Circle Staff Playlist #3: Throwbacks
Graphic by Cora Flynn '26
Song Title & Artist: “King of New York” from “Newsies” (Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Jack Feldman)
Recommended by: Emma Denes, Editor-in-Chief
Description: Before writing became my primary passion, I spent the majority of my childhood training in musical theatre and dreaming of making it to Broadway. The Act II opener of “Newsies” was the first musical number I ever performed in when I was nine years old. The show, which tells the historical story of the newsboys of New York City and the newspapers they helped distribute, remains my favorite musical to this day. Is it coincidental that all these years later, I became a journalist? I think I’ll attribute it to fate instead.
Song Title & Artist: “The Dutchman” by Celtic Thunder
Recommended by: Erin Holton, Co-Managing/Co-Features Editor
Description: This song is super nostalgic for me because it was one of my grandmother’s favorites. It brings me back to being a kid and singing with her while watching TV, which was always a favorite pastime of mine. I also just have a soft spot for folksy story songs, and this is one I go back to when I want to reflect.
Song Title & Artist: “Take Five” by The Dave Brubeck Quartet
Recommended by: Andrew Breen, Co-Managing Editor
Description: This is really the first jazz song I've ever heard and one of the most recognizable songs of the entire genre. There is a reason Dave Brubeck is THAT guy — his stuff is extremely approachable and one of the best starting points to getting this form of music.
Song Title& Artist: “Bennie And The Jets” by Elton John
Recommended by: Ben Leeds, Co-Campus News Editor
Description: My family used to call me “Benny” in reference to this song when I was little, and I hated it. But in the past few years, I have done a complete 180…it's now one of my favorite songs.
Song Title & Artist: “Beauty and a Beat” by Justin Bieber & Nicki Minaj
Recommended by: Luke Sassa, Co-Campus News Editor
Description: During elementary school, my siblings and I would hang out with the neighborhood kids almost every day and play “Just Dance” on our Wii. Among the many iconic recession pop hits we danced to, this was one of our favorites.
Song Title & Artist: “The Story” by Brandi Carlile
Recommended by: Emma Gaecklein, City/National Editor/Multimedia Assistant
Description: I have vivid memories of my mom playing this song throughout the house and me running around the living room while it played when I was little. Brandi fan for life <3
Song Title & Artist: “Prom” by SZA
Recommended by: Jamie Holzmann, Co-Features Editor
Description: For years, I’ve found myself always coming back to this song when the weather gets colder. That's probably not what SZA intended — considering it was released during the summer — but I’m okay with it.
Song Title & Artist: “A Lot’s Gonna Change” by Weyes Blood
Recommended by: Kyle Esoian, Co-Opinion Editor
Description: This is really the song that got me into listening to more music and expanding my musical taste when I was like 16. I’ll come back to it now and then and reminisce about the moment I first heard it.
Song Title & Artist: “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
Recommended by: Lindsey Clinton, Co-Opinion Editor
Description: What can I say? Bruno Mars never misses. This song has incredible harmonies and dynamic contrast.
Song Title & Artist: “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen
Recommended by: Cora Flynn, Co-Arts & Culture Editor/Multimedia Assistant
Description: This is such an iconic song from the 2010s and elementary school.
Song Title & Artist: “Closer” by Ne-Yo
Recommended by: Miguel Rojas, Co-Arts & Culture/Copy Editor
Description: I don’t know about everyone else, but I was listening to Power 96 as a kid.
Song Title & Artist: “Shark in the Water” by V V Brown
Recommended by: Elizabeth Baumgardner, Photo/Copy Editor
Description: For the past couple of summers, I have worked at an all-girls sleepaway summer camp. This is just one of the many songs I have gained from that lovely place.
Song Title & Artist: “Naturally” by Selena Gomez & The Scene
Recommended by: Lea Papakosmas, Marketing Director/Multimedia Assistant
Description: I loved Selena Gomez’s music growing up and this song was my go-to. I used to sing and dance to this all the time.
Song Title & Artist: “Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts
Recommended by: Marisa Brown, Graphic Design Assistant
Description: As a kid, I was absolutely obsessed with the “Cars” movie. I would watch it on every single road trip, and I had all the “Cars” toys, “Cars” PJs and even had a few “Cars” birthday parties. One thing that I always remember most from those movies is this song.
Listen here on Spotify and Apple Music.