Parsons Playlists: “Hope is the thing with feathers …”

Posted on September 12, 2025 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library Associate Melanie and features some songs that make her feel hopeful.

Hope is the thing with feathers …

Things can feel pretty overwhelming (especially lately) so we have to find things that can help us get through. Music is often good for that, so here’s a playlist of some songs that make me feel hopeful on bad days. (The title of this playlist was taken from an excellent Emily Dickinson poem that’s worth a read, btw.) What would YOU add to this playlist?

urple flower growing on crack street, soft focus, blank text

Paul McCartney – “Hope of Deliverance”

Moon Taxi – “Say”

Johnny Nash – “I Can See Clearly Now”

Bill Withers – “Lovely Day”

New Radicals – “You Get What You Give”

The Beatles – “Here Comes the Sun”

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”

The Impressions – “Keep On Pushing”

The Stone Roses – “Waterfall”

Des’ree – “You Gotta Be”

Jackie Wilson – “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher”

Billy Joel – “The River of Dreams”

Sting – “If I Ever Lose My Faith In You”

Labi Siffre – “My Song”

Bruce Springsteen – “Hungry Heart”

Ella Fitzgerald – “Blue Skies”

Ben Folds – “Still Fighting It”

Nat King Cole – “Let’s Face the Music and Dance”

Stevie Wonder – “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing”

The Traveling Wilburys – “End of the Line”

Electric Light Orchestra – “Mr. Blue Sky”

Sly & the Family Stone – “Stand!”

The Beatles – “Dear Prudence”

Fred Astaire – “Pick Yourself Up”

Simon & Garfunkel – “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)”

Tears for Fears – “Sowing the Seeds of Love”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zex3pi–z07ZHsysqvGRHKpE&si=H6l2GX5-sUsVraBm

And here it is on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: Spring 2025 Roundup

Posted on April 25, 2025 by marmstr3

As the spring semester draws to a close, and you are working on papers, exams, etc, it can be fun to look back on what one has accomplished.

Our student employees have worked hard curating Parsons Playlists all semester, so here’s a roundup of all their spring semester posts for your enjoyment.
Clicking on the links will take you to each playlist post.

Bring it back now, y’all (Jillian – class of 2027)

Kendrick Lamar (Luis – class of 2025)

Through the Decades (Rocio – class of 2027)

Music in Film (Esther – class of 2025)

House Music (Nikoloz – class of 2026)

Spring Equinox (Amy – class of 2025)

My Favorite Movie Scores (Isaac – class of 2025)

Still Woozy (Torsten – class of 2025)

Mocha Mousse (Amy – class of 2025)

Some of my Favorite Korean Songs (Isaac – class of 2025)

Acoustic Covers You Didn’t Know You Needed (Christine – class of 2025)

Open Tabs (Esther – class of 2025)

Grammy Winners (Griffin – class of 2027)

J. Cole (Ibrahim – class of 2028)

Guitar Favorites (Marissa – class of 2025)

Party Anthems (Griffin – class of 2027)

Lo-Fi Music (Sophia – class of 2028)

Train of Thought (Marissa – class of 2025)

Let’s Go to the Beach! (Susanne – class of 2026)

Nature Metaphor (Georgia – class of 2025)

Prince’s Legacy (Amy – class of 2025)

Parsons Playlists: Prince’s Legacy

Posted on April 23, 2025 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Amy (class of 2025) and features the music of Prince.

Prince’s Legacy

While reading The New York Times article about Ezra Edelman’s upcoming Netflix documentary on Prince, I found myself diving back into the legendary artist’s discography, rediscovering just how revolutionary his music truly is.

The documentary promises to go beyond Prince’s enigmatic persona, exploring his artistry, activism, and control over his own music. That deep dive into his legacy made me want to create a playlist that captures his signature blend of rock, soul, and pop, which has become synonymous with his name.

