Music is very important to me. Music helps me think and make my important life decisions. It’s truly amazing what these artists were able to express through their songs and how we can benefit so much from listening to it.

1. Jubel- Klingdale

2. Holy Grail- Jay Z

3. Your Song- Elton John

4. Demons- Imagine Dragons

5. Candle In The Wind- Elton John

6. On Top of The World- Imagine Dragons

7. Brown Eyed Girl- Van Morrison

8. Two Worlds- Phil Collins

9. Man in The Mirror- Michael Jackson

10. Smile- Uncle Kracker

I was planning to do pictures first, but I already spent 3 hours looking for song translations and lyrics.

…Songs it is.

Introduction (I guess?): Hopefully I didn’t interpret the songs too differently 😛 All of the Japanese songs (I don’t know Japanese, but I will…one day) except for one (#5) are sung by VOCALOIDs. VOCALOID is a singing voice synthesizer; basically it’s a computer program where you can use the voice bank installed in it to create the vocals for your song. Meaning, it’s sung by a synthesized voice, not a (real) person. Since I am a terrible explainer, Wikipedia if it’s needed-> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocaloid Be forewarned, not everyone likes Vocaloid because of the metallic-like vocals; some find it to be even unbearably annoying. It technically depends on the Vocaloid since they all sound different (some are more realistic, some are more “metallic”), but it ultimately depends on the listener.

English Songs:

1)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mC1_MnEHjU “The Golden Age” -Woodkid             It’s about children growing up from their “golden age” to become adults and how we have to take responsibility of everything now instead of being able to be naïve and ignorant of the world around us. It’s the stage of life we’re going through I guess.

2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWcyIpul8OE “Holocene”- Bon Iver                                   I am not too sure what the song means, but I think it’s about realizing how insignificant we are as compared to the whole universe. Just have to accept that fact.

3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qF_qbaWt3Q “Waiting for the End” – Linkin Park “The hardest part of ending is starting again.” Everything ends and begins in life and it’s hard to move on. I agree with the song.

Japanese Songs:

4) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZOPlZTAPDs “しんでしまうとはなさけない！” – Jesus-P (Wonderful☆Opportunity) ft. 鏡音リン ・レン (“Death Should Not Have Taken Thee!” – Jesus-P ft. Kagamine Rin & Len)                                                                                                        I know, weirdest song title ever. But it’s the most awesome and funniest vocaloid jrpg-themed song. Ever. JRPGs ftw 🙂

5) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa0zvkyQoPQ “empty” – kz (livetune) ft. やなぎな ぎ (yanaginagi)                                                                                                                                                                 Sort of the same meaning as “Waiting for the End.” Stop dreaming and living in sorrow of your past mistakes to greet the new dawn. I agree, again.

6) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccx8ZqTWCoY “clock lock works” – ハチ (Hachi) ft. 初音ミク (Hatsune Miku)                                                                                                                                 People grow up to work blindly to make money, ignoring what they truly want to do in life by locking it away(?) I can relate to that :/

7) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G85GUfuJTg4 “積乱雲グラフィティ (Sekiranun Graffiti)” – ryo (supercell) ft. 初音ミク (Hatsune Miku)                                                                                Reminiscing the happy times and little things in life as you grow much older and always having the feelings stay in your heart. I would like to grow older like that. lyrics: http://www.animelyrics.com/doujin/vocaloid/sekiranun.htm

8) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g4hO8WjvlE “parades” – whoo ft. 初音ミク Append DARK (Hatsune Miku Append DARK)                                                                                                                 The song is vague and open to interpretation, but I think it can be about getting through a hard problem in life after losing your path and how looking back it wasn’t that much of a big deal after all. It happens with all those tests we take 😛

9) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4avTLP3zXVA “Sky of Beginning” – じん  (Jin) ft. 初音ミク (Hatsune Miku)                                                                                        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZUjqVbU1uQ  “LIVEDRIVE” – じん  (Jin) ft. IA                                                                                                                                                                                                   I couldn’t decide so I used two as one~ They basically mean the same thing–go after your ambitions and dreams, no matter how crazy and what others think. “Sky of Beginning” has a more childish/innocent/cute tone while “LIVEDRIVE” has a more bold/hard-beat/serious tone. Lyrics for “LIVEDRIVE”: http://mojim.com/usy111619x3x2.htm

10) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT2wVgoBH28 “現実的論理主義者 (A Realistic Logical Ideologist)” – ゴボウメン (Goboumen) ft. IA                                                                                   I think it’s criticizing in the point of view of a realist of how we have to conform to society and especially how optimists and pessimists view life. I know I’m definitely not a realist, but I should be so I can make more obtainable goals.

finito! that was really long OTL

Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood- The Animals (Red Band cover) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7TKRBiw38M
Going to California- Led Zeppelin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luDgb5vVHuA
Gymnopedia

Song for Puppets- Dan Pundak

So Young So High Philharmonic version-Dada LIfe

Life- Avett Brothers

What is Life?-Goerge Harrison

I Got- Young the Giant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWRttE4YEMg
All These Things the I’ve Done- The Killers

Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright-Bob Dylan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N17KILNSS0

Ever since I was small, music has played a big role in my life. Admittedly, I was a very socially awkward kid…so music was a big escape for me. And as hard as my dad tried to have me only listen to the Beatles and classical music, I ended up diversifying my tastes. I was constantly on the lookout for different types of songs to think to, and to figure out where I was going next. With this playlist, I wanted to clue you guys into the kind of music that I find best for introspection, across several genres. Unfortunately, I have yet to find Rap or R&B to which I can think, so if you guys know of any let me know!

My Playlist

This playlist basically sums up my wide array of musical interests and it also sums up my life. Songs 1-3 are more RnB type of songs which is probably my favorite type of music style because of the meaning behind every song. I feel like there’s an RnB song to relate to any situation I’ve ever been placed in. Songs 4-7 are more Hip Hop/Rap based. When I was younger I loved old school rap which is why I have Tupac in there but recently I started to listen to artists, like J Cole, who actually have meaning behind their songs. Songs 8-9 are Fusion/ Hindi songs. My culture definitely has a huge impact on me and it has definitely molded me into who I am today. Song 8 is the Indian National Anthem (just in case anyone was wondering). Song 10 is a Christian song. My religion really defines who I strive to be as a person and it is definitely one of the main factors that shape who I am.

I was born in Ukraine and although I came to the states when I was 5 and only went back to Ukraine on vacation twice, i’m still proud of my Ukrainian heritage and try to keep it close to me.

Family is also something that is extremely important to me because no matter how much we might fight or bicker, I always know that i can count on my family and they can count on me in any situation.

Friends, not just acquaintances but true friends, are just as important to me as family is and i know that i can count on my true friends in even the worst of situations.

Music also plays a big role in my life. Whether it’s Pandora playing in the background while i study or my IPod playing on a long train ride, you’ll almost always see me listening to some sort of music.

What started off as a hobby to kill some  time after school has now become something that i do at least once every week. Whether it be playing pick-up games at the local court, playing in a team-based tournament, or just shooting alone to help clear my mind, I’m on a court as often as possible and the game has become one of my personal favorite sport.

I’ve spent a couple months of my life living in California and although i don’t live on the West Coast anymore, some of the hobbies i picked-up there have definitely  stuck with me. Perhaps one of the biggest ones is longboarding. sometimes it’ll take the form of a big down-hill race and sometimes it’ll take the form of me just cruising to the park, but whatever the form, longbarding has become something that i take great pleasure in doing.

Paintball and Airsoft have also become hobbies of mine. Although i don’t play now as much as i used to, the few times a year that I do manage to make it out to Skirmish or other fields are always some of the best times of my life.

Handball has also become a fairly big hobby of mine and currently i’m working on becoming  a ranked B player.

“Shut Up And Smile” by Bowling For Soup
I admire this song because, although it’s message may be too ideal and naive for our time, it tells us to just let go of our transgressions and be happy for once.
“Natural Competition” by Conditions
This song, in my opinion, has an accurate take on life, especially in a big city like New York: every activity becomes a competiton.
“Good Life” by OneRepublic
With a relaxing harmony, this song reminds me that if you stop and take a good look, life really isn’t that bad.
“The Hell Song” by Sum41
This song represents having a sense of clarity in the midst of stress.
“The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World
Similar to the previous song, this one reminds me that being in “the middle” of a lot of problems shouldn’t discourage you, and that there is always a way out.
“Run, Don’t Walk” by Hey Monday
This song tells me that sometimes it’s good to let loose and be impetuous and free.
“Move Along” by All-American Rejects
Be persistent and determined despite all odds– plain and simple.
“Young Volcanoes” by Fall Out Boy
There’s not a solid meaning behind this song. It’s just a cheerful, catchy tune.
“New Perspective” by Panic! At The Disco
This song encourages the listener to view things from a “new perspective” in order to find some clarity.
“It’s Time” by Imagine Dragons
Simply put, take control of your life.

