Hey y’all! For this weekly blog post for the Student Blogging Challenge, I made a playlist of my life. This playlist includes music that is important to me and songs that I listen or listened to when I was younger. From the 50s to early 2000s, all this music is part of me! After you read through my playlist, please click on this Google Form answer what your favorite genre of music is and what your favorite song is! My favorite genre is pop and my favorite song would have to be “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift.
1. “Que Sera Sera” by Doris Day (1956)
When I was younger and visited my Nana in South Carolina, she would tuck me in before bed and sing this to me. Even though I’m 13, almost 14, she sometimes still does sing “Que Sera Sera” to me! Everytime I hear this song, all I think about is her. Some may know this song as the movie “Heathers” theme song. Que Sera Sera means “whatever will be, will be”, which I think is a great message and the key to life.
2. “Piano Man” by Billy Joel (1973)
I played “Piano Man” by Billy Joel at one of my piano recitals a few years ago. Billy Joel is a great songwriter and pianist. I think that every pianist or musician knows who he is! This song has great lyrics and tells a story. He has other spectacular songs like “Uptown Girl”, “The Longest Time”, and “A Matter of Trust”. What I like about his songs are that everyone of them is different and unique in their own way, it just depends what mood you’re in.
3. “Jolene” by Dolly Parton (1974)
This song makes me think of a lot of things. It makes me think of my best friend, Sammi. Sammi and I would listen to this song and sing it together. I know it may be weird, since this song isn’t particularly current, but we love this song. Sammi and I went to a Dolly Parton concert at the same time without even knowing it! I would say that Sammi and I are true Dolly fans. Now that Sammi is living in Bedford, VA, I miss her a lot! This song definitely reminds me of her and our sleepovers. Dolly Parton is also an inspiration. Dolly was very poor when she was growing up and didn’t have much. She went out on her own and pursued a music career which took a lot of perseverance and patience. Dolly is a prime example that hard work pays off!
4. “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey (1981)
Whenever I would go to the Girl Scout Father Daughter dance with my dad this would be the last song to play. At the dance my dad and I, along with the other pairs of dads and daughters, would slow dance to this song. I would always look forward to this night in May because it was a “date night” with just me and my dad. It’s cool to me how my dad, who grew up in the 80s, and me, who grew up in the 2000s, both know this song well! I like how this song tells a story and spreads the message to never give up and to carry on.
5. “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band (2008)
My parents and family were born and raised in South Carolina, so we appreciate some good country music. This song is one of my mom’s favorites. It’s played when my family and I go to the beach around Independence Day. My mom and I know all the lyrics by heart! The “Chicken Fried” lyrics show that the little things in life mean the most. It also spreads the word to be grateful and thankful for all the things you have. “Chicken Fried” makes me think of my mom, the beach, and the things I’m most grateful for in life.
6. “Don’t Stop The Music” by Rihanna (2008)
Rihanna is just a queen in general, but this song is so good. I think the first time I heard this song was when I was in the third grade and it came on the radio in my dad’s car. It has a good beat and everytime I hear it I get a rush of confidence. I don’t know how to explain it without you hearing it, I guess! “Don’t Stop the Music” is on my running playlist, and it always keeps me going and motivated.
7. “Firework” by Katy Perry (2010)
Katy Perry’s songs in general are SO good. Not to brag, but I think I was her biggest fan when I was five. My mom, brother, and I would jam to think song and have a dance party while screaming the lyrics. “Firework” also reminds me of playing “Just Dance” with my brother, Bishop, because it was one of the main songs we would dance to.
8. “Cough Syrup” by Young The Giant (2010)
I really like the song Cough Syrup because it reminds me of when my brother, dad, and I would ride our scooters in Herndon. My dad used to live there and almost every time we were together we went scooter riding or rode our bikes around town. This was one of the songs that we would play a lot while riding scooters or bikes. A few days ago I heard it again on the radio and it took me back! I love how songs can do that!
9. “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele (2011)
I think that Adele has a beautiful and powerful voice. This is probably my favorite song from all her albums, but I also like “Someone Like You” and “Send My Love”. You can tell that Adele puts lots of thought and time into her songs. Even though I have never gone through a breakup, you can hear the realness and pain in her voice. I think she does a great job with her emotions in her songs. I hope that sometime soon she’ll release a new album because it’s been way too long! 😉
10. “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson (2011)
The song “Stronger” is probably my favorite from Kelly Clarkson’s songs. I think she’s a really great singer and a great person. “Stronger” has great lyrics and a good meaning. One time I was going to see her in concert, but sadly she had something else come up. I love her being a judge on “The Voice”. I hope that one day I can see her in concert or even meet her!
