Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Tim (class of 2024) which features some Chinese pop songs.
Chinese Pop
Jay Chou – “All the Way North”
Li Zongsheng – “Newly Written Old Songs”
Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlWvgju4iTC38OnG3qJg6bfr74QR8B2cE&si=MCu9_9zEmF83bwFW
Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Luis (class of 2025) and features music by R&B/Latin artists Kali Uchis and Omar Apollo.
Kali Uchis and Omar Apollo
This year I have really gotten into listening to both of these artists. Omar Apollo is a Mexican-American singer-songwriter known for his genre-blending sound, combining elements of R&B, funk, soul, and Latin influences with heartfelt, bilingual lyrics. Kali Uchis is a Colombian-American artist celebrated for her sultry, versatile voice, blending R&B, soul, reggaeton, and pop in her music, often with themes of love, self-empowerment, and cultural identity. I wanted to share some of my favorite songs from both artists, as well as some of the collaborations they have done in the past.
Kali Uchis – “Quiero Sentirme Bien”
Kali Uchis and Omar Apollo – “Worth the Wait”
Omar Apollo and Kali Uchis – “Bad Life”
Kali Uchis – “Igual Que Un Ángel”
Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZeyotviKbVnGY5y5w5NRtZap&si=4vWrYZ7JHqLoe5QN
Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Eliana (class of 2026) and features the English pop duo Wasia Project.
Wasia Project
Wasia Project is an up-and-coming English sibling alt-pop-duo created in 2019 by Olivia Hardy and William Gao. The name “Wasia” comes from a mix of Chinese and English, reflecting the backgrounds of the two artists. With Olivia on vocals and guitar and William on vocals, keyboards, and piano, the two have made a name for themselves. They released their first track called “why don’t u love me” in 2019 and later released the EP “how can i pretend” in 2022. I personally saw Wasia Project when they opened for Laufey in DC, and even though I had listened to them previously, I fell even more in love with their music after seeing them. Some of my favorites are “ur so pretty,” “impossible,” and “Remember When.” The songs give me a nostalgic and longing feel through the different use of vocals and instrumentals.
Wasia Project – “why don’t u love me”
Wasia Project – “Is This What Love Is?”
Wasia Project – “Remember When”
Wasia Project – “My Lover is Sleeping”
Wasia Project – “Petals on the Moon”
Wasia Project – “ur so pretty”
Wasia Project – “Takes Me Back Home”
Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zez30OwOKuoVYTWm_LS3hc-r&si=3X0WcyV9kheSFun4
Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Sophia (class of 2028) featuring some K-Pop tunes.
K-Pop
Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp8XNR9pwF9xKdCequw-rBEjlDzOz6CRE&si=MgWCyZeR2Utk55aV
And here it is on Spotify:
Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Deisy (class of 2024) and features a selection of pop music for your enjoyment.
Pop
This playlist will make you feel like a model.
Gwen Stefani – “Bubble Pop Electric”
Coco & Clai Clair – “Pop Star”
Tommy february6 – “Lonely In Gorgeous”
Vendredi sur Mer – “Écoute Chérie”
Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexqZHBWeRfZkoDdnSMTJRo-&si=mAsoIBIHrr9CH-mX
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 manager Eli (class of 2024) and features a vinyl LP of Barry Manilow hits. Thanks, Eli!
While perhaps somewhat unknown among younger generations, Barry Manilow’s music career has spanned seven decades and has produced 51 top 40 singles and 13 platinum albums. He is most known for his hits “Copacabana,” “Mandy,” and “Could it be Magic,” but my far and away favorite Manilow masterpiece is “I Write the Songs.”
Manilow’s soft and sentimental ballad reached the top spot of Billboard charts upon release in 1977. Except, the song is not Barry Manilow’s. Written in 1975 by Beach Boys member Bruce Johnston, the song was first released by teen sensation David Cassidy in 1975. Cassidy’s version peaked at number 11 on the UK singles chart but has been far outshone by Manilow’s recording, which has tens of millions of plays on Spotify today. Manilow originally refused to record his own version of the song, as he felt that the public would not carefully listen to the lyrics and would think Manilow was singing about himself, instead of another, mysterious “I.” Following the massive success of his version, Manilow wrote and released another song called “I Really Do Write the Songs” as a bonus track of his 2006 reissue of This One’s for You.
If you would like to take a listen to Manilow’s version of the song, as well as his other greatest hits, pay a visit to our vinyl LP collection.
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 manager Marissa (class of 2025) and features Ariana Grande’s 2018 album Sweetener. Thanks, Marissa!
Ariana Grande‘s fourth studio album Sweetener was released in the summer of 2018. Collaborating with other artists like Pharrell Williams, Nicki Minaj, and Missy Elliott, this album is loved by many different audiences. It won Best Pop Vocal Album of the Year in 2019, giving Grande her first Grammy award.
This pop and R&B styled album includes themes of womanhood, romance, and hope in the face of tragedy and loss. The three singles on the album are “No Tears Left to Cry,” “God Is a Woman,” and “Breathin‘,” each charting on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The last track, “Get Well Soon,” is a tribute to the lives lost at the Manchester Arena bombing during her previous tour. There are 40 seconds of silence at the end of this song to commemorate the 22 victims who passed away, bringing the runtime to 5:22 (the date of the concert).
If you’d like to listen to these songs mentioned and more, you can check this CD out from the Parsons Music Library today. You won’t regret it!
Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Xipeng (class of 2024) and it features some of the best K-pop from 2023.
Best K-pop 2023
Jung Kook feat. Jack Harlow – “3D”
Le Sserafim – “Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife”
BSS feat. Li Young Ji – “Fighting”
Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zeww2QgmYwNBOEdF9tAArVOc&si=8Jz7zyFVlcNhwaqj
Check out an extended playlist on Spotify!:
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 manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features a biography of and albums by Elton John. Thanks, Kiran!
Elton John
Rocket Man: The Life of Elton John by Mark Bego
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
Farwell Yellow Brick Road – The Closing Chapter on Elton John’s Magical Journey
For people in my generation, Elton John was the singer we grew up listening to when our parents were tired of listening to 2010s pop and Disney Channel stars. He (and songwriting partner Bernie Taupin) were the masterminds behind the
music & lyrics we somehow all knew even if we didn’t recognize the name. Needless to say, Elton John has been an influential artist on multiple generations and continues to be one of the biggest names in the music industry.
This year, he took to the stage one last time and began his very last world tour. John, now 75, has played over 3,500 concerts since his career took off in 1969. The “Farwell Yellow Brick Road” tour began in 2018 and was halted due to COVID-19. In early November of 2022, John completed the North America leg at Dodgers Stadium, as a nod to one of his earliest shows in which he performed in a bedazzled Dodgers uniform. He will continue touring in Europe this summer with about 60 shows left before he takes his final bow.
John has taken on numerous projects during his career, from creating the hit “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” to an entire soundtrack for Gnomeo and Juliet. You can read more about him at Parsons Music Library or listen to one of his many famous albums in our CD section!
Promotional poster for Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour
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