Parsons Playlists: Prince’s Legacy

Posted on April 23, 2025 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Amy (class of 2025) and features the music of Prince.

Prince’s Legacy

While reading The New York Times article about Ezra Edelman’s upcoming Netflix documentary on Prince, I found myself diving back into the legendary artist’s discography, rediscovering just how revolutionary his music truly is.

The documentary promises to go beyond Prince’s enigmatic persona, exploring his artistry, activism, and control over his own music. That deep dive into his legacy made me want to create a playlist that captures his signature blend of rock, soul, and pop, which has become synonymous with his name.

I compiled a playlist of my favorite Prince songs that reflect his talent, including the 2003 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performance of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” in tribute to George Harrison with an incredible guitar solo that amazes me every time I hear it.

You can also listen to Prince’s albums like Parade, Prince, 3121, Sign “o” the Times, and HITNRUN Phase One at the Music Library.

Prince – “Kiss”

Prince – “Purple Rain”

Prince – “Raspberry Beret”

Prince – “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World”

Prince – “When Doves Cry”

Prince – “1999”

Prince – “Little Red Corvette”

Prince – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”

Prince – “Baby I’m A Star”

Prince – “Let’s Go Crazy”

Prince – “I Would Die 4 U”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zew7B53G8i6r_pd53gJ3L71H&si=isECQul5rPmvq38D

And here it is on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: “Mocha Mousse”

Posted on March 21, 2025 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Amy (class of 2025) and features songs inspired by Pantone’s 2025 color of the year.

Mocha Mousse

I have finally reached my fourth annual Pantone playlist, just in time for my last semester as a student employee at the Parsons Music Library. 2025’s color of the year is Mocha Mousse—a warm, inviting hue that captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others. Pantone describes Mocha Mousse as a velvety, gentle mocha tone that enriches mind, body, and soul with its comforting sophistication. Pantone collaborated with Spoonflower, Pura, and Libratone to celebrate this trend. Spoonflower introduced a collection of fabrics in Mocha Mousse, Pura created a line of artisanal candles based on mocha mousse, and Libratone launched earbuds in mocha mousse. Here are 18 songs I believe are a mix of mellow and cozy warmth.

Field Medic – “mood ring baby”

SZA – “Crybaby”

First Aid Kit – “Emmylou”

Lana Del Rey – “Say Yes To Heaven”

Norah Jones – “Don’t Know Why”

Adele – “All Night Parking (with Erroll Garner) Interlude”

Thee Sacred Souls – “Will I See You Again?”

Faye Webster – “In A Good Way”

SZA – “Kitchen”

Laufey – “Dreamer”

Clairo – “Add Up My Love”

Bon Iver – “For Emma”

Big Thief – “Paul”

Gregory Alan Isakov – “Big Black Car”

Lizzy McAlpine – “Spring Into Summer”

Kacey Musgraves – “Deeper Well”

Alice Phoebe Lou – “Open My Door”

Faye Webster – “I Know You”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSwAwMtTLDwgk29zVCiZI-F4kc76ROd5y&si=V2cHYzrU-PhA-2FM

And here it is on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: Afrofuturism

Posted on February 7, 2025 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library Associate Melanie and features some music with an Afrofuturism aesthetic.

Afrofuturism

Afrofuturism is a genre that centers Black history and culture and incorporates science-fiction, technology, and futuristic elements into literature, music, and the visual arts. Often using current social movements or popular culture as a backdrop, Afrofuturism focuses on works that examine the past, question the present, or imagine an (often) optimistic future, and are meant to inspire a sense of pride in their audience.

From Sun Ra‘s cosmic jazz to Beyoncé‘s homage to her roots in “Black Parade” to Janelle Monáe‘s sci fi themes of identity and liberation and beyond, afrofuturistic music highlights Black imagination, storytelling, and resilience. So enjoy some out of this world grooves by Black artists!

Parliament – “Mothership Connection (Star Child)”

Sun Ra – “Plutonian Nights”

Alice Coltrane – “The Sun”

Pharoah Sanders – “Astral Traveling”

Labelle – “Space Children”

Herbie Hancock – “Rockit”

Public Enemy – “Welcome to the Terrordome”

Janelle Monáe (feat. Erykah Badu) – “Q.U.E.E.N.”

Stevie Wonder – “Higher Ground”

Earth Wind and Fire – “Getaway”

Janelle Monáe (feat. Big Boi) – “Tightrope”

Kendrick Lamar – “Black Panther”

Beyoncé – “Black Parade”

Betty Davis – “They Say I’m Different”

Afrika Bambaataa and The Sonic Force – “Planet Rock”

Erykah Badu – “The Healer”

Funkadelic – “Cosmic Slop”

Grace Jones – “Slave to the Rhythm”

A Tribe Called Quest – “Electric Relaxation”

Sun Ra – “Space is the Place”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexgVaxF7DIz4bnYkKqf04go&si=PBZ_AkQFoPRYipiy

And here it is on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: Bring It Back Now, Y’all

Posted on January 31, 2025 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Jillian (class of 2027) and features some songs for when you need to dance.

Bring It Back Now, Y’all