CommRadio Weekly Playlist: November 1
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.
“Marlboro Nights – LonelyGod
This song just goes hard. With a short runtime of only one minute and nine seconds, it has an uplifting tune and lyrics that anybody can relate to. The lyrics, although short and sweet, deal with any one in school that can relate to when they love something.
The lyrics are “I don’t want to go to school tomorrow because they are thinking about you” or “I can’t sleep because I am always thinking about you” shows when someone loves something like a crush, or in LonelyGod’s case, a box of Marlboro’s, it is impossible to sleep or do school because your mind is focused on what they love.
Any student in school can agree with this simple message. With this song being short and sweet, it is amazing that LonelyGod portrays such a meaningful message especially with a great sound. The fun beats and surprisingly good singing are the highlight sounds of this short song.
So, whenever I am in a good mood or in love, I just play this great song. - Ethan Hetrick
“betty” - Taylor Swift
If anyone is hard to sympathize with, it’s a cheater. However, Taylor Swift’s “betty” will have listeners heartbroken for all parties involved in this fictional love affair.
This song illuminates Swift’s true strong suit, her storytelling. Swift narrates the story of a teenage boy grappling with the aftermath of cheating. The sorrow and guilt that James (the narrator) feels is evident from the song’s first note.
Lyrics such as “the worst thing that I ever did is what I did to you” are utterly heartbreaking, and the acoustic instrumental helps illustrate this story.
“folklore” was Swift’s first attempt at indie-pop music, and “betty” is a true standout on the album with not only indie influence but country as well.
While a majority of Swift’s best work comes from telling her own stories, “betty” displays some of the best storytelling in music to date. - Sophia D’Ovidio
“Bring Me Down” – George Ragan The Dead Son
“Bring Me Down” has been on repeat on my playlist this entire week. While its home album, “The Abyss,” has been out for several months, it's still so easy for me to return to its songs, primarily this one.
Sometimes, it gets hard to keep your head up high, but with the upbeat tune of the song combined with Ragan’s repeating of “I won’t let this world bring me down” serves as a good reminder that, in spite of the hardships, you can still get up and keep going if you will it.
It is all about self-raising, reflected in his thoughtful lyrics that push the listener to move forward and “don’t let this world drag you down.”
I’ve written about George Ragan’s “The Abyss” before, this song is no different in terms of its raw meaning and power. “Bring Me Down” is definitely a song for any daily motivational playlist. – Colton Pleslusky
“Need It” - KAYTRANADA featuring Masego
With midterms slowing down and preparation for the next semester picking up, the song “Need It” is perfect for taking a step back and loosening up.
“Need It” is one of my favorite songs from KAYTRANADA’s “BUBBA” album because of how light, simple and thick the sound is. Not only does this song make people want to dance, but it creates a beautifully overpowering space to let go.
The song starts off with high-pitched synth sounds and introduces the percussion alongside more intense beats shortly after. Throughout the song, the beat presents a futuristic and afro sound with help from both the instrumentals and vocals. Parts of the beat occasionally lose the synths and percussion and leave for unexpected moments of anticipation.
Masego’s smooth vocals blend into the instrumental and his melodic rap plays with beat changing the feeling of the tempo. During his rap, Masego is on the off beats and the on beats and switches back and forth giving the song a dynamic sound.
I believe the song is a great listen when you just need something that will steal your focus and change your pace. - Erell Williams
“You Should Probably Leave” - Chris Stapleton
For years, I never listened to country music. Any track that I had ever heard was corny, annoying and too repetitive for my taste. I couldn’t stand all of the talk about girls, pickup trucks and beer.
This changed when I heard Chris Stapleton, one of my favorite artists of all-time, and by far my favorite country artist. Hearing his fourth record, “Starting Over,” completely expanded my music taste, and gave me a new track that will seemingly never leave my rotation.
“You Should Probably Leave” has recently pulled some heartstrings, as I had gotten myself into nearly the same situation that Stapleton describes in the song. It’s about lovers knowing that they shouldn’t do anything with each other to avoid feelings and reattachment, but are very tempted to.
Eventually, it is revealed that the temptations were too strong, and Stapleton goes back on his word, instead of wanting this girl to leave, he wishes that she could stay forever.
The instrumentation is very simple, but it works effectively. He strums electric guitar chords with the cleanest tone to them, and eventually rocks a spectacular solo.
Stapleton has such a large range of vocals that he uses to be extra striking and revealing. He also pairs well with his wife, Morgane, who is on backing vocals.
“You Should Probably Leave” has plenty of commercial appeal, with it still charting on the Billboard Hot 100 nearly a year after its release. Listening to the track fills me full of regret, yet a little pleasure at the same time.
Even though I have a personal connection with it, there is something for everyone to enjoy. - Caelan Chevrier
Ethan Hetrick is a first-year communications major. To contact him, email eth5186@psu.edu.
Sophia D’Ovidio is a first-year majoring in communications. To contact her, email sgd5184@psu.edu.
Colton Pleslusky is a fourth-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact him, email csp5289@psu.edu.
Erell Williams is a first-year majoring in broadcasting journalism. To contact her email exw5303@psu.edu.
Caelan Chevrier is a second year majoring in journalism. To contact him, email cjc6789@psu.edu.
About the Contributors
Colton Pleslusky
Fourth-Year / Telecommunications
Colton S. Pleslusky is a fourth-year from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania majoring in telecommunications at Penn State. He is a director and writer for the CommRadio Arts & Entertainment Department as well as the host on Nittany Stories and a co-host on Nittany Record Club alongside Emily McGlynn. He does behind the scenes tasks, including directing, producing, programming and more for the Centre County Report. To contact him, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Caelan Chevrier
Third Year / Marketing & Journalism
Caelan Chevrier is a third-year student in the Smeal College of Business at Penn State University studying marketing and broadcast journalism with the goal of graduating with a bachelor’s degree in four years. His career goal is to spread informative, meaningful, and entertaining content across various platforms and to be a positive impact on the community. He has also spent time working at WWE in the communications department and writing for The Westport Local Press in his hometown of Westport, CT. If you’d like to contact him, email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
