The HAPI Playlist, Pt. 1
We, the HAPI Scholars, believe that music has the underrated ability to change hearts and minds. A good song won’t just get you grooving (or weeping); its words can profoundly affect you and recalibrate your worldview. Over the decades, many of our favorite musicians have used their art to call for peace, self-love, and social justice – the essence of humanism. Here are only some of their songs that have left a massive impact on us.
We’ll continue to update this playlist so watch out for Part 2!
White Wine in the Sun by Tim Minchin
If there’s one thing I know, you don’t have to be religious to revel in the festivity of Christmas. Christmas is also probably my favorite occasion of the year: aside from that it brings a long holiday break right before we start the year, it is also just a special time where families are together and homes are filled with love, whether religious or not. Tim Minchin’s song, “White Wine In The Sun,” it tells exactly that – a song for why Christmas might still be meaningful to those who hold no religious beliefs. – Javan Lev
You Will Be Okay (Stolas’ Lullaby)
“You Will Be Okay” instills a sense of calm and serenity in me. The song expresses how much Stolas, the character who sings the song, genuinely loves his daughter and assures her that she will be fine regardless of what happens to him or the world in which they live. When some children are sad, their parents are often unaware of it since they prefer to keep their troubles to themselves. The song is great for those who honestly communicate with their parents about their emotions and problems. It is one of my comfort songs [whenever] I’m feeling lost, unhappy, or nervous about certain situations. It soothes me like a lullaby, reminding me of my parents’ love for me despite our lack of communication and expression. Personally, I believe that love for our family, biological or not, is considerably greater than religious relationships. Don’t let religious dogma and supernaturalism get in the way of how you love your family. Love them not because your faith says so, but because you actually love them. – Kryshia Gayle Solon
A Little More by Machine Gun Kelly ft. Victoria Monet
My music taste has always leaned more towards hip-hop and rock because I feel like their lyrics are so much more inspired by real-life experiences (not to mention delivered with grit and intensity). “A Little More” specifically [sticks out] as my favorite humanistic song because I vividly remember playing it when I was in a protest; its special meaning to me [comes from] that moment. Sentimental value aside, it is a catchy song with deep lyrics. It touches on topics like bullying, climate change, war, poverty, and police brutality. Though it [covers a lot of bases], its chorus will always come and remind you to offer “a little more love.” – Glemir Sordilla
Shoulda Known Better by Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson is no stranger to calling people to political action (“Rhythm Nation”, anyone?) but on this 2015 deep cut from her “Unbreakable” album, she finally admits how even her music wasn’t enough to unite the world. Decades removed from her popularity peak, her honesty hits that much deeper. Turns out, even the biggest dreamers among us have their moments of naïvety. Mind you, though – that doesn’t make their intentions less pure, nor does it mean the fight for justice and equality will ever stop. – Shane Haro
“Die Gedanken sind Frie” (Thoughts are Free)
It’s a song, originally coming from medieval Germany, about how thoughts can’t be caged or contained. Over the years it has been used as protest music. Perhaps the most powerful lunes of the song (translated to English by Pete Seeger) are:
Then should tyrants take me
And throw me in prison
My thoughts will burst free
Like blossoms in season
Foundations will crumble
And structures will tumble
And free men will cry
Die gedanken sind frie
– Junelie Velonta
I’m Still Here by John Rzeznik
“I’m Still Here” is about a young boy with an absentee father and who is also judged by the stereotypical male image. Everyone is telling him to become someone else but he instead ignores them and wants people to accept him for who he is. In the end, he gains self-confidence and knows that no matter what people tell him, he will only be himself and never listen to the [judgers].
To me, this song simply shows that one does not need to rely on a higher power to become a better person; rather, all they need is determination and to grit their teeth. – Edgar Louis Garcia
The Last Goodbye by Billy Boyd (“The Hobbit”)
The time will come in [everyone’s] life when we, as human beings, face the reality that we won’t be here forever. Our life here on earth is limited but the good side of it is that in the small time that we’re here, we’re able to meet people whom we cherish. We can accumulate experiences that are priceless and we make [this world] our home.
We came all this way
But now comes the day
To bid you farewell
This phrase from “The Last Goodbye” is a poignant realization that at the peak of our journey in this life, we can say that it’s time to bid farewell to everything that we hold dear. The lonely road is the life that we face; it may be short but its meaning is too deep for even life itself to fathom. – Johnny Denden, 1
If Everyone Cared by Nickelback
This life is about fighting for the people that you love and cherish the most: the ones who help us during our darkest moments, who are there when everything and everyone turns against us. One of my favorite lines on “If Everyone Cared” by Nickelback goes,
If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we’d see the day when nobody died
The lyrics are a testament that we are capable of taking care of one another regardless of our faith. We don’t even need to presume that they understand our stances, faith, or lack thereof. Kindness is all we need to cut through our differences. It’s the one bastion of humanity that took us to where we are right now. For that alone, humanity is worth fighting for. – Johnny Denden, 2
