The PopCult Historienne

Another day, another year in quarantine. I am going slightly mad, but it's all good. Here's the tunes of the week! On A Weekend I Wanna Wish It All Away (Week 14) Yellow Ledbetter -  Pearl Jam from the single Jeremy  (1991) The number one way I know I am slipping into depression is when I listen to Pearl Jam a lot. I love Eddie Vedder's voice and Pearl Jam is a great band, but I gravitate toward them and other moody grunge stuff when I am not doing so great. Jack and Diane - John Mellencamp from the album American Fool  (1982) This song reminds me of being a carefree kid in the back seat of my dad's Chevy Camaro with the t-tops out. Life was so much simpler then.  Give It Away -  The Red Hot Chili Peppers from the album Blood Sugar Sex Magik  (1991( I got this stuck in my head for an unknown reason. Night Moves -  Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band from the album Night Moves  (1976) This song also reminds me o...

Here we are, posting in almost real time! I'm just as shocked as you are.  It's The End of The World As We Know It (Week 13) It's The End of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) -  R.E.M. from the album Document (R.E.M. No. 5)  (1987) Secret time: I hate this song. I'm not an R.E.M. fan, but the song is appropriate. It feels like the world is imploding.  We Didn't Start The Fire -  Billy Joel from the album Storm Front  (1989) Twitter exploded with tweets that reworked the lyrics of this song to apply to the COVID-19 craze. They were beautiful and united the world for just a minute. Humor is one of the only ways I've been able to cope with this crushing weight of sadness for others, myself, and the world at large. Plus, I love Billy Joel a lot. Zombie Zoo -  Tom Petty from the album Full Moon Fever  (1989) I remember getting the CD of  Full Moon Fever  and listening to it all the time on my stereo. I tho...

It's the beginning of the actual suggested self-quarantine. Pray for us all.  With Trouble Written in Dirt on Her Knees (Week 12) She Does the Woods -  The Last Shadow Puppets from the album Everything You've Come To Expect (Deluxe Edition) (2016) I adore the chorus of this moody AF song. Plus, this album is everything I wanted from the Arctic Monkeys upon their return to music, not whatever that god awful Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino was.  I CHOOSE YOU -  Adam Melchor from the single I CHOOSE YOU  (2019) A lot of these songs came from my Discover Weekly and I loved this one! Checkmate -  Conan Gray from the single Checkmate (2019) I think I'm becoming a Conan Gray fan, y'all! Crazy For Your Love -  JAWNY from the single Crazy For Your Love (2018) This song reminded me of Beck a lot and I looove it. 100 Letters -  Halsey from the album hopeless fountain kingdom (2017) I relate so hard to this song, but I ...

Hey folks, it's that time agaiiiiin. Superman, Where Are You Now? (Week 11) Land of Confusion -  Genesis from the album Invisible Touch  (1986) I feel that this song applies beautifully to the times at hand. The music video features commentary on capitalist nations' responses to the Cold War/Gorbachev situation, specifically Reagan and America. We do live in a land of confusion and the COVID-19 issue was starting to hit the US in slow waves. It's an appropriate song. Take It Back -  Logic from the album Everybody (2017) As a historian, I McFreaking love this song! It talks about the hard hitting truths of past and present in the US. Talk! -  The 1975 from the album  The 1975  (2013) I had the chorus from this song stuck in my head for whatever reason. It's a bop! Gaslighter -  Dixie Chicks from the single Gaslighter  (2020) We really needed a Dixie Chicks comeback in 2020 during the shitestorm we have dealt with so f...

Hey homies, it's that time again! Jungle of Silly String (Week 10) Willow -  The Q-Tip Bandits from the single Willow  (2019) Shoutout to my Spotify Discover Weekly for bringing me this one! It's reminiscent of music from Just Friends and The Suffers. I. Love. This Song.  Baby - Recorded at Spotify Studios NYC -  Hippo Campus from the single Spotify Singles  (2018) Another Discover Weekly find. Spotify was suggesting straight bangers that week! Finally // beautiful stranger - Halsey from the album Manic (2020) I was hesitant about Halsey's new album, but it's a great album. This is my favorite song off it. Crush Culture -  Conan Gray from the EP  Sunset Season  (2018) I heard this in a store or in someone's car... I can't remember which, but I liked it. Hit the Back -  King Princess from the album Cheap Queen  (2019) Admittedly, I am not the biggest fan of King Princess anymore. After listening ...

