Entertainment · Music · 14 hrs ago
Arlo Parks shares the songs that shaped her life and music
Singer and songwriter Arlo Parks has shared a personal playlist of songs that matter to her.
Her choices range from “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics, which she loved as a child, to “Fake Tales of San Francisco” by Arctic Monkeys, her first iPod download.
She says Radiohead’s “House of Cards” influenced the minimalism of her album “Collapsed in Sunbeams.”
Other songs bring up strong feelings: Sufjan Stevens’s “Fourth of July” connects with grief and loss, while Portishead’s “Glory Box” makes her cry.
Parks also picks Janet Jackson’s “All for You” as a reliable party song and Turnstile’s “I Care” as a track that helps her start the day.
The selections show how music can hold memories, shape creative work and affect a listener’s mood.
Her album “Ambiguous Desire” is out now, and she is due to tour the UK and Ireland from 17 to 26 October, starting in Dublin.
Arlo Parks shared songs that have shaped her life and music in an interview with the Guardian.
She named “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics as the first song she fell in love with.
Her first iPod Nano download was “Fake Tales of San Francisco” by Arctic Monkeys.
Parks said Radiohead’s “House of Cards” influenced the sound of her album Collapsed in Sunbeams.
She also described songs connected to grief, joy, and memories of her family.
- Who
- Arlo Parks, the singer and songwriter.
- What
- She shared songs that shaped her life and music.
- When
- The Guardian article was published on 11 October 2026.
- Where
- The interview appeared in the Guardian. Parks is set to tour the UK and Ireland.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I’d wander through the park all angsty listening to Fake Tales of San Francisco by Arctic Monkeys
There’s so much space in House of Cards by Radiohead; Thom Yorke’s voice is ethereal.
Fourth of July by Sufjan Stevens is heartbreaking.
Sunday Morning by the Velvet Underground: there’s something so warm about it, it feels soothing, like a new beginning.
She remembers listening to “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics.
She bought “Fake Tales of San Francisco” by Arctic Monkeys as her first iPod Nano download.
Her uncle let her choose records to take from his collection.
Parks discovered Radiohead’s “House of Cards.
Parks is scheduled to tour the UK and Ireland, starting in Dublin.
- First song she fell in love with
- Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics
- First iPod Nano download
- Fake Tales of San Francisco” by Arctic Monkeys
- Song she says changed her life
- House of Cards” by Radiohead
- Album
- Collapsed in Sunbeams
- Tour dates
- 17 to 26 October
Sources
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