2017 Playlist

My playlist for this year.

1. Stars - Demi Lovato
Brenda had this as part of her 2016 soundtrack, and I immediately loved it. I love the energy of it - it's one of those can't-sit-still numbers for me :-)

2. Stressed Out - Twenty One Pilots
Sometimes a certain smell will take me back to when I was young
How come I'm never able to identify where it's coming from
I'd make a candle out of it if I ever found it
Another recommendation from Brenda and the lyrics immediately stuck with me. So well-written and relatable.

3. Not Today - Hillsong United
Fear must have thought I was faithless
When it came for my heart.
...
I’ll sing the night into the morning
I’ll sing the fear into Your praise
I’ll sing my soul into Your presence
Whenever I say Your Name
Let the devil know not today
No soundtrack of mine would be complete without at least one number by Hillsong. "Let the devil know not today" has been my recurring refrain whenever I've felt overwhelmed, and this song reminds me that "Fear is just a liar, running out of breath."

4. I'm an Albatraoz - AronChupa
Probably one of the songs Lars has heard the most this past year. Fortunately I quickly came to like it as well. It's definitely not my usual fare, but something about it just appeals to me. I'm also amused by the fact that the music video includes obvious mistakes by the back-stage dancers :D

5. It's Quiet Uptown - Hamilton
There are moments that the words don’t reach
There is a grace too powerful to name
We push away what we can never understand
We push away the unimaginable.
....
Forgiveness. Can you imagine.
As I will mention in my yearly wrap-up post, this has been my year of Hamilton. I desperately hope I'll get to see it in London next year. Michala gave me the soundtrack for Christmas last year, and I've been listening to it pretty much non-stop all year (no pun intended, but very appropriate). My favourite song is still "Alexander Hamilton", but as I used that for my soundtrack last year, I thought I'd add a different one this time, and the lyrics to "It's Quiet Uptown" never fail to move me - how you can go through the worst and darkest period of your life, and through God's grace still come out in one piece on the other side.

6. Rockabye - Clean Bandit feat. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie
A random discovery that immediately had me reaching for Soundhound to figure out what on earth that song was. A very different lullaby, that's for sure! The lyrics have no special meaning to me, but I love the music.

7. Galway Girl - Ed Sheeran
Possibly my one favourite song this year (not counting Hamilton). From the very first time Lars played it I was instantly hooked, and it's another of those songs that I can't sit still when hearing.

8. Stay the Night - Alcazar
If I was one to go out dancing, this would be my anthem :-D

9. Believer - Audio Adrenaline
Oh I believe I can walk on water with You, Lord
When I walk through the valley of the shadows
When I’m trapped in the middle of the battle
I will trust in You
‘Cause trouble comes, but you never let it take me
I hold fast ‘cause I know that You will save me
I will trust in You, I will trust in You
2017 saw a distinct change in my walk with God. Very much inspired by what I saw happening in Nina and Christian's lives. They went all out for God, and I wanted to have the same trust in Him that they do. I'm still learning, and it's definitely a work in progress, but this song is a perfect example of how I'm trying to grow. I worry too much about everything. I need to relax, and trust in God.

10. Perfect Life - Levina
Finding I bend but I don't break
I'm almost a sinner, nearly a saint
Finding with every breath I take
I'm not afraid of making mistakes
Sometimes it's wrong before it's right
That's what you call a perfect life
This year's Eurovision Song Contest was full of songs that have been added to our regular rotation ever since. The lyrics of this one resonated with me more than the music, and it's one I'll probably keep returning to.

11. Hey Mamma - Sunstroke Project
This was Sunstroke Project's second time at the ESC and both times they've brought Epic Sax Guy along. Just wait until you hear him. ... better yet, check out the actual stage show for "Hey Mamma" here or their 2010 entry "Run Away" here.

12. I Can't Go On - Robin Bengtsson
My favourite entry from the 2017 ESC. I know it's the kind of song that's a dime a dozen, but I don't care - I love it :-D

13. When God Closes a Door - Larkin Poe
When God closes a door, God leads you up the stairs
Leave your earthly cares, On the second floor
When God cracks a couple skulls, God cracks a couple more
His plate is full, On the second floor
I love the imagery of God as a bad-a** biker :-D I definitely don't agree with all the lyrics, but this imagery amuses me. Sometimes I just need to know I have a God who can "kick ass and take names".

14. Llama In My Living Room - AronChupa
I was a bit slow to really fall for this song, but fortunately Lars made sure to subject me to constant exposure... which can work either way, and this time it slowly but surely grew on me. Mostly because of the absolute INSANITY of the lyrics. I definitely have a soft spot for absurdity in lyrics.

15. Can't Sleep Love - Pentatonix
Pentatonix is one of Liz' favourite groups, so during my visits I've come to hear a lot of their music, and really enjoy them too. This is definitely one of my favourites.

16. Lady Madonna - The Swingle Singers
Man, I would LOVE to sing this in a choir. The harmonies are just perfect and - more importantly - sound like they'd be all sorts of fun to sing!

17. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy - Pentatonix
Actually I wanted the version that's sung in "Outlander", but couldn't find that one on Spotify :-P.

19. So Will I - Hillsong United
If the stars are made to worship so will I
A bit slower than what I usually go for, but somehow it's come to be one of my very favourite songs of worship.

19. Hold håbet op - Marianne Søgaard
A new Christmas song I was introduced to at church earlier this month. I immediately fell in love with it. The music is very reminiscent of various musicals and the chorus is suitably haunting, and is easily a song I could see myself listening to all year around.

... and that seems like a good note(!) to end on :-)