In the editor’s rotation: My public humiliation ritual

This is my last playlist as culture editor.

Don’t worry, my devoted handful of readers, I’m not going to leave you high and dry. The playlists will continue, but not from the culture editor. Think of it more as a grandmother of The Miami Student dropping in and telling you what she’s listening to.

Now that I’ve prepared you for what’s to come, I’ve got a bit of a doozy this week. Lately, I’ve been listening to music that is embarrassing, to say the least.

I’m going to be very vulnerable with you here, so please be nice to me.

‘Disassociative’ and ‘Angel With the Scabbed Wings’ — Marilyn Manson

I told you I’m being vulnerable and I meant it.

Listen, I hate Manson as much as the next guy, but I’ve been listening to his music since high school before the allegations against him surfaced.

By no means do I support him as a person, and I know it’s embarrassing to even admit that I listen to his music, but I can’t hold it in any longer. If people can listen to Kanye West and separate art from the artist, I can do the same with Manson.

‘All The Same’ — SICK PUPPIES

This is one of the first songs I remember having on my first generation iPod touch. It was synced with the rest of my family’s music, and I have no clue who was listening to this, but I owe them a thank you.

‘Disenchanted’ and ‘Sleep’ — My Chemical Romance

My Chemical Romance was my favorite band in middle school. I ran its music into the ground, and I genuinely couldn’t listen to anything from the group for years.

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For the first time in forever, I’ve been dipping my toes back into MCR, and I won’t lie, the music still hits. Maybe it’s the nostalgia talking, but these two songs in particular hold a special place in my heart.

‘Backstabber’ — The Dresden Dolls

You aren’t going to see me sit here and try to defend Amanda Palmer, just as I refuse to defend Manson. But I would be lying if I said the Dresden Dolls don't make bangers. There’s just something about the duo’s cabaret, punky sound that has had a grip on me since middle school.

‘Fire Water Burn’ — Bloodhound Gang

This song is so stupid, but it goes crazy. I couldn’t name another song by Bloodhound Gang, to be quite honest, but could anyone?

‘Big Bottom’ — Spinal Tap

The most embarrassing thing about this song is playing it for other people and gauging their reaction as they listen to the lyrics. Some people just get it, but others look at me like I’ve just slapped their mother.

I don’t care, though. You can thank my mother for introducing me to this song.

‘Delilah’ — Tom Jones

This is probably the most out of place song on this playlist. I don’t know what makes it so embarrassing to listen to, but I absolutely refuse to play it when I’m on aux. Come to think of it, I think I’ve only ever listened to this song when I was alone.

‘Creep’ — Radiohead

I love Radiohead, and that alone is embarrassing to admit after incels and male manipulators have placed their grubby hands on the band. But “Creep” is probably the most humiliating you can get when it comes to Radiohead, especially because I’ve been listening to it unironically since middle school.

‘TRRST’ ft. ZillaKami and ‘This World is Sick’ — IC3PEAK

IC3PEAK is a Russian duo that blew up on TikTok in 2020, during the “AltTok” craze of the pandemic. Once that craze was over, I heard little to nothing about the duo, but I continued to listen to its music.

I can’t understand a word they’re saying, but that doesn’t stop the music from hitting every time.

‘Jam (Turn It Up)’ — Kim Kardashian

Yes, Kardashian once tried to dabble into music, and yes, she called it one of her biggest regrets. But this song is fire; it should have been huge in the 2000s. The vocals are mediocre, but the beat itself is just too good.

‘She’s Got All the Friends That Money Can Buy’ — Chumbawamba

I have yet to meet another person that has listened to anything Chumbawamba has released besides its one hit wonder “Tubthumping.” Fellow Chumbawamba listeners, please reach out. I think we need a support group.

‘The A Team’ — Ed Sheeran

Don’t talk to me.

@_chloebowie_

southacr@miamioh.edu