The 12 Songs That Would Save Me From Vecna
My Mixtape’s A Masterpiece is a weekly feature in which a guest compiles a playlist around some theme. This week, Brooke Pollock assembles 12 of her favorite tracks that speak to her inner core. Read Brooke’s thoughts on each song and listen along to the Spotify playlist on top and/or the YouTube playlist at the bottom of the post.
This mixtape is two things: one, me making a case for the fact I have one of the best music tastes going, and two, these are 12 songs that would save me from Vecna’s clutches.
If you’re not familiar, here’s a quick summary: Vecna is a character in the popular Netflix science fiction series Stranger Things, and the only way one can stop themselves being completely consumed by him is by blasting their favourite tunes on their Walkman’s (it’s set during the ’80s).
So, if I ever start floating, just whack some headphones on me and press play on this mixtape. I’ll be back with you in no time.
1. “Faith” by George Michael
When it goes quiet while one of my many playlists that this song resides in is playing, I know that I’m about to ascend. This song is perfection. It has everything: its spine-tingling organ opening, its uplifting lyrics and happy melody, the pause before the last chorus, and, of course, Michael’s gorgeous vocals. Although I don’t really have a favourite song, I tell people that mine is “Faith” when they ask because it is the absolute epitome of joy.
2. “Young Hearts Run Free” by Kym Mazelle
Best cover ever- argue with the wall. Mazelle’s version has what Candi Stanton’s original doesn’t. It feels less tame, more certain. Certain in both sound, and the fact that a woman is sometimes better off alone. The 1996 rendition, which features in Baz Luhrmann’s ROMEO + JULIET, sits within the house genre rather than disco, and I truly think that was where it was meant to be all along. If I heard this in a club I would lose my mind, and dance until I could dance no more.
3. “Crazy In Love” by Beyoncé (feat. Jay-Z)
I couldn’t do a feel-good playlist without a bit of Beyoncé. This song is one of the best records for encapsulating how romantic love makes you feel. Not to mention that every time this I feel like I could finesse a catwalk with absolutely no experience under my belt. The music video also holds a special place in my heart. I remember being fascinated by it from a young age- it’s still one of my favourites.
4. “Hey Ya!” by OutKast
Another song with an iconic music video. “Hey Ya!” is an interesting one, because it’s upbeat with depressing lyrics. “Y’all don’t wanna hear me / Y’all just wanna dance” André 3000 sings at the end of the second verse, and it’s true. We, unfortunately, don’t. Now gimme some space to shake it like a polaroid picture. Thanks.
5. “The New Workout Plan” by Kanye West
A song on which I have often wondered what my ‘success story’ verse would sound like. “Workout Plan” is my favourite track on West’s debut album The College Dropout (which itself is a great body of work) and one of my favourite rap songs of all time. It’s upbeat and fun, and, unsurprisingly, a gym staple.
6. “Doctor Pressure” Mylo & Miami Sound Machine
This is perhaps one of the biggest it-shouldn’t-work-but-it-does songs ever made because mixing Miami Sound Machine’s classic with a brand new (in 2005) dance track like “Drop The Pressure” sounds ludicrous. But it is glorious. It gives me so much serotonin when it plays on the radio considering Spotify, at least in the UK, doesn’t have it in its catalogue. Honestly, it’s a disgrace. (Editor’s Note: The mash-up isn’t on Spotify, so instead are both original tracks; the video is on the YouTube playlist below)
7. “Funkytown” by Lipps Inc.
Once a SHREK song, always a SHREK song. Of course, as a kid in the 2000s, I will always associate this song with the scene in SHREK 2, but “Funkytown” has become something that I enjoy in its own right. Whenever this is playing, no matter who I’m with, or where I am, I must dance. Every. Single. Time.
8. “You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon
“A man walks down the street / He says ‘why am I soft in the middle now? / Why am I soft in the middle? / When the rest of my life is so hard?” are the best opening lyrics ever written and I will not be hearing otherwise. This song has the greatest storytelling, and some of the most relatable lyrics; not to mention its upbeat tune. It’s a true work of art, and it never fails to put a smile on my face.
9. “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” by Kylie Minogue
Picture this: circa October 2001, I am 10 months old, I have just been Christened, and I am losing my mind whilst my little chubby self is sat on a table as this plays at the after do. It’s true, I’m pretty sure there is video evidence. This is also how I know I’ve always had a supreme music taste, because to this day, 21 years later, it’s still one of my favourite songs.
10. “Without Me” by Eminem
A song that has many-a-memory tied to it. It reminds me of being small in the car with my mum (yes, you read correctly) and rapping along. I’m sure she told me not to say the naughty words, which is why I now take pleasure in rapping every word.
11. “September” by Earth, Wind, And Fire
Yes, I am one of those annoying people who make it a point to listen to this on, and alert anyone I can, that it’s September 21st. Such a happy bop that will never not have me singing the chorus at the top of my lungs. Like “Faith,” this is in as many playlists as I can fit it into because surely you can never sing “ba-dee-ya” enough?
12. “Hung Up” by Madonna
I’ve talked about the best covers and best lyrics, but now we must talk about the best sample of all time. I’m so glad Madonna begged ABBA to let her sample “Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight).” I remember getting a karaoke machine for Christmas one year and being ecstatic that “Hung Up” was on one of the CDs. It's such a weird, but rightfully vivid, memory, because who wouldn’t want to butcher this 2000s classic during a karaoke session? I certainly would.