“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” ― Plato
When I first had the idea for a community curated playlist I thought to myself, "I really love this idea, but what if it's a giant flop?"
I mean I wanted to do it, but I hemmed and hawed about putting the idea out into the world because I was afraid it might not translate in the way I hoped it would. Music can be so personal, so I was honestly afraid people might think it was a silly idea to mash together a hodgepodge of songs from people who don’t know each other and who might not share the same taste in music.
But let me just tell you how glad I am that I followed my gut to do it because you all not only showed up with enthusiasm, you made this project more fun than I ever imagined it could possibly be! From old friends to new friends, to strangers from around the world that popped in to play along, this project evolved from an idea in my head into something that in a small way now connects people from all across the globe. Which I find to be pretty damn special considering the long, painful, forced period of separation from one another that we have all collectively endured.
Not to mention, in putting this playlist together I enjoyed a full on education in music! I was introduced to so many new artists and new songs, some that made me get up and dance and others that had me crying so hard I couldn’t see straight. Then there were the songs that instantly transported me back to moments in my personal life, and the ones that gave me little clues about people beyond what I know of them on the surface. I didn’t expect for this project to have the emotional impact on me that it did, but the power of music has that way about it, doesn’t it?
WHAT IS THE PARCHED AROUND THE WORLD PLAYLIST?
When I launched Parched, I did so with the hope and vision of it being a place of community, where people come together over shared interests and passions and where people come together to learn from each other. However, this is my first attempt at actually orchestrating something tangible that’s created by that community, and it has filled my heart with joy to have so many of you show up and choose to be a part of it!
Curated by people in 17 different countries, this playlist is long and it’s amazingly eclectic to say the least! It includes different languages, genres, sounds, and styles, as well as a selection of songs that are currently trending in the USA in order to serve as a bit of a time capsule for this particular time in our lives. Since this was my first attempt at doing something like this and I had no idea how it would go, I didn’t put any parameters around what folks could submit. I just wanted people to share music they loved, be it one song or a whole bunch of songs. And there was surprisingly very little overlap in the songs people chose, which is one of the coolest things most about it. Below is a list of all the people who contributed, where they live, and their song picks. I also added links to everyone’s social pages so that you can connect with new people in different parts of the world if you want to!
Billy Joel once said, “Music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.”
For me, this playlist represents exactly that. And I hope you love it as much as I do.
The Songs Chosen and the People Around the World Who Chose Them:
ABBY IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Paradise (feat. Dermot Kennedy) by MEDUZA
‘Til I Find You by Jeremy Loops
Jika by Mi Casa
Give Me Everything by Pittbull, Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer
Wake Me Up by Avicii
ABBEY IN DALLAS, TEXAS – USA
The Melting of the Sun by St. Vincent
ALLIE IN ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GEORGIA – USA
These Are Days by 10,000 Maniacs
Dance with Me by Orleans
Manhattan by Blossom Dearie
You Are the Sunshine of My Life by Stevie Wonder
Take it Easy by Eagles
AMANDA IN AMSTERDAM, NEW YORK – USA
Me, My Guitar and the Blues by Walter Trout
AMELIA IN OXFORD, NEW ZEALAND
Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band
ANTHONY IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA – USA
Cruisin’ by D’Angelo
BARBARA IN MARIETTA, GEORGIA – USA
Tin Cup Chalice by Jimmy Buffet
Boomerang Love by Jimmy Buffett and Elliot Scheiner
Migration by Jimmy Buffett
BEN IN THESSALONIKI, GREECE
Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In by The 5th Dimension
BRANT IN GÖTEBORG, SWEDEN
Stay Forever by Ween
Ripple by Grateful Dead
Delicate Green by Aaron Freeman
Summer by Skinshape
Let Me Down Easy by Gang of Youths
BRIAN IN MONROE, GEORGIA – USA
Guitars and Tiki Bars by Kenny Chesney