11. “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift (2014)
This is my all-time-favorite Taylor Swift song. No offense to her, but I think that her older songs were way better than her newer songs. “Blank Space” was my favorite song for a long time, and it’s still one of my favorites. I’m pretty sure all my friends and I memorized this song and all her other “oldies” too!
12. “Bellyache” by Billie Eilish (2017)
What playlist wouldn’t be complete without Billie Eilish? I guess putting one of her songs on my playlist makes me ~emo~. Just kidding. I just like the beat of this song. “Bellyache” has lots of beat drops and incorporates tech/electronic music into her angelic and beautiful voice. I think that Billie is extremely talented, especially for being so young. All her songs are like poems but put into music form.
13. “Sunday Best” by Surfaces (2019)
I like the lyrics and the rhythm of this song a lot. It reminds me of the 8th grade Newseum trip because my BFF, Mariam, and I listened to it on the bus going there. The first time I heard it was in a YouTuber named Hannah Meloche’s video. “Sunday Best” lyrics naturally just make you want to dance and be happy. I love songs like that :).
Well, this concludes my long list of great songs that I love! Like I said in the intro, fill out this Google Form I made to answer a few music questions for YOU! Thanks for commenting and sharing with others. Hope everyone has a great week!
–Anna Claire
You have an old soul when it comes to your musical selection. I really appreciate you writing the WHY behind your song choices. Even including the links in there; wow! Thoughtful!
As for some of the songs, have you heard the Taylor Swift song with the guy from Snow Patrol? That song tops all of her other songs (as well as her song for Hunger Games). As for my favorite artists, I have a few. I would recommend, based on your musical tastes, trying out a fella named Joe Purdy (look up the songs “sad clown” and “why do I”).
If you were to go to one and only one concert, what would it be and why?
Hello Adon!
Thanks so much for visiting my blog! I guess I have a unique and older musical taste because of the music my parents play from their childhood and interest. I’ll have to check out those songs that you recommended I listen to. I’m not sure if I have heard the Taylor Swift song for the Hunger Games, but I love the movie! If I could go to a concert, I would probably go to a Taylor Swift one or a Billy Joel one. My dad one time went to a Billy Joel concert, and I was SO jealous! What about you? What concert would you want to go to?
You have a very interesting name! Are you from the U.S. or another country? If you could, please send me your blog URL so I can return the favor and comment on yours! Again, thanks so much for visiting my blog and commenting!
Happy Blogging,
Anna Claire 🙂
Hi Anna Claire! I LOVED reading your music post and appreciated so many of the songs you listed there. I particularly liked how you connect those songs to the important people and events in your life. Although I live in North Carolina now, I taught school in South Carolina for 5 years! I lived in Charleston during that time and Hurricane Hugo actually knocked my house down! You are a very, very good writer and I plan to share your blog with some of my students. Thanks for sharing!
Mrs. Williams
Commenter for SBC
Hi there Mrs. Williams!
I’m so happy you like my blog! You just made my day. I think it’s great to have all different types of music, even the old stuff! That’s so cool that you have lived in Charleston, SC! I’m sorry to hear that your house was knocked down by the terrible Hurricane Hugo. I love visiting Charleston, it’s so pretty and historic. Where do you live in North Carolina now? My aunt and uncle used to live in Sneads Ferry, NC.
I’m so happy that you commented and clicked on my blog! If you could, please let me know your blog URL so I can visit yours and comment.
Happy Blogging,
Anna Claire <3
Hi, Anna! I am Daliyah, responding from your comment in Mrs. Beeley’s English class. I read some of your blog posts, and I really enjoyed the topics you used specifically on this blog post. I think creating a list of music that is important to you is really creative and inspiring. Would you say music is one of your top three favorite things? Let me know, and check out my blog about music! http://beeleyenglish2.edublogs.org/2019/11/05/music/
Hey Daliyah!
Thanks so much for replying and responding to my comment! I love your name by the way, it’s so pretty! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed reading my other blog posts. I’ll make sure to take a look at your blog! I would say that music is definitely one of my top three favorite things along with friends/family and food haha! What are your top three favorite things? Also, do you have any suggestions of some topics I should write about on my blog? Thanks again, Daliyah, for commenting here. I really appreciate it!
Happy Thanksgiving,
Anna Claire <3
http://blogs.lcps.org/keepingitcoolwithac/
Hi Anna Claire!
