Parsons Playlists: “Best Live Performances”

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Eliana (class of 2024) and features a selection of songs recorded live.

Best Live Performances

There’s an endless number of incredible live performances, but these are some of the ones that top my list. I suppose being able to see the real thing would be better but a YouTube video is a close second, right?!?

Audience enjoying live music at a concert

Kelly Clarkson – “A Moment Like This” (American Idol winning performance from 2002) – A true cultural reset

Michael Jackson – “Billie Jean” (Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever at Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California on March 25, 1983) – An even bigger cultural reset

Rihanna – “Love on the Brain” (Live at Global Citizen Festival 2016) – Performance I would have traded my left kidney for to see live

Miley Cyrus – “Heart of Glass” (Live from the iHeart Festival 2020) – The rockification of Hannah Montana

Soshana Bean – “She Used To Be Mine” from Waitress (From Club Broadway.com 2019) – The storytelling makes this a 15/10

Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody” (Live Aid 1985) – No description necessary

Beyoncé – “At Last” (For Barack and Michelle Obama – Inaugural Ball January 20, 2009) – A defining historical moment that never fails to bring tears to my eyes

Keala Settle – “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman (2017) – BTS you need to see

Ben Platt & Broadway Cast – “You Will Be Found” from Dear Evan Hansen – (From The Today Show April 2017) – Best of Broadway off of Broadway

Ariana Grande – “One Last Time” (From One Love Manchester June 2017) – Bravery and resilience highlighted in a single performance

Olivia Rodrigo & Joshua Bassett – “Just For A Moment” (Live Performance Vevo 2020) – Didn’t age well but the irony only adds to the heartbreak of the performance

Bruno Mars covers Adele’s “All I Ask” (The Live Lounge BBC Radio 1 November 2016) – Fun fact, Bruno wrote this song. And he kills it.

Here is a version of the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexFIivdsXLUDb4weJss_Niy

Parsons Playlists: Quirky Macca

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library Associate Melanie and features some Paul McCartney tracks.

This playlist was inspired by Paul McCartney (sometimes known to British fans as “Macca”) and the delightful quirky streak evident throughout his music career. His odder tracks also highlight the startling versatility of his voice and his interest in experimental recording techniques.

Let’s start with 2 versions of the same song. “Coming Up” was the opening track on the 1980 album McCartney II. The song makes use of synthesizers and sped-up vocals using a vari-speed tape machine.

The video for this version actually premiered on Saturday Night Live on May 17, 1980 and features multiple McCartneys and a couple of Linda McCartneys as a (fictional) band called the Plastic Macs.

This version peaked at number 2 on the UK singles chart, while in the U.S. and Canada a live version of the song recorded in Glasgow in 1979 was released and became the hit version peaking at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

McCartney’s old bandmate John Lennon really liked the album version of the song, saying “I thought that ‘Coming Up’ was great, … And I like the freak version that he made in his barn better than that live Glasgow one.” So herewith, a playlist highlighting Macca’s “freaky side”. I might have gotten a bit carried away with this list, but there’s so much fun stuff out there, I couldn’t resist! – MAA

“Coming Up” (McCartney II version, released 1980)

“Coming Up” (Live in Glasgow, December 17, 1979)

“Pretty Little Head” (Dreamy and atmospheric. From Press To Play, released 1986)

“Monkberry Moon Delight” (A scream-y stomper with some of the oddest lyrics you’ll come across. From Ram, released 1971)

“Check My Machine” (Quite literally created as an exercise to check his home recording machine. From McCartney II, released 1980)

“Nod Your Head” (From Memory Almost Full, released 2007)

“Why Don’t We Do It In The Road?” (Short, simple and … lusty. From The Beatles – aka The White Album, released 1968)

“Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” (Playful and inventive. From Ram, released 1971)

“We All Stand Together” (Billed as Paul McCartney and the Frog Chorus – appears in the 1984 animated cartoon “Rupert & the Frog Song”. The song was a top 10 hit in the UK.)