BRIAN IN HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS – USA
Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison
CARA IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
9albi Siwak by Bouchra Elm
Thank You for Asking by Foy Vance
Moulay Hmed by D33pSoul
Long Lost by Lord Huron
CARINA IN VANCOUVER, CANADA
Viva la Vida by Coldplay
CESARE IN LUCCA,ITALY
Tu Vuo’ Fa L’Americano by Renato Carosone
CHRISTINA IN ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – USA
Look at Miss Ohio by Gillian Welch
CLAIRE IN HOKITIKA, NEW ZEALAND
Strum by AVEM
Yachts – A Man Called Adam Mix by Coco Steel Lovebomb
One Of My Kind – Radio Edit by Rogue Traders and INXS
Estelle by A Man Called Adam
COLLEEN IN VENICE, FLORIDA – USA
Hot Fun in the Summertime by Sly & The Family Stone
DUANE IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA – USA
Let’s Go Crazy by Prince
Blister in the Sun by Violent Femmes
Tainted Love by Soft Cell
ED IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK – USA
Lose Somebody by Kygo and OneRepublic
Bed Head by Manchester Orchestra
ELISABETH IN ROCHESTER, NEW YORK – USA
Bad Ideas by Alle Farben

ELIZABETH IN ORDU, TURKEY
Strawberry Wine by Deana Carter
ELLIE IN ASTORIA, NEW YORK – USA
Mind Trip by araabMUZIK
No Roots by Alice Merton
I’ll Come Too by James Blake
Nightcall by Kavinsky
ERIC IN SØBORG, DENMARK
Copenhagen Dreaming by Love Shop
EVAN IN ASTORIA, NEW YORK – USA
Feel Like Makin’ Love by Roberta Flack
Lonely Legend by Fantasia
GINA IN MARIETTA, GEORGIA – USA
Island in the Sun by Weezer
Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
GONZALO IN MADRID, SPAIN
Agua by Jarabe De Palo
JACKIE IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – USA
Physical by Dua Lipa
Telepatía by Kali Uchis
JASON IN BLENHEIM, NEW ZEALAND
Consideration by Reef
The Boys of Summer by Don Henley
JENN IN SURF CITY, NORTH CAROLINA – USA
Come and Get Your Love by Redbone
JESSICA IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK – USA
Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
Lovely Day by Bill Withers

JUDE IN GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA
Over the Moon by Bay Ledges
KERRI IN ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA – USA
Lovely Day by Bill Withers
Summer by War
Everybody Loves the Sunshine by Roy Ayers Ubiquity
Walking on Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves
Hot Fun in the Summertime by Sly & The Family Stone
KINNY IN WAIRAU VALLEY, NEW ZEALAND
Starry Eyes by L.A.B.
Shoot on You by L.A.B.
LEA IN BENDIGO, AUSTRALIA
Spectrum (Say My Name) – Calvin Harris Remix by Florence + The Machine and Calvin Harris
Euphoria by Loreen
Cool Out by Imagine Dragons
Levitating by Dua Lipa
Freedom! ’90 by George Michael
LINDA IN NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA
Something More by Sam Buckingham
LISA IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK – USA
The Melting of the Sun by St. Vincent
Be Sweet by Japanese Breakfast
Hot N Heavy by Jessie Ware
LIZ IN TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA
Solar Power by Lorde
MARIE IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK – USA
Holiday by Madonna
MEGHAN IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – USA
Ugly Heart by G.R.L.
Lovely Day/Good as Hell Mashup by Pomplamoose
Mr. Perfectly Fine by Taylor Swift
MICHAEL IN FAYETTEVILLE, GEORGIA – USA
Talkin’ New York by Bob Dylan
Graves into Gardens by Elevation Worship
Perseverance by Zuby
It is Well with My Soul by David Ramirez
House of A Thousand Guitars by Bruce Springsteen
Selah by Kanye West

MICHELLE IN BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA
Catch & Release by Matt Simons
MONIKA IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – USA
Jerusalema (feat. Nomcebo Zikode) by Master KG
NAT IN WAIRAU VALLEY, NEW ZEALAND
Feel Good by Chet Faker
NEHA IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Heat Waves by Glass Animals
Hazey by Glass Animals
Jardin d’hiver by Stacey Kent
Summer by Calvin Harris
NICK IN ARUSHA, TANZANIA
Kilometre by Burna Boy
Mapopo by Damian Soul
NOELLE IN DENVER, COLORADO – USA
Photo ID (with Dominic Fike) by Remi Wolf and Dominic Fike
I Wanna Help Your Mind by Goth Babe
Keep Moving by Jungle
ODILA IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK – USA
The Best by Tina Turner
PAMELA IN WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND
Summer Clouds by How Great Were the Robins
Borders by Kalandra
PATRICK IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Pink Houses by John Mellencamp
Kokomo by The Beach Boys
American Life in the Summertime by Francis Dunnery
Times Like These by Jack Johnson
T-Shirt Weather by Circa Waves
Lovely Day by Bill Withers
Cool by Jonas Brothers
Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson
Beautiful Day by U2
Sunshine on a Rainy Day by Christine Anu
PAULA IN MARIETTA, GEORGIA – USA
I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) by Four Tops
Under the Boardwalk by The Drifters
Daydream Believer by The Monkees
Girl Watcher by The O’Kaysions