This is me and my close friends. They’re like a second family to me.

I went to Brooklyn Technical High School, and our graduation was in the Barclays Center which was awesome.

I spend most of my summers upstate in Hunter Mountain.

I love to travel. Last spring break I went to London with my family.

I’m an adrenaline junkie, and one of the things I do is cliff diving. Here is a picture of me about to jump off a bridge with my friend ( don’t worry its safe lol).

I was born in Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine and I moved to NY when I was 2.

I actually love to read and Great Gatsby is one of my favorite novels.

I really love desserts, especially ones that are lemon flavored 🙂

Kevin Lin (Sheng)

Music has always been such an important part of my life. When I was feeling lonely/sad; it was music which carried me on. It’s been with me longer than most of the people that I know. Music is the only thing/person I can turn to when I am going through hardships. It just means soooo much to me 🙂

Now I know that the intro is all sad and mopey, but I am a true romantic at heart. I grew up watching Disney, so I have this perfect scene set up in my head of when and how I will find my love. I have all of these ideas that I will do with my other half and etc… It’s actually very embarassing. I have been teased many times (oh boy you don’t know how many times…) about it. However, even though everyone makes fun of me being so weak-hearted, or feminine, I really do value this part of myself. I wouldn’t go around parading this fact (because I’m not that outgoing type of person), but I don’t hate myself for this quality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw-K7_tZSL8 Fragile Heart by Cassie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt6LPxhOZJI Insomnia by Craig David

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tABVPMzeheU Wait For You by Elliot Yamin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J1-eYBbspA Crush by David Archuleta

I love KPOP. My dream career is to become one of the managers for the idols. This is very silly and unrealistic, but it would be so great if I actually managed to pull it off. The KPOP industry is really fast-paced, and the idols have it really tough. I want to be their managers to help ease some of their burdens. The personal relationships that are established as idols work with their managers are really amazing. The following songs got me hooked into it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nt_xNeWHI8 Promise by Girls Generation (SNSD)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaGDcnafWCg As Ever/ Still by Lee Hong Ki

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9ro1KjkJMg Heaven by Ailee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzCbEdtNbJ0 Haru Haru by Big Bang

The next song is really new (released today), but this song and their story really made me affirm my want to be a part of the KPOP industry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNtuOrw6mfc Be the Light by Block B

http://grooveshark.com/#!/playlist/Who+Am+I/90754691

Hey guys! 🙂 I love listening to all types of music and it was so difficult to pick only 10 songs to represent who I am. Hope you enjoy these songs! 

-“Smile” by Ed Sheeran: this song always reminds me to always think of the positive in situations although sometimes its difficult to.

– “Home” by Michael Bublé: having place that will always be open to you is a great feeling– theres no place like home! 🙂

-“Paradise” by Coldplay: this song is just perfect, everything about it I think is amazing and it makes me feel happy.

-“Banana Pancakes” by Jack Johnson: this showcases the simple things in life in which I believe are the most important.

-“Never Grow Up” by Taylor Swift: the idea of growing up is something that’s happening to all of us which is a scary but exciting experience!

-“Who You Are” by Jessie J: this reminds me to always be myself and be original.

-“Cough Syrup” by Young the Giant: the opening line to this song (“life’s too short to even care at all”) is a motto that I live by and it reminds me to take risks sometimes

-“This is the Life” by Two Door Cinema Club: this song reminds me to let loose and enjoy life.

-“Cousins” by Vampire Weekend: this song is super catchy and watching its movie video always puts a smile to my face.

-“I Am Not a Robot” by Marina and the Diamonds: i am my own person and nobody could change that.

The playlist that I made is generally made up of a mix of upbeat songs and a few songs whose lyrics are meaningful to me. The reason I chose these songs is that I want to be portrayed as an upbeat person to my classmates. I like to have a ‘Good Time’, and people can ‘Count On Me’. 🙂 Other songs such as ‘Lego House’ and ‘Neon Lights’ hold inspirational lyrics to me, and I like to listen to them when I need a boost of confidence or a reassurance. And then there are a couple that I threw in there because they’re feel-good music. Enjoy!

https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:user:benahuang:playlist:3Fjjj7An8fVYMqE4LqfuKe