For anyone wondering (you probably aren’t, though) these are pulled from a playlist with 2,623 songs called Work It. Anything that I enjoy and that I can work along with is fair game. I’m missing stuff from the list, honestly, there’s a lot more I’d like to add that either isn’t on Spotify or I’ve just forgotten to add it for whatever reason.
He Won’t Go – Adele
Dude, I bet Etta is one of Adele’s vocal idols. You can hear it in her tone. Both Etta and Adele feature on my “Sirens” playlist, which is reserved for singers that I wish I was, hell, even half as good as.
Helpless (feat. Ja Rule) – Ashanti
Not gonna lie, I had kinda hoped that the Hamilton Mixtape would feature Destiny’s Child doing Helpless, but since they didn’t do their reunion until Coachella, that was not to be. Alas. Ashanti does a decent job, but I feel that the song misses something for missing those richer multi-voice harmonies throughout.
What Sarah Said – Death Cab for Cutie
Yep. Yep, this song reminds me of the decade-long process of my dad’s slow, painful death, cool cool cool cool cool cool cool YUP. I do love this song. It just hits me right in the heart. Not sure why I thought it’d be a good inclusion on what is ostensibly a playlist for getting work done.
Lady Luck – Dance Hall Crashers
Here’s some slightly (but only slightly) more obscure ska, as was mentioned in the last post. I love DHC’s double lead singer setup.
Happiness Is – Vince Guaraldi Trio
Also the melody of this song sounds like Bella Notte from Lady and the Tramp, it just resolves differently after the initial phrase. “Oh this is the night, such a beautiful night, and they call it” – and here they split paths. Maybe happiness is dogs kissing over spaghetti.
F*** Yeah – Scissor Sisters
If you were ever uncertain I was a queer person, here’s your proof, I guess.
Been Dat Did That – Cakes da Killa
OH HELLS YEAH. I love this song. Cakes is a fantastic rapper who is fantastically queer and this is a great way for the playlist to say, “oh you wanted gay, did you?”
Drinking With You – Jonathan Coulton
Some chill to follow the flamboyance is always a good thing.
Lovesong – The Cure
God, way to buck the stereotype, self.