Weekly Playlist: Oct. 28

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.

“The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)” - Nat King Cole

Halloween is over. It’s time to ring in the Christmas season with Nat King Cole’s 1961 version of “The Christmas Song.”

Written in 1945, “The Christmas Song” is everything that the holiday is about. Chestnuts roasting on open fires, turkeys and mistletoes and the joy of being a kid awaiting Santa Claus’ sleigh on Christmas night. The Nat King Cole trio first recorded the song in 1946, then again for years until their last recording in 1961.

Nat King Cole's 1961 recording of “The Christmas Song” is one of the most recognizable Christmas songs and also one of the best to get into the Holiday mood. The first note of the tune is mesmerizing, and when you hear it, you know that it’s time to feel the chill of the Christmas season. - Sketch Morton

“Strawberry Wine” - Noah Kahan

Noah Kahan is an artist who admittedly I did not think I would like at first. After hearing his popular songs “Stick Season” and “Dial Drunk” however, my mind was changed.

Serving as the ninth song from Kahan’s 2022 album “Stick Season,” “Strawberry Wine” is a sentimental song with gentle guitar playing that pulls you right into the tune. It feels perfect for this time of year.

The title of this song is a reference to a song of the same name by Deanna Carter.

Lyrics that stick out to me are “I’m in love with every song you’ve ever heard” and “If I was empty space and you were a formless shape, we’d fit.”

The last two minutes of this song contain no lyrics, acting almost as a moment to reflect.

This is a beautiful, yet bittersweet song that holds a great deal of meaning and emotion behind it. - Noah Vickery

“Still Prevail” - Gunna

Off of his “One of Wun” album, which debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200 and has over one billion streams on Spotify.

He uses groovy beats with impressive wordplay in his lyrics. Sometimes it’s hard to catch what he’s actually saying because the beat is the best part.

When he said, "Have the Cuban, I don't wanna link," he was saying that he has so much money he'd rather give a girl a Cuban link than meet up with her.

The bars don't stop there; he continued with, "On the grind, I'm knee deep" and "These rhymes paid all my lease," emphasizing that he’s been putting in the work and it's paying off in all the best ways.

I love Gunna because he makes music for pretty girls. You can listen to Gunna anywhere, like on car rides, at parties and even at the gym. His music could always put me in a sexy mood and create such a good vibe. - Gabrielle Marston

Sketch Morton is a fifth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email sam7539@psu.edu.

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

Gabrielle Marston is a third-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email gmm6030@psu.edu.