Parsons Playlists: Rainy Night

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Alexandra (class of 2026) and features music for a rainy night.

Rainy Night

rainy night window

Here is a playlist of songs I find myself wanting to listen to when relaxing and doing my homework looking out my window to cold rainy weather.

Bruno Major – “Easily”

Mac DeMarco – “Blue Boy”

Loving – “Visions”

The Beatles – “Blackbird”

Billy Joel – “She’s Got a Way”

The Mamas & The Papas – “Dream A Little Dream Of Me”

Gregory Alan Isakov – “Big Black Car”

Djo – “Chateau (Feel Alright)”

Frank Sinatra – “It Had To Be You”

The Beatles – “Something”

Pink Floyd – “Breathe (In the Air)”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZezxGRDhYQLHOOLg88FRfl1b&si=hP0k0rAv1xNLhbZO

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:

Parsons Playlists: Oldies But Goodies

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Marissa (class of 2025) and features a collection of oldies.

Oldies But Goodies

Looking for some 60s/70s/80s/90s tunes to jam out to with your parents? Or, do you want to explore a different era of music on your own? I’ve gathered together my top picks for an “Oldies but Goodies” vibe.

Elton John – “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”

Billy Joel – “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)”

The Beatles – “Help!”

Fugees – “Killing Me Softly With His Song”

The Monkees – “Daydream Believer”

Edison Lighthouse – “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)”

King Harvest – “Dancing in the Moonlight”

Fleetwood Mac – “Rhiannon”

Queen – “Don’t Stop Me Now”

ABBA – “Voulez Vous”

Glen Campbell – “Southern Nights”

Maxine Nightingale – “Right Back Where We Started From”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEPpzeK8v3s09B3ivoIti76W67R2c2j9B&si=IjPb6SdYLo5ICFBT

Parsons Playlists: A Foray Into Country Music

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Eliana (class of 2024) which features some country music.

A Foray Into Country Music

Audience at a country music show

You don’t need to like country music to like these songs. Everyone knows them, true country fans hate them, but to you they’re cowboy enough.

Zac Brown Band – “Chicken Fried”

Carrie Underwood – “Jesus, Take the Wheel”

John Denver – “Take Me Home, Country Roads”

Zac Brown Band – “Colder Weather”

Dan + Shay – “Tequila”

Zach Bryan – “Something in the Orange”

Kacey Musgraves – “Rainbow”

Sam Hunt – “Body Like A Back Road”

Carrie Underwood – “Before He Cheats”

Florida Georgia Line – “Cruise”

Thomas Rhett – “Die A Happy Man”

Luke Combs – “Fast Car”

Dolly Parton – “Jolene”

Darius Rucker – “Wagon Wheel”

Little Big Town – “Girl Crush”

Taylor Swift – “Our Song”

Dan + Shay – “Speechless”

Old Dominion – “No Such Thing as a Broken Heart”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zey_V9K0OIDi2L5Bg769SnNl&si=esrSEcmfYav9xyyC

Parsons Playlists: Ambient

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Eli (class of 2024) and features some relaxing ambient music.

Ambient

ambient

It can be important at times to check out, to calm the constant stimulation and sensory overload that is college life. When I am looking for some tranquility, I often casually listen to ambient, easy-listening music, letting my brain focus and unfocus on the song as it chooses. Here are some of my favorites.

Brokeback – “Returns to the Orange Grove”

Gia Margaret – “Lakes”

Daniel Lopatin – “Uncut Gems”

Valium Aggelein – “The Clouds Will Drop Ladders”

Blithe Field – “RD1”

Tom Misch – “The Wilhelm Scream (Quarantine Sessions)”

Will Van Horn – “Pleasure Is All Mine”

The Putbacks – “Little Flower”

Florist – “Instrumental 3”

h hunt – “Wrong II”

Lomelda – “M for Magic”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZewAlrAzdeV9vNIkrUu-nLHc&si=bY3rLLn_CKx8U0Gp

Parsons Playlists: Autumn Anthems

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Susanne (class of 2026) some songs for the shorter, colder days of autumn.

Autumn Anthems

late autumn

As the days get shorter and the air grows colder, it’s always fun to listen to music that matches the ambience of our weather. This playlist features songs with a range of folk, indie, pop and acoustic roots that take inspiration from the natural world around us. Whether you’re cooking festive foods, hosting a game night with friends, or hiking in Virginia’s breathtaking mountains, this soothing yet upbeat playlist is sure to have you singing along and inspired to reconnect with the earth.

The Lumineers – “Walls”

Mt. Joy – “Evergreen”

Noah Kahan – “Everywhere, Everything”

Taylor Swift – “ivy”

Hozier – “First Light”

Jonah Kagen – “The Roads”

Lord Huron – “Ends of the Earth”

Phoebe Bridgers – “Moon Song”

Wild Rivers – “Thinking ‘Bout Love”

MisterWives – “SUPERBLOOM”

Maggie Rogers – “Fallingwater”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zez28BPfSvouKU9LILeLlYdF&si=4pgXfi_0t8nrAW1N

Parsons Playlists: Midnight Serenade

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Xipeng (class of 2024) and features relaxing music for midnight enjoyment.

