So I just turned 25 – more life and more blessings please! I wanted to mark this milestone on my blog with a music playlist – the soundtrack of my life. Even if I can’t go out, music always gets me in the right mood. So I’ve picked 25 songs for each year of my life. Each song represents a theme or season in my life and I apologise to some of my favourite songs that didn’t make it in. This was no easy feat as I have a varied music taste and I probably started with about 100 songs but have managed to whittle it down. So stay tuned, if you want know which songs I picked and why.
1996: Circle of Life, The Lion King Soundtrack (#1)
Well, 1996 was the year of my birth, I love Disney films and the Lion King is my favourite. Think that says it all. But just in case it doesn’t, I will explain further. Although I don’t think my entrance into the world was anywhere near as dramatic at Simba’s at Pride Rock, the literal circle of life is important and precious.
1997: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me), Whitney Houston (#2)
Well, this song technically came out 10 years earlier, but it was important for me to honour one of the greatest vocalists of all time. Whitney Houston – may her soul rest in perfect peace – was a true artist and this is one of my favourite songs of hers.
1998: I Love You, Barney (#3)
Ok, so I haven’t listened to this song since my single digit years, but I had to honour my childhood in this playlist. I always loved Barney in my early years. My parents tell me if they ever wanted to calm me down, they either had to take me for a drive or put on Barney.
1999: Genie in a Bottle, Christina Aguilera (#4)
So not that I was listening to Christina when I was 3 years old when this song came out, but I could never deny my pop princess years. Does anyone else remember the iconic Pop Princesses CDs?
I’m also pretty sure this is the song that got me into watching music videos on all the music channels on TV.
2000: Reach, S Club 7 (#5)
I don’t think it’s possible to be a British-born 90s baby and not have been an S Club 7 fan. Reach is a classic and one of my go-to karaoke songs – I’ve got the hand movements to go with the lyrics.
2001: Family Affair, Mary J Blige (#6)
Mary J is an R&B queen and we share the same birthday. Thank you for this hit – this will be my mood post-pandemic. I’m the one that you will always find in the middle of the dance floor and this song says it all. Honestly, I can’t wait till I can get crunk again.
2002: One Love, Blue (#7)
So Blue are one of my favourite boy bands. The British noughties boy bands were the best: Blue, McFly, Scouting for Girls, The Script, JLS to name just a few. There was tough competitor for this boy band spot. But one love is all we need.
2003: Superstar, Jamelia (#8)
I remember performing this song with my primary school friends. Jamelia really brought it for us girls and Superstar was the soundtrack of 2003. I was today years old when I found out it was a cover, but it will always and forever be a bop.
2004: (There’s Gotta Be) More to Life, Stacie Orrico (#9)
I didn’t know much about Stacie when tho song came out and I still don’t, but I will be forever grateful to the boy who introduced me to this song. And this is no love story unfortunately, but basically, I was at a restaurant and this boy I didn’t know was having his birthday party at the same restaurant. One of his party favours was a CD with a curated playlist. I wasn’t a guest but he gave me one and it had this song on it which I played nonstop.
Quick sidenote – I’m glad I wasn’t the only one that used to dub CDs with songs of their choice. I used to do this all the time – especially in preparation for any long car journeys. Maybe in a different life, i’m a DJ.
2005: We Belong Together, Mariah Carey (#10)
This song appears in my Spotify yearly top songs playlist every year. When I’m at home, I will sing along without fail. I’m never singing to anyone in particular but Mariah makes one feel a type of way.
2006: Seasons of Love, Rent Soundtrack (#11)
This is an ode back to my singing days. I actually sang this as part of my Chamber Choir in Year 7. I was an alto in case anyone was interested (it was an all girl’s choir). Although I did a few school plays, I never did a musical but loved to sing musical theatre songs during my singing lessons. Some favourites to sing came from Sound of Music, Hairspray, Mary Poppins, Funny Girl and Sweet Charity.
2007: About You Now, Sugababes (#12)
So I’ve mentioned boy bands and S Club 7, but Sugababes was one of my favourite girl bands growing up.
2008: This is Me, Demi Lovato & Joe Jonas (#13)
This is a nod to my Disney Channel days. I know High School Musical is the more obvious choice, but I did love Camp Rock too. This song speaks to my soul and after all, this is me… uninterrupted.
2009: Billie Jean, Michael Jackson (#14)
Sorry to be morbid, but I remember exactly where I was the moment I found out MJ died in 2009 – in my kitchen with the morning news on one of those box TVs. It was a sad day and I was in shock. I think it was one of my first celebrity deaths and MJ was a musical legend. Billie Jean is one of his top songs (with Man in the Mirror not far behind in my opinion) and takes it’s deserving place in the soundtrack of my life.
2010: Pass Out, Tinie Tempah (#15)
Anyone who knows me that I was obsessed with Tinie Tempah, or Tinie as he now prefers. I was a super fan, went to his first UK tour and had a lot of merchandise. Tinie was my main introduction to UK rap and what I loved about him the most was his clever wordplay and his high energy performances. I think I first fell in love – yes, love for me, Tinie was my teenage obsession, not Justin Bieber so keep quiet – during his performance at the 2010 Capital Summertime Ball. I hope I don’t lose whatever street credI had for this admission as that was my peak ‘Now that’s what I call music’ phase.
