Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything. ― Plato
Darren is doing a 30 songs in 30 days music challenge which he got from clever Sarah, and they inspired me to do it!
I decided though to share my YouTube playlists. Originally, I created ‘Lani’s playlist vol. 1‘ so that I had something to play in the classroom that wasn’t:
- K Pop.(My students commandeer the remote and play BlackPink, GOT7, and the like as it is.)
- Popular songs with R rated images (usually super sexual and so not appropriate for the classroom).
- Taylor Swift (I’m well-versed by now, thank you).
To be clear, I’m fairly tolerant and curious about what younger people like these days, and unlike the other teachers, I play music that they like, but I want to share my music, too. Yo.
My ‘inspiration’ for ‘playlist 1’ was modern music that had an ’80s vibe, and then I inevitably added songs from the ’80s, and then some.
Some quick notes about the songs + players:
- I found The Shins while looking for new music on YouTube’s Sub Pop channel, and I really dig this song.
- Laura Veirs’s best song, discovered through the BF
- Strong Asian Mother’s – discovered them via younger brother
- Ninja Sex Party (NSP) is known for their covers, but they are a comedy duo which I find cringe worthy hilarious. I love that the keyboardist, Brian, is a retired theoretical physicist, and that Danny is one of the sexiest men alive with an AUH-mazing voice.
- Twin Shadows, Bleachers + Kravinsky – from baby brother
- Spandau Ballet and Aeroplane from a friend (Aeroplane is my favorite DJ who I usually listen to on Soundcloud)
- The Instant Crush song has got the auto-tune on 11, but love the video, and the electronic-overdrive on the vocals works for me.
- Pepe Deluxé – a Finnish electronic group. Enough said.
- First Aid Kit (love these girls) + Owl City (underrated! positive, talent)
- Fischerspooner (yes, please!), New Order (classic), and Patrick Wolf is pure dreaminess, slated as the next Bowie, and then fell off the radar. I hope he comes back soon.
- Hans Zimmer’s Beach Song – quiz time! from what movie?!
- Neko Case and Metric, I learned about from my Canadian friend (well, one of them); everyone should have a Canadian friend or two, or three.
- Tame Impala should be on the map now that he played at Coachella. Please tell me you’re already a fan.
- Rounding off the list (so far) is the Beastie Boys (RIP), Flight of the Concords (because), and Simple Minds (from one of my favorite movies of all time), Bat For Lashes (she’s got a new album!), and Ladyhawke (because Kiwis need love too)…
If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music. ― Albert Einstein
Now, I won’t go into as much detail with my other playlists, but I still want to share them. ‘Lani’s playlist vol. 2’ (just so you know I named them so it would be easy for me to search them on the school’s Smart TV) is filled with old school classics like the Bee Gees (respect!), Simon & Garfunkel, The Carpenters, and The Moody Blues.
Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness. ― Maya Angelou
I have a heavy rock playlist, a ‘I love the Beatles’ playlist, and a bluegrass and country playlist, too. Whew.
Sometimes I listen to nothing but great rock guitarists, I watch with the attention of a child on Saturday morning cartoons, then my BF catches me and says, “There’s she goes again.”
I heard that whatever music you listened to when you were a teenager is the stuff you’ll love forever. (Ah, here’s an article on the science behind this. Worth reading.) So that’s why ROCK ‘N ROLL is my true love (amen) that I return to again and again, and again. (Can I get a hallelujah?)
Okay, I fear I can keep talking about this subject for longer than you might be interested (tooooo late).
Hope you join the challenge! and Happy listening!
Life, the Universe, and Lani 
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