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2020, 27, Her Version of Events, Playlist,

The List

I have a desire to share my favorite love songs with the world: from the sound track for my primary school crush to my current national anthem, which I need to be banned from because of the insane number of times I have listened to the song on repeat in the last two months.

Please be nice in the comments because I believe the romantic part of Oreoluwa that is always in sleuth mood is about to be unleashed on the world.

Here goes nothing.

All My Life by K-Ci and Jojo – You will have to thank my mum and uncle Demola for introducing me to this song, and music in general. When the realization of having feelings and what not hit me, the lyrics of the song felt like the only thing that captured everything I was feeling in that moment.
Two is Better Than One by Boys Like Girls – This song is on the Boys Like Girls ‘Love Drunk’ album from 2009. The album has got a song for every stage of love, from the tenderness that comes with falling in love to the heartache of lost love, and it is worth checking out. This song is on the list because I spent most of life believing love, with its component parts, was a fantasy and this song started the process of changing my mind. Shout out to my brother for knowing his way around torrents and downloading the album.
The Only Exception by Paramore – This song sums up how I feel about relationships; all the walls I have built to shield my Jell-O heart from melting, how I walk out from behind my walls when I am sure a person is an exception to all my many rules and my Jell-O heart is willing to take the risk of melting because it can’t afford to watch this person get away.
Where I Sleep By Emeli Sandé – “Except this is us and this is love, and this is where I’m home…” I love the idea of having a person I feel completely comfortable with, a person that is home on sunny and rainy days. Because really, everyone needs a home.
Please Keep Loving Me by James TW – I think James TW is one of the most underrated artists but we will get into that on another day. The song reminds me of all the things that can go wrong because I am who I am but in-spite of those things my heart is on my sleeve and loving is what I hope to keep doing.
Still Into You by Paramore – Love can start feeling familiar after a while, like a constant that no longer sparks excitement. But this song recounts important moments and captures the feelings in those moments. Maybe we need to stock up on those almost perfect moments to get through the hard ones in between.
Put It All On Me by Ed Sheeran and Ella Mai – “I need a strong heart and a soft touch”. I enjoy every line of this song and I have listened, sang along and danced to it an embarrassing number of times. It is just about having a home, a place to rest after the world has battered you.
Grow As We Go by Ben Platt – This song reminds me of a line I wrote in my journal a few months ago: ‘’Love is active, it takes up its own life form, always evolving, to treat it as static is to bring about its death’’. I believe we are evolving individually and life is boring alone, so why not evolve with another? Ben Platt captures this perfectly in this song.
Happy by Morayo and Johnny Drille – It is just a happy, feel-good song that usually makes me dance and yes, I dance on very rare occasions.

I am sure you have enjoyed the embarrassing debut of my romantic side. Again I ask, please be gentle with her.

I have included a link to the playlist and also included other songs not listed above that I enjoy listening to!

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJwhC1-37_4c3SQXPzajoktbRYXObxIRW

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/user/oreoluwaabidoye/playlist/4Ut4FwIPQmknARBc9WqU8N?si=BOb8Y-7oTp6AFxAAvAxd-Q

February 18, 2020

2019, Playlist, Reflections,

Love Stories That Never Took Off – Introduction

“…love. Not the lasting kind, rather, the fleeting encounters that happen that make you consider forever and everything in between…”

To Love Stories That Never Took Off.

I have been thinking a lot about love. Not the lasting kind, rather, the fleeting encounters that happen that make you consider forever and everything in between but, for some reason, never quite work out.
These encounters usually consist of stolen, memorable moments, bright sparks of possibility and unclear intentions.
I wrote about one a few days ago and shared with my friends/editors. The feedback was great but what struck me the most was how they could all relate, how almost everyone had their own version of ‘’Love Stories That Never Took Off’’, an encounter with a ‘would-have-been’ bae. This got me thinking about sharing my story and other people’s stories on the website and I really hope you enjoy the stories we will be sharing in the coming weeks. So stay tuned and subscribed so you don’t miss them.

I have also gone ahead to put together an apple music playlist for this series – For Love Stories That Never Took Off

July 14, 2019

Playlist,

Raining Season Reading List By Oluwadamilola Adisa

The rainy season, for me, is reminiscent of newness, a clean but messy space where almost anything is allowed and people are nicer and more sympathetic than usual, well some people. I am reminded of long forgotten rainy afternoons when my sisters and I would run around in the rain before my parents got back, and long, dull rainy days lit up by the exciting narratives of good books.

Rainy days are great days for introspection, the kind that heat and sun just won’t let you do. Something about rain falling slows us down, enough to think, to actually live. When it rains, we end up stuck in traffic, stuck in places that we can’t leave, stuck at home, waiting… And these moments of waiting, of pause, are viable moments for reflection, for living, for getting out of the vicious cycle of our thoughts and smelling the fresh, clean air that falling rain brings with it, and maybe thinking new thoughts or letting our minds wander down new paths and terrains.