“Free Now” (A little musique concrète in collaboration with Youth and Super Furry Animals. From Liverpool Sound Collage, released 2000)

“Où est le Soleil?” (A synth-y electronic vibe en français. The lyrics translate as “Where is the sun? In the head. Work.” From Flowers in the Dirt, released 1989)

“Smile Away” (From Ram, released 1971)

“Wild Honey Pie” (A snippet in the key of F# major (that’s 6 sharps!). From The Beatles’ White Album, released in 1968)

“Kreen-Akrore” (A lo-fi instrumental jam session. From McCartney, released 1970)

“Mary Had A Little Lamb” (Not a rocker at all, it’s a cute little children’s song based on the nursery rhyme. A non-album single, released in 1972.)

“Hi, Hi, Hi” (Quite a fun little rocker. Banned by the BBC for sexually suggestive lyrics and drug references. A staple of Wings live shows in the 1970s. Non-album single, released 1972)

“Nothing Too Much Just Out of Sight” (A track by The Fireman – a collaboration between McCartney and Youth. From Electric Arguments, released in 2008)

“Magneto and Titanium Man” (A comic book inspired song featuring Marvel characters. Endorsed by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. From the Wings album Venus & Mars released in 1975.)

“Temporary Secretary” (Another 1980 track from McCartney II. Described in Rolling Stone as an “oddly catchy electro-pop nugget, about a slightly creepy-sounding guy looking to hire a temp.” Can’t argue with that assessment, really.)

“Step Inside Love/Los Paranoias” (This track from the Beatles Anthology 3 begins as a demo of a song for Cilla Black and morphs into an amusing jam session. Recorded in 1968. Released in 1996.)

“Oo You” (From McCartney, released 1970)

“Old Siam Sir” (From the seventh and final Wings studio album Back to the Egg, released in 1979)

“Flaming Pie” (A track from the 1997 album also entitled Flaming Pie.)

“You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)” (A rather nutty music hall comedy number recorded between 1967 and 1969 and released as the B-Side to “Let It Be” in 1970. Listen for McCartney’s sleazy lounge singer character!)

Here is the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zey6hqfXCEL9s9O3V6ZfkYRk

And here’s a (slightly longer) version of the playlist on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: “Midnight Delight”

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Danny (class of 2023) and is entitled “Midnight Delight”.

Midnight Delight

(the title depends heavily on if you enjoy letting your feelings out before a good sleep)

Moon on Cloudy day.

Drake – “Marvins Room”

Maroon 5 – “Won’t Go Home Without You”

Shawn Mendes – “Fallin’ All In You”

Pink Sweat$ – “Pink Moon”

Ed Sheeran – “Love In Slow Motion”

XXXTENTACACION – “changes”

Ed Sheeran – “Perfect”

Dion – “Only You Know”

Roy Orbison – “Crying”

Sam Smith – “I’m Not The Only One”

The Killers – “Why Do I Keep Counting?”

blackbear – “why are girls?”

Giveon – “For Tonight”

fun. – “The Gambler”

ZAYN – “fOoL fOr YoU”

Bruno Mars – “If I Knew”

Chance the Rapper – “Same Drugs”

The Shadowboxers – “Honeymoon”

The Moth & The Flame – “The New Great Depression”

The Weeknd – “How Do I Make You Love Me?”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZeydhaS982XvRcWBpGa0b7rh

And here is an extended version on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: “POV: 1:30am and you have two finals tomorrow”

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Danny (class of 2023) and it may be somewhat relatable during exam season. Hang in there!

POV: 1:30am and you have two finals tomorrow

coffee

MARINA – “Oh No!”

The 1975 – “UGH!”

Roy Orbison – “Crying”

Cast of Hamilton – “Helpless”

The Beatles – “Help!”

