Major Keys To Making A Killer Playlist
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Major Keys To Making A Killer Playlist

Guidelines and suggestions on how to make the playlist of your dreams.

1126
Major Keys To Making A Killer Playlist
Luke Bagwell

Whether you spend the majority of your time on Spotify, Apple Music or SoundCloud, chances are you've made a playlist before.

However, despite how easy it may be to just put a bunch of songs together on a permanent queue list, it takes a little more effort, time, and dedication to make something that's truly spectacular. While it is sometimes simply relaxing to just put a dozen or so songs together for a day trip to the beach it's even more satisfying to take a bit more time and procure and discriminate as to what songs make their way onto that short list so that you can encapsulate the moment and make that trip even just a little bit better.

I myself use Spotify daily and with over 50 playlists and growing I've established a pretty substantial set of guidelines and suggestions that I feel are simple enough to be used by any and everyone. These guidelines are just that though, they aren't set rules and they can and will vary depending on the person and their tastes.

That being said, one of the most important facets of playlist making is trying to center your songs around some kind of theme. This theme can really be anything so long as its specific and you make sure you keep some level of objectivity when selecting the songs based on a specificity of your choosing.

For example, if I decided I was going to make a 90s playlist with songs like Everlong by Foo Fighters and Shine by Collective Soul for no reason should September by Earth, Wind & Fire be the next song up. Similarly, if I was making a playlist with a focus on heavy, driving bass a song like Fields of Gold by Sting would just be out of place amongst songs like Bounce Back by Big Sean or Nobody's Perfect by J. Cole.

When I say a theme can be anything as long as it's specific I really mean anything. You could make a playlist completely comprised of songs that have underlying tones of social anarchy or, if you'd like to take a less political stance, simply focus on songs that feature the triangle. The options are virtually endless so long as you use your imagination.

Part of being able to cultivate your imagination to create new ideas for playlists comes from expanding your music library. The only way to create fresh and exciting playlists is to constantly be looking for new music and listening to tunes you've never heard before.

If, like me, you happen to be partial to Spotify, the streaming service plays host to excellently curated weekly playlists based on whatever you've listened to the week prior. These playlists, as well as other similar services on SoundCloud and Apple Music, are a great way to expand and broaden your musical intake and can help spark ideas for new playlists.

One problem I've seen various people get stuck on is the length of their playlists. The short answer is that it doesn't and shouldn't matter. A playlist is something you should have fun with and unless for some reason you absolutely have to fill a specific time slot for your high school's winter dance with "popular" music there is no need to worry.

It's just as O.K. to have 7 songs in a playlist as it is 400. Also, don't think that playlists are set in stone once they've been created. In fact, you should frequently go back and look at your playlists and take out things that don't fit and add things that do. Sometimes it's not evident the first listen whether a song does or doesn't exactly fit with the others in the playlist and that's totally O.K. If you don't think a song fits in any of your playlists then just start a new one.

Really, making playlists is incredibly simple. Most people just don't have the time to sit down and procure something that exactly fits their specificities. However, if you do ever find yourself with some downtime consider instead using these guidelines to make your own, best playlist and I'm sure you won't regret it.

If you'd like to take a look at what these guidelines and suggestions sound like in practice feel free to follow my Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/1217262430


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

40991
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

25547
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

951048
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

133761
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments