AftertrackStart your playlist

The archive.

Every person here chose their songs while still alive. Each playlist is a permanent record, in their own words.

Sample entries — no public playlists yet
MA

Margaret Ashworth

1948 — 2023Liverpool, England

I never had the words to say what music did for me. But if you listen to these songs in order, you'll understand everything I couldn't say out loud.

HeroesDavid BowieA Case of YouJoni MitchellBaba O'RileyThe Who+1 more
7 songs · 4 artists342
RC

Robert Chen

1962 — 2024Vancouver, Canada

My father never said I love you. He said 'listen to this.' Every song here is something he played for me, or I played for him, in place of the words we couldn't find.

HeroesDavid BowieWish You Were HerePink FloydThe Sound of SilenceSimon & Garfunkel
12 songs · 6 artists189
AO

Amara Osei

1985 — presentAccra, Ghana

I made this playlist at thirty-eight, healthy and happy. Because the best time to say what matters is before you have to.

Redemption SongBob MarleyHeroesDavid BowieSinnermanNina Simone
5 songs · 4 artists97
EV

Elena Voss

1971 — 2022Berlin, Germany

Every song is a room I lived in. Some I left. Some I was taken from. All of them are still mine.

HeroesDavid BowieHallelujahLeonard CohenTeardropMassive Attack
9 songs · 5 artists528
TA

Thomas Andersen

1955 — 2024Copenhagen, Denmark

Sixty-eight years. Thousands of songs heard. Fifteen that mattered. That's not a small number — that's the exact right number.

Space OddityDavid BowieSuzanneLeonard CohenBoth Sides NowJoni Mitchell+1 more
15 songs · 8 artists203