Janelle Monáe feat. Zoë Kravitz – “Screwed”

Snow Patrol – “This Isn’t Everything You Are”

Rhys Lewis – “Better Than Today”

Tate McRae – “feel like shit”

That Poppy – “Lowlife”

Mabel, Jax Jones & Galantis – “Good Luck”

The Killers – “Everything Will Be Alright”

Drake feat. Sampha – “Too Much”

The Vaccines – “I Can’t Quit”

Jane Krakowski – “A Trip To The Library”

Lauv – “Adrenaline”

blackbear feat. Stalking Gia – “wish u the best”

The Story So Far – “If I Fall”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZezBO2PYAYVXq9avemL-zl0w

And here it is on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: “Songs That Make Me Happy”

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Allison (class of 2022) and features some songs that make her happy. 🙂

Songs that make me happy

music-makes-me-happy-by-plastickheart

Palace – “Live Well”

Grizzly Bear – “Two Weeks”

alt-J – “In Cold Blood”

Dr. Dog – “Nellie”

Young the Giant – “Mind Over Matter (Reprise)”

The Maccabees – “Toothpaste Kisses”

Shakey Graves (feat. Esme Patterson) – “Dearly Departed”

alt-J – “Lovely Day”

Passion Pit – “Carried Away”

Milky Chance – “Colorado”

Unknown Mortal Orchestra – “So Good At Being In Trouble”

Local Natives – “I Saw You Close Your Eyes”

Broken Bells – “Shelter”

alt-J – “Left Hand Free”

NoMBe – “Wait”

Cold War Kids – “Love Is Mystical”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZezE8C3Ih7-i8bBqEZGfFKIf

And here is an extended version on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: Inspired by “Newsies”

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Kinme (class of 2022) and features a playlist that was inspired by the musical Newsies.

Newsies: The Musical
Synopsis (from Broadway.com):
“Based on the real-life Newsboy Strike of 1899, this new Disney musical tells the story of Jack Kelly, a rebellious newsboy who dreams of a life as an artist away from the big city. After publishing giant Joseph Pulitzer raises newspaper prices at the newsboys’ expense, Kelly and his fellow newsies take action. With help from the beautiful female reporter Katherine Plumber, all of New York City soon recognizes the power of ‘the little man.'”

Newsies

“Santa Fe” from Newsies
(Jack’s act one closer where he is contemplating leaving New York and finding a better place for himself after losing a battle against Pulitzer)

“Seize The Day” from Newsies
(A show-stopping number from act one where Jack and Davey rally the newsies to take a stand. Filled with amazing taps and acrobatics)

“The Beanstalk” from Renascence

“Cool” from West Side Story

“Mama Will Provide” from Once on this Island

“Opening – The Audition” from 42nd Street

“Sincerely Me” from Dear Evan Hansen

“Magic To Do” from Pippin

“On The Right Track” from Pippin

“King of The World” from Songs For A New World

“Sick To Death Of Alice-ness” from Alice By Heart

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zex4cTU5SXmAwzZBrWYZnu7H

Parsons Playlists: A Mini Collection of Mozart

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Xipeng (class of 2024) and features works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

A Mini Collection of Mozart

I have to say that my childhood was accompanied with Mozart’s music, and today’s playlist is all about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart!

violin solo with orchestra

Mozart – Piano Concerto No.21 in C Major, K.467 “Elvira Madigan”: I. Allegro maestoso
Artist: Rudolf Buchbinder

Mozart – Piano Concerto No. 27 in B-Flat Major, Op. 17, K. 595: I. Allegro
Artist: Rudolf Buchbinder

Mozart – Piano Concerto No. 13 in C Major, K. 415 – 1. Allegro
Artist: Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli

Mozart – Piano Sonata in C major, K. 330- 3rd mov. Allegretto
Artist: Mitsuko Uchida

Mozart – Piano Sonata in A minor, K. 310- 3rd mov. Presto
Artist: Mitsuko Uchida

Mozart – Flute Concerto No. 1 in G major (K. 313)
Artist: Sharon Bezaly, Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra

Mozart – La Flute Enchantee – Der hölle Rache
Artist: Sabine Devieilhe

Mozart – Violin Concerto No.3 in G major, K216: I Allegro
Artist: Hilary Hahn

Mozart – Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major, KV 219 “Turkish”: III. Rondeau
Artist: Bomsori Kim

