Tag Archives: popular music

Parsons Playlists: “Some of my Favorite Korean Songs”

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Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Isaac (class of 2025). It features some songs he discovered while studying abroad in South Korea.

Some of my Favorite Korean Songs

Namsan Tower And Pavilion During The Autumn Leaves In Seoul

Namsan Tower and pavilion during the autumn leaves in Seoul, South Korea.

Songs I listened to/heard while abroad in South Korea!

Hyukoh – “Antenna”

Lee Hi – “Breathe”

Crush – “Ego”

Crush (ft. Zico) – “Cereal”

Lee Hi (ft. Wonstein) – “H.S.K.T.”

ASH ISLAND – “Melody”

GroovyRoom (ft. HUH YUNJIN and Crush) – “Yes or No”

Jooyoung (ft. pH-1) – “Planet Girl”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexAotY1qDmwTQlE_qwxA27f&si=6KtFGoiQviE4qZne

Parsons Playlists: Still Woozy

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Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Torsten (class of 2025) and features music by Still Woozy and other indie pop artists.

Still Woozy

Still Woozy

Still Woozy is one of my favorite artists, so this playlist features a mix of my favorite songs by him along with other similar music that matches his vibe. Enjoy!

Still Woozy – “Anyone But You”

Kid Bloom – “Electric U”

Wallows – “Pleaser”

Still Woozy – “Run It Back”

Your Neighbors – “Beta”

Still Woozy – “Wolfcat”

Still Woozy – “Shotput”

Still Woozy – “Again”

Remi Wolf – “Sexy Villian”

Still Woozy – “Habit”

Still Woozy – “Goodie Bag”

Kid Bloom – “LEMONHEAD”

Still Woozy – “Lucy”

Still Woozy – “Woopie”

Ax and the Hatchetmen – “Peach Trees”

Still Woozy – “Window”

Still Woozy – “Get Down”

Still Woozy – “Cooks”

Glass Animals – “Gooey”

PawPaw Rod – “Lemonhaze”

Last Dinosaurs – “Italo Disco”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZezkEGwmyJKWC-6L1J2sp5Xf&si=MCvBsuKVwcWhbUMW

And here it is on Spotify:

Arachnophonia: Justin Timberlake – “The 20/20 Experience”

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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 Justin Timberlake’s third studio album The 20/20 Experience. Thanks, Marissa!

Justin Timberlake

The 20/20 Experience

Justin Timberlake - The 20/20 Experience

One of the “Greatest Artists of the 21st Century”, Justin Timberlake is an American pop singer, songwriter, producer, actor and dancer. He started off his career in the music industry as a featured member of the popular boy band *NSYNC in the late 90s. He can also be seen in the 2010 movie The Social Network as Napster founder Sean Parker.

His third studio album titled The 20/20 Experience dropped in 2013, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 and it eventually became Billboard’s best selling album of 2013. The singles on the album include “Suit and Tie” featuring Jay-Z, “Tunnel Vision,” and, my personal favorite, “Mirrors.” These songs and more can be found in the Parson’s Music Library today on The 20/20 Experience CD.

Arachnophonia: Adele – “21”

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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 assistant Jillian (class of 2027) and features Adele’s 2011 studio album 21. Thanks, Jillian!

Adele

21

I came across this album while shelf reading and instantly was washed over by nostalgia. At the time this album was released I was 10 years old, but my mom loved Adele’s staples such as “Rumor Has It,” and “Rolling in the Deep,” so I heard these songs quite often. I remember listening to them on long car rides to my sister’s ballet classes, never really understanding the lyrics, but I liked the beat.

Adele’s 21 album was created while she was 21, therefore all of the events and feelings she went through during this time of her life are expressed in these songs. As I’m turning 21 this year, I found it comforting to listen to the music again, because now I could actually understand what she was going through and relate. I think this goes to show you that while new music is exciting, it’s always fun to revisit the music you listened to when you were young, especially when you’re feeling down.

As a college student, it’s important to ground yourself once in a while. Revisiting your old music taste can bring back memories, comfort you, and remind you of who you used to be. With pressures of due dates, presentations, and exams, it’s always good to reflect on how far you’ve come. Music is a means of transporting you to that old self so you can appreciate where you are now. So, I suggest you go back and listen to that old playlist, album or song. Because who knows, after listening maybe you’ll discover a new meaning to it.

Arachnophonia: Adele “25”

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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 assistant Ibrahim (class of 2028) and features Adele’s 2015 album 25. Thanks, Ibrahim!

Adele

25

Adele’s 25 is more than just an album; it is a deeply emotional work of art, in such a way that love, heartbreak, and self-discovery are so well elaborated. This record would go on to achieve cultural phenomenon status in November 2015 by setting records and deeply resonating with people all over the world. To me, 25 poignantly touches on how we go about the passing of time and the relations shaping us.

“Hello” led off the album with raw emotion, powerful vocals barely contained, as if the heart were calling to the past, reconnecting with parts of ourselves we may have left behind. It’s a recurring theme throughout the album, approached so well that this record can be related to by nearly anyone. Songs like “When We Were Young” have a bittersweet ache of nostalgia, while “Million Years Ago” distills the longing for simplicity in today’s convoluted times.

What really makes 25 different is inimitable: the way Adele converts her vulnerabilities into captivatingly beautiful songs. Be it the melancholy of “All I Ask” or the uplifting rhythms of “Send My Love (To Your New Lover),” each song narrates a story of rising above the storm. It is an album for contemplation and solace, upheld for its honesty.

Adele herself describes 25 as a “make-up record,” one that came to reconcile the past into embracing the future. It’s an album that expresses great balance between heartbreak and hope in a swell manner, revealing her growth both as an artist and a person. If anyone’s looking for a soundtrack to his journey of self-discovery, then 25 would be an eternal selection.

Be it for the old-time fan of Adele or just a new listener, this album is definitely not to be missed. This just proves that around storytelling in music, there is always something to surprise you, and in the most broken moments, too, there will be beauty found.

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.