Time for another playliiiiiist! I Don't Wanna Mess It Up (Week 9) Mess It Up -  The Preatures from the album Girlhood  (2017) I've loved this song for years! Be My Wife -  David Bowie from the album Low  (1977) "Be My Wife" is one of the best David Bowie songs from the late 1970s. It feels so Eno-influenced (y'all know how I love some Brian Eno) and I am completely here for the vibes.  Bohemian Trapsody -  Logic from the album Supermarket  (2019) This is the title track from Supermarket  and I was intrigued by the title alone. It's an overall great song and the Queen influence only makes it better.  Houses of the Holy - Led Zeppelin from the album Physical Graffiti  (1975) I had gotten back into Zeppelin at this point. I still don't get why the song "Houses of the Holy" isn't on the album Houses of the Holy (1973). Needs -  Verzache from the single Verzache  (2018) "Needs" was recommended o...

Darlin' If You're Free for a Couple of Hours (Week 8)  Let's Pretend We're Married -  Prince from the album 1999  (1982) 1999  is an amazing album that shows Prince's ability to create catchy yet unique tunes. This song is catchy and I had it stuck in my head all week.  Thief -  Ansel Elgort from the single Thief  (2017) A lot of folks think Ansel Elgort is not a talented musician and should stick to modeling and acting, but I genuinely enjoy his music. Sue me.  Motion Sickness -  Phoebe Bridgers from the album Stranger in the Alps (2017) My friend Rachael showed us this song on a trip to a library book sale in Decatur (its snowed!) and its haunting but beautiful.  What Is Love? -  TWICE from the EP What Is Love? (2018) My friend Tinaye showed us this one. None of us are huge K-Pop fans, but I still have this song stuck in my head at the end of March. Yup. Balenciaga -  Eva from the album Queen...

It's the week of Valentine's Day! I know it's a stupid holiday, but I love a good love song, so I'm gonna exploit the crap outta this week. Strawberry Lipstick State of Mind (Week 7) Adore You - Harry Styles from the album Fine Line (2019) Y'all know good and well that I cannot go a week without including Harry Styles in a playlist! My Valentine -  Paul McCartney from the album Kisses on the Bottom  (2012) I remember anxiously anticipating the release of Macca's album Kisses on the Bottom  album and fangirling on Tumblr with the other weirdos my age who were obsessed with old dudes. this is a sweet song and it's title alone is appropriate for this week's playlist.  The Morning Papers - Prince from the album [Love Symbol]  (1992) The music of the song in itself is gorgeous. It's lyrics are kinda creepy considering he was talking about his younger partner, Mayte Garcia, but it's got some beautiful lyrics in the middle. So...

The next two playlists are some of the best ones I have created thus far. I hope you enjoy! Take Your Time, She's Only Burning (Week 6) Baby's On Fire (2004 Digital Remaster) -  Brian Eno from the album Here Come the Warm Jets (1973) Brian Eno did the soundtrack for one of my favorite movies, The Lovely Bones , and he was great friends with David Bowie. I figured I would like more of his stuff, so about 7 or 8 years ago I started listening to more of his catalogue. He is brilliant! I loved this song so much that I burned it onto a mix CD I found in my car CD case the week I made this playlist... and that's how we got here! When It's Love -  Van Halen from the album OU812  (1988) The bluetooth adapter in my car stopped working so I couldn't have phone jams that week. I invested in an AUX cord dongle for my phone (thanks Apple for changing everything with iPhone 8 and higher to be headphone jack-less), but I jammed to this album for the week as well a...

