My uncle asked me to pick the music at our Fourth of July barbecue.

I had to choose between his old country playlist or my indie rock mix. I went with the country to keep the peace. Halfway through, my cousin put on a song with some very awkward lyrics about divorce. Everyone got quiet because my aunt and uncle just split up. Has anyone else had a playlist totally backfire at a family thing?

3 comments

3 Comments

kim.xena1mo ago

So you do a full lyric check now, but how do you even vet a song for weird hidden meanings?

the_lee1mo ago

That part about the divorce song making everyone go quiet, I felt that. I used to think making a playlist was just about good songs. Had a backyard birthday where I put on a fast punk song I love. Totally forgot the lyrics were all about hating your dad. My friend's dad, who was grilling, just froze. Now I listen to every track first, like a security check. No more surprises.

ryan_ellis1mo ago

You have to check lyrics, but what about the song titles? I've had a tune with an innocent name that hid a really dark story in the verses. Do you just skip anything that seems even a little risky, or is there a way to save a good song if the meaning is off? It feels like you need a full background check on every track now.