My Soundtrack
The Prelude: A Life Scored
Some people have a mantra; I have a playlist. It’s my running tally of melodies, lyrics, and beats that narrate the wild, wonderful, and occasionally messy story of my life. Whether we realize it or not, we all move through life with our own soundtracks playing in the background. A breakup feels gutted without a mournful ballad, and no first kiss would be quite the same without a swoony, breathless song humming beneath it.
For me, music is more than ambiance—it's a compass. The songs I love guide my creative process, shape my relationships, and yes, sometimes remind me not to text my ex when Stromae's “Formidable” inevitably comes up at midnight.
So, let me take you on a track-by-track journey through my world. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find something new for your own playlist—or something that strikes a familiar chord.
Track 1: The Childhood Anthem – “Sous Le Vent” by Garou & Céline Dion
I grew up in Montreal, where bilingualism is not just a skill—it’s a way of life. “Sous Le Vent” encapsulates that seamless dance between French and English that shaped me. My parents loved to throw this on while cleaning the house on Saturdays, my father theatrically lip-syncing Garou’s gravelly voice while my mom belted Céline with gusto.
This particular duet reminds me that relationships, be they romantic or familial, require harmony. One voice carries the verse, the other the chorus, but they both lean on each other to create something more powerful. Life lesson? When you’re dating, find someone who doesn’t just take the mic for themselves but sings in step with you.
Track 2: The Paris Years – “La Vie en Rose” by Édith Piaf…or Was It Louis Armstrong?
Studying in Paris felt like falling into a perpetual sepia-toned daydream. Walking along the Seine with the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked baguettes in the air, my life was the opening credits of some heartbreakingly beautiful French indie film (at least in my head).
“La Vie en Rose” was the obvious backdrop—romantic, gauzy, and vaguely unattainable. Whether Piaf or Armstrong, the message of the song is the same: love, when it’s real, is transformative.
But here’s where that Parisian chapter overlaps with my love life. I learned there’s a difference between a genuine connection and the idea of romance. During one ill-fated “café date,” my enthusiastic admiration for Serge Gainsbourg turned into a 45-minute monologue by my date about his vinyl collection. Cute at first, sure, but not every song needs to turn into an endless remix of self-importance. Reyez ce disque (“skip this track”), as they’d say.
Lesson? Romance doesn’t need to be performed to be real; often, it’s in the small, quieter moments.
Track 3: Breakup Ballad – “Someone Like You” by Adele
Oh, boy. A breakup isn’t official until Adele makes your shower cry dramatic enough to audition for a French film noir. “Someone Like You” hit me like a ton of bricks after my first long-term relationship ended. Five years together, countless road trips scored to everything from Bon Iver to The Weeknd, and suddenly, all of it felt impossibly far away.
Cue Adele. I leaned hard into her catharsis, bellowing the lyrics into a wooden spoon in my apartment while clutching my cat, Rimbaud. (Was he thrilled about this? Certainly not. But we mourn in different ways.)
Music visits us how we need it—as a balm, a reinforcer, or sometimes an emotional wrecking ball. Practical takeaway? Let yourself wallow briefly, but switch to something uplifting as soon as the wooden spoon gets involved. Try Lizzo or Dua Lipa for the recovery stage. Trust me.
Track 4: The Inspiration Playlist – “Papaoutai” by Stromae & “Avant Gardes” by Coeur de Pirate
When it comes to my creative process, I need music with rhythm and je ne sais quoi. Stromae’s dance beats and Coeur de Pirate’s dreamy piano riffs carry me through those frustrating, blank-page moments. “Papaoutai” somehow makes existential father-son musings both introspective and infectious (a bold move!) while Coeur de Pirate balances melancholy with sweetness, like sipping mulled wine on a winter morning.
Both remind me: every process has conflicting emotions, which is part of its beauty. Like deep relationships, creative work is layered—equal parts frustrating and fulfilling. I mean, have you ever tried writing about love while simultaneously trying not to text your crush? That takes Stromae-level precision.
Track 5: The Love Song – “Sweet Disposition” by The Temper Trap
This is the soundtrack of long walks with my partner through Montreal’s Mount Royal in the early fall. The kind of song that feels like lying in a hammock in someone’s arms… only you're bracing slightly because the hammock could tip at any moment (just like love, really).
There’s an unforgettable energy in early-stage dating: the delirium of anticipation, the nervy excitement of telling your friends about someone new, and that first movie night when you debate whether it’s too soon to enter full sweatpants territory.
Pro tip? Find a love song that fits the vibe you’re building with someone, even if it’s just for the moment. It doesn’t need to be deep, but it should be yours—and it doesn’t hurt if it inspires a little slow dancing in the kitchen.
Track 6: The Wildcard Hit – “Dancing Queen” by ABBA
No playlist is complete without a song that lights you up from within, no explanation needed. For me, it’s “Dancing Queen.” Is it wildly over-the-top? Yes. Does that make it perfect? Absolutely.
This song reminds me to resist taking life—especially dating—too seriously. We all have those nights when the date cancels last minute, and suddenly, you’re dancing in your apartment with a bottle of Riesling and a cheese platter made for two. There’s joy to be found even when things don’t go to plan.
Hint: Be the dancing queen in your own life before expecting anyone to spin you around under the figurative disco ball.
Encore: Building Your Own Soundtrack
Every life deserves its personalized playlist, the one that follows you through first dates, heartbreaks, Parisian afternoons, bad karaoke nights, and the sublime stillness of love on a quiet morning. It’s not just about the music but what the music teaches you about yourself—your joys, your aches, your quirks.
So, here’s my advice: Pay attention to the songs that ignite something in you. Use them as markers on your emotional map. Feeling vulnerable on a date? Play a song that makes you feel like a powerhouse before walking out the door. Ready to let someone in? Send them a playlist that feels like yours—bonus points if it isn’t filled with only love songs.
And above all, embrace music’s ability to remind you that, no matter the highs and lows, life is meant to be danced to—even if you hit a few wrong notes along the way.
What’s your first track?
