Howdy from Scandinavia, where unlike in the US, many people do not smile at strangers in the
street or wear pastels. Often, the skies are melancholic and the atmosphere void of traditional
joviality. Therefore, people must listen to uplifting music that soothes the soul and brightens the
otherwise woeful landscape. Indeed, the music that fills these hollow spaces creates a more
settling and colorful ambiance.
Having spent an embarrassing amount of time meandering aimlessly around the streets of
Copenhagen, not to mention wandering into obscure coffee shops with surround sound speakers,
I have decided to share my Shazam history. I felt it would be selfish to keep these sweet tunes to
myself.
Though I have a very long list of songs I would love to share, I limited this playlist to the most
niche songs that I thought would appeal to the crew-neck-wearing kids of Haverford College.
Conveniently for me, most of the songs I heard while out and about were written in English.
Nonetheless, I always keep my ears peeled for some sick Danish beats. Så er den ged barberet.
Haha, that means “the goat is shaved” in Denmark. Something like that. If you know, you
know—you know?
Anyhow, here you are, the sounds of Scandinavia.
“Physical” cover by Tokimeki Records & Froya
This song was hanging over my head as I waited in line for the returns at a Zara store, and might
I say, I have quite enjoyed this absolute bop. I don’t often listen to covers of music, but the
techno, upbeat quality emanates nothing but good vibes. This song is great for working out.
Literally. The song is all about the urgency to “get physical.” Take that as you wish. It’s
motivational and soothing (and also in English!). Sometimes I listen to it when I am running.
Sometimes I listen to it when I am window shopping. Sometimes I listen to it for motivation as I
wander around back alleys and courtyards I might not have been supposed to enter. It’s fun and
youthful and so am I.
“I Follow Rivers” by Lykke Li
I heard this song in a Joe & the Juice at the Copenhagen airport after returning from France. I
was down, having left the most sparkling and mystifying place I’d ever been, but I love Joe and I
love his Juice, and I also loved this song. I felt as though I’d heard it before. It’s fantastic and
makes me want to sing into a hairbrush.
“Shotgun” by TIX
This song is 2010s American pop/rock/rap-esque, but in Danish. Now again, I don’t know much
Danish, but I love the beat and also TIX’s singing. It sounds like someone is hitting a wooden
box with a baseball bat way off in the background and TIX’s voice feels like it belongs to one of
those kids who was cool in high school—or gymnasium—you know? When I hear this song, I
feel like jumping up and down under strobe lights in a room full of strangers—it’s just one of
those songs. It has the swagger of a Nike-wearing, football(soccer)-playing,
6-and-a-half-foot-tall-blond-Danish-fellow; it’s just agsty like that.
“Moments” by Emmi
Shoutout again to Joe & the Juice for hiring employees with fire playlists. I Shazamed this one
because I resonated with the heartache-ey quality (here I am, making up words again). This song
is present. It feels like someone who was just asked “where will you be in five years?” and all
that can be uttered in response is, “I sincerely don’t know.” Cheers to not knowing where we’ll
be this time in five years. Because we are young and we live in the moment.
“Disco Yes” by Tom Misch & Poppy Ajudha
Again, a fantastic bop. It has claps, it has snaps; who could ask for anything more? I heard this
one in a coffee shop that caters to college students and felt, like my little latte, that it drowned out
all the uncertainties of the day for a few moments. I love that it is a nice song to sit with and chill
with a cup of coffee or tea or smoothie or something like that. I love that it has a bit of repartee
within the song between the artists. I also love that the title is “Disco Yes.” Indeed, disco. Yes.
“Foler mig selv 100” by Andreas odbjerg
Again, I do not know the translation of one coherent sentence in this song (as it is in Danish), but
it’s really fun and has some nice “ooh” and “ahhh” riffs throughout. It feels like somebody
getting over a heartbreak or getting ready to go dancing—maybe both. I heard this song at one of
the more hip coffee shops, and therefore I am assured that it portrays both of the aforementioned.
Maybe it also portrays unrequited love. I can feel the heart of the artist as I listen to the song, and
for that I am grateful.
“Afraid to Feel” by LF SYSTEM
Please listen to this song before going to an event, such as a party or a sports game or an improv
comedy performance—any place where you need to feel energized and glad to be alive in the
world. As I write this sentence, I catch glares because I am smiling and bopping my head (which
is inherently socially unacceptable here, but I just can’t help myself). I can’t remember where I
whipped out Shazam for this one, but I am so glad I did. It might have been playing in a Porsche
that went barreling down a narrow street as I stood on the sidewalk with my hair blowing in a
wind-tunnel-like fashion. I’m not sure, but I do remember feeling blown away.
Once, I happened to play this when I didn’t see my roommate was there. She asked me if
I was getting ready to go out. I said, no I’m going to bed. She said, oh, I just thought you
were going out because of this song!
Boom. Or should I say, Shazam! That is not a great story, but as a demonstration of the party
power this song holds, it portrays how much of an absolute jam it really is. I play it when I am
getting ready to go to school, when I am running around random parks in my pink tennis shoes,
and also when it is Friday. It never fails to make me feel young.
The Wrap:
Well, thanks for letting me walk you through some of my favorite songs from Scandinavia.
Though laced with satirical flair, I do sincerely hope this playlist review makes your day a bit
brighter. I had a lot of fun discovering these songs out in the world, and I hope you might enjoy
some of them as much as I do. Happy listening and hej hej (that means goodbye in Denmark,
(it’s like a double negative!) hehehe)!
Sincerely,
Alex : )
