CommRadio Weekly Playlist: Mar. 11

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.

“Behind Blue Eyes” - The Who

Over spring break, I had a long conversation with two of my friends about all sorts of rock music topics, including The Who’s classic album “Who’s Next.”

“Behind Blue Eyes” is one of my personal favorites from that project because it simply sounds incredible.

The song’s lyrics paint the picture of someone holding all their emotions inside because he’s afraid of what people may think should he allow himself to become open and vulnerable.

The song starts with a slow build, but picks up in electric fashion once the narrator begins explaining just what may happen should he let his emotions get the best of him.

An incredible vocal performance from frontman Roger Daltrey, alongside guitarist Pete Townshend’s ability to set the tone, allows “Behind Blue Eyes” to be one of the band’s most memorable tracks. -Joe Tuman

“A Hatful of Dreams” - Timothée Chalamet

This song would likely have been a selection of mine much earlier if I had seen the film while it was in theaters, but instead, my friend Matt and I chose to see “Aquaman 2.”

“Aquaman 2,” you know, the movie with the water-based superhero but has said superhero walk through the forest for 20 minutes of its tortuous 124-minute runtime.

Anyways, back to “A Hatful of Dreams”. I finally got to see the film when it arrived to streaming this past week and it has been stuck in my head ever since.

The premise is that Wonka has arrived in the central town of the film and sings about having 12 silver sovereigns and a hatful of dreams before spending all 12 sovereigns by the song's conclusion.

I had to look up what a silver sovereign was worth, and while I got conflicting results, I know that he definitely overpaid for the pumpkin he broke. -Ben Palillo

“1, 2 Many” - Luke Combs

I am still in my country music era and I don’t think that will change anytime soon. “1, 2 Many” by Luke Combs is a perfect country song.

“1, 2 Many” is a great song to dance to or to hear at a party. Its upbeat, country music instrumentals and fun lyrics are the reason it is so good.

Luke Combs is no stranger to modern country music and is certainly no stranger to making amazing songs, and this one is the perfect proof.

Whether you are fishing at the lake, tanning on the beach, or just having fun with your friends, “1, 2 Many” is a great country song for any occasion.

If you’re not that into country music, I’d definitely recommend Luke Combs and this song. -Sarah Gavlak

“making the bed” - Olivia Rodrigo

I’m not sure why, but this song has been a regular on my playlist this week. I liked it when it came out, and I love it now. Blasting “making the bed” by Olivia Rodrigo at max volume in the car is such a vibe.

Olivia Rodrigo began her journey in the acting circuit by starring in both Disney’s "Bizaardvark" and "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series." She gained recognition as a vocal artist and has continued her musical expedition ever since.

The production of “making the bed” is simple. However, its simplicity, I think, is what makes it so powerful. You can hear the pain in Rodrigo’s voice with a minor symphony production in the background.

As for the lyrics, the one that stands out to me is “Sometimes I feel like I don't wanna be where I am”. So many times while I’ve been at Penn State I just think to myself, why am I here?

This track isn’t her most popular, but it is a favorite of mine. I love when an artist, metaphorically, breaks down in a song. It’s both healing for the singer and the listener.

Currently, Rodrigo is on her (sold out) “GUTS” world tour, but hopefully, we get some more releases soon! If you want to give “making the bed” a listen, you can find it on any music streaming service. -Isabel Sweet

Joe Tuman is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email joentuman@gmail.com

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

Sarah Gavlak is a second-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact her, email sng5393@psu.edu.

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