I compiled a playlist of my favorite Prince songs that reflect his talent, including the 2003 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performance of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” in tribute to George Harrison with an incredible guitar solo that amazes me every time I hear it.

You can also listen to Prince’s albums like Parade, Prince, 3121, Sign “o” the Times, and HITNRUN Phase One at the Music Library.

Prince – “Kiss”

Prince – “Purple Rain”

Prince – “Raspberry Beret”

Prince – “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World”

Prince – “When Doves Cry”

Prince – “1999”

Prince – “Little Red Corvette”

Prince – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”

Prince – “Baby I’m A Star”

Prince – “Let’s Go Crazy”

Prince – “I Would Die 4 U”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zew7B53G8i6r_pd53gJ3L71H&si=isECQul5rPmvq38D

And here it is on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: Nature Metaphor

Posted on April 21, 2025 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Georgia (class of 2025) which features some songs featuring songs that use nature as a metaphor.

Nature Metaphor

Don McLean – “Winter Has Me In Its Grip”

Brian Eno – “Golden Hours”

Thinking Fellers Union Local 282 – “Noble Experiment”

Nick Drake – “River Man”

Labi Siffre – “Cannock Chase”

Radiohead – “Bloom”

Stereolab – “Come and Play in the Milky Night (Demo)”

Mount Eerie – “Through the Trees Pt. 2”

800 cherries – “honeydew blue”

You’ll Never Get to Heaven – “Setting Sun”

Rufus Wainwright – “Poses”

Windsor For The Derby – “The Melody of a Fallen Tree”

Dave Bixby – “Morning Sun”

Linda Perhaps – “Morning Colors”

Animal Collective – “Winters Love”

Vashti Bunyan – “Diamond Day”

Novos Baianos – “Acabou Chorare”

Meat Puppets – “Up on the Sun”

of Montreal – “Sleeping in the Beetle Bug”

Midlake – “We Gathered in Spring”

Mitski – “The Frost”

Art Garfunkel – “Waters of March”

Angel Olsen – “Spring”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZeyAnA1CU_3oNnKxFq7NvBoy&si=6WeT7enIBOXllTtA

And here it is on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: Let’s Go to the Beach!

Posted on April 18, 2025 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Susanne (class of 2026) and features some music for your next trip to the beach.

Let’s Go to the Beach!

This playlist is made for warm weather – perfect for lounging at the pool, driving with the windows down, or picnicking with friends. These songs are upbeat, catchy, mood-boosters that will make you feel the sunshine on your skin, even if the temperatures haven’t caught up yet. Enjoy and happy spring + summer!

Vance Joy – “Saturday Sun”

Rex Orange County – “Best Friend”

YG Marley – “Praise Jah in the Moonlight”

Mt. Joy – “Highway Queen”

Lord Huron – “Ends of the Earth”

Houndmouth – “Sedona”

Flipturn – “Chicago”

Hozier – “Jackie and Wilson”

ROLE MODEL – “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out”

SZA – “BMF”

Kali Uchis – ““Dame Beso // Muévete”

Maggie Rogers – “Give A Little”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zez8dUL8Tldxb3Supa68K49p&si=PHz0ggMsqX5Y93s6

Parsons Playlists: Train of Thought

Posted on April 14, 2025 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Marissa (class of 2025) featuring songs for a long train ride.

Train of Thought

The La’s – “There She Goes”

Miley Cyrus – “Angels Like You”

Coldplay – “Clocks”

The Goo Goo Dolls – “Iris”

Crowded House – “Don’t Dream It’s Over”

Arctic Monkeys – “505”

Taylor Swift – “You’re On Your Own, Kid”

The Cranberries – “Dreams”

The Fray – “Over My Head (Cable Car)”

Lady Antebellum – “Need You Now”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEPpzeK8v3s2wk1WEb4AA4XvhkHZE2eoW&si=rb1EzDJMzNYP93Ps

Parsons Playlists: Lo-Fi Music

Posted on April 11, 2025 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Sophia (class of 2028) and features some lo-fi tunes.

