Hey, everyone! It’s me, Liz. Returning staff member for On The Record and author of the series, “Defining Me.” I’m super excited to publish some new articles soon, but first I have to let y’all in on the bops I listen to while writing!

I honestly have no idea what genre the music I listen to falls under. All I know is that it’s good music (in my opinion.) For a lot of my life I’ve been really insecure about the music I listen to because I felt like other people knew so much more music than me or that what I listened to was basic. Or just that other people wouldn’t like the same songs. I’ve begun to learn that it doesn’t matter who likes your music because at the end of the day, who’s going to be the one screaming the lyrics at the top of their lungs in the shower, blasting the beats through their car speakers, or having a dance party in their room while their mom yells at them to turn it down? You. You’re going to be the one doing those things, spending those precious moments with yourself. 

To me, the best music is the kind that makes you smile ear to ear and makes you feel like it’s summer, like the world is yours and nothing can stop you. It’s the kind of music that makes you feel like yourself, that empowers you, that feels like your favorite color and tastes like your favorite food. The kind that you sing and then realize you have no idea when you learned the lyrics to it. Sure, there’s good in the kind of music that comforts you when you’re sad or the kind that relaxes you to sleep or while studying, but it’s just not the same. So while I have favorite songs that are relaxing or maybe a little downbeat, I’m going to give you my feeling-like-my-best-self music because you deserve that kind of happiness too, and I hope I can give you some. 

Dreams by Fleetwood Mac

Now, if you’re anything like me, you know songs when you hear them but you don’t know the name of the song, or maybe even the artist. So, as you go through this playlist, I encourage you to listen to the songs to see if you know them but also to just give yourself a chance to vibe with them. Whether you know this song by name or not, I’m sure you’ve heard it. Despite it coming out in the 1970s, just four days ago it was #2 trending, thanks to TikTok. I first heard this song on a playlist my brother made a while back. I initially thought it was a really chill song to just relax to, until I realized how catchy it was. This song brings me comfort, in an odd sort of way. I honestly couldn’t tell you the lyrics, I’m just obsessed with  the melody and the singer’s voice. This song makes me think of a rainy day drive that has the sole purpose of relaxing.     

Bossa No Se by Cuco ft. Jean Carter

This song instantly makes me smile. Admittedly, I 100% associate it with a time in my life, but even if you don’t have a memory with it, it’s still a great song. When I first heard this song, I was in Miami on a mission trip. I had absolutely no worries in the world, and I was seeing things I’d never seen before and doing things I’d never done. The palm trees everywhere combined with fruit smoothies, the beautiful weather, being with great friends and doing something I loved was more than enough to make me fall in love with this song. Similar to the last song, I don’t know all the lyrics, mainly just the chorus. The upbeat vibe of this song draws me in. 

Tennessee Whisky by Chris Stapleton

I know what you’re thinking, a country song? Yes, a country song. The second this song comes on I’m playing my air guitar and drums. I know every word to this song and will belt the lyrics no matter where I am. Even my boyfriend, who listens to strictly hip hop and R&B, likes this song. 

Remember Me by UMI

I encourage you, right now, to go listen to the first 25 seconds of this song. Did you hear that beat change??? It gets me every. time. I never get tired of this song. This genre, R&B (?), is probably what I listen to most, and I happened to stumble upon this beauty one day. I know all of the lyrics and as soon as it comes on I’m moving back and forth to the beat and when the beat drops you already know I do that little thing where you tap the air. “Remember Me” is probably my favorite song. 11/10. 

Lo Que Siento by Cuco

I like this song for similar reasons to why I like the previous song. It’s a little slower but it instantly makes me move my head to the beat. I don’t know all the lyrics because some of them are Spanish, but that doesn’t stop me from looking at the lyrics as the song is playing and trying to sing it. Vibe = immaculate. 

She Will Be Loved by Maroon 5

This is my favorite shower song. I associate it with screaming the line, “she will be loved” and then immediately proceeding to smile super big. This is a pick me up song but also a childhood throwback, so it’s a win win! This song also makes me dance, surprise surprise. 

Love Songs by Kaash Paige

You’ve probably heard this song through TikTok, which is where I learned it, too. I loved the TikTok audio so much I listened to the whole song and guess what? It’s just like the chorus. The words just perfectly flow together, and some of them rhyme. I sing this song no matter where I am or what I’m doing. My favorite way to sing it is in my room while holding my cat and dancing with her. There’s also a remix to this song with 6LACK, but I prefer the version with just her. 

Lastly, some honorable mentions I have are albums: The Big Day by Chance the Rapper, Loose by Jack Harlow, and (this isn’t an album) literally anything by SZA. I guarantee spectacular vibes.