*DJ Khaled voice* Anotha one. How'd You Get So Fly (Week 5) Suga Suga - Baby Bash feat. Frankie J from the album  The Smokin' Nephew  (2003) I couldn't get the chorus out of my head for whatever reason. Talk about a throwback; I was in first grade when this was released.  She - Harry Styles from the album Fine Line  (2019) Another solid hit from Fine Line. How Will I Know - Sam Smith from the album In the Lonely Hour (Drowning Shadows Edition) (2015) Sam Smith's version of this gorgeous Whitney Houston his give the song a more powerful and emotional edge in comparison to Houston's original pop hit.  Tongue Tied (with YUNGBLUG & blackbear) -   Marshmello feat. YUNGBLUD and blackbear from the single Tongue Tied (with YUNGBLUD & blackbear)  (2019) My partner was all about this song at the time. It's pretty catchy! East Coast, West Coast - The Joe Perry Project from the album I've Got the Rock 'N' Rolls...

Y'all know what it is! Cup of Ambition (Week 4) 9 to 5 -  Dolly Parton from the album 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs  (1980) I was still listening to the Dolly podcast at this point, and I still urge you all to give it a listen.  Lipstick Stains - Brasko feat. Saint Pressure from the album SEXDREAMSUPERSTAR (2019) The chorus of this banger was in my head all week. Me & You Together Song -  The 1975 from the single Me & You Together Song  (2020) The 1975 dropped this tune that week and I had to be a good superfan and give it a listen or a hundred. It's such an adorable song with 1990s boy band vibes. End of the Day -  One Direction from the album Made in the A.M. (Deluxe Edition)  (2015) I also got in a One Direction mood that week. Hopeless -  Halsey feat. Cashmere Cat from the album hopeless fountain kingdom  (2017) I adore Halsey's vocals in this song and especially love the line "you know the truth h...

Heeeere we go, folks. You Foolish (Week 3) Watch Me - Jaden from the album SYRE (2017) Jaden seems obnoxious to some, but "Watch Me" is an awesome song. I love the power and bass of this song. Set Fire To The Rain -  Adele from the album 21 (2011) I feel like a grandmother because I just now realized how old song this song is. Adele is always a classic and this song is proof of her timelessness! Crazy Ones -  John Mellencamp from the album Whenever We Wanted  (1991) I did my senior seminar paper on John Mellencamp and I adore this song of his. It's one of mine and my dad's favorite songs. His birthday was this week and this one is on there for him. Shot in the Dark -  Ozzy Osbourne from the album The Ultimate Sin  (1986) I don't care what anyone says, 1980s Ozzy is fantastic. There's nothing like 1980s metal. Suspicious Minds -  Elvis Presley from the album From Elvis in Memphis (1969) This is on here for my wonderful ...

Here's the break down of week 2! Enjoy You Cured My January Blues (Week 2) Knee Socks - Arctic Monkeys from the album AM (2013) Arctic Monkeys killed when they produced AM  and "Knee Socks" is one of the best songs of 2013. Lyrically its excellent (hence using a lyric for the title of this week's playlist).  We Appreciate Power -  Grimes feat. HANNA from the album We Appreciate Power  (2018) I am not the biggest fan of Grimes, but this song is a whole bop. Shout out to a Daily Mix on Spotify for this tune! Buried Alive - Logic from the album Under Pressure  (2014) Under Pressure is one of the greatest rap albums of this century. The lyrics of this song show Logic's true ability as an artist.  I'm Chief Kamanawanalea (We're The Royal Macadamia Nuts) - The Turtles from the album The Battle of the Bands   (1968) I forgot this song existed until I was listening to an old playlist of mine from high school. The Turtles are w...

The beginning of 2020 was full of optimism, hope, and goals. I started writing a "3 good things" journal where I documented three good things that happened every day (lost track sometime in early March), began graduate school the next week, and became more conscious of my health. I also started logging my musical interests in the form of playlists. Since I made this playlist what feels like ages ago, I will do my best to give brief explanations of each song added. The link to all the playlists will be in the title header below. Seeing in 2020 (Week 1) So Lonely  - The Police from the album Outlandos D'Amour (1978) I had just watched one of the Fifty Shades  movies (I know, it's trash, but the soundtracks are MINT) and Christian's workout scene featured this playing in the background. I forgot how dang good the song was, so here we are! Milk Chocolate  - Brasko feat. Nai Br.XX from the album  SEXDREAMSUPERSTAR (2019) I reviewed SEXDREAMSUPERST...