2011: Don’t Dull, Wizkid (#16)
This playlist would be incomplete without any Afrobeats or Nigerian artists. Wizkid solidified his status as an Afrobeats legend with his 2020 Made in Lagos album, but this song was my introduction to him. I don’t speak any Yoruba but I will sing and dance along to this song anyway, even if by force.
2012: Chop My Money – Remix, P-square, Akon, May D (#17)
All I want to ask is when will Peter and Paul make music together again as P-square.
2013: Crooked Smile, J. Cole ft. TLC (#18)
I first came across J. Cole when I found out he was supporting Tinie on the London stops of his UK tour. I was impressed by a debut album Cole World but his single Crooked Smile with the iconic TLC impressed me even more. I love the messaging and the stressing of inner beauty. I will forever be grateful for the lyrics: ‘No need to fix what God already put his paintbrush on.’ Amen!
2014: Wiggle, Jason Derulo (#19)
This song was the theme of my summer for 2014. I had finished my A-levels and had my first girls’ trip to Tenerife. We would dance to it on the strip, in our hotel room, on the streets. Whenever I hear it play I think of my school friends and that trip and cannot help but dance and smile.
2015: 679, Fetty Wap (#20)
I couldn’t finish this playlist without a throwback to one of the top 10 clubs in the UK (according to the Tab), Smack in Leamington Spa. I will always have fond memories of Smack Thursdays, although what happens in Smack stays in Smack. 679 was just one of those songs that would always be played downstairs, alongside Don’t tell me, Up, Show Me.
2016: Formation, Beyonce (#21)
2016 was an elite year for music in my opinion, but Formation will always grab the #1 spot. It’s no secret that I’m a Beyonce stan so when she released this black female power anthem I was ecstatic. To be honest, the whole Lemonade visual album was groundbreaking for me. This album got me through second-year uni exams.
I have to apologize to the songs from Birds in The Trap Sing McKnight, Views and Anti that didn’t make the playlist because of Lemonade but no one quite does it like Beyonce.
2017: Gyal You a Party Animal, Charly Black (#22)
I first started properly listening to bashment at uni and this song always gets me in the mood to get off my feet and move. I’m no dancer but you got to do what you got to do. I remember playing this at my lit 21st birthday party and it’s a whole mood. Covid needs to go home, so we no longer need to be alert, and clubs can bring back good vibes to save our lives.
2018: Nonstop, Drake (#23)
Although I must admit I don’t listen to Drake as much as I used to, it would bring not to include him. He was a close second to Beyonce for me for quite a few years. Some of my uni friends bought me a Drake calendar for my 20th so you know the love was real. Anyway, I loved this track and I’m still waiting f the music video, Aubrey.
2019: Anybody, Burna Boy (#24)
Gbese! African Giant was just that album in 2019. Burna Boy really delivered and I’m still upset that it didn’t win a Grammy but we move. One of the highlights of my 2019 was seeing Burna perform this live on his Christmas Day concert in Lagos. It was truly something.
2020: Survivor, Destiny’s Child (#25)
2020 was rough but we got through it. I feel lucky to be here and grateful for everything that I achieved in the middle of a pandemic. This song is a power anthem for me. It can cut through my anxiety or nerves and makes me feel like I can get through anything. It’s gotten me through a lot of exams and I hope to continue to take this anthem forward although I have no plans to sit any more exams anytime soon.
2021: Work, Rihanna & Drake (bonus track)
Well, I know I said I was going to pick only 25 songs but the soundtrack of my life needs to be a deluxe album, so we’re getting a bonus track. I mean, Work is a whole vibe, and I needed to get it into the playlist somehow. I’m ready for freedom and outside to open and I hope that this happens before I turn 26. In the meantime, I will continue to work hard and live my best covid-compliant life.
Soundtrack Wrap Up
So, Happy 25th Birthday to me! Thank you for tuning into Uninterrupted Radio. And, if you liked the soundtrack of my life, here it is:
Also, I just wanted to quickly shout out to some of the top songs that unfortunately didn’t make the cut:
- Asereje, Las Ketchup (2002) – don’t judge, I still know the moves
- Where is the Love, Black Eyed Peas (2003)
- If I Ain’t Got You, Alicia Keys (2003)
- Halo, Beyonce (2008)
- Bedrock, Young Money ft. Lloyd (2009) – I can’t resist some fun wordplay
- Replay, Ijaz – a banger
- Look What the Cat Dragged In, Giggs (2010)
- Swimming Pools (Drank), Kendrick Lamar (2012)
- Controlla, Drake (2016)
- Pick Up the Phone, Travis Scott (2016)
- Already, Beyonce ft. Shatta Wale (2019)
- Do It, Chloe x Halle (2020)
- Peng Black Girls, Enny ft. Amia Brave (2020)
- Ginger, Wizkid ft. Burma Boy (2020) – ‘Its got the African Lion and the African Giant, we’ve got whole jungle’ (thanks Tom Moutchi), nuff said
- And many more…
So, I hope you enjoyed the soundtrack to my life. What songs would you include in the soundtrack to your life?