I like to listen to music also which also helps me cope with certain situations. I am also a huge fan of Billie Eillish. She is my favorite. Music really sucks the stress out of my body.
Hey Dyibid!
I agree, music can definitely change a person’s mood and help through difficult and overwhelming situations. Isn’t Billie such a great songwriter and singer? Her new song “Everything I Wanted” is so beautiful and poetic. She is so remarkable for her age!! Is your favorite singer Billie Eilish, or is it someone else? If it is, what’s your favorite song by her? Thanks again, Dyibid, for commenting on my blog! Let me know your URL so that I can visit yours.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Anna Claire 🙂
http://blogs.lcps.org/keepingitcoolwithac/
Hello Anna Claire.
I loved your music post! I like some similar artists to you, Zac Brown Band and Taylor Swift are also some of my favorites. I agree with you that Taylor Swifts old music was better. A few of my friends saw her in concert, I was so jealous.
Sincerely, Julia
Hi Julia!
I’m so glad you liked my music post! It took a while to write about all of the songs and remember them! That’s so cool that you like Zac Brown Band and Taylor Swift. I like some of her new songs like “Lover” and “You Need To Calm Down” but I wasn’t a huge fan of her “Reputation” album. I’m so jealous of your friends, omg! Going to one of her concerts would be amazing! Thanks again, Julia, for looking at this blog post and commenting! Share with me your blog URL so that I can return the favor and see yours.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Anna Claire <3
http://blogs.lcps.org/keepingitcoolwithac/
Anna,
My name is Ben and I am a 10th grader from New York. I enjoyed reading your blog and I also enjoy some of the songs that you listed. Piano Man is a great song. Fun Fact, i leared to play it on a harmonica. I also like the songs “Dont Stop Believing” and “Chicken Fried”. I think i have them on my playlist. Anyways, I enjoyed reading your blog and I hope you continue to post in the future.
-Benjamin
Hey Benjamin!
Omg you live in New York? That’s so cool and interesting! I visited NYC last Christmas and it was one of the best places I’ve visited. Not many people in our generation know who Billy Joel is, so I’m glad to hear that you know him. Did you learn how to play the harmonica on your own, or did someone else teach you? I bet playing that is difficult! I’m happy to hear we have similar music tastes and know some of the same songs. Thanks again for commenting and taking a look at my blog! Makes my day that you like it and enjoyed reading my post. Send me your blog URL if you have a chance so that I can take a look at yours!
Happy Blogging,
Anna Claire 🙂
http://blogs.lcps.org/keepingitcoolwithac/
Hi Anna,
My name is Olivia and I am also a music lover like yourself. I like the deeper meaning to the songs you choose, as I was reading about the songs I never thought about stopping and taking a moment to think about the reason for why the song is important to me. I love the personal reason for choosing the song for each memory of your life.
Sincerely, Olivia
Hello Olivia!
Thanks for taking a moment to comment on my blog! I think that music is so special and life wouldn’t be fun without it. I’m so thrilled to know that you like this post, it took awhile to type it all up! What’s your favorite type of music and favorite song? I know that I like country and pop music a lot. Soon I will be listening to lots of Christmas music (I already am a little)! Thanks again for commenting and reading this blog post. Please send me your blog URL so that I can look at your amazing posts! Have a great Thanksgiving.
Happy Blogging,
Anna Claire
http://blogs.lcps.org/keepingitcoolwithac/
Anna Claire,
I love how you incorporated music from the 50’s to now! I remember listening to “Blank Space” on repeat after it first came out, and dancing to it in my bedroom. I totally agree with you on Rihanna. She’s an absolute icon. Having a rough childhood AND adult life, as well as tabloid magazines making up rumors about her constantly? I could never bounce back and create a whole makeup line. Rihanna inspires me to never give up on my dreams & aspirations. I also love how you wrote the year when the song first came out, and how you included memories connected to those songs.
Can’t wait to see what you post next!
– Lily
https://blogs.lcps.org/thepoliticaljunkie/
Hey Lily!
I thought that including music from the 50s would be a good idea since not many people know songs from that era! Glad to hear that you liked me incorporating some “oldies” into my playlist. I think that every girl when “Blank Space” was absolutely obsessed and playing it on repeat (at least you and I were)! I like how tough and kind Rihanna is too. I could never handle and keep myself sane if I was famous, but she seems to always stay positive and work hard. What a great role model! Thank you so, so much for visiting my blog and commenting! Keep up the great work on your blog too!
-Anna Claire <3