CommRadio Weekly Playlist: December 13

Story posted December 15, 2021 in CommRadio, Arts & Entertainment by CommRadio Arts & Entertainment Staff

The CommRadio Weekly Playlist – Here members of the Arts and Entertainment Department will talk about the songs that dominated their playlists during the week and what makes them so good.

“After Dark” - Mr.Kitty

During this last week of classes before finals, I was in the mood for something that would really motivate me, and I found that within the song “After Dark.”

This song has a really nice beat paired with a catchy rhythm that quickly immerses you in it.  It has a dark electronic and synth-wave style and is paired up with somber lyrics, which is a trademark of Mr.Kitty’s.  I also really like the unique styling of the lyrics and how each line is only a few words.

I particularly enjoy the vocals in this song and especially how the chorus is sung.  It’s more powerful compared to the soft-spoken parts of the bridge which compliments it nicely.  This is the perfect song to listen to while trying to pass time because you will get lost in it. - Rachel Fisher

“Someday At Christmas” - Stevie Wonder

Simple wishes and simple dreams. The Christmas spirit is truly all about inner joy, and listening to the Christmas classics is a wonderful way to jumpstart the cheer that comes with the holidays.

Stevie Wonder’s “Someday at Christmas” from his first Christmas album has recently been on the top of my list of Yuletide jamz.

The song shares beautiful lyrics about what Stevie hopes Christmas will look like in the future and finding joy in that thought. He describes a peaceful and loving world which he acknowledges that he and many of the people alive now may never get to experience.

Aside from the powerful message of the song, the r&b holiday genre mix is on another level. Stevie's famous harmonica playing smoothes into the soulful instrumentation alongside The Andantes and The Originals who cover backing vocals.

There are many renditions of this amazing tune, but there is nothing like listening to the original to feel the beauty of this season. - Erell Williams

“This Is Me Trying”- Taylor Swift

As finals week approaches and I am seemingly drowning in assignments, I find myself playing Taylor Swift’s “This Is Me Trying” on repeat to maintain some sanity.

Upon my first listen of Swift's 2020 album “folklore,” this song was my favorite, but I recently became reconnected with it somewhere during these past few stressful days.

The chorus that repeats, “I just wanted you to know, this is me trying,” is haunting. While Swift may not have written this song with finals season in mind, these lyrics are incredibly relatable for any college student right now.

However, the most heart-wrenching lyric comes in the second verse when Swift sings, “I was so ahead of the curve the curve became a sphere, fell behind all my classmates and I ended up here.”

Along with the harrowing and relatable lyricism, the instrumental is mellow and calming, perhaps creating the perfect anthem for the end of the semester. For anyone who needs a late addition to their study playlist, “This Is Me Trying” is the perfect fit. - Sophia D’Ovidio

“Always Be My Baby” - Mariah Carey

On Tuesday, I received one of the most tragic pieces of news, my beloved 5-year-old dog, Jake, had passed. It was all very sudden and a huge shock to me. I sadly learned the pain of losing a pet way sooner than I had expected.

When I had just found out, I wasn’t able to go to class without feeling the urge to start bawling. My mask was the only thing hiding my emotions as I walked around campus. In between classes I would go to my dorm or an empty lounge and would completely fall apart.

One of the things that hurt me was the fact that I couldn’t have been there before he had to go. At first, I was not able to listen to any type of music at all, but after a while, I started listening to sad music which made me cry even more.

A song that I had discovered earlier this year was “Visiting Hours'' by Ed Sheeran. A line from the last chorus that brought me some level of comfort was “Cause this is not goodbye, it is just 'til we meet again.”

Although it is almost impossible to be 100% certain as to what happens when one passes away, thinking about Jake at peace, sitting on God’s lap, thinking about how one day we will see each other again, is one of the things that has helped me move forward in this grieving process.

Over the next couple of days, I started listening to more songs reflecting on how much he meant to me rather than how much I miss him. That is when I started listening to “Always Be My Baby.”

“You'll always be a part of me/ I’m part of you indefinitely/Boy don't you know you can't escape me/Oh darlin' 'cause you'll always be my baby”

I don’t listen to Mariah Carey very often, however, hearing this part of the song while looking at pictures and videos of Jake brought back the warm feelings of him curling up on my lap and the little quirks he had.

As hard as it is, I will miss him so much. Jake will always hold a special place in my heart, but knowing he is at peace is comforting. One thing I know for certain is that I will never forget him because he will always be my baby. - Abby Chachoute

Rachel Fisher is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism.  To contact her, email rlf5481@psu.edu

Erell Williams is a first-year majoring in broadcasting journalism. To contact her email, exw5303@psu.edu.

Sophia D’Ovidio is a first-year majoring in communications. To contact her email sgd5184@psu.edu.

Abigail Chachoute is a first-year majoring in journalism. To contact her, email axc6070@psu.edu.

About the Contributors

Erell Williams's photo

Erell Williams

First Year /

Erell Williams is a first-year student, and her intended majors are Broadcasting Journalism and Chinese. She grew up in Douglassville, Pennsylvania. She is a member of the CommRadio News and Arts department. To contact her, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Sophia D'Ovidio's photo

Sophia D'Ovidio

First-Year /

Sophia D’Ovidio is a first-year from Allentown, New Jersey. She is now a communications (undecided) major at Penn State University. Sophia intends on pursuing a career in journalism. Sophia writes for the CommRadio Arts department.

Rachel Fisher's photo

Rachel Fisher

2025 /

Rachel Fisher is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. She is the DJ Coordinator of the Arts and Entertainment Department and an involved member, focusing on music and TV news. She is from Ocean, New Jersey, and is interested in singing, food, music, and audio production.  Follow her on Instagram @rachelfisherrr_