Parsons Playlists: Through the Decades

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Rocio (class of 2027). It features a multi-decade selection of songs.

Through the Decades: A Journey Through Time

This playlist spans across many different styles, from rock to soul, from grunge to pop, each representing the distinct culture of its time (1960s – 2020s).

1960s

The Beatles – “Here Comes the Sun”
Genre: Rock/Pop
A perfect track to represent the cultural shift of the ’60s, full of optimism and innovation.

Aretha Franklin – “Respect”
Genre: Soul/R&B
An iconic anthem for empowerment and the civil rights movement.

1970s

David Bowie – “Space Oddity”
Genre: Glam Rock
This track encapsulates the futuristic and experimental vibes of the ’70s.

Fleetwood Mac – “Landslide”
Genre: Folk Rock
A soft, introspective classic that showcases the band’s emotional depth.

1980s

Michael Jackson – “Billie Jean”
Genre: Pop/Funk
One of the defining tracks of the ’80s, with its infectious groove and pioneering production.

The Smiths – “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out”
Genre: Indie Rock
A melancholic yet beautiful anthem from the ’80s alternative scene.

1990s

Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
Genre: Grunge/Rock
A cultural shift to grunge, encapsulating the rebellious spirit of the ’90s.

Lauryn Hill – “Doo Wop (That Thing)”
Genre: R&B/Hip-Hop
A blend of soulful R&B and sharp rap lyrics that defined ’90s hip-hop culture.

2000s

OutKast – “Hey Ya!”
Genre: Funk/Pop
A genre-defying hit that blends funk, pop, and dance.

Amy Winehouse – “Rehab”
Genre: Soul/Pop
A modern classic, blending jazz, soul, and pop with sharp lyrics.

2010s

Kendrick Lamar – “Alright”
Genre: Hip-Hop
An anthem for social change, it captures the political and cultural landscape of the 2010s.

Lorde – “Royals”
Genre: Indie Pop
This minimalist anthem became a defining song of the ’10s indie scene.

2020s

Taylor Swift – “All Too Well”
Genre: Pop/country
A track that redefined mainstream pop with its unique production and style.

Olivia Rodrigo – “drivers license”
Genre: Pop
One of the biggest songs of the 2020s, full of emotional vulnerability and teenage angst.

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZezxvxmvyKbScOGaCAawroKq&si=6FIbD3s07_Bu9S3M

Parsons Playlists: Autumn Equinox

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Amy (class of 2025) and features some of her favorite seasonal music.

Autumn Equinox

One of my favorite ways to welcome a new season is by finding songs that capture the shift in the air. Autumn, my favorite season, always has me waiting with bated breath for the first official day of fall. Then, I can finally pull out my sweaters, enjoy hot coffee, and play songs like “‘Tis Autumn” by the Nat King Cole Trio. Here are a few others I think are perfect for when fall arrives:

Nat King Cole Trio – “‘Tis Autumn”

John Coltrane – “Autumn Serenade”

Neil Young – “Harvest Moon”

Taylor Swift – “cardigan”

Simon & Garfunkel – “Leaves That Are Green”

Simon & Garfunkel – “Homeward Bound”

Simon & Garfunkel – “Scarborough Fair/Canticle”

Simon & Garfunkel – “The Dangling Conversation”

Fleetwood Mac – “Sisters of the Moon”

Phoebe Bridgers – “Halloween”

Stevie Nicks – “Crystal”

Fleet Foxes – “Blue Ridge Mountains”

Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong – “Autumn in New York”

Nat King Cole – “Autumn Leaves”

Caamp – “Fall, Fall, Fall”

Cate Le Bon – “Harbour”

Eliza McLamb – “Glitter”

Sufjan Stevens – “A Running Start”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSwAwMtTLDwj_d-bgFep2V3aSKwkRcEnR&si=AgiDENEkCUUmFKm-

And here it is on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: End of Summer

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Christine (class of 2025) and features some tunes that capture the vibes of the end of summer.

End of Summer

eos moon

As we near the end of summer weather, trips to the river/beach, and lemonade evenings, there is a both sense of nostalgia and a sigh of reluctance as we prepare ourselves for the upcoming semester. This playlist captures that bittersweet end. Best played at sunset while walking around campus or driving slowly with the windows down.

Sports – “You Are The Right One”

Taylor Swift – “august”

Cigarettes After Sex – “Sunsetz”

The 1975 – “About You”

Eyedress (ft. Dent May) – “Something About You”

Lana Del Rey (ft. Bleachers) – “Margaret”

The Arctic Monkeys – “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”

Big Thief – “Vampire Empire”

The Sacred Souls – “Weak for Your Love”

Dream, Ivory – “welcome and goodbye”

Harry Styles – “Carolina”

Radiohead – “Jigsaw Falling Into Place”

TV Girl – “Louise”

Lana Del Rey – “Chemtrails Over the Country Club”

Mac DeMarco – “My Kind of Woman”

Current Joys – “Blondie”

Cage the Elephant – “Cigarette Daydreams”

Greer – “Connect the Dots”

Mac DeMarco – “Still Beating”

Sydney Ross Mitchell – “Next Time”

Edie McKenna – “Hail Mary”

The Marías – “Ay No Puedo”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexlRa_pvBvFeCuRacRjqm65&si=6mtPprvffUFqIafQ

and here it is on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: Graduation

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Eliana (class of 2024) and features some tunes for upcoming graduation festivities.

