Thank You for the Music: MODA Blog's Collective Healing Playlist
When I read (and listened to) Alexandra’s first installment of this series, I thought about how her words very wisely captured my feelings regarding the situation we’re all in. Winter quarter is always the most challenging term, and it is overwhelming to have to face the stresses that come along with it on top of the trauma and anxiety that many of us have had to deal with over the past year. Beyond that, many of us have had to adapt how we heal, now that it’s more difficult to see each other. Beyond just an article, Thank You For the Music exists as a way for us here at MODA Blog to heal collectively through the exchange of art and music. So for any of you going through a lot right now, we see you, and we’re here to share with you some of our favorite pieces that have pulled us through some of our toughest times:
Andrew Chang: Bonnie Tyler - Holding Out for a Hero
Admittedly, I first heard this song while watching Shrek 2, and yes, I’ve stanned it ever since. There’s something about that rapid beat and that choral backdrop that just makes me want to get everything and anything done for the day. Winter quarter is always a rough time of year for me, and with the pandemic going on, I think I’ve been holding out for a hero for quite a while. Part of me wonders if one of the song’s powers is its capacity to convince singers-along to confess to needing some help, while concurrently convincing them that they can be the hero they’re holding out for.
It’s actually wild how long this song has been following me—from when I first heard it at the tender age of 7, to its cover on Glee, to appearing on the soundtracks for Detective Pikachu and WW84, Bonnie Tyler’s feel good song seems to always be there to remind me that sometimes I need a hero, and sometimes I can be the hero that I need oh so badly.
Denise Ruiz’s Take:
“Holding Out for a Hero” is the type of song that makes you want to run a marathon, climb a mountain, and finish your BA thesis in one afternoon. This is a bop that will get your heart racing and keep you motivated, making the song exactly what I needed to listen to this weekend. I personally love music that makes you feel like you could take on the world.
Fourteen years ago, Shrek 2’s “Holding Out for a Hero” moment defined an entire generation. It’s also special for me since it reminds me of my first summer in Chicago when I watched it with close friends.
And since we are in the middle of midterms, we could all use a hero right now!
Henrique Caldas: Only Girl (In The World) - Rihanna
“Only Girl (In the World)” is THE song that made me fall in love with music. Some people may judge this assertion as tacky, but something clicked inside me when I first heard it. I don't know what it was, but Rihanna's voice and its passionate, energetic beats enchanted me from the get-go. At the time, as an 8-year-old Brazilian kid with little to no knowledge of English, I could not understand the lyrics. But it didn't matter because, from then on, a genuine love for music developed inside of me—which for some reason also awoke in me a fondness for dancing. Nowadays, pop and EDM are still my favorite music genres, even if I listen to a wider range.
"Only Girl (In the World)" has the most nostalgic power of almost anything in my childhood. And because of the song's importance to my past and to my love for music, whenever I hear it, I am transported into a state where I tap into this lust for life that music brings me whenever I am down.
Clara Herf’s Take:
It's pretty hard not to love Rihanna and her diverse sound. She just can't disappoint, and on that note, can she please drop the new album!! This song, in particular, is energetic and just makes you want to dance. Simultaneously, it also reminds you to demand the respect and love you deserve. Don't let anybody treat you like your secondary or not good enough. "I want you to make me feel like I'm the only girl in the world" emphasizes the importance of being in a relationship that is genuine and makes you feel special. This song is a reminder to us all that we deserve to be loved.
Clara Herfs: The Climb - Miley Cyrus
This song hits different. I think it's my go-to song for when I'm overwhelmed or when I feel like giving up. When I was little, I was the biggest Hannah Montana fan. I had the blonde wig and everything. This song especially just reminds me to keep going and to keep fighting and that yes, times get rough and yes, "there's always going to be another mountain," but we're strong enough to get over everything life throws at us and we will only be stronger for it.
"Sometimes you’re gonna have to lose / doesn't matter how fast I get there" reminds me to trust myself and to not obsess over failures. Sorry if that was cheesy, but anybody who doesn't get emotional listening to this song is clearly not listening to the lyrics or is just not an original Hannah Montana fan.
Sera Pensoy’s Take:
I love The Climb, partially because of young Miley and my strong attachment to Hannah Montana, but mainly for its message of resilience. The first verse touches upon the idea of self-doubt, and it is so wise; I like how she does not acknowledge whether the situation is objectively difficult to deal with, because that isn’t the point, is it? The person in our way is always us.
This song is genuinely helpful to listen to because she is surrendering to the relentless journey. Things don’t always get better quickly, and sometimes the end is not at all in sight. But you just have to do whatever you can to cope, and to keep going, since that is the only way you’ll succeed… and once you’ve made it, you’ll realize that the achievement is not where you are now; it was the journey!