Lo-Fi Music

Lofi Fruit Music – “Stan”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Lucid Dreams (Shape of My Heart)”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Night Trouble”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Sweater Weather”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Another Love”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Beggin’”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Jocelyn Flores”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Glimpse of Us”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Leaves From The Vine”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Can We Kiss Forever?”

Lofi Fruit Music – “7 Years”

Lofi Fruit Music – “A Thousand Years”

Lofi Fruit Music – “I’m Yours”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Steven Universe”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Riptide”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Fantasy (Talking To The Moon)”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Do I Wanna Know?”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Dancing in the Moonlight”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Everything I Wanted”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Una Mattina”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Gangsta’s Paradise”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Take Me To Church”

Lofi Fruit Music – “As It Was”

Lofi Fruit Music – “See You Again”

Lofi Fruit Music – “First Class”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Redbone”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Easy On Me”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Let Her Go”

Lofi Fruit Music – “I See Fire”

Lofi Fruit Music – “STAY”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Cradles”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Get You The Moon”

Lofi Fruit Music – “SAD!”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Arcade”

Lofi Fruit Music – “The Less I Know The Better”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Fireflies”

Lofi Fruit Music – “City Of Stars”

Lofi Fruit Music – “The Cave”

Lofi Fruit Music – “L’s Theme”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Better Together”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Toxic”

Lofi Fruit Music – “All We Do”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Still D.R.E.”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Industry Baby”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Frozen”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Congratulations”

Lofi Fruit Music – “ABCDEFU”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Sunset Lover”

Lofi Fruit Music – “The Remedy For A Broken Heart”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp8XNR9pwF9znUdjeEpADRzEY_tujL03d&si=_cqfum8qi124xq_K

And here it is on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: Party Anthems

Posted on April 8, 2025 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Griffin (class of 2027) and song recommendations for your next party.

Party Anthems

A playlist of songs that the volume can’t be loud enough for!

Meek Mill – “Dreams and Nightmares”

Future – “I Serve the Base”

Jay-Z – “Big Pimpin'”

Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg – “Still D.R.E.”

Kanye West – “Power”

T.I. – “Whatever You Like”

T.I. ft. Rihanna – “Live Your Life”

N.E.R.D. and Rihanna – “Lemon”

Travis Scott ft. Drake – “Sicko Mode”

Lil Wayne ft. T-Pain – “Got Money”

Travis Scott – “Can’t Say”

Kanye West – “Heartless”

Usher ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris – “Yeah!”

Don Toliver – “After Party”

Big Sean ft. E-40 – “I Don’t Fuck With You”

Kanye West ft. Rihanna & Kid Cudi – “All of the Lights”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZezWLd6Rjgpt2JMq7P7_k9LG&si=4ntr4Ff-kqRfq3Sd

Parsons Playlists: Guitar Favorites

Posted on April 7, 2025 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Marissa (class of 2025) and features some guitar songs.

Guitar Favorites

I recently started guitar lessons through an introductory course here at UR, and I have an ever growing list of songs that I’d love to learn one day. Here are some tunes on the guitar that I enjoy!

Taylor Swift – “Come in with the Rain”

Big Thief – “Velvet Ring”

Noah Cyrus – “July”

Lana del Rey ft. Father John Misty – “Let the Light In”

The Beatles – “I Will”

Taylor Swift – “right where you left me”

Sabrina Carpenter – “Couldn’t Make It Any Harder”

ROLE MODEL – “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out”

Phoebe Bridgers – “Scott Street”

Anna Nalick – “Breathe (2AM)”

Sabrina Carpenter – “Bad Reviews”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEPpzeK8v3s2CcOXj0iV7bQRcrvyDRCu6&si=CXx9hYdBncbhmDZ5

Parsons Playlists: J. Cole

Posted on April 4, 2025 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Ibrahim (class of 2028) and features music by hip hop artist J. Cole.

J. Cole