Graduation

Graduation

Graduation is here, along with the bittersweet emotions that come with it. Whether you’re thrilled, inconsolable or indifferent, here’s a playlist to remind you how far you’ve come and how much there is to look forward to.

Green Day – “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)”

Keane – “Somewhere Only We Know”

The Head and the Heart – “Rivers and Roads”

Macklemore – “Good Old Days”

Harry Styles – “Canyon Moon”

Hannah Montana – “I’ll Always Remember You”

Queen – “Don’t Stop Me Now”

ABBA – “Slipping Through My Fingers”

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

Adele – “When We Were Young”

Phoebe Bridgers – “Scott Street”

Fleetwood Mac – “Landslide”

Noah Kahan – “You’re Gonna Go Far”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexfNkMoIV2Ip91qkDJqyCij&si=R3y9TrYYMFbPthZW

Parsons Playlists: Study Gems

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Marissa (class of 2025) which features some tunes to help you study.

Study Gems

We know everyone listens to music to help them get through a tough assignment or a long study period for a hard exam. But, we also know that some of the music you listen to might be getting old. Here’s a collection of songs I like to study to. Enjoy!

Taylor Swift – “invisible string”

Adam Melchor – “Real Estate”

Wabie – “That’s What Everybody Said”

Wabie – “Love Me Tomorrow”

keshi – “UNDERSTAND”

Ricky Montgomery – “Talk to You” (acoustic)

Glee cast – “What Kind of Fool”

Lennon Stella – “Goodnight”

Mac Ayres – “Easy”

The Walters – “I Love You So” (acoustic)

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEPpzeK8v3s3ZLKjWXdlc2F-wg_xrmVAf&si=4xSQkMDxEaLjYV1x

Parsons Playlists: Coming-of-Age Movie Soundtrack

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Nicole (class of 2024) and features

Coming-of-Age Movie Soundtrack

With Commencement coming up and only a couple of months until Summer, one can’t help but ponder on how far they’ve come and think about how uncertain the future is. Here is a playlist with songs to help you romanticize academic life and think of it as if you were the main character of a coming-of-age film!

BØRNS – “Electric Love”

Florence + The Machine – “Dogs Days Are Over”

GROUPLOVE – “Tongue Tied”

Harry Styles – “Keep Driving”

Harry Styles – “Matilda”

Indigo De Souza – “Younger & Dumber”

Keane – “Somewhere Only We Know”

MGMT – “Time to Pretend”

Of Monsters and Men – “Little Talks”

Royel Otis – “Oysters in My Pocket”

Tame Impala – “Yes I’m Changing”

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

Tears for Fears – “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”

The 1975 – “Robbers”

The Script – “For the First Time”

The Strokes – “Hard to Explain”

Vacations – “No Place Like Home”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZezPBKdTCZPVYTGk1TkN7DeZ&si=YIkZOpxp2ukj5kY9

Parsons Playlists: Road Trip Sing-Alongs

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Marissa (class of 2025) and features some road trip sing-along songs.

Road Trip Sing-Alongs

Road trip

This playlist includes classic songs that everyone knows the words to that’ll keep you energized for a long drive. Enjoy!

Cage the Elephant – “Cigarette Daydreams”

Pitbull ft. Christina Aguilera – “Feel This Moment”

Gym Class Heroes – “Stereo Hearts”

Coldplay – “Viva la Vida”

Maroon 5 – “Misery”

Hoobastank – “The Reason”

Kelly Clarkson – “Since U Been Gone”

Taylor Swift – “Love Story” (Taylor’s Version)

Lady Antebellum – “Need You Now”

Neon Trees – “Everybody Talks”

Don McLean – “American Pie”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEPpzeK8v3s1Sbv0a8ty7G7qzattwmp9F&si=nH2LeFCjS20-JUx9

Parsons Playlists: Songs That Feel Like Thanksgiving

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Eliana (class of 2024) featuring some music for your Thanksgiving enjoyment.

Songs That Feel Like Thanksgiving

cornucopia

Christmas is around the corner, but we can’t forget about thanksgiving just yet. While there’s not really any mainstream thanksgiving-themed music, here are some songs that remind me of home and the holidays.

Khalid – “Winter”

Jack Johnson – “Better Together”

Adele – “Hometown Glory”

Philip Phillips – “Home”

Noah Kahan – “Homesick”

The Lumineers – “Sleep on the Floor”

Taylor Swift – “Tis the Damn Season”

Harry Styles – “Canyon Moon”

Rascal Flatts – “Bless the Broken Road”

John Denver – “Take Me Home, Country Roads”

Billy Joel – “Vienna”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZewIBys_UumxkWIABkdzJCeH&si=q9_JGAIuZ9XZkxld

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: 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