Midnight Serenade

midnight serenade

A collection of songs perfect for late-night relaxation. Turn on the night light, and let the music guide you into a state of calm as you embrace the stillness of the midnight hour.

James Lee – “Portrait of You”

Mark Jubel – “Halvvejs”

Michael Janzen – “Plum Coulee”

James Wong – “Glimpse of Us” (piano cover)

Gerry Mulligan Sextet – “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning”

Tiril Brandt – “Lush Life”

Bladverk Band – “Foggy Sunday”

Danny Ryan Jazz Band – “Nothing Lasts Forever”

Tim Franks Trio – “Autumn Serenade”

Piper Williamson – “Light Wave”

Jenny Jones – “Compassion”

Rainy Days Trio – “In This Wonderful World”

High North Trio – “In Bloom”

Rainy Days Trio – “Counting Stars”

Bill Evans Trio – “My Foolish Heart”

Ottorino Respighi – “6 Pezzi, P. 44: No.1. Valse Caressante” (Konstantin Scherbakov, piano)

Angela Rowles – “Misty”

Peter Cincotti – “Rainbow Connection”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZewKE5J1HYiDazfdvt5wgj3v&si=PXxbWE2gsho06cgS

Parsons Playlists: Night

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Yangyue (class of 2024) and features some night time listening.

Night

Night time photo

These are my favorite songs to play at night. Enjoy listening!

郭頂 (Guo Ding) – “淒美地 (The Fog Space)”

YOASOBI – “アンコール (Encore)”

베이식, 아넌딜라이트, 소코도모, 머드 더 스튜던트 (Basick, Anandelight, Mudd the student, sokodomo) – “고생이 많아 (A Long Day) (Feat. Zion.T)”

Wonstein – “Infrared Camera”

Karen Mok – “這世界那麼多人 (Empty World)”

宇多田ヒカル (Hikaru Utada) – “First Love”

NIKI – “La La Lost You (Acoustic Version)”

Ben&Ben – “Leaves”

Sam Kim – “Summer Rain”

Joji – “Glimpse of Us”

Twenty One Pilots – “Truce”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZewLdkTwUqSmMY28EptIRInH&si=s0NkXXHys7Nypgqi

Parsons Playlists: Emotional Classical Music

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Amy (class of 2025) which explores how classical music can convey many emotions.

Emotional Classical Music

When people hear I enjoy listening to classical music, they often assume it’s the soft repetitive music most associate with studying. However, classical music is much more than just something to put on in the background. It is compelling storytelling, music I am not able to listen to while working because I am too enthralled by the story unfolding in my ears to pay attention to anything else. This is why I created this playlist: to show new classical music listeners that classical music is not a one-size-fits-all genre, it can convey anything you want it to.

Richard Wagner – Die Walkure, Act II: Ride of the Valkyries

Dimitri Shostakovich – String Quartet No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 110: IV. Largo

Dimitri Shostakovich – Symphony No. 10 in E Minor, Op. 93: II. Allegro

Gustav Holst – The Planets, Op. 32: 1. Mars, the Bringer of War

Carl Orff – Carmina Burana, Introduction, Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi: O Fortuna

Johann Sebastian Bach – Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565: 1. Toccata

Johann Sebastian Bach – Orchestral Suite No. 2 in No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067: VII. Badinerie

Giuseppe Verdi – Requiem, Dies Irae

Sergei Prokofiev – Romeo and Juliet Op. 64, Act 1, Scene 2: Dance of the Knights

Antonin Dvorak – Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95 “From the New World”: IV. Allegro con fuoco

Pyotr IIyich Tchaikovsky – Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 23, TH 55: 1. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Requiem in D Minor, K. 636 Sequence: VI. Lacrimosa Dies Illa

Pyotr IIyich Tchaikovsky – Swan Lake, Op. 20, Act 2: No. 10, Scene. Moderato

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSwAwMtTLDwg9SWLgHg8b8oTYudIv8wSu&si=_wDnpCg7fHAYvRkS

And here it is on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: Re-Watching Gilmore Girls

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Nicole (class of 2024) featuring some tunes from the TV series Gilmore Girls.

Re-watching Gilmore Girls

Lorelei and Rory Gilmore

It’s finally the season to take out your cozy sweaters, order pumpkin spice latte, prep your Halloween costume and, most importantly, re-watch your favorite comfort show: Gilmore Girls!! Here is a playlist with some iconic tunes from the show, and other songs that remind me of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore.

The La’s – “There She Goes”

Carole King – “Where You Lead”

Sam Phillips – “Reflecting Light”

Sam Phillips – “If I Could Write”

The Cranberries – “Linger”

Cigarettes After Sex – “Don’t Let Me Go”

boygenius – “Cool About It”

boygenius – “Not Strong Enough”

Phoebe Bridgers – “Moon Song”

Phoebe Bridgers – “Savior Complex”

Taylor Swift ft. Phoebe Bridgers – “Nothing New”

Taylor Swift – “This Is Me Trying”

Taylor Swift – “Mirrorball”

Taylor Swift” – “You’re On Your Own, Kid”

The Script – “Breakeven”

The 1975 – “About You”

The 1975 – “Robbers”

Cocteau Twins & Harold Budd – “Sea, Swallow Me”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zeyes–6Een-75dqodJMZWLj&si=-bx9lzSrIqMf9zXz