Here’s a list of good books that will light up your days this rainy season.

A Room with a View by E. M. Forster

I saw “Isoken” recently and the only thing that I could relate the movie to was this classic by E. M. Forster.

Oh! The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss

We all need a little sunshine especially in the dark and gloomy days characteristic of rainy seasons. We also need reminders sometimes that good and bad things happen to everyone, not just us. So, while we are waiting for the rain to stop falling, Dr. Seuss reminds us to stop the figurative waiting that we unconsciously do and start exploring. Plus, it has pictures, so there’s something here for everyone.

This is Water by David Foster Wallace

This is a short but contemplative read. It’s actually a commencement speech. David Wallace reminds us in this of the things that we so easily forget, so easily ignore. It is a call to focus on the truly important things.

You are a Badass by Jen Sincero

I loved this book. Jen Sincero’s voice in this book is honest and authentic. The quotes before each chapter will make you stop to think, sometimes. So, remember, even if a car splashes water on you some random day this season, you are still a badass.

Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit

This is a collection of essays and it left me more informed about feminism. It also left me a bit pissed off. I wanted to talk about this book for days and days after I read it. I still want to sometimes.

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

Because we all have some sort of resistance to work and this book gives us the extra motivation to push through it and get to work creating whatever it is we’ve been putting off: a perfect morning routine, a traffic playlist or more serious things like that project you should be working on.

The Art of Stillness by Pico Iyer

Everyone needs to be still sometimes.

Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl

I enjoyed this book when I read it. It’s about a smart girl, Blue, who finds herself in a literal mess and finds that her father is not all he seems to be. I especially like the fact that the table of contents is literally a list of recommended classic texts if you like that kind of stuff.

Inferno by Dan Brown

Dan Brown is one of my favourite authors; I always enjoy travelling with Robert Langdon, his main protagonist, as he follows trails and deciphers codes in some very interesting and historical places. Inferno is his most recent work. I’m still paranoid about this. I still sort of think Inferno already happened and we’ve just not been told about it.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie is one of my favourite authors. This is a mystery thriller about ten people on an island and is full of twists you can’t even think up.

The Defining Decade by Dr. Meg Jay

I loved this book because it made so much sense. It is about how to live the twenty-something life intentionally. If you’re as confused about adulting as I was, you might not find that the murky waters of adulting are suddenly clear, but you’ll be more comfortable with uncertainty. I mean, what does ‘supposed to’ even mean?

What are you reading currently?

August 17, 2017

Playlist,

Hear No Evil Speak No Evil Week Six (About Make Music Lagos) By RepJ 360

Make Music Lagos was essentially Lagos’ celebration of World Music Day, like Make Music New York. It happened on the 21st of June and will happen again next year (if you missed it), God willing. It was a very enjoyable event. Quick side note, this year the organizers were able to pull off 12 small concerts simultaneously at 12 different locations whilst also setting up for a grand finale, among other kinds of events. The smaller concerts had a plethora of varied acts, which my band was part of. It is this smaller events I am referring to.

It was an entirely enjoyable event, like I said, especially when you consider the scale and the fact that it was free.

As we prepared to take the stage, several other acts presided us, all of whom were Christian acts. I am for affirming your beliefs and using opportunities to evangelize, I mean my band name is RepJ360 (the ‘J’ standing for Jesus) so it is clear that I am unashamed of my faith and wear it boldly. So, imagine my shock, surprise and distress and when I found myself being ashamed and uneasy when the first act came out singing well known Christian songs sung during most Praise Worship sessions in churches. I began to ask myself, “abi, you’re a hypocrite ni, saying you’re unashamed and now that you’re in a public place and a brethren is flying the faith flag high you feel like digging ground”. Several questions continued to flood my mind and each one more distressing than the last as they continued to push me towards the realization of my hypocrisy. But I refused to accept that I truly was, so I began asking my friends around me, perhaps they could shed some light on it for me or if I was the only one feeling that way. It turned out that I wasn’t the only one that felt uneasy about the fact that act after act was doing different praise worship songs at an event that was tagged “non-religious”, but it seemed I was the only one that seemed distressed about my apparent hypocrisy. Some of my friends (who are devout Christians) were of the opinion that it was inappropriate because it would make people who are not of faith uncomfortable and uneasy. Which is weird because it seemed to be having that effect on the people of faith – something to think about. And several other people had several other opinions on the matter, all to show that praise worship music was not right at this particular event.

