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“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” ― Plato‍

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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?"

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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!

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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!

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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.”

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For me, this playlist represents exactly that. And I hope you love it as much as I do.

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The Songs Chosen and the People Around the World Who Chose Them:

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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