When I am getting to know someone new, they will inevitably ask, “what type of music do you like?”. It is a typical question, but there is so much behind it. To my new friends I usually say my taste “is all over the place”.
I will not claim to be a music expert on any genre, or of music theory and sociology. However, I wanted to write a bit about my music taste, and share some crowdsourced sentiments from my social network.
I put out a prompt on Snapchat and Instagram, opening the floor for people to tell me what their favourite song is and why. The few responses I got were great, and I want to share them so I am not just spouting my own opinions!
One of the first CDs I remember memorizing from top to bottom was The Beatles’ 1. At the end of each track, I would hear the first notes of the next song in my head before they started. This is my earliest memory of the band which defined my music taste. But as a teenager, I submitted to the Top 40 hip-hop, rap, pop, and R&B songs that dominate my generation. When the film The Martian (2015) came out, the Disco-saturated soundtrack sparked a new love for all things Disco, supplementing my childhood love for bands like ABBA. Now, at 23, I like to think I have a well-rounded, but very much mainstream taste in music. I’ve never dug into independent artists or went to underground concerts, and sometimes I feel like a ‘phony’ music fan. But I am learning to embrace my taste, because its popularity is not as important as how it makes me feel.
When talking to friends old and new, I notice some people connect more to lyrics, and some care more about the tune. I am often the latter; there are many songs whose lyrics are sad, but it will live on my “happy” playlists because the melody sparks that emotion in me.
Checking out the charts for new songs, Shazaming in Starbucks, or revisiting songs I forgot about from childhood are common activities for me. They all mush together in to my “Listening To” playlist which can have songs varying from the WandaVision! theme song to Cardi B to Wings… and on and on. Do you have one of these? Let me know.
Check out my Apple Music profile. I have lots of public playlists which gives a better sense of what is going on inside my head. Not listed publicly is an archive of playlists I have made since 2013 (when I was in grade 9), with all of the songs I loved and discovered each year. Those are SO fun, because if I want to immerse myself in my 14, 15, 16 year old taste, it is a shuffle button away. I recommend y’all try this out, even if it is just a list in your notes app.
My Favourite Songs
“Dear Prudence” – The Beatles
The guitar fade-in is all you need to get hooked. Enchanting lyrics calling out to Prudence, telling her everything will be okay, makes me feel okay too. In my mind this is often paired with the visuals from the film Across the Universe (2007), where during this song the walls of the characters’ apartment becomes a sky full of clouds. It was one of my favourite movies as a kid. When the The Beatles (White Album) was re-released with tens of demos in 2018, I first heard the “Dear Prudence” Esher Demo on the elliptical at the gym and almost cried.
“Disney Girls (1957)” – The Beach Boys
I only heard this song for the first time in recent years, but it is so powerful. Diving into their entire discography within a few days time taught me how much of a genius Brian Wilson is. Intoxicating harmonies, complex and beautiful musical arrangements, but still a lighthearted 60s tone comes together in many of their songs. “Disney Girls” is one I am choosing to represent their most lovely songs. Go lie down and listen to their song “Leaving This Town” without feeling deep, I dare you.
“Crazy in Love (Live)” – Beyoncé
After her self-title album dropped in 2013, I became a hard-core fan. Of course I knew her hits, but I really dove in to her discography and became properly obsessed with her professionalism, strength, beauty, and fashion. In high school I would rotate photos of her from tour as my phone wallpaper. The photo album on my phone, which I still add to periodically, has 621 images in it. No shame here… have you seen her!? One of the pivotal moments which pushed me over the edge as a teen was a Youtube video (found through Superfruit) of her performing her early solo hit “Crazy in Love”. I cried watching her fierce dancing and vocals. It was a reaction to music I had never had. If I had a time machine, I’d take myself to the front row of that show. My dream came close-to-true in 2018, when my friend and I saw her live in Vancouver, second row in the pit. It was the most exhilarating 7 hours of standing up in my life (we waited a while).
“Me and Your Mama” – Childish Gambino
The entire album is insanely good, and I should credit it as my cementation into R&B. Around this time, and since, I have become fans of people like Khalid, Erykah Badu, SZA, Kali Uchis, Tyler the Creator, Jorja Smith, and lots more. It has become one of my favourite genres for whenever I need to chill out or get in my feels. This song in particular, the album opener, has a tantalizing long opening sequence which crashes down into a screeching, powerful proclamation of love. It takes my breath away. And it also pushed me to see him live, which I do not regret for a second, even being in the nosebleeds of Rogers Stadium!
“Try Me, I Know We Can Make It” – Donna Summer
I don’t like admitting this, but I got into Donna because they covered her song “I Feel Love” on an early episode of Riverdale.
“Nevermore” – Queen
This 1-minute, 19-second song stood out to me while combing through their discography after the release of the film Bohemian Rhapsody. I think it is far too short, but it’s easy enough to listen to twice.
“Cyber Sex” – Doja Cat
Ahead of its time, in the light of COVID.
“Call Me Mother” – RuPaul
Listening to “queer music” has helped me a lot on my journey. Learning about the historical and emotional role of music for queer people lets me understand the community more, and feel more apart of it. Here is my playlist.
Honourable mentions
My most-played album on Apple Music is Awesome Mix Vol. 1, the highly popular soundtrack to Guardians of the Galaxy (2014). If I had Peter Quill’s copy on tape, it would have been worn out by now. Those songs spoke to me SO much at 16 years old, and fed a hard-core crush on StarLord (though after Infinity War, he was dead to me). The second GOTG film featured a song by George Harrison which I had never listened to, “My Sweet Lord”. This is a perfect example of a song I love because of the melody and the vibe, and not because of the lyrics (big Atheist here).
Some artists I have become recently enamoured with include Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion, City Girls, Fugees, Dua Lipa/Dula Peep/Duo Lingo, and Billy Joel. Plus, I need to give major credit to TikTok for introducing me to more new songs than I have ever been exposed to.
Social Media Submissions (kept anonymous)
“I’m the Best” – Nicki Minaj
Not my favourite song because I really would never choose a favourite, but “I’m the Best” by Nicki Minaj really motivates me to grind for my goals. I’ll listen and almost come to tears because of what she’s rapping about. It is so real and true to so many of us. Listening to it motivates me to stay healthy, do well in school, workout, do things for my friends, and show love.
“All I Can Think about is You” – Coldplay
Because of the instrumental chaos.
“Tunnel of Love” – Bruce Springsteen
It just makes me feel really good.
“A Change is Gonna Come” – Sam Cooke
It changes all the time, but my favourite since I was a kid is “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke. The song has always meant everything to me and represents Black folks’ fight for freedom and liberation. It represents hope and survival.
“Juicy” – The Notorious B.I.G
It reminds me of driving at sunset in Victoria with the fam.
“Gees” – Mac Miller
Cuz it’s sick.
“Sour Diesel” – ZAYN
It’s sexy asf.
“Blame It On Me” – Post Malone
I’m not really a music person, I just like songs.
It was nice to get a glimpse into some of my friends and family’s favourite songs, or ones that stood out to them at the moment. They say a lot about their inner thoughts and emotional journey through life. My recommendation is to ask people you meet what their favourite song it, you might learn something valuable.
marina miller 
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