About this Playlist
I believe there’s a powerful force within us to make a difference in our world, the world of those around us and ultimately, the world we share. I designed this playlist to highlight the importance of believing in the potential within others and ourselves. There’s plenty of room for all of us to shine, and I would love for this playlist to encourage you to shine as well as those close to you!
The first track ‘Shine’ by Cleo Sol reminds me of singing ‘This Little Light of Mine’ in my childhood years. It was a keystone track in building up the courage and self-reliance of an individual. I share with you the image of an individual doing good and feeling good; while doing so, they’re celebrated and encouraged to do so much more. They find themselves holding steadfast on to courage in dire times while remembering Cleo Sol’s genuine words, “I wanna see you shine”.
Feeling the support and trust of loved ones can at times make you feel like there is none designed to stop you. Solange addresses empowerment while Chenayder discovers the unintended consequences of exploring love despite the disapproval of family members. Even with these obstacles, she lets her lover know: “You’re mine.” And in case there was any doubt, JPEGMAFIA & Tommy Genesis show a glimpse of the obsessive and territorial nature of those who dare to love. Here an individual has the courage to open themselves up and be vulnerable to being lost in the admiration of another, while chanting “I guess they just don’t know how much you mean to me”.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah – yeah!” – is what I imagine the body screams when someone takes some time to focus on themselves. This gentle Mac Miller chorus can’t help but invite positive vibes before they arrive with “Sunshine”. So many positive feelings are allowed to grow and develop in the presence of that long awaited sunshine.
“Glockenpop” brings me the nostalgia of some of my most favourite times with the game ‘Little Big Planet’. Hearing this song reminds how everyone had their own planet and moon to create and design to their heart’s content. Creativity, community and exploration were encouraged in this game I remember so dearly. And in this playlist, I use this song as my way of inviting those who never got to play with us. As the song says, “I’m singing for you, and I hope that you’re singing for me”.
The messages of ‘Charlie Brown’ and ‘Greatest Day’ remind us that our individual is growing and sharing their light with the world. They’re glowing and the world around them is coming alive! I imagine our individual would respond with the line: “I’m still developing” as said by Cosmo Pyke. All we can do is encourage them to ‘Enjoy the Ride’ and continue to ‘shine their light’ as said by Cleo Sol earlier.
Even if things get dark with the tone of Octavian’s “Build”, we hope our individual can enjoy the moment and dance within that darkness. If not, D.R.A.M is around to tell them how special they are, and if still not that, Lupe Fiasco & Crystal Torres are around to sing the most heartwarming chant of “Go Alan!”.
Going forward, this ‘individual’ we’ve been imagining, will be called Alan. We’re already chanting his name so let’s continue!
I find MGMT’s ‘Kids’ can remind us just how much we’ve seen Alan grow. From crawling on their knees and picking up insects, we were there to enjoy our time with them! ‘Volver A Comenzar” (another Little Big Planet Classic) represents us communicating our struggles to Alan. Maybe we didn’t get to achieve all we wanted, maybe these words will be lost in translation, but there’s a party taking place so let us enjoy our time with Alan. Let us “Keep the Dream Alive”.
Our time with Alan won’t last forever, we know this. One day Alan will grow up and experience their own highlights and lowlights. But let’s give Alan something to always have in those lowlights. “My gift is my song, and this one’s for you”. As I watched the 2007 animated film ‘Meet the Robinsons’, I found the ending to be powerful when the song “Little Wonders” started playing. There was an acceptance and trust Lewis had for his future and how good it would be. This is what we hope Alan will have as he continues to grow and develop.
The Smashing Pumpkins join us for our final two songs to Alan. ‘Farewell and Goodnight’ – our lullaby to Alan who we’ve had the pleasure to see grow up. Maybe this is our reminder to nurture the inner child within who we’ve been calling Alan. We’ve watched him grow up and become something special to us. This Alan continues to shine and make us proud.
On our final song, Alan is sleeping and there are no more words to be said. Let’s enjoy the peace and be glad about the journey we’ve completed. We should also get some rest and go in to the night dreaming of a future as wholesome as Alan’s.
Track Listing
- Shine – Cleo Sol
- Sound of Rain – Solange
- My My – Chenayder
- ROUGH 7 – JPEGMAFIA
- Hands – Mac Miller
- Sunshine – JMSN
- Glockenpop – Spiderbait
- Charlie Brown – Coldplay
- Greatest Day – Take That
- Great Dane – Cosmo Pyke
- Enjoy the Ride – Illa J
- Build – Octavian
- Dancing In The Dark – From The “Home” Soundtrack – Rihanna
- D.R.A.M. Sings Special – Chance the Rapper
- Alan Forever (feat. Crystal Torres) – Lupe Fiasco
- Kids – MGMT
- Volver A Comenzar – Café Tacvba
- Keeping the Dream Alive – Münchener Freiheit
- Your Song – Remastered – Elton John
- Little Wonders – Rob Thomas
- Farewell And Goodnight – Remastered 2012 – The Smashing Pumpkins
- Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness – Remastered 2012 – The Smashing Pumpkins
Playlist image by Sam Poullain on Unsplash
