Weekly Playlist: 5/1/25

“Here Comes the Sun” - The Beatles

The sun is finally shining, the birds are chirping and the flowers are blooming. Although the academic year is still in full swing, it is basically summer and that means my addition to CommRadio’s playlist this week has to evoke all the vibes that come with the warm season.

As I listened to bright beats, looking for the perfect summery song to add, my roommate suggested the one-and-only “Here Comes the Sun.” Arguably, this song is one of the Beatles’ most catchy beats, perhaps after “Yellow Submarine” or “Oh! Darling,” and is definitely appropriate for the sunny season.

While researching some fun facts about this song to mention in this article, I was intrigued by the song’s creation history. Apparently, songwriter George Harrison was inspired to write “Here Comes the Sun” when he did the professional version of playing hooky from school one day in early 1969, when the Beatles were going through a tumultuous period.

Harrison visited his friend, Eric Clapton, and while wandering aimlessly in Clapton’s garden, the sun poked through the clouds for the first time that spring. “Here Comes the Sun” was then recorded on nine different dates over the span of two months until a crushing deadline forced the song to be completed on August 19 of the same year.

While things did not get better for the Beatles’ internal pandemonium (since they broke up in 1970), it is impossible for your spirits not to rise when hearing this song. - Sarah Taylor

Sarah Taylor is a second-year majoring in telecommunications and media industries. To contact her, email smt6314@psu.edu.

“Talk talk” - Charli XCX

With warm weather finally approaching and the sun beginning to shine, it’s time for a revival of Brat summer.

Personally, I’ve chosen the version without the Troye Sivan feature. Both songs are incredible, but definitely do sound quite different. They share a lot of the same lyrics, but have quite a different feel musically and a bit of a different rhythm.

I find the version with only Charli XCX to have a bit less of her classic electronic music style, but I think this works great for this song. It’s a great, catchy and fun song that just screams summer in my opinion.

So if you're looking for something to listen to that feels like the nostalgia of last summer, this song is a perfect choice. It’s a great song to roll your windows down and listen to as you drive, all while enjoying the weather and music of last summer.

Lucy Bielecki is a second-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact her, email lpb5533@psu.edu.

“Miami” - Will Smith

It’s the end of the semester. Finals need to be studied for and projects need to be completed. The weather has been decent these past couple of days. When the temperature hit 80 while studying for class, I immediately got reminded of one song.

“Miami” by Will Smith has been and will continue to be the song I listen to the most these next couple of weeks. However, there is some backstory.

My first two years of college were spent in Daytona Beach. It is about a four-hour drive north of Miami. The Miami Grand Prix happened right after finals, so it was the song that was always playing when I studied for finals was “Miami”.

Now, I associate finals and warm weather with the song. It’s fun. It sounds like Miami. It feels like hot sand under my feet. The song reminds me of preparing to crush my tests, with my reward being the beach.

Don’t get too hype, though. We still have tests to study for and internships to prepare for. While you prepare, “Miami” by Will Smith is an amazing song to listen to while taking a break. - Jack Harrison

Jack Harrison is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jkh6603@psu.edu.

“The Windmills Of Your Mind” - Mel Torme

After months of friends telling me to, I finally got around to watching Severance before the finale aired. I can now confidently say that it is one of the best television shows on right now. While I absolutely will not spoil the show because you should go watch it yourself, I will mention that “The Windmills Of Your Mind” by Mel Torme played at the very end of the finale.

A little bit of research led me to find that Mel Torme is one of the writers of “The Christmas Song,” or commonly known as “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.”

Mel Torme really has a great voice and shines on “The Windmills Of Your Mind.” The song is very engaging as it uses lots of similes and poses questions. The inflections used on different words are done perfectly.

This song has been stuck in my head for weeks since the end of the most recent of Severance, and I’m not upset about it! - Noah Vickery

Noah Vickery is a second-year majoring in communications. To contact him, email nmv5292@psu.edu.

“I’m Gonna Love You” by Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood

Booking this one for my first dance song.

“I’m Gonna Love You” is one of Johnson’s most popular tracks. From his hit album “Leather,” it’s a duet with Underwood about a love that lasts forever.

Johnson and Underwood’s voices blend beautifully throughout the song, especially in the chorus.

The last verse, “time’s gonna put a few lines on our face / we can cover it up but hair’s gonna gray / life’s gonna fly and be gone too soon / and I’m gonna love you” is one of the most delicately written yet simple lyrics in Johnson’s discography.

Whether you’ve found your forever person or are dreaming about the one, “I'm Gonna Love You” is going to get the emotions going and the waterworks started. - Adrianna Gallucci

Adrianna Gallucci is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email amg7989@psu.edu.