anthems of a 34 year old teenager (part 1)

I've been going through a rebellious phase, the plot twist being I'm not 16. I'm an aging millennial who's also a late bloomer in more ways than one. I’ve been discovering (and rediscovering) some interesting songs lately. I decided to use the smart shuffle on Spotify  Now, all these songs came out between 2010 and 2022. Some I heard while in my 20s, and some I recently got into over the past couple of years. I guess I wasn’t ready for what some of these songs were going to tell me. I’m going to aim for 34 tracks, for I think that’s a decent size for a playlist (and it’s my current age). Let’s see where the music takes me…

Song: Everything Is Embarrassing

Artist: Sky Ferreira

Year of Release: 2012 (I was 22)

“I’ve been hating everything. Everything that could’ve been. Could’ve been my anything, now everything’s embarrassing.”

I got into Sky Ferreira a decade late, and I’ll apologize to the tumblr girlies forever because of it. After hearing “Everything Is Embarrassing” being used in a video of Carrie Bradshaw walking in slow motion, my heart stopped. As someone who watches the show religiously, I can’t say I relate to the character. And yet, watching the scene where Carrie finally let’s Mr. Big go (before the season 3 affair but we are not getting into that), I finally identified with her. The feeling was sad, but knowing that things will be better, just keep walking, and looking fabulous while moving forward. She was finally free from the frustration, and I have had that moment.

Song: Dance with Me

Artist: Ra Ra Riot

Year of Release: 2013 (I was 23)

“Come and dance with me, bitter sweet fool. I wanna be your toy, I wanna be your toy.”

Yes, another danceable jam while working retail. No wonder I didn’t fold enough clothes to my manager’s liking. But you can’t really blame me because the song is just so fun! Every time I hear it, I keep picturing a montage of various dance scenes from movies. In fact, I’m surprised no one has made one to this song! I guess I’m going to have to do it, you’re welcome in advance fam.

Song: Simple Things

Artist: Miguel

Year of Release: 2014 (I was 24)

“Smoke with me baby. Lay with me baby. Laugh with me baby. I just want the simple things. I just want you.”

Despite the title, this song is anything but simple. I’ve heard Miguel back in 2013 when he was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live. I immediately was blown away by his voice and stage presence. So when I heard him again about a year later during the end credits of episode 8 of the third season of Girls, I had to look up the song right away. The sound is gritty but the lyrics are romantic, like poetry in a way. A love song I think alot of people can relate to. We just want someone real, someone true, the simple things. If that’s not a declaration of love, I don’t know what is.

Song: Foolish

Artist: Alphine

Year of Release: 2015 (I was 25)

“I'm hating what I'm feeling, but I'm so foolishly attracted to you.”

Sometimes you hear a song and you can’t help but bop your head to while doing homework. “Foolish” is that song, for it kept popping up on my Spotify so clearly it was a sign telling me to keep listening. If I heard this song when it came out, I would’ve used it in all of my vines to get my crush to like me back. Would it have been pure cringe? Yes, but who hasn’t been cringe in front of their crush? Granted the song is about a relationship but I take what lyrics I can relate to and run with it.

Song: Roll Up Your Sleeves

Artist: Meg Mac

Year of Release: 2015

“Roll up your sleeves and face the faces looking right back at me.”

I know I’m not alone when I say that I have rewatched Girls on HBO many times. Which means that the next couple of songs will be from the soundtrack. You can’t really blame me because the show is great, and so is the music. Meg Mac’s song is uplifting and keeps me at ease during every listen. Even though things seem horrible right now (because things are), you just have to roll up your sleeves, and keep going. And maybe everything will be alright one day.

Song: Be the One

Artist: Dua Lipa

Year of Release: 2016 (I was 26)

“Oh baby, come on, let me get to know you. Just another chance…”

25 year old m_ELLEN_nial would’ve been a wreck over this song. Probably for the best that I first heard it a few months ago when someone played it via zoom. I became a fan of the track ever since, yearning lyrics AND a danceable beat, my kryptonite if I’m being honest. Also, the way Dua Lipa belts “will you be mine” at the top of her lungs scratches an itch every time I hear it. Who says Altos can’t hit higher notes?

Song: Mess it Up

Artist: The Preatures

Year of Release: 2017 (I was 27)

“If I could bloom like a sweet cherry tree. Oh, would it be that sweet if I didn't have you with me?”

When I tell you I THREW DOWN when the drums kicked in. I heard The Preatures back in 2013 while working retail, which is the only tolerable part of retail, the cool music. The song was “Is This How You Feel”, which still slaps, and yes, I throw down to it to this day. But I’m here to talk about “Mess it Up”, which, just like its predecessor, has a groove you can’t help but dance to while yearning over a crush. You sensing a pattern in this playlist? Shut up…

Song: Naughty

Artist: Planet Booty

Year of Release: 2019 (I was 29)

“Like a vision of love, baby you're so sublime. Let me be your fire-starter. Hit me baby one more time. ‘Cause at night I think of you. If you're feelin’ dirty dirty, I'm feelin' naughty naughty.”

I cannot even put into words what Planet Booty means to me. Their music will make you want to get up, get down, and get funky! “Naughty” is a fun track, filled with lyrics referencing to 90s/00s pop classics from Britney Spears to Aaliyah. The song comes from their EP "Guilty Pleasure" but I have no guilt saying that I love this band! I first saw them during the summer of 2019 and I was BLOWN AWAY. They bring joy, funk, love, and sweat to their performance and will let you know that you've got it going on! We could all use a cheerleader to motivate us to keep going, and Planet Booty are up for the job!

Song: 86000

Artist: Nicotine Dolls

Year of Release: 2021 (I was 31)

jump to 8:03 for the track

“Can you go out tonight? Or do you make up excuses, between being stupid or seeing somebody who gives a shit about you? Just stand in the back and be quiet. You can do that, just be quiet. It's not all about you, be quiet.”

This band came into my life summer of 2023, a transformative time in my life. I saw a TikTok of a guy singing “Sk8tr Boi” as Randy Newman, and I immediately hit the follow button. As I was starting to develop a parasocial crush on yet another stranger from the internet, I discovered his band, Nicotine Dolls. There are so many songs by this band I could’ve easily put on this playlist. However, “86000” was the one that hit close to home for me. I too wonder why I can’t just relax and just be...

Song: Slide Tackle

Artist: Japanese Breakfast

Year of Release: 2021

“Don’t mind me while I’m tackling this void. Slide tackling my mind.”

This song came on last night and I immediately was at ease. I’ve only known one Japanese Breakfast song a couple years ago, “Be Sweet”, when she performed it on Saturday Night Live. I fell in love with it right away. Granted, I don’t always listen to albums as much as I’d like. I’m like my father, for he always said “I like songs, not albums, not artists, just songs.” That’s the excuse I use whenever I don’t go to the entire album of a newer artist. Nothing personal, I’m just lazy. However, THIS song is apparently from the same album, Jubilee. Maybe this is the universe telling me to listen to the album front to back? I already love tracks 2 and 4. 2 out of 10, what’s 8 more? To be continued…

Song: You’re What I Want

Artist: Bethlehem Shalom

Year of Release: 2022 (I was 32)

“I get so stressed out, to think what is he doing right now. I start to think out loud, but my head’s all up in the clouds.”

This gem by Bethlehem Shalom started to play. I recognized the voice from recently following her on social media. Funny how these things happen. I love how it gives an 80s vibe while also sounding futuristic. Space Age Soul Pop is what her bio says. Lyrically I relate to this, at least the “head in the clouds” part of it. Still a bop that’s worth checking out!

part 2, part 3, full playlist