“Hard Times” by Paramore, Wednesday, March 16, 2022 + Women's History Playlist

Paramore's 2017 album After Laughter not only took the band in a new direction musically, the lyrics of the band's latest album started a conversation about mental health. Lead singer Haley Williams transcends the emo genre in this mature discussion about the depression that followed her divorce, band mate controversies, and media scrutiny. The album's opening track and first single, "Hard Times," sets the tone for the album along with calling on the motif of weather, all the while disguising itself as an upbeat, positive track musically. It's not, though. 

YOU HIT ME WITH LIGHTNING. I just realized the other day that March is Women's History month, so today, I decided to make a playlist titled Women Rock: A Playlist Celebrating Women in Music Pt. I. This is a compilation of songs from my blog featuring female artists who have made a difference in the genre that they play. Enjoy!

Tracklist:

1. "Hard Times" by Paramore. The song of the day.
2. "Run Away with Me" by Carly Rae Jepsen
3. "Breathless" by The Corrs
4. "All Too Well" (Taylor's 10 Minute Version) by Taylor Swift
5. "Hot N Cold" by Katy Perry. Katy Perry's chart performance in the early '10s put her on par with Michael Jackson as a pop star. 
6. "Touch" by Shura. This British singer-songwriter encapsulates the DIY spirit in music by learning how to producer her own music and direct her own music video.

7. "I Know a Place" by MUNA
8. "Meaning of You" by IU ft. Kim Chang-Wan
9. "Then He Kissed Me" by The Crystals. Though I wrote about the Leagues cover, The Crystals had a very interesting role in pop music history. Unfortunately, producer and songwriter Phil Spector took much of the credit and the royalties from his performers.



10. "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman is a song about making your own destiny. 
11. "Say So" by Doja Cat. Starting as a DIY artist, Doja Cat's pop stardom keeps rising.
12. "Hello" by Adele
13. "Hallucinations" by Pvris
14. "I Already See It" by Kye Kye. This atmospheric opener to the band's second record, Fantasize reminds us that "Love is accepted."
15. "Yosemite" by Lana Del Rey
16.  "Glory Days" by Betty Who
17. "Much Farther to Go" by Rosie Thomas
18. "Titanium" by David Guetta ft. Sia is an empowering song by a powerful vocalist. No wonder Sia became huge after the public heard her.

19.  "Into the New World" by Girls' Generation
20. "I'm So Sick" by Flyleaf
21. "The Best" by Tina Turner. Turner was a trailblazer in many ways, making history by bringing rock, blues, R&B, soul, and pop together.
22. "Merry Go 'Round" by Kacey Musgraves
23. "Right Now" by Mary J. Blige. The veteran artist decided to try working with young producers on her 2014 record The London Sessions. 


24. "Whoz That Girl" by EXID. The breakthrough hit by this K-pop group explores jealousy.
25. "good 4 u" by Olivia Rodrigo is another song about jealousy but the video is all about revenge.
26. "Closer" by Tegan and Sara
27. "Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia
28. " Blue" by Taeyeon
29. "Many Funerals" by Eisley
30. "One Way Love" by Hyolyn. The man in this song sounds pretty awful. Bye.
31. "Diamonds" by Rihanna. I blogged about the Josef Salvat cover, but the original makes a good addition to this list. 
 

32. "Dreamworld" by Rilo Kiley
33. "The Shade" by Metric
34. "3 Hour Drive" by Alicia Keys ft. Sampha
35. "Die Young" by Sylvan Esso
36. "High on Humans" by Oh Wonder
37. "I Feel You" by Wonder Girls 
38. "Soothsayer" by Of Monsters and Men
39. "Straight Up" by Paula Abdul
40. "Blinding" by Florence + the Machine
41. "Put Me Back Together" by Ivory Circle. Lead singer Connie Hong's powerful vocals give us strength despite the song being about being broken. 

42. "Zombie" by The Cranberries
43. "In Love Again" by Colbie Caillat
44. "Love Me Like You Do" by Ellie Goulding. Although I wrote about the Boyce Avenue cover, I think the original is worth including mainly for the debate about whether the song's legacy with Fifty Shades of Grey. 
45. "Believer" by Cyn

Today's song:

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