Happy New Year 🥂! In my personal opinion, I feel like I am allowed to say Happy New Year all the way through January. I just wanted to write to acknowledge all of us being here in 2025. I don’t want to dwell on what happened last year or make any big proclamations for this year. Just a small one 😉. I also wanted to say Hi.
My friend’s dad, Pastor Bobby Welborn, had a watch night service to welcome in 2025 (Yes, the service was on December 31st. Yes, I am also just now mentioning it). Pastor Welborn talked about a lot of things, but what stuck with me the most was the scripture, Philippians 3:13-14.
This year I am forgetting what lies behind and I am straining forward. I am straining towards the life I want to live, the person I want to be, and the impact I want to make on the world. Oh and learning Spanish for real, not this Duolingo stuff 😆.
I hope your year is everything you want it to be. I hope you find joy. I hope you strain forward. I hope you continue to be well and whole. Much Love 🧡💚
I really meant to put this playlist out last week, but it was a rough week. I am feeling much better, just in time for Christmas! May you diversify your Christmas playlist with these jams. I am sure you are tired of listening to the same old songs.
Invisible (From Klaus Soundtrack) – Zara Larsson
First off, I really like this movie. It has a great message and it is just cute. This song plays at a part of the movie that is so heartwarming. I don’t want to say too much just in case you plan on watching. I truly recommend it! Second, it isn’t really a Christmas song, but it is a part of a Christmas movie so I saw no harm in including it.
Holiday Celebrate – Toni Braxton
I really struggled to pick a song from the album. I love them all and I have kept this album on repeat every year at Christmas time since it came out in 2001. I cannot believe this album is 23 years old! The songs are timeless. I picked this one because it is an upbeat song and may inspire you to dance a little. Check out the whole album though.
Christmas Eve with You – Brian McKnight, Judith McKnight, & Dave Koz
This jazzy little Christmas song is great background noise for making cookies, putting up a tree, or driving around town looking at Christmas lights. Just when you think it can’t get any better, Brian and Julie McKnight come in humming beautifully together and you wish they would have done it for a little longer. So, of course, you have to play the song a few more times just to hear that part. And then a few more because it is still not enough.
Christmas Time after Time – Will Downing
I love original Christmas songs. For someone to create a song that is fitting for this time of year and is different and beautiful, makes me happy. It is mellow and Will’s voice is smooth. Another one that would be great to listen to while driving.
This Christmas – Donny Hathaway
Of course, I had to include this Christmas classic. Nothing else to say. Y’all know what’s up.
Merry Christmas 🎄. I hope this day is great for each of you and is filled with love and laughter. Much Love 🧡 💚
I know, I know. Long time no write. I have so many excuses, but I won’t use any of them. I’ll just get my act together and start writing. That is the only answer.
As I mentioned in one of my long ago post, Life, Spotify called me out for listening to a song 225 times. I was new to Spotify so they didn’t know how I do things. I was offended, but I’m over it. I just love music and when a song speaks to me, I can’t help myself. I sing them and tell my friends about them. And now, I’m going to start telling you all 😆. Welcome to Ebony’s Playlist 🎶. I will introduce you to the songs that I listen to 225 times or more. Hopefully, you will find one or two you may want to add to your playlist.
Episode 1 features just a few of my favorites. Break up songs, a love song, and a soundtrack song. My playlist jumps all over the place. I guess Spotify has gotten used to me because I am sure I have played most of these songs an equal amount of times to 225 or more, and I haven’t received any alerts.
Love No More (Acoustic) – Juice
https://youtu.be/PT4vNn4e2wY?si=uYLdtgip614QcJUH
The violin, the piano, the vocals. This song makes me want to cry and fall in love all at the same time. It is one of those hauntingly beautiful songs. Do not, I repeat DO NOT listen to the original song. I’m sure I had heard it before, but I don’t remember it. For good reason. I consciously listened to it after I listen to this masterpiece and it is lacking. It is a more uptempo song and you don’t get the feel of what he is singing about. Best decision they made was to create this version. If you don’t feel anything when you hear this song, you are heartless. 😆
Brandy – Full Crate featuring Kyle Dion When I say I love this song, I mean I LOVE this song. I have played it the fuck out and I can still listen to it on repeat. This song came out in 2020 during Covid and I have to believe that is the only reason it didn’t get to shine. I have created a whole video in my head to this song. Over the course of listening to it, I have fixated on different lines and would start the song over to hear that part again. When it is all said and done, I have finally selected my favorite line. Second verse, first line, “You’re like my favorite, can I keep you?” Hehehe, I think I would actually fall for this line if a man said it to me. I am so tickled by it.
Does That Mean You’re OK? – Asha Gold
https://youtu.be/aOKeIesOa1M?si=AkqcDxuV6B9f_Ajq
This song is new to my playlist, but I am well on my way to listening to it as many times as the others. I don’t know why I like this song so much. I think I just like her voice. She is singing about a break up and honestly, I can’t relate. I even fuss at her when I listen, “Like, girl, he’s okay”. Yet, I do understand how a break up can be hard on people. She describes the thoughts and feelings well. So well, that I think I will stay single, in order to not feel like that 🙅🏾♀️.
Better Place (Family Harmony) – Trolls: Band Together Soundtrack
https://youtu.be/k5dy6CpPdT0?si=W-MxYYUgYf2RW5x5
Now hear me out on this one. It is two versions of this song. It is the one with the voice actors from the movie and the other is Justin Timberlake singing with his group members from N’Sync. Skip the N’Sync version and listen to the version from the movie. It starts off as a slowed down acapella and the harmonies are everything. It is my favorite part. Then it picks up pace and the voices just go so well with each other. Camilla Cabello’s “I’m so excited to see you excited” is just perfect. You need to listen on repeat for two reasons. One, it is a short song and it is over way too soon. Two, it is so many layers to this song, you will not pick up on them just listening to it once.
If you have a Spotify membership, you can follow me at this link,
There will be a playlist called Ebony’s Playlist with all the songs I have mentioned in this post. I will continue to add songs I feature on this blog.
Let me know if you liked any of the songs I have highlighted. And please feel free to share songs from your playlist that you love. I am always looking for new music. Continue to be well and whole. Much Love 🧡💚