I was still very unsure about my position, all I knew was that I felt uneasy and I didn’t like that, so I continued to question myself as to why. My answer came in the person of a solo artiste who played the keyboard and sang. As he performed I was enamored by the joy that overshadowed the tiredness on his face (we would learn that he had come directly from his day job) and more profound was the lack of uneasiness I felt, as he was clearly singing about his love for God and other Christian themed lyrics and he was doing a wonderful job. I could feel the attention in the room being focused on him and his lyrics. I could feel the atmosphere shift to less chaotic and more harmonious, as if for the few minutes he sang, everybody agreed. And I got my answer, the uneasiness I felt was indeed shame, but not shame of Christ or my faith but shame for being associated with the acts that had come and done their church praise worship set lists without any real heartfelt content. I felt shame because the music that was being produced was the reason why Christian music was often thought of as being mediocre. Because what they had done was produce the same routine in the same repetitive manner that was characterized by a typical Sunday service where the leaders are led by compulsion to stand in front of the congregation, and not by genuine joy or a yearning. Indeed, this is the way I see things, music is a very powerful tool. Churches have grown to prominence because of the impact their choir had (and have) on the world. Music in the right hands can be an instrument to make people who have never met each other agree without saying a word to each other, or it could be used as an instrument to sow strife. I guess my point is to Christians or Christian musicians, you are creatives which by definition means routine is against your nature so be led and stay away from the box.

What are your thoughts or questions, drop them in the comments below. This is not an argument, it’s a conversation, act on love.

Tobi Johnson

All playlists are available on Deezer, just search “tobyvanjohnson” and you’ll find them under his playlists. Don’t forget to share with your friends and especially your enemies.

July 2, 2017

2017, Playlist,

Headphones & Epiphanies – Oyinkan’s Story

Today was a rainy day in Lagos, rainy days equal traffic and aching knees and upper arms.
What kept me going on my drive home is my current ”One Woman Party Playlist”. I was singing along with at the top of my lungs and I forgot my aching joints and the traffic.
The songs I listened to took me on a journey to a place where all my current problems cease to exist and I could live in the songwriters words.
Music is an important part of my life, I have learnt so much about life and God’s love through music.
What better way to celebrate my love for music than to get my friends to share their stories through music they love.
The Series on The Over Thinker for this month is Headphones and Epiphanies! I hope you enjoy it.
Please leave a song recommendation in the comments below!

Oyinka’s Story

I’m a lover of music. Period. Regardless of its genre or category. I’m literally one of those people who was and is still being saved by music (after God of course).

I have way too many favourites so it was actually a pain to try and put them in such a short list. I did try to pick 10 of my favourite songs but I really couldn’t put them in an order. I draw the line in confining such beauty to an order. So here are just 10 out of my many many favourites. I hope you like them.

The Scientist by Coldplay – I absolutely love this song. There are so many covers but my favourite is still the Glee cast version. This song sure got me through my heartbreak days.

Beauty in the World by Macy Gray – This song actually cheers me up when I’m down. Reminds me that there’s still good and happiness to be found in the world.

Skinny Love by Birdy (originally by Bon Iver)– I love Birdy’s sound. Skinny love happens to be the first of her songs I ever heard and fell in love with. This song is one of my favourite songs because i could totally related with the title and it also got me through some heartbreak days too.

Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men – The beginning of this song always makes me want to dance by jumping and putting my fist in the air. Lol. And doing that just makes me feel silly and happy.

This is how we do it by Montell Jordan – This right here is a classic old school jam. I know the lyrics to this song from beginning to end and I just always feel like such a cuu kid when I jam to it.

Hey, soul sister by Train – This is also one of my best friend’s favourite and it was and always will be our jam. In school, we’d often use spoons as pretend microphones, jump and sing this song at the top of our voices and subsequently annoy everyone around us. But we didn’t care. It was our jam so it had to be done. Lol.

Have you ever by Brandy – Back in secondary school, I went through a ‘blues’ phase. This song pretty much summed up my feelings for a crush I had. I’d cuddle up in bed, listen to this song on my walkman ( which was a contraband) and think about this crush (Sad, I know). Lol. It never really made me feel better but it still remains one of my favourites. Oh and if you were wondering, it never worked out with that crush either.

He turned it by Tye Tribbett – This song pretty much sums up all God has done and still does for me and how he has put the devil to shame in my life. Love the lyrics and how fast the beat is. No one should be subjected to the sight of me dancing to this song. Lol. You’d probably be intimidated by the joy I radiate.

Home by Gabrielle Aplin – I absolutely love acoustic music and that’s basically all Gabrielle does. The lyrics have truth and meaning. Oh and her voice is so sweet and unique. That alone certifies it as a favourite for me.

Home is wherever I’m with you by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes – This song puts a smile on my face whenever I listen to it. The title of the song already tells you what the song is about and being the hopeless romantic that I am, how can I not love it. Lol. Love the beat and somewhat amusing lyrics

These are just 10 of my favourite songs. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this. Cheers.

You can click below to listen to the songs on the playlist

Oyinkan’s Playlist

March 7, 2017

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