PEDRO IN SINTRA, PORTUGAL
Só a Pensar by D’alva
PHIL IN READING, ENGLAND
The Boys of Summer by Don Henley
Somebody Like You by Keith Urban
Summer Nights by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
Waiting for a Star to Fall by Boy Meets Girl
You’re the One That I Want by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
PREMATEE IN SAN FERNANDO, TRINIDAD
Savannah Grass by Kes
Boss Lady (Sign Me Up) by Kes
So Long by Nadia Batson
Backyard Jam by Farmer Nappy
REBECCA IN ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA – USA
Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra
Summer in the City by The Lovin’ Spoonful
ROBERT IN PATTERSON, NEW YORK – USA
Winnebago (feat. Quinn XCII and Daniel Wilson) by Gryffin
Missed Calls by Mac Miller
Can’t Get Enough – Hammond Mix by Bad Company
Round Here by Florida Georgia Line
Wine, Beer, Whiskey by Little Big Town
ROBIN IN ÅBO/TURKU, FINLAND
Semester by Bo Kaspers Orkester
STACY IN ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA – USA
Every River by Steep Canyon Rangers
SUZANNE IN ASTORIA, NEW YORK – USA
Fly Away by Lenny Kravitz
Love Shack by The B-52’s
Ray of Light by Madonna
Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves
Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynrd
Cake by the Ocean by DNCE
Roam by The B-52’s
Summer Nights by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
Layla by Eric Clapton
Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder
TARA IN EVERGREEN, COLORADO – USA
Ain’t Gonna Drown by Elle King
Sky on Fire by Lonely in the Rain and NVRT
Beautiful Now by Zedd and Jon Bellion
TOBI IN MUNICH, GERMANY
One Foot by Walk the Moon
Follow You by Imagine Dragons

VALARIE IN DOUGLASVILLE, GEORGIA – USA
Cruel Summer by Bananarama
VALERIE IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA – USA
Leave the Door Open by Silk Sonic
Every Morning by Sugar Ray
Oxygen by Dirty Heads
Use Me by Bill Withers
Stay Awake by Iration
Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson
Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding
Mellow Mood (Feat. G. Love) by Slightly Stoopid
Call Me by St. Paul & The Broken Bones
World on Fire (with Slightly Stoopid) by Stick Figure
Warning (Feat. Stick Figure) by Pepper
Sure Don’t Miss You by The Dip
Put Down What You Are Carrying (with Brett Dennen) by Trevor Hall
Plain by 311
I’m So Free by Beck
Bring the Funk by Ben Harper
Rodeo Clowns by G. Love & Special Sauce
The Way You Move (Feat. Sleepy Brown) by Outkast
Ready Steady Go by Paul Oakenfold
Free by Phish
Anyone Can Play Guitar by Radiohead
(FYI: This IS Valerie's pared down playlist!)
VIV IN RENWICK, NEW ZEALAND
In the Air by L.A.B.
Vibes by SIX60
Dang! (Feat. Anderson .Paak) by Mac Miller
It Runs Through Me by Tom Misch and De La Soul
Hell N Back by Bakar
Trending Songs of the Season
Astronaut in the Ocean by Masked Wolf
Break My Heart by Dua Lipa
Cover Me in Sunshine by Pink and Willow Sage Heart
Dancing in My Room by 347aidan
Déjà vu by Olivia Rodrigo
Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa
Friday (feat. Mufasa & Hypeman) – Dopamine Re-Edit by Nightcrawlers
Kiss Me More (Feat. SZA) by Doja Cat
Levitating by Dua Lipa
Montero (Call Me By Your Name) by Lil Nas X
Mr. Perfectly Fine by Taylor Swift
Peaches (feat. Daniel Caesar & Giveon) by Justin Bieber
Save Your Tears by The Weeknd and Ariana Grande
Telepatía by Kali Uchis
The Business by Tiӫsto
Up by Cardi B
What’s Next by Drake
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