Music is amazing, and the perfect song can be life-changing. Whether it is one that is just so catchy that you can’t get it out of your head, or if it is one that captures everything you are currently feeling, there are just some songs that you can’t stop playing on a loop. And when you find that song, you swear that you will never tire of it, and it will always hold a special place in your heart.
We have discovered these songs from movies, Tik-Tok, and friend recommendations. We have chosen these songs because they are the perfect song to dance to in our room, and because they represent a bigger movement than just the songs themselves. Whatever song it is, we want you to listen to them, too!
So, we are sharing our playlist for the songs that we keep putting on repeat. Repeatedly.
- “To Be Completely Honest” by Dawes
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During one of our many drives over winter break, my friend introduced me to the band Dawes, in particular their album, All Your Favorite Bands. Since this introduction, I have been listening to their song, “To Be Completely Honest” on repeat. The lyrics resonate with the weight of living during a pandemic, but also inspire me to dance around my dorm room when stress and anxiety run high. If I am being completely honest, this will probably be on my Spotify Wrapped 2021.
– Elizabeth Berry ‘21
- “Up” by Cardi B
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Cardi B has become somewhat of a household name after her hit single, “Bodak Yellow,” back in 2018. Fortunately, she isn’t a one-hit-wonder and has since given hits like “Bartier Cardi” and “WAP,” which have become even more popular on Tik Tok. She recently teased her new single on Instagram with shots from the music video for “Up.” I watched the music video when it was released out of curiosity and nodded my head to the song as it had a catchy beat. Cardi B’s songs have been giving me a slow burn lately. I was indifferent to the famous “WAP” when I first heard it, but after it was all over Tik Tok and Instagram, I couldn’t stop listening to it. And that’s what happened with “Up.” It’s in my head, and I’m playing it on repeat.
– Elyce Afrifa ‘22
- “Like 1999” by Valley
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With their 2020 EP, sucks to see you doing better, and new single, “Like 1999,” Valley keeps bringing out new songs that are endlessly relatable and catchy. Starting with the opening line— “Woke up its 2021, fuck man, I’m 2020 done”—this song perfectly captures the feeling of living through 2021 and being nostalgic for a simpler time, pre-internet. Even from someone who wasn’t alive in 1999, this song still has me screaming the lyrics about traveling back in time and daydreaming about that good 90s nostalgia.
– Caitlin Boyd ‘24
- “Beginning Middle End” by The Greetings Committee
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The final movie of the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy was released just in time for Valentine’s Day. Per usual, the alt-indie soundtrack was a nice companion to the montage of Peter Kavinsky and Laura Jean Covey’s “meet cute” romance. Ever since my viewing of the movie, The Greeting Committee’s “Beginning Middle End” has been endlessly on my Spotify queue. The song uses memorable lyrics and melodic instrumental music to orchestrate a fine-tuned song. The Greeting Committee is a new sound and their other hit single, “Hands Down,” will spark emotion in your mundane Zoom-filled day. As you sit down to write that paper or stare out your window and watch the snowflakes coat the campus, I highly recommend adding “Beginning Middle End” to your shuffle.
– Meredith Harper ‘24
- “Baila Conmigo” by Selena Gomez & Rauw Alejandro
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“Dance with me.”
The song title speaks for itself. It makes one want to swing their hips from left to right, wrap your fingers around your hair, and shift your shoulders in a circular motion, attracting the good vibes into your body. It is a dance-in-front-of-your-dorm-mirror-at-10pm type of song. It is your reminder of your curves and beauty.
– Kassandra Olmedo ‘23
- “Damage” by H.E.R.
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I fell in love with H.E.R.’s music after listening to her 2019 album, I Used to Know Her, though she had already released her Grammy-winning, self-titled album in 2018. Her new song, “Damage,” has been constantly on R&B charts as well as my playlist. It has such a smooth rhythm that you can just jam to as you listen to the lyrics that affirm knowing your worth in a relationship. H.E.R. has such an original and recognizable sound that is perfectly captured in this song.
Most recently, she slayed a rock rendition of “America the Beautiful” using her electric guitar at the Superbowl. But 2020 was a big year for her as she continued to release numerous hits, and, most notably, released the song, “I Can’t Breathe” in response to George Floyd and the #BlackLivesMatter protests this summer. I highly recommend checking out “Damage” and all of H.E.R.’s other songs.
– Elizabeth Vinson ’21
- Britney Spears
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If you’ve been keeping up with celebrity news recently, one early 2000s star has been constantly trending as the legal battle for freedom from her conservatorship rages on. The #FreeBritney movement came to a climax this month with the return of Britney Spears’ case to the courtroom and the New York Times’ release of the documentary “Framing Britney Spears.” The hype and conversation surrounding the film elicited a public apology from Justin Timberlake himself for his role in Spears’ story. Despite the drama, it is important to acknowledge how Spears’ music helped paved the way for female artists in the 21st century, and I’ve had her most empowering songs on repeat for the last few months. Besides the classics like “Toxic” and “Oops!… I Did It Again,” some of my favorite lesser-known Britney songs include “Bombastic Love,” “My Prerogative,” and “Stronger.” I also highly recommend her 2020 album, Glory (Deluxe), with confident and catchy songs, like “Mood Ring,” “Swimming In The Stars,” and “Matches.”
– Lara Beckius ‘24
So, when you walking to your next class, or you need a quick break from homework, check out one of these songs, and maybe you’ll start listening to them on end, too.