Tag Archives: popular music

Arachnophonia: Stevie Wonder “Songs in the Key of Life”

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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 Lay’la (class of 2025) and features Stevie Wonder’s classic album Songs in the Key of Life. Thanks, Lay’la!

Stevie Wonder

Songs in the Key of Life

Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life

Looking for a calming, captivating and engaging recess? Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life provides this very experience. Released in 1976, this double album is not just a collection of songs; it’s a profound exploration of life, love, and social consciousness that remains salient today.

Songs in the Key of Life is a fascinating blend of genres, seamlessly weaving together soul, R&B, jazz, and pop. From the infectious tunes of “I Wish” to the haunting beauty of “Knocks Me Off My Feet,” each track showcases Wonder’s unparalleled musicianship and vocal prowess. The album opens with “Love’s in Need of Love Today,” a gentle yet powerful reminder of the universal need for compassion and understanding.

Wonder’s experimentation with sound is evident throughout the album. He uses an array of instruments — from harmonicas to synthesizers — that were groundbreaking at the time. Tracks like “Isn’t She Lovely” showcase his ability to craft a beautiful melody that celebrates the joy of fatherhood, while “Pastime Paradise” tackles social issues with a reflective tone, incorporating elements of classical music that add to its richness.

The influence of Songs in the Key of Life extends far beyond its initial release. It has inspired countless artists across genres and remains a staple in music education. The album’s themes of love and social justice continue to resonate, making it a timeless piece that encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives and the world around them.

You can listen to Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life on CD at the Parsons Music Library!

Parsons Playlists: Chinese Pop

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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

G.E.M. – “Light Years Away”

G.E.M. – “Long After”

G.E.M. – “Selfless”

G.E.M.– “The Sky”

Wang Xinghe – “Listen Not”

Jay Chou – “Maple Leaf”

Jay Chou – “All the Way North”

Jay Chou – “Step Aside”

Eason Chan – “Ten Years”

Li Zongsheng – “Newly Written Old Songs”

Li Zongsheng – “The Hills”

AGA – “Jiang Haijia”

Jay Chou – “Ming Ming Jiu”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlWvgju4iTC38OnG3qJg6bfr74QR8B2cE&si=MCu9_9zEmF83bwFW

Parsons Playlists: Indian/Pakistani Classics

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Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Ibrahim (class of 2028) and features a selection of classic Indian and Pakistani popular music.

Indian/Pakistani Classics

My playlist comprises old Indian and Pakistani music, ranging from the 1970s to the 2010s!

Kishore Kumar – “Pyaar Diwana Hota He”

Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar – “Dekha Ek Khwab”

Vital Signs – “Aitebar”

Vital Signs – “Wo Koun Thi”

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Shankar Mahadevan, Ravi “Rags” Khote – “Pretty Woman”

Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal – “Main Hoon Na”

Quratulain Baloch – “Wo Humsafar Tha”

Swanand Kirkire, Amitabh Bhattacharya – “Monta Re”

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan – “Jiya Dhadak Dhadak Jaye”

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Sadhana Sargam, Sujata Bhattacharya, Udit Narayan, Sonu Nigam – “Maahi Ve”

Mukesh – “Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shair Hoon”

Kishore Kumar – “O Mere Dil Ke Chain”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn1FZYDh2o3veunCJ8hG4KMLQkKC6fOTW&si=X48wE1QbcB03Xx7H

Parsons Playlists: Pop

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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

Young woman with yellow hair blowing bubble gum

This playlist will make you feel like a model.

Gwen Stefani – “Bubble Pop Electric”

St. Vincent – “Masseducation”

Grimes – “Genesis”

Madonna – “Vogue”

A$AP Rocky – “Fashion Killa”

Coco & Clai Clair – “Pop Star”

Charli XCX – “Vroom Vroom”

Daft Punk – “One More Time”

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

Arachnophonia: Bob Dylan

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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 Amy (class of 2025) and features Bob Dylan’s first studio album (released in 1962). Thanks, Amy!

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan (1962)

Bob Dylan’s debut album, released in March 1962 by Columbia Records, marks a pivotal moment in the history of folk and popular music. Recorded over two days in November 1961, the album introduces the world to the raw, authentic voice of 20-year-old Dylan. The opening track, “You’re No Good,” immediately showcases Dylan‘s distinctive vocal style and his ability to infuse traditional songs with new life. The album is a compelling blend of folk standards, bluesy interpretations, and a few original compositions, offering a glimpse into the mind of a burgeoning songwriter and storyteller.

Dylan’s command of the acoustic guitar is evident throughout the album, providing a solid foundation for his poetic and often socially conscious lyrics. “Talkin’ New York” is an autobiographical track detailing Dylan’s early experiences and struggles in the Greenwich Village folk scene. “In My Time of Dyin'” reflects Dylan’s fascination with mortality and traditional blues themes, while “Man of Constant Sorrow” highlights his ability to reinterpret folk classics with a fresh perspective.

