To celebrate the end of one of the most frustrating parts of my thesis, the literature review, I decided to do something I haven’t done in a while: start reading a book.
Yes, I rewarded myself for finishing reading by doing some more reading. The life of a bookaphile.
I’m currently engrossed in Love is a Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time by Rob Sheffield, a memoir, which just 20 pages in, reminded me of how much I used to love making mix tapes, and how even though I threw out most of my cassettes when I was doing the big post-college clean up last summer, I still kept the ones that I spent hours trying to complete.
This got me thinking that while I don’t have a physical tape on my hands, there should be no reason why I can’t make a selection of songs that are unique to the Maastricht adventure. If you’ll notice anything, it’ll probably be my eclectic taste.
1. Bloodstained Heart- Darren Hayes
Another reason to love Darren Hayes. A reminder that even during your darkest hour, there is always someone there for you- something that I had no shortage of here.
2. Sitting on Top of the World- Delta Goodrem
For that wonderful moment when I finished attending classes and was just beginning to work on my thesis, and many other accomplishments.
3. Danza Kuduro- Don Omar ft Lucenzo
Zumba fever! Good moods and reminders of warmer days during one of the harshest winters to hit Europe.
4. Plage- Crystal Fighters
I just sang the praises of this song on this post, so there isn’t much more for me to say.
5. You Get What You Give- New Radicals
Motivation and hopes for tomorrow
6. Don’t Stop Me Now- Queen
Just because Queen are amazing and can transform the most boring early morning walks to class into a great distraction.
7. We Didn’t Start the Fire- Billy Joel
If only because I’ve just recently become obsessed with learning all the words, and I will.
8. La Despidia- Daddy Yankee
Second period exams and winter break in Beirut, and those occasional moments that I end up going back to it.
9. Bicycle Race- Queen
Unofficial anthem for the Dutchies. My inspiration to stop being stubborn and learn how to ride a bicycle already.
10. Nothing Else Matters- Metallica
Because of that one night when I was walking back home with some friends after a night out and hearing my neighbor blasting it at 1 AM, making the whole thing very eerie.
11. The Windfall- Joni Mitchell
For discovering Spotify, Maastricht, and taking the bus everywhere. I also love the melody.
12. Be My Yoko Ono- Barenaked Ladies
James, our most cherished moments and adventures, and crazy lip syncing
13. Nassam Alayna El Hawa- Fairuz
Homesickness and the never-ending love and dedication to the country I call home
14. Anybody Seen My Baby- The Rolling Stones
Because I can’t do anything without music, a song for the overnights and long readings
15. Push Push- Sven Hammond Soul
Dancing around like I’ve never danced before to some of the best musical discoveries I’ve made recently at Nuit De La Fete
16. Heart’s a Mess- Gotye
Only because I can say that I knew about Gotye months before Somebody I Used to Know exploded all over the world. A song for cold, lonely nights and growing up.
17. Believe in Me- Lenny Kravitz
When wondering if you’ve made the right choices so far is the only thing that’s on your mind. And Berlin.
18. Because the Night- Patty Smith
Two words: pointless infatuations
19. The One- Backstreet Boys
Knowing me there just had to be one song of theirs on here. For helping me get through my thesis without loosing too much of my sanity and because I finally (almost) got to watch them live
20. Single- New Kids on the Block ft NeYo
Because I wished I had known about this long before and because they opened the NKOTBSB show with an excellent mashup of this and number 19
21. Gotta Get Thru This- Daniel Bedignfield
For some reason, I think he’s more talented than his sister. Another song for motivation.
Beyond Beirut 