CommRadio Weekly Playlist: Feb. 20

Story posted March 1, 2023 in Arts & Entertainment by Arts & Entertainment Staff.

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.

“Something That I Want” - Grace Potter

Let’s be honest: it’s an iconic end credit song in an iconic Disney animated film. Grace Potter’s “Something That I Want,” featured in the end credits of Disney’s Tangled (2010), remains one of my favorite feel-good songs.

Everyone loves some nostalgia! I remembered that this song existed about a month ago and it’s been on replay ever since. This song makes me feel like I’m in a coming of age movie. The melody is bubbly and exciting and perfect for dancing alone in your room.

“I want something that I want / Something that I tell myself I need / Something that I want / And I need everything I see,” is absolutely relatable as a college student with no self-control. This song just makes me feel young and reckless in the best kind of way.

I know I have questionable music taste but this is a great song and I will defend it as necessary. - Rachel Hord

“Those Magic Changes - From ‘Grease’" - Sha Na Na

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of going to my hometown and watching my high school’s production of “Grease”. It's safe to say that the students heavily impacted my listening habits, because I have been listening to the “Grease” soundtrack all week.

“Those Magic Changes” makes me feel a perfect mix of emotions. Every time I listen, I’m transported back to my high school auditorium hoping for an encore.

The melody of “Those Magic Changes” is so satisfying and makes me want to belt it out in my bedroom.

I love the way the bass guitar and drums sound together during this song. As Sha Na Na sings in the second verse, “While the bass is sounding, while the drums are pounding, beatings of my broken heart will rise the first place on the charts”.

This song might not rise to the top of the charts in 2023, but I think it deserves the revisitation, as does the entire “Grease” soundtrack. - Sarah Gavlak

“A&W”- Lana Del Rey

“A&W” is Del Rey’s second single released from her upcoming album “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd,” and it carries the same grace of an instant Lana classic with a twist.

The song changes from Del Rey’s innocent childhood to her transition to a nymphomaniac of sorts, using sex as a way to gain validation instead of love.

She recounts her relationship with a man who she has to call first and has to hide her relationship, knowing that “it’s not about having someone to love [her] anymore.”

At four minutes in, the beat changes to more of a trap beat, and Del Rey keeps repeating that this man, Jimmy, “only loves [me] when he wants to get high.”

The seven-minute song is a beautiful narrative detailing what it ultimately means to not only be a woman, but to live in the divine feminine experience that Del Rey sings about so well. - Adrianna Gallucci

“Love You For A Long Time” - Maggie Rogers

If no one has got me, I know Maggie Rogers does. This song has been on repeat since it came out in 2019 and I just know it will never leave my playlist.

Growing up in Florida means spring starts in February, so I have already started playing my favorite up-tempo pop songs where “Love You For A Long Time” is at the top of that list.

In the lyrics, Rogers’ expresses the feeling of loving someone so deeply that as soon as you meet them you just know they won’t be leaving your life any time soon.

This song can easily be about a romantic relationship but simultaneously a great song for any platonic love you have in your life.

The brightness of this song perfectly encapsulates the feeling of a car full of friends with the windows rolled down on a warm summer day and who doesn’t love that?  - Madison Rush

“Kilby Girl” - The Backseat Lovers

Maybe it's my longing for warm weather, beach days, and not needing to worry about midterms, but I’ve been on quite the Backseat Lovers kick lately.

“Kilby Girl” has constantly been bumping through my AirPods this past week as I walk to class, work out, do homework, or even fold laundry.

It’s undoubtedly the group’s most popular song and for good reason.

Lead vocalist Joshua Harmon’s voice is smooth and flowy, caressing over a catchy bass line and guitar accompaniment. The change in the pace of the song keeps the listener engaged, and the guitar solo is downright iconic.

This song, along with most of The Backseat Lover’s discography, is dangerous for me at this dreary time of year. The desire for summer break becomes consuming when listening to their music, and I almost consistently will pull out my laptop and look at vacation destinations when one of their tracks plays in my shuffle. - Ryan French

“Gaddi Red Challenger” - Babbulicious

This iconic Punjabi song which was released in November of 2022 has been stuck in my head for the past week, it is called “Gaddi Red Challenger” by Babbulicious. 

It is an iconic song which talks about how Babbulicious lives in Brampton and how he drives a challenger that is red. 

The context behind the song was that it was supposed to be a meme song for the purpose of comedy but it turned out to be a hit in the Punjabi and Indian community as a whole, with the song being played seemingly on every Indian radio station and every Indian party. 

I highly recommend giving the song a listen. - Shivoy Nagpaul

 

Rachel Hord is a third-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact her, email rkh5399@psu.edu.

Sarah Gavlak is a first-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact her, email sng5393@psu.edu.

Adrianna Gallucci is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email amg7989@psu.edu.

Madison Rush is a first-year majoring in public relations. To contact her, email mkr5957@psu.edu.

Ryan French is a first-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact him, email rpf5336@psu.edu.

Shivoy Nagpaul is a first year majoring in broadcast journalism, to contact him, email shivoynagpaul@psu.edu

About the Contributors

Ryan French's photo

Ryan French

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Ryan French is a current first-year student at Penn State University majoring in Telecommunications. Upon arrival at Penn State, Ryan began an internship with the Penn State Athletics live production team as a camera utility, as well as joining CommRadio. In CommRadio, Ryan is a member of both the sports and arts departments, where he writes articles and contributes to the station’s other media packages. You can follow Ryan on Instagram @ryan_.french, or email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Adrianna Gallucci's photo

Adrianna Gallucci

Sophomore /

Adrianna Gallucci is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism and is one of CommRadio’s New Member Coordinators. She is also a broadcaster, journalist, podcaster and talk show guest. In addition, Adrianna is also a part of PSSN, TDAY Sports and AWSM. She hosts her own independent podcast, She’s All Bat: A New York Mets podcast. She is a huge Mets and Rangers fan and will always talk about pro wrestling. Adrianna wants to work in MLB, NHL or WWE as a journalist or an anchor. You can find her on Twitter at @agallucci17 or email her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Shivoy Nagpaul's photo

Shivoy Nagpaul

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