Nicks Playlist by the Decades
1950’s: Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry
Johnny B. Goode is the perfect song to represent the 50’s because of its fun loving attitude that matches exactly what the 50’s was about. The sonics immediately give you the vibe of the times and it’s also famous for its place in the classic film Back To The Future.
1960’s: Fortunate Son – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Once the 60’s came around music started being widely used as protest. In this song specifically against the Vietnam conflict. It criticized the upper class and elites for being responsible for and advocating for the war while keeping safe in America and forcing the lower classes to participate in a pointless conflict that resulted in the deaths of so many people.
1970’s: Where Eagles Dare – The Misfits
With the 70’s rock split into many different sounds and subgenres. This including punk, the Misfits were a late 70’s hardcore horror punk band that was hugely influential to the punk and hardcore scene, and of course the very small scene that is horror punk which they completely dominate. This song is a great representation of the sound and attitude that would bring The Misfits a cult following and carry punk forward into the 80’s.
1980’s: Children’s Story – Slick Rick
While it started in the mid to late 70’s in NYC, the 80’s were when hip hop truly got huge. One of the biggest rappers of the golden age of hip hop was Slick Rick. While sometimes criticized for his somewhat problematic messages in other songs, he is also venerated for his great storytelling and Childrens Story is a perfect example of that. It’s about how a good person with bad influences around them can go down the wrong path and become something terrible.
1990’s: Come As You Are – Nirvana
Nirvana’s music came to represent the 90’s culturally despite their end with the tragic suicide of Curt Cobain quite early in the decade. Grunge was all about rejecting the flashiness and commercialism of much of the music that existed in the 80’s like glam metal. And Come as You Are is all about rejecting said artificiality and just being who you are without having to make yourself into something that isn’t you for the sake of others
2000’s: Criminal – Eminem
In the late 90’s and early 2000’s Eminem was a very controversial artist. His lyrics and messages were considered abhorrent by cultural elites and the mainstream media. In this song on a surface level it seems he is just embracing the labels put on him, however throughout the track he says terrible things that aren’t serious while contrasting these satirical statements against real things that large institutions seem to accept, such as megachurch preachers and their very real corruption.
2010’s: This is America -Childish Gambino
This is America was definitely the biggest song of 2018, and quite possibly the biggest of the 2010’s. It touched on many of the US’ issues and carried with it a lot of political messaging. With visuals of shootings and chaos in its music video, it was definitely a cultural landmark that reflected the political turmoil of the decade.
Summer Playlist- Tyler Cooney
I’m sure at some point during this summer, you and your family, or maybe some friends too, will be heading to the beach. I can probably, honestly say the same about myself, and even though I’m not the biggest fan of the beach, I know that good music always helps to lift my mood. However, there is a certain type of atmosphere that needs to be created with music at the beach, especially in a group of people. Since I mostly only know hip-hop and R&B, this playlist will consist entirely of songs from those two subgenres. Here are ten songs that could possibly slide right into your summer playlist:
1. “Childs Play” by Drake
This song just exudes summertime vibes. The upbeat tempo and Drake’s smooth rapping are perfect whenever your friend hands you the aux cord. This song is almost guaranteed to lift the mood, no matter if it’s raining cats and dogs or sunny and 100 degrees.
2. “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve put this song on in the car, at the beach, with friends, at a party, or really anywhere. This song is perfect for just about any occasion where there is a group of young people. While the lyrics may not be all sunshine and rainbows, the hook is infectious and it is sure to aid in having a good time.
3. “Magnolia” by Playboi Carti
Off his debut album, this smash hit is another upbeat song that almost everyone can vibe with. The bass is hard-hitting and, similar to the previous songs, the hook is infectious and could leave people singing along to it at any given moment.
4. “Till The End” by Logic
For me, I may be a bit biased towards this song, but it has always reminded me of summertime, no matter what time of year it is when I play it. Another happy and upbeat song, Logic spits bars for almost 5 minutes, and while there is no chorus, the sample is enough to get people going.
5. “m y . l i f e (with 21 Savage and Morray)” by J. Cole
Off of his most recent mixtape, “The Off-Season”, J. Cole slides this anthem into the third-track slot. With both Cole and 21 Savages having two of the best verses in 2021, and an awesome hook from Morray, this track has everything one could want to get people up and going.
6. “Passionfruit” by Drake
While this song has a different feel from the rest- more of a chill, relaxing kind of vibe- Drake still manages to make another smash-hit summer record. His smooth singing and rapping over a tropical beat sets the tone for the song. Also, it’s Drake, would you expect anything less?
7. “Can’t Feel My Face” by The Weeknd
This billboard-topping hit from 2015 will always have a spot in most summer playlists, as the Michael Jackson-esque voice that The Weeknd produces will always flow smoothly over this beat. It is perfect for any time of day, but mostly at night. There is a reason that this song spent dozens of weeks on the radio and on billboards.
8. “B****, Don’t Kill My Vibe” by Kendrick Lamar
Perhaps, in some people’s eyes, the best rapper of the modern generation, Kendrick Lamar has had his fair share of hits. This song is no different. There is a certain aura that this song gives off, time after time, and I must say that it never gets old. This will surely entertain a bunch of people if you turn this one on.
9. “Good Life” by Kanye West and T-Pain
The fifth track off the 2007 album “Graduation” from Kanye West, it proves to show its worth, and why it is praised so highly. Every time I hear this song, it brings me back to when I was a little kid, and when my cousins would have this song blasting on the boat speakers. For sure, a must have on your summer playlist.
10. “SICKO MODE” by Travis Scott and Drake
Do I really need to explain? The third track off the 2018 album from Scott, “ASTROWORLD”, features two of the world’s biggest artists, and was the number one song in the world for dozens of weeks. Any time this song is played, there is a little extra something in the air.