A chaotic playlist + knowing when to quit
take THAT, Spotify Wrapped
At the start of the year, I saw someone post that they were going to create a playlist for 2024, with one song for every day.
I loved this idea, and, fuelled by the below Tumblr post by user @/songofsaraneth — the idea that new years resolutions can be Fun — decided that I’d also commit to a song-a-day playlist to encapsulate my 2024.
On Saturday, just 31 days shy of my goal, I decided to quit.
Sure, we’ve all heard of hanging up our New Years Resolutions’ Hat in January after a solid 7-10 days of effort, or going until the winter finally relents in March. But why November, when I’m so close?
Well, I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but we’re hurtling towards Christmas. But if I want this playlist to be usable, a time capsule of the year which I can enjoy again and again, I didn’t want to add Christmas songs to it. Christmas songs are officially allowed chez Kime from the 9th November (I’d have them on from July, tbh, but my partner’s birthday is the 8th November, so that’s the rule) and the remaining 21 days of the month were hard enough in terms of adding non-festive tracks; so I thought I’d cut my losses and create a 91.6% complete 2024 playlist.
At points it was an exercise in staying the course, but overall I’m really glad I did it. The only guideline I had for myself was adding songs that I’d be happy to listen to again — because otherwise, what would be the point? The result is a bit chaotic in places, but I love it and can’t wait to put it on rotation next year.
Here’s some random snippets of the year:
Positive Spin, by Gretta Ray (23rd Jan)
On a retreat I asked for suggestions for the song of the day - and Nao suggested this. I’d never met Nao before the retreat, but she’s now a treasured friend, and this song is a fab lil earworm too. Win win!
Jump (feat Nelly Furtado), by Flo Rida (11th Feb)
A friend who I was previously very intimidated by came round, drank wine, and showed me all of her previous horsejumping videos on Youtube, one of which was soundtracked to this. I used to be intimidated by her success and strategic mind; I’m now intimidated by her exceptional music choice.
The Secret to Life, by FIZZ (11th March)
Don’t you just love it when you hear a song once and then immediately know you’re gonna love it forever? That’s this song - heard it on Radio 1, added it to the playlist post haste, haven’t looked back.
Labour - the cacophony, by Paris Paloma (17th April)
Insert the Jake Peralta “Chills, literal chills” meme here, because this song spooked me in the best way. The message, the mood, the choir - it’s make-you-want-to-cry-and-then-riot good.
(Also, the song before it in the playlist is a Jersey House remix of the Kim Possible theme tune, as an example of the absolute chaos).
Lovely Day - Studio Rio Version, by Bill Withers (17th May)
This was playing in our local coffee shop and I lurrrved the vibe.
Long Hot Summer, by Girls Aloud (24th June)
Went to see them at the O2, was reminded of every single one of their bangers, am surprised that the days around this time in the playlist aren’t just a list of their first two albums in their entirety tbh.
Celestine, by Spector (13th July)
The song that’s been in my partner’s head the most this year and thus mine, by the powers of osmosis and also singing badly when working from home.
The Road to Mandalay, by Robbie Williams (6th August)
The day my cousin got married in Montenegro, and we all sang this song again and again and again (no idea why, it’s just clearly a family fave.)
Eurydice, by Killian Scott (16th September)
If there’s one thing you need to know about me, it’s that a soundtrack hates to see me coming. This song, created for a fake rockstar in a Netflix series, didn’t have to go this hard. And yet.
Sushi Glory Hole, by The Lonely Island (6th October)
This year was so good to me, specifically, musically. A Pitbull and Dolly Parton collab, new Rizzle Kicks, and then this: brand new The Lonely Island??? What did I do to deserve this, Lord??? This song is on loop in my brain at all times.
Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem), by Jay-Z
I’ve had the pleasure of helping a friend in her shop a few days this week, and she reminded me of this gem (by telling me it makes her cry, which made me laugh. Really laugh.)
What would your 2024 playlist look like? I’d love to know!
This is such a great idea!
Will interrupt my Sad Girl Christmas playlist for this one Ellie xo