Sera Pensoy: Put Your Records On: Corinne Bailey Rae
My song of choice to get me through tough times is Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae. It never fails to make me feel happy with its relaxed beat, happy melody and reassuring lyrics. First of all, it is so cute! “Three little birds sat on my window, and they told me I don’t need to worry”: what a glorious image. While that lyric is quite light-hearted, there are other phrases which ring very true: “the more things seem to change, the more they stay the same.”
You can feel so overwhelmed with the speed of life sometimes, but when you calm down and think about it, nothing is actually so bad… it’s not that deep! That is the essence of why this song is so great. Just let your hair down, relax, everything will fall into place and you don’t need to worry about it!
Su’s Take:
The song reminded me of my plans for the past summer break. But instead of reminding me all the ominous news, cancellations, and the stuck at home situation, it made me think about my plans, what I wished to do, what I dreamed about with my friends. Besides, while listening to the "girl, put your records on, tell me your favorite song" part of the song I felt especially connected to Sera, as if she sent me her favorite song and wants me to do the same.
Alongside the soothing melody of the song—which, in fact, directly places a smile on your face—the lyrics were like those of a Disney movie, pulling you towards a "cinnamon" scent and the image of a chorus of laughter shared with your most sincere ones.
Su Karaça: Oft Gefragt - AnnenMayKantereit
The song is about someone whom we call home. Up until my twenties, I had to leave more than five cities and my family for a high school in a different city, and eventually, the country I am a native to to attend a university in another continent. Slowly, I realized that I was leaving not only the cities but also the people behind. The more I left, the more disconnected I felt. Yet, at the end, the smooth realization of "people whom I call home" hit me. They were not right beside me, but I always knew that spiritually they are as close to me as an actual physical home. We possessed unconditional love and trust, which is what makes a house a home.
The song is in German (I apologize for the more work if you are lyrics person. Umm... I am from Europe :)) Even though the lyrics are not complicated, with the music and all the other emotions it evokes, this song is always a refuge for me when I need to remember the people who shaped my life.
Andrew’s Take:
It’s funny hearing a song like this and not recognizing any of the words, yet still feeling like you understand what’s going on. “Oft Gefragt” is melancholic, nostalgic and yet still kind of optimistic. When listening to it, I’m reminded that I’ve kind of left my loved ones behind, and though we’re not physically next to each other, we’re still connected.
It’s odd—listening to it, I’m reminded of the people back in Canada whom I call home, and yet I also think of the friends I’ve made here in Chicago who have also become part of my life. It’s a bittersweet bop, knowing that in due time I may need to pack up again. But at the same time, it’s a kind reminder that the connections I make wherever I am may last beyond the bounds of any geography—an apt metaphor for living in transit, I suppose.
Denise Ruiz: DESPERADO - ALI
Denise: After a really somber year with so much senseless suffering, a song so unabashedly energetic and, well, fun, is a breath of fresh air. The joy and pure energy that radiates from this song is infectious and always manages to lift my mood. Hearing this song even inspired one of my Spotify playlists for music that manages to uplift me after a hard day.
“Desperado” is fundamentally a song about freedom both within the contents of the lyrics and how fearlessly ALI experiments with sound. Desperado is a unique, and almost effortless, mix of J-Pop and Samba. ALI sweeps you off your feet while stimulatingly taking you on a journey where right as you collect your bearings the song switches it up on you again and again.
Lead vocalist Leo Imamura breathlessly switches through three languages (Japanese, Spanish, and English) throughout the song until there are moments in which you can’t even tell which language they are singing in. Its chaos and confusion but it’s beautiful. And maybe the lyrics don’t matter as much as how the song makes you feel at the end of the day.
WENWEN’s Take:
I must say, I was not expecting this incredible mix of languages and genres, and I loved every bit of it. The track started off with a lo-fi vibed muted piano riff and a soothing rap verse, reminding me of the soothing comfort that came with Epik High’s Sleepless In. Then, I was pleasantly surprised by the drums kicking in and the song picking up into a upbeat bop of a jam.
I loved how instruments were joining in and fading out throughout the track. It kind of reminded me of the days when I would hang out with my friends at their jazz practice sessions. There is this repetitive melody that loops throughout the song, like its saying, “no surprises, we’re just here to have fun.” And I sure had fun throughout the entire track. This song feels like its bringing the party to my room, a feeling that’s been lost to me since the Before Times.
WenWen: Sis Puella Magica OP - Yuki Kajiura
First, I would like to apologize for the very 2010s anime art that comes with the thumbnail. If you have seen this show, the moment the choir starts your mind would be filled with the imagery of the grey skies and purple aftermath of the Walpurgis Night. The agony that came with sacrifice and loss, and finally, the pink glimmer of hope that Madoka held onto until the very end, every single time.
