Arts Vanity: The Perfect Moment for Every Song from my Summer 2023 Playlist

“Tití Me Preguntó” by Bad Bunny

This feels like a good starting point. It’s been the spring, summer, and fall of “Tití Me Pregunto.” Please, everyone, stop in your tracks and play it on full blast wherever you are in order to secure a “Tití Me Pregunto” winter. I’ll be honest, it’s no “Yo Perreo Sola,” but nothing gets the people going like this song (sorry, “N*ggas in Paris”) — even if they speak absolutely zero words of Spanish. For better or for worse, it’s a reliable way to keep the function worthwhile after someone turns on “Mr. Brightside.”

“Treat Her Like a Lady” by the Temptations

This song is actually perfect at all times. Its 1980s take on respecting women by the iconic crooners of “My Girl” (sorry, the Temps have done far more than this, I’m just trying to make this article ~far-reaching~ *wink wink*) still rings true today! “Treat her with the utmost respect”? Of course, boys! Moments I envision this being played include: When walking away from a bad date, pretending it’s your ringtone and maintaining direct eye contact while you pick up your fake call, or hijacking your gym’s aux and playing it over the speakers (it’s the perfect tempo for the treadmill).

“Stars are Blind” by Paris Hilton

For when the gods are crazy and — dare I say — the stars are blind. Or, whenever things are feeling a little dark, the sun is setting before 5 p.m., and the gloom feels perpetual. What could brighten things up more than the vision of Paris Hilton’s bleached blonde hair in 2006 and a vapid love song with a chorus repeated upwards of four times? In other words, this song is pure joy. Play it to brighten any day.

“Love” by Keyshia Cole

Oh loooooooooooove. This song is to be played when you’re not in love, but wow, you really just want to know what it would feel like. No need to put the effort into being in an actual romantic relationship, Keyshia will make you feel all the feelings down to your CORE.

“Come and Talk to Me” by Jodeci

I don’t have a lot to say for myself here. This song is incredibly versatile, though. If you are an incredibly self-confident R&B singer in a boy group in the 1990s and early 2000s or if you’re just really big on communication, this song can be for you. This song would be best played utilizing a boom box, held outside someone’s window. Whether a love interest or just a friend you haven’t chatted with in a while (just don’t play the song all the way through), let Jodeci say what you can’t.

“Foolish” by Ashanti

Often. Now, I know we’re assuming that Ashanti is talking about an unhealthy love for someONE, asking, why do I keep going back? But what if it’s not just about a person? What about how foolish we are in going back to someTHINGS. Schoolwork that doesn’t treat you right, work that doesn’t serve you... why put yourself into something that won’t love you back? Yet here we are, still coming back.

“DELRESTO (ECHOES) feat. Beyoncé” by Travis Scott

Honestly, I know it’s never the perfect moment for Travis. That being said, it CAN be the perfect moment for Beyoncé. If you’re tired of hearing the voices in your head whisper through your subconscious, choose Beyoncé’s instead. Sorry, it’s just a bop.

“Before I Let Go (Homecoming Live Bonus Track)” by Beyoncé

If you’re me, right now, before I let go of my Culture co-exec-dom. Please play this as I walk out of 14 Plympton St. for the last time in this calendar year. (Which was over a week ago because finals are really hitting back this semester. Just add it into that scene in the movie version.)

—Ella L. Jones is an outgoing Culture executive and really hopes that the Arts board will give Beyoncé her due respect in the future.