The album also features Dylan’s take on the traditional ballad “House of the Risin’ Sun,” a rendition that would influence countless musicians. The haunting quality of this track, combined with Dylan’s distinctive vocal delivery, contributes to the enduring appeal of the song. “Song to Woody” pays homage to Woody Guthrie, one of Dylan‘s most significant influences.

In hindsight, Bob Dylan is a captivating snapshot of an artist on the cusp of greatness. While not an immediate commercial success, the album laid the groundwork for Dylan’s subsequent groundbreaking work. Its influence on the folk revival of the 1960s and its enduring impact on subsequent generations of musicians solidify its place as a seminal piece in the folk and rock canon. Bob Dylan captures the essence of a young artist finding his voice, foreshadowing the revolutionary changes he would bring to the world of music in the years to come.

You can listen to Bob Dylan’s first studio album Bob Dylan at Parsons Music Library.

Arachnophonia: Ariana Grande “Sweetener”

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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

Sweetener

Ariana Grande - Sweetener

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!

Parsons Playlists: Victoria Monét

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Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Amy (class of 2025) and features music by American R&B artist and songwriter Victoria Monét.

Victoria Monét

Victoria Monét

Victoria Monét, a talented R&B artist and songwriter, secured three well-deserved Grammy Awards at the 2024 ceremony, including the coveted title of Best New Artist. Witnessing her triumph filled me with absolute joy, as her musical creations, both as a songwriter and a vocalist, are nothing short of extraordinary. Recognizing that not everyone may be familiar with Victoria’s incredible talent, I decided to curate a playlist featuring some of my favorite songs penned by this exceptional artist.

Victoria Monét – “We Might Even Be Falling In Love (Interlude)”

Victoria Monét – “On My Mama”

Victoria Monét – “Coastin’”

Ariana Grande (with Victoria Monét)- “MONOPOLY”

Victoria Monét – “Moment”

Chole x Halle – “Do It”

Ariana Grande – “love language”

Victoria Monét – “Jaguar”

Victoria Monét (feat. Kehlani) – “Touch Me”

Victoria Monét – “Dive”

Victoria Monét – “Ass Like That”

Victoria Monét – “Alright”

Victoria Monét – “Go There With You”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSwAwMtTLDwj_Kf7CeJxvFP8fYXe6OQw3&si=jQAtNl3RU1Dw-lNE

And here it is on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: Karol G

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Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Luis (class of 2025) and features music by Columbian singer Karol G.

Karol G

Karol G

Carolina Giraldo Navarro, better known as KAROL G, is a Latin artist from Medellin, Colombia who has been rising in the music industry as of late. She just won her first Grammy this year and is only continuing to rise in the charts. I have been listening to her a lot recently and wanted to share some of my favorite songs.

Karol G and Peso Pluma – “QLONA”

Karol G – “Amargura”

Karol G – “Mi Ex Tenia Razon”

Karol G and Shakira – “TQG”

Karol G – “Oki Doki”

Karol G – “S91”

Karol G – “Provenza”

Karol G and Maldy – “Gatúbela”

Karol G – “200 Copas”

Karol G and Nicki Minaj – “Tusa”

Karol G – “Bichota”

Karol G feat. Aldo Ranks – “Watati”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexyAvMRXc1h915Dj8QO1VdJ&si=RpGUw3IU-GB94b_F

Parsons Playlists: Best K-Pop 2023

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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

K-pop image by Kurihara Akane / flowerakane@MT

Jung Kook feat. Jack Harlow – “3D”

NCT 127 – “Fact Check”

NewJeans – “Super Shy”

XG – “New Dance”

V – “Slow Dancing”

BoyNextDoor – “But Sometimes”

BoyNextDoor – “One and Only”

Riize – “Get a Guitar”

NCT U – “Baggy Jeans”

Le Sserafim – “Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife”

Seventeen – “Super”

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!:

Arachnophonia: Taylor Swift “folklore”

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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 Taylor Swift’s 2020 album folklore. Thanks, Marissa!

Taylor Swift

folklore

Taylor Swift - folklore (album cover)

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in July 2020, American singer-song writer Taylor Swift released her 8th studio album titled folklore. This album was vastly different from anything she had produced previously, drawing in a new crowd of indie folk fans.

While Swift’s usual songs are written about events that took place in her personal life, folklore takes a different route: each song tells a fictional story with the same cast of characters throughout the album. The tracks “cardigan”, “betty”, and “august” all center around a love triangle between the characters Betty, James, and Augustine. Most of these songs include only Taylor Swift‘s vocals, however the track “exile” features the band Bon Iver as well.

If you are interested in anything Taylor Swift, learning more about this love triangle, or are already a fan of indie folk music, I’d recommend checking out this CD today from Parsons Music Library. You can find the item here: folklore.