These days a lot of us have been going back to nostalgic obsessions for some sense of comfort. This track, from the OST of Puella Magi Madoka Magica, walks along the lines of that. It dances along a comforting sadness that is familiar and expected, which is much more soothing than the unexpected and surprising kinds of sadness that life keeps throwing at you.
I like how this song kind of wraps around you the entire time, like you're encased in it, but you don’t have to give it your attention the entire time. I like to do my homework to this track, along with other OSTs from the series. I am not really sure how this track would sound to someone who is unfamiliar to the show, but I hope it is an interesting experience nonetheless. I hope you enjoy!
Andrew’s Take:
It’s kind of funny, for as much as I talk about anime and manga on his blog, I’ve never been super invested in any of their soundtracks (except for the Yuri on Ice! soundtrack, it slaps). That being said, I think I resonate with WenWen’s words. A lot of us have been returning to nostalgic things that once comforted when we were younger, and for that I respond really well to this song. Admittedly, WenWen is right, it’s tough to enjoy the song the same way having not seen Madoka, but that being said, it’s kind of cool to try and glean what a show might be like from their opening/main theme, and the sequence is both mysterious and quite epic, so perhaps I will get into it after I wrap up Yuri on Ice! for the five thousandth time.
Esha Deokar: I Smile - Kirk Franklin
When I first heard of Kirk Franklin, it was off of Kanye West’s “Ultralight Beam.” The intersection of rap and gospel music was something I had never heard of before, and as someone who doesn’t particularly subscribe to a specific religion, it was much more appealing than I had imagined. I took to Franklin’s tenth studio album, Hello Fear, as a starting point to that new world of music.
“I Smile” took me by surprise –– much of the music I had listened to when I was sad or emotion was very minimal. Not too many drums, maybe some light synth, but nothing excessive in the auditory sense. On the other hand, “I Smile” embodies maximalism; the choir explodes in the first few seconds of the song into a dynamic and energetic rhythm. Its superlative qualities definitely inspire something in me; it has the power to pull me out of my own head in times of need.
Whether it's my mood or the situation at hand, when I need something to change, Franklin’s vivacious choir, undercut with remnants of R&B and funk, fits the bill.
Henry’s Take:
At first, the soulful gospel-like style of "I Smile" felt like it was not for me. I don't mix religion with music, and generally, gospel is just not something I enjoy listening to. But I must say, the song is both catchy and uplifting. The repetition of the message that even though your day may be bad, you can still find the beauty in it and smile is the quintessence of what a song about going through the hardest of moments would sound like.
I may not believe that something from above can give me the power to face the day and smile through the pain, but I understand that faith in something and faith in somebody's own ability to thrive in the most distressing moments is in itself a powerful thing.
Alessandra Tufiño: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John
I picked the song “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” by Elton John; I love this song because it has a great sound, and very powerful lyrics that have helped me get through hard times. When I first heard this song, I was going through a hard time in my first quarter of my first year. I was having a hard time finding myself and knowing what I wanted and I overall just felt overwhelmed and generally bad.
This song made me cry the first time I heard it, because it kind of felt like a reminder that there is more to life than what I do in school and that isn’t my only path in life. So now whenever I listen to that song during a tough time, I remember when I first listened to it, and that helps.
Bonnie’s Take:
All Elton John songs are feel-good songs for me. Maybe it’s the piano. Maybe it’s just Elton John as a person. I think this is one of the very few songs that makes me feel like a main character. It doesn’t have the playful, carefree energy that “Be-Be-Be-Bennie and the Jets” does, but it’s so much more dramatic. It reminds me of those movie endings where the couple doesn’t end up together, but you know it was the right ending for them both.
The song plays as the character walks home, (~goodbye yellow brick road~), then cue split screen of the two, both alone and soulfully looking out the window. You feel sad that they didn’t work out, but are happy that they put themselves first. It was a tough decision, but it was the right one. Me, I’m the main character.
Bonnie Hao: Make it Go Right - Childish Gambino
How can a song that starts with “Where is this song in my Blackberry?” not make you feel nostalgic? Though the audio quality sounds like a 10 x 10 pixel image, this song is the only reason I still use Datpiff (a goated but outdated streaming platform that makes me feel like I’m 12 again). This song got me into Kilo Kish, her voice is cotton candy lipstick, so soft and lovely.
2012-13 was also a particularly formative period for me. I was obsessed with Community, so hearing Bino say he’s gonna hold “my” hand in little Tokyo was like warm fuzz. There’s just no way for me to describe how happy this song makes me feel! Give it a listen and I hope you’ll feel the same (:
Alessandra’s Take:
This song made me nostalgic for a simpler time, probably because it kind of gave me an image of high school, and the beat of the song also felt like something I would have heard a few years ago. I could definitely see this song being listened to when someone is going through a hard time, since it sounds nice and kind of reminds you of simpler times, so I could definitely see myself listening to it trying to remind myself of that.
Featured image via Andrew Chang
