Everybody likes to kind of make fun of the Spotify Wrapped thing (myself included) but I will also admit that I really like it. I especially love seeing other people’s, because I’ve always thought that the music people listen to when they’re alone can tell you a lot about a person… more than what they actually choose to show to the world, a lot of the time. Seeing the songs and artists and genres that people connect with the most is really interesting to me, so I love it when people post theirs. It’s fascinating. (also, I learned that I have massively underestimated how many Taylor Swift fans are out there, including people I never would have guessed)
Although I don’t like that it only uses January through October for it’s data. Come on man, I want to see how the holiday/winter/end of the year vibes factor in for everyone. Granted maybe I’m glad it stopped there because for the past couple months I’ve basically been doing nothing but binging Loveless and Billie Eilish’s latest album, or have had like the same 10-15 songs on repeat (especially Gasoline, How Do You Know It’s Not Armadillo Shells?, Happier Than Ever, and Just Like You… it’s a whole-ass mood), so at this point Spotify would probably be like “bro, you ok?” and my musical aura would definitely be “broody AF”. Probably best if we just, uh… ignore that.
But I did kind of chuckle watching my little Wrapped video. Spotify’s got a sense of humor.
Seeing those little prompts immediately made my brain jump into equestrian mode and look at it from that point of view. To be honest, the reason why a lot of these songs/artists have been listened to so much by me is because of something horse-related. I’m very much still my 16yo self that uses music to set a mood or to cope with feelings (because I’m not sure that I ever developed real coping skills, so I bury things deep and let music deal with them). And, well, my life revolves around the horses, so it makes sense that my music tends to do that too. Even my playlists are telling… I have a playlist for conditioning rides, a playlist for horse shows, and tend to use my “Liked Songs” as a reflection for however I’m feeling about life in general at the moment (which is largely controlled by – you guessed it – horses). It changes a lot.
My horse show playlist is the crowd pleaser… it’s mostly a collection of fun, upbeat music that puts me in a good mood while driving to a show. It’s the songs most people know, that you can play while you hang out at your stalls or at the trailer (I mean, unless there’s kids around, then… whoops). I don’t think it’s really a good overall reflection of the music I listen to on a regular basis or when I’m alone, but it’s got a purpose and it works well for that.
But if I look through my top 100 most listened to songs of the year (or… Jan through Oct, anyway) I see a lot of songs that were added because of horses or some horse-related event. Sometimes because of the general feeling of the song, other times because of specific lines and lyrics. And some of them, well… they just plain fit the conditions.
High, by Young Rising Sons. Is there anything that better describes what it’s like to own horses? Highs and lows, man, highs and lows.
Just let it go enjoy the ride
Without the low there ain’t a high
‘Cause all we need is love
But love means sacrifice
But it’s sure worth the prize
If you get it right
abcdefu, by Gayle. Ok I have to be honest, this is what I imagine SafeSport says to every single perv and perv accomplice that gets banned. Bye pervs (we’ll keep your dogs and horses though)!
A-B-C-D-E, F-U
And your mom and your sister and your job
And your broke-ass car and that shit you call art
Fuck you and your friends that I’ll never see again
Everybody but your dog, you can all fuck off
meet me at our spot (I prefer the Loveless cover to the original). Because what is riding if not escapism?
Meet me at our spot
They can’t find us there
Caught a vibe
Baby, are you coming for the ride
Carry On, by Young Rising Sons. (someone tell them they’re writing songs for equestrians) But like, is there anything that describes the horse and human relationship more than this?
And all you need to know is I’ll be there
When no one is, no one is, yeah darling
I’ll be there
And I’ll tell you
Oh my love, don’t you worry
When the world gets cold, I’ll hold your heart when it’s heavy
and last but not least
She’s Out of Her Mind, by Blink 182. Every poor horse husband, horse boyfriend, horse parent, horse wife, horse spouse out there could probably belt this one at the top of their lungs.
I’m in deep with this girl but she’s out of her mind
What songs from your Spotify Wrapped would make it to the equestrian mix?
breedrideevent.com 
I wonder what it says about me that pretty much the only music I listen to at all in a year is Christmas music? The rest of the time I only listen to podcasts and audiobooks…….
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I must be the only person in the history of ever who doesn’t have Spotify, I have Amazon music and they don’t give me any handy like psychoanalysis of what I listen to 🤣🤣
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You’re not alone! I tried Spotify waaaaaay back when they tried to poach everyone from Pandora and I didn’t like Spotify….because I LIKE my Pandora stations! Though, I don’t like how Pandora has tried to change to be like Spotify/Apple Music/whatever else, because the draw for Pandora for me was being able to create my own radio station, with my favorite songs, and have Pandora fill in other “similar” things. It’s gone away from that, sadly. One of my favorite stations is 80% instrumental/classical with the occasional 1980s pop song thrown in: entirely so you DON’T fall asleep! I can’t find anything else like it, everything tends to stick within a genre now.
Otherwise I use Apple Music, mostly. They have a “songs of the year” playlist for each year I’ve had the service, which is kind of fun to listen to.
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Spotify has that “radio” feature! You can base it off of either an artist or a playlist. I use it a lot.
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I love riding to music, especially now that I’m really only doing dressage with my TB. I listen to all kinds of music but lately it’s been either Lizzo or 90s rap because that’s what fits my horse’s gaits. My coach asked what music I’d use for a freestyle and his face when I told him Snoop Dogg was priceless hahaha. Walk work is Gin and Juice, trot is Drop It Like It’s Hot, and canter is Nuthin’ But A G Thing. But um, maybe instrumental versions lol.
Here are my two playlists that I listen to most often for riding:
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I named my high school playlist “Persevering Trauma” lol
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Too good – I always snicker to myself when I listen to some real rachet rap while prancing around at a high end dressage barn. I always turn my music down when I drive up to the barn. Everyone usually has classic rock or country playing on the barn speakers. I usually always have something else playing in one airpod. I also love listening to music while riding!
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I get pretty stuck on your unicorn Playlist…… it always cracks me up! One of my favorite chemo nurse’s daughter now sings “Pink Fluffy Unicorns” all the time. She says she can’t decide if she should thank me… or strangle me….. lol. So thank you!
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