakistan. Indian terrorists threaten to destroy this peace and are after Sanjana, the Indian General’s daughter, who happens to attend the same college as Ram’s half-brother. Ram goes undercover as a student and must protect Sanjana without compromising his position for his half-brother. What follows is a charming and action-packed adventure that will test them all.

College, especially after COVID-19, has proven to be a mental challenge for both students and professors. We continue to see deaths of college athletes by suicide and a rise in demand for mental health resources. We often forget that it’s ok to reach out for help, and that we don’t have to go through college alone. Main Hoon Na is a reminder that we can lean on our support systems, no matter what. Although fictitious, every Bollywood movie has real-world lessons or morals to learn from. Ram’s dedication to his family and his friends when they need it the most carries over into our daily lives – we can both give and receive support.

You can check out Main Hoon Na and other Bollywood movies at Parsons Music Library. If you or someone you know is seeking mental health resources, click on this link to learn more about CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) at the University of Richmond.

Parsons Playlists: My Chemical Reaction

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist features music to accompany an organic chemistry lab as curated by Music Library student assistant Kiran (class of 2024).

My Chemical Reaction

Chemistry and Music

Part 1: The Beginning of the Lab

Florence + The Machine – “Hunger”
Usually I get to lab and I’m hungry so I try to distract myself with some hype music.

The Strokes – “The Adults Are Talking”
Usually my professor gives a small lecture before we get started if needed.

Twenty-One Pilots – “Shy Away”
I start to work with tunnel vision and tune out the other groups in lab.

Part 2: Focus Mode

Conan Gray – “Overdrive”

Salt-N-Pepa – “Push It”

MARINA – “Oh No!”
This is usually where something goes wrong in the reaction or I spill a chemical.

Gorillaz feat. Daley – “Doncamatic”

Majestic + Boney M. – “Rasputin”

Various Artists – “Punjabi Mashup”
Adding some culture to the mix, helps me feel energized if lab is going really slowly.

Mac Miller – “The Spins”

MGMT – “Electric Feel”

Part 3: Did it work?

Gorillaz – “Revolving Doors”
This is the part where the reaction usually needs time to sit and we have other work to do.

Lil Peep & ILoveMakonnen feat. Fall Out Boy – “I’ve Been Waiting”

Crystal Castles – “Vanished”
Our reaction worked! Now we have to analyze it with spectroscopy.

Tame Impala – “Is It True”
Now we have to see how pure the product is using our data.

Drake – “Over”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zey5UNqlVtbkpRx5n_g01OsT

Arachnophonia: Mamma Mia!

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item(s) in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Kiran (class of 2024) and features the ABBA musical Mamma Mia!. Thanks, Kiran!

Mamma Mia!

Mamma Mia! selections piano/vocal/guitar

Songs for the Dancing Queen

If you’re anything like me, Mama Mia! is a classic pick for movie night. The catchy songs, written by Swedish 70s group ABBA, are upbeat and danceable. The movie features Meryl Streep, who plays the hardworking Donna. Her daughter, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), is getting married and wants to invite her biological father. However, it could be one of three different men that Donna was involved with. Sophie sends invitations to all of them, leaving her mother in a predicament as she faces her former lovers. With the addition of breathtaking Greek landscapes and hilarious friends, this film embodies the music that brought it to life. The sweet, slow ballad reminds me of the waves crashing on Greek beaches while the fiery electric guitar solos personify the energy that the men bring to Donna’s life once again. I often wonder how a series of ABBA songs could correlate to form an entire movie. The original recordings are so iconic on their own but Mama Mia! brings them all together for one hilarious story. Parsons Music Library offers both ABBA CDs and the score from Mama Mia!, so you can also listen and read along with these iconic tunes.

Parsons Playlists: Bollywood Jams

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today we’re featuring a collection of Bollywood music from the 2000s curated by Music Library student assistant Kiran (class of 2024). Editor’s Note: since Bollywood songs are often from films, I’ve linked to some titles that are available to check out in the library catalog so you can see them in their full context if you want!

Bollywood music has always been a staple of my childhood. On my way home from school, my grandmother would put in a CD with over her favorite songs and we would listen to new ones every day. I love how upbeat it is and the variety of instrumentation used. It is so different from Western music, but just as good in my opinion. These songs are from the early 2000s to 2010.

Bollywood movie posters

“Koi Mil Gaya” from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

“Ho Gaya Hai Tujhko To Pyar Sajna” from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

“Bole Chudiyan” from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

“Where’s the Party Tonight?” from Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

“Sheila Ki Jawani” from Tees Maar Khan

“Aaja Nachle” from Aaja Nachle

“Mauja Hi Mauja” from Jab We Met

“It’s the Time to Disco” from Kal Ho Naa Ho

“Crazy Kiya Re” from Dhoom: 2

“Nagada Nagada” from Jab We Met

“Rang De Basanti” from Rang De Basanti

“Chale Jaise Hawaien” from Main Hoon Na

“Yeh Ladka Hai Allah” from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

“Dola Re Dola” from Devdas

“Radha Kaise Na Jale” from Lagaan

And here’s a link to the full playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zewc53s7y9-g-JDVUyrlXiXv