This Week's Playlist #136 - The Olympic Spirit continued edition
5 songs as a Thank You for these Olympic games
Hello everyone!
This Week's Playlist - Season 3, Episode 32.
First playlist in two weeks. I took a well deserved break last weekend. Back on the weekly ritual today.
I spent a week mostly offline with my family, eating a lot and watching the Olympics in Paris. A lot has been said about these games (and its opening ceremony) and it was really fun to see all the events taking place in a city I know so well.
However, time for another 5 tracks as a final thank you to the Olympic spirit.
I hope you enjoy it and see you next week.
There is a YouTube link for each of the songs on the cover, and here are the playlists for each streaming platform:
1. Nina Simone - Ain’t Got No / I Got Life
Starting with a tribute to Simone Biles, who made me watch more gymnastics in 2 weeks than during my entire past life :-)
Nina Simone, for one of her lesser-known hits (at least for me). The live rendition is also worth a listen.
2. Cult of Luna - A Dawn to Fear
Heavy metal made it into the spotlights, with Gojira playing in front of the concierge for the opening ceremony (which was so cool).
Phoenix played for the closing ceremony (amongst a jam with Air, Kavinsky, and Angele).
Metalhead nerds would have spotted another connection with heavy metal there: Phoenix's drummer is a Swedish from Sri Lanka who also plays with Cult of Luna, the atmospheric metal band from Umea.
Here is a track from my favourite album from them; very slow, chill and atmospheric vibe.
3. Snoop Dog - Gin & Juice
Arguably the actual mascot of the Olympic games :-)
Here is an oldie from his first album.
4. Supreme NTM - That’s My People
I mentioned it during my previous episode, but the basketball level of this Olympic tournament was one of the highest. It was an incredible game to watch. USA beat France in both finals (Men's and women's), with a nail-biting finish in the Women's finals.
The men's French team had a very rough start to the competition, barely winning against average teams and being battered by Germany, one of the contenders.
During the Playoffs, they found their groove back by making their way to the Olympic final, with a "Racaille" attitude (thug attitude in English) and fighting spirit.
Guerschon Yabusele made a huge impact on those games, especially this dunk on Lebron James, which became instantly iconic.
Here is a song from the greatest "Racaille" hip-hop duo of all time as a thank-you for their silver medal.
5. DJ Mehdi - Signatune (Thomas Bangalter edit)
The electronic music French touch was omnipresent during these 2 weeks (starting with Justice, as a background track for the 100m male participants presentation and Olympic closing ceremony).
Slightly lesser known is the iconic tune of DJ Mehdi (may he rest in peace), reworked by half of Daft Punk. It was such an iconic moment that it was used for the final of the Olympic torch relay.
Until the next time, Godspeed!
Thomas
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