CommRadio Weekly Playlist: March 18

Here, members of the Arts and Entertainment Department will talk about the songs that dominated their playlists during the week and what makes them so good.

“Alice” - Rhys

Every day I thank Spotify for creating the "Made For You" playlists as it has allowed me to discover so many new artists and amazing songs.

“Alice” by Rhys is one of those songs that I came across and it completely took my breath away.

Rhys is an up-and-coming Swedish-American singer and songwriter who deserves all the success coming her way.

This song is a love letter to best friends everywhere and makes me miss my best friend entirely too much.

She sings about the symbiotic relationship between living with your friend and the important idea that friendship goes two ways and you both will be there for each other when needed.

The vocals in this track remind me of that classic Gracie Abrams whisper singing but the production includes lots of interesting and dynamic layers of Rhys’ voice that elevate the song to another level. -Madison Rush

“Life is a Highway” - Tom Cochrane

Listening to my "Office Ladies" podcast has, once again, influenced my musical choices for the week. During the podcast episode, “Employee Transfer,” Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey played “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane multiple times.

While I’m a fan of the Rascal Flatts cover, this version has its own appeal.

Cochrane has made many hits, but none except for “Life is a Highway” were very successful in the U.S. However, in Canada, Cochrane has won many awards, notably, eight Juno awards (equivalent to the Grammys).

“Life is a Highway” is an exuberant song. Just the thought of it evokes a feeling of happiness, and a similarly prevalent desire to go on a road trip.

I think this song is interestingly produced. Everything but the chorus doesn’t entirely match up with the instruments being played.

It seems like the lyrics are being sung too fast for the rest of the song, yet it works!

Something else that stood out to me was that Cochrane plays the harmonica during a fair amount of the track. The harmonica adds much more to the depth of the song. It’s brilliant.

I have nothing but good things to say about this song (unless it's played over three times in a day).

If you're interested in watching a bizarrely beautiful music video, “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane is definitely for you. You can also see Cochrane live; he is still performing (though usually in Canada).

Never heard Cochrane’s original version? I highly recommend you give it a listen right now! -Isabel Sweet

“Bet On It” - Zac Efron

I have been on a huge Disney music kick lately, and this song is the one I always like to start it off with when I go on my

“Bet On It” was sung in the film “High Musical 2,” after Troy finds out Sharpay has forbidden the Wildcats from performing in the Lava Springs talent show, he decides that he is done letting other people control his life.

Troy regrets pushing Gabriella and his friends away, deciding to make everything right before giving the vocal performance of his life.

The song is upbeat and hypes me up to the point where I could run through a wall. It’s also helping me through a time in my life where I am going to bet on myself in journalism and shoot for the stars as I approach graduation.

You can bet on the fact I will be listening to this song for the foreseeable future. -Ben Palillo

Madison Rush is a second-year majoring in public relations. To contact her, email mkr5957@psu.edu.

Isabel Sweet is a second-year majoring in film production. To contact her, email ips5219@psu.edu.

Ben Palillo is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email bgp5079@psu.edu.