Mozart – Piano Trio in G Major, K. 496
Artist: Clara Trio

Mozart – Piano Trio No. 1 (Divertimento), K. 254 in B-flat Major
Artist: Sean Cavanaugh, Nathaniel Shapiro, Kelly Knox

Mozart – Fantasia in D minor K. 397
Artist: Mieczyslaw Horszowski

Mozart – Flute Quartet No.1 in D Major, K.285
Artist: Ensemble Connect

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zexyj2fQfwVMgM2RqB25FRkP

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

Parsons Playlists: The Ultimate Drum Playlist

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Christian (class of 2023) and features some iconic drum performances.

The Ultimate Drum Playlist

This playlist features some of the most captivating and complex drum grooves, from jazz to heavy rock.

drum kit labeled

Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Charlie”

Vulfpeck – “Adrienne & Adrianne”

The Arctic Monkeys – “Brainstorm”

Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Around the World”

Vulfpeck – “Daddy, He Got A Tesla”

The Fearless Flyers – “Introducing the Fearless Flyers”

Red Hot Chili Peppers – “We Believe”

The Arctic Monkeys – “Old Yellow Bricks”

PJ Morton – “Sticking To My Guns”

Chon – “Can’t Wait”

The Arctic Monkeys – “D Is For Dangerous”

Jimi Hendrix – “Fire”

Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Torture Me”

The Backseat Lovers – “Kilby Girl”

Franz Ferdinand – “Take Me Out”

Jaco Pastorious – “The Chicken”

Victor Wooten – “Funky D”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexHjyQgt-nruhgr2JrYwoS5

Parsons Playlists: Dark Academia

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Deisy (class of 2024) and features music for your next study session.

Dark Academia

Looking for some dark academia themed music? Look no further as this playlist transports you to a darker yet magical ambience, perfect for studying!

da3

Takefumi Haketa – “Social Ball” (from Vampire Knight ost)

Herold Lavrentievich Kittler – “Expectation Waltz”

Max Kyuss – “Amur Waves”

Evgeniĭ Mikhaĭlovich Dreĭzin – “Forest Tale”

Dmitri Shostakovich – “The Second Waltz” (from Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2)

Takefumi Haketa – “Inner Turmoil” (from Vampire Knight: Guilty)

Eugen Doga – “Gramophone”

Ilya Shatrov – “On The Hills of Manchuria Waltz”

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Swan Lake Op. 20, Act 2

Vladimir Fedoseyev – “The Snowstorm: II. Waltz”

Takefumi Haketa – “Forbidden Act” (from Vampire Knight ost)

Stephen Flaherty – “Once Upon A December”

Iosif Ivanovici – “Waves of the Danube Waltz”

Petr Gapon – “Broken Strings Waltz”

Frank Wildhorn – “Prologue to The Count of Monte Cristo

Takefumi Haketa – “Main Theme” (from Vampire Knight: Guilty)

Piero Piccioni – “Amore Mio Aiutami (Main Theme)”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZezPYHKDU_Cqq_d14hU5aOlX

Parsons Playlists: Best Campground Music

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Brianna (class of 2023) and features music for your next outdoor adventure.

Best Campground Music

This playlist includes my favorite songs to listen to when I’m camping, hiking, or even just driving through the woods. I hope listening to this playlist brings back your favorite camping memories, or completes the atmosphere at your next camping adventure.

The Wood Brothers – “Wastin’ My Mind”

The California Honeydrops – “Don’t Let The Green Grass Fool You”

Guantanamo Bay Surf Club – “Halves and Quarters”

Mipso – “Louise”

The Lumineers – “Walls”

Eddie Vedder – “Hard Sun”

Old Crow Medicine Show – “Wagon Wheel”

The Brothers Comatose – “Valerie”

Oliver Hazard – “Dandelion”

Mandolin Orange – “Wildfire”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZezOBK8PCe7Fnb8Tw_gz3VTu