Jessica Fernandes

Existentialism
Dr. Kemp
December 13, 2017

16 of Jessica’s Most Played Songs of 2017

Existential Playlist Link

I was inspired to create a playlist of my top played songs in 2017. Within these top 16
songs, I searched for the artist’s perspective on what it means to be human. My fellow
classmate, Sarah, had talked about creating a mixtape for a friend and the friend didn’t
enjoy the mix of songs, but pretended to enjoy it in order to make Sarah happy. I thought it
would be constructive in my own life to go through some of my favorite songs in the past
year to hear the messages I have been receiving and singing. I thought that if I were to
make a playlist of my favorite songs and have my professor listen to them, what would he
think? What would my parents, friends, brother, and other influential people in my life
think of my songs? Would I agree with the humanistic messages in these songs? After
reading lyrics and finding meaning within the songs, I have affirmed that the top human
desires in life are to 1) feel pleasure, 2) show off but not in a too showy-offy way, and 3) to
find security. The whole playlist was my top 100 songs of the past year, but I chose my top
16 most memorable songs. These songs don’t necessarily make me proud to share with
others, but they do show true human feelings. I am reminded of how I have complete
fulfillment and pleasure in my life, and don’t have to keep searching and creating albums
that repeat and repeat and repeat the same message of enjoying and despairing, enjoying
and despairing. My fulfillment and pleasure has been founded by my faith, but since I am
human, I still face wanting to satisfy my heart’s desires. I still face discontentment. I still
face FOMO. I still face lust. I still face temptation.
In my opinion, these songs are fun to listen to. I enjoy the beats, the feelings, the sing-along
aspects. Music is powerful and moving. Most of these songs are somewhat generic pop
songs, but the emotion and struggles behind the songs are real to all humans.
I am not sure if anyone would enjoy this playlist, but they sure can relate to this playlist.

I’m the One by DJ Khaled​ - the men talk about how they’re the only one for the women.
They’ve got the money and the looks and sexual attractiveness. Life is good when they’re
together.
Purpose as a human: pursue beauty, money, and sex

Sorry Not Sorry​ by Demi Lovato - Demi is loving her life at the moment and she’s sorry but
not sorry if her ex isn’t loving his life.
Purpose as a human: revenge is valid and as long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters
Jessica Fernandes
Existentialism
Dr. Kemp
December 13, 2017

Breathe by Astrid S​ - Astrid has a toxic obsession over a boy. Without him, she can’t
breathe and nearly dies without seeing him for 7 days. When she feels his presence,
nothing else in the world matters to her.
Purpose as a human: find security in a how a partner makes you feel

It’s a Vibe by 2 Chainz​ - Rapper 2 Chainz brags about his dope vibes he sends out to people.
His good vibes make other people do what they like to do.
Purpose as a human: toot your own horn and makes sure others like you

High Without your Love by Loote​ - She sings how nothing can make her feel as good/high
as when she feels her lovers love for her.
Purpose as a human: lovers’ love for you will satisfy your needs

Raincoat by Timeflies​ - The man and woman singing felt a strong connection and still can’t
get the other off their mind, even though at least one of them is with another partner. All
they can think about is getting alone so they can have sex.
Purpose as a human: follow your heart’s desire, commitment doesn’t matter if that’s not
what you want in the moment

Give Me One Reason by Tracy Chapman​ - She is asking for one good reason she should stay
in her relationship. She is not satisfied with just love and having someone hold her close.
Purpose as a human: get satisfaction, flee conflict if it’s too much

m.A.A.d. City by Kendrick Lamar​ - Kendrick’s rap song is about handling a life of gang
violence and drugs. You need to choose your gang or seek refuge, but either way, you are
putting yourself closer to death. The only way you can take control of your own life would
be to take away your own life.
Purpose as a human: get control of your life, be in charge

Stay by Alessia Cara and Zedd ​- She sings of wanting her lover to stay. She begs for him to
change his mind so they can spend more time together. She will postpone real life and let
reality by her and him together.
Purpose as a human: you can create your own reality within actual reality
Jessica Fernandes
Existentialism
Dr. Kemp
December 13, 2017

Most Girls by Hailee Steinfeld ​- Hailee promotes how most girls are strong, beautiful,
empowered, and amazing. She is proving that the saying, “you’re not like most girls” is not
what you want to hear. She wants to be like most girls because they are pushing
themselves to be the best they can be.
Purpose as a human: be empowering to other women

Heatstroke by Calvin Harris​ - Basically it’s all about having sex and the other person has
put you in a trance and it feels so good. They give you heatstroke in bed.
Purpose as a human: get that good sex, get that pleasure however it may be obtained

Catch and Release by Matt Simons​ - The song talks of a higher place you go to that makes
you happy. We are connected to something bigger than ourselves, and let yourself create a
meaning to this song and to your life. You can choose what that is.
Purpose as a human: everyone can choose their own meaning of their own life, pick and
connect yourself to a higher power ie: God, meditation, serving others

It Ain’t Me by Kygo and Selena Gomez ​- The song talks of a relationship breaking down, but
she is coming out on top. She is feeling stronger and more secure now that she is
independent and had time to reflect.
Purpose as a human: you have to go through hard times to find your true and empowered
self

Mama by Jonas Blue ​- We gotta make the most of our life no matter what! We only got right
here and now, so let’s do everything crazy in order to love and live our life to the fullest.
They tell their mom to not worry about whatever they’re doing; it’ll all work out.
Purpose as a human: YOLO!, do what you want; doesn’t matter what others want for you

Tourist by Quinn XCII​ - He loves the glamorous lifestyle of LA and is so excited he moved
out there, but now he is fed up with the superficialness and is not sure what he’s gotten
himself into. He’s still in LA, because parts of it he loves, but parts of it he wants to get rid
of. The flashiness has sucked him in.
Purpose as a human: you have to be “in” on the cool and hip trends of living even if it takes
a toll on you, you may have to sacrifice morals to achieve glory and fame
Jessica Fernandes
Existentialism
Dr. Kemp
December 13, 2017

No Promises by Cheat Codes and Demi Lovato​ - The song talks of how nothing is
guaranteed in a relationship. Give space to other person in a relationship so they can
become the best person they can be, then come together. There’s conflict, and they figure
they should be apart, but it feels good to be together.
Purpose as a human: you might not be able to commit to people and that is okay because
you need to grow as an individual first