What I'm Listening to This Week: "Ratchet Happy Birthday" and Revisiting Mark Ronson
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First things first, it's my birthday — so in this edition of What I'm Listening to This Week, I have to dedicate Drake's "Ratchet Happy Birthday" to all my fellow Libras out there. As my friend Angelica says, "There is no other birthday song."
Now that that's out of the way: have you watched YouTube's Mark Ronson documentary yet? How to Be: Mark Ronson premiered this week, and it made me realize just how many of my favorite songs and albums were produced by him (it also made me realize just how easy he is on the eyes). So this week, we're also taking a quick walk down memory lane with a few of his iconic bangers. Here's what you should slam the play button on this week and why.
"Back To Black" by Amy Winehouse
The entire Back to Black album changed my life (actually, it's still changing my life), but the title track, which was co-written by Ronson, is one of my absolute favorites. The moment you hear those first few keys, you know you're about to get your heart broken.
"Valerie" by Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse
My friends know that if we walk into a karaoke bar, I'm either singing "Valerie" or Fiona Apple's "Criminal," and they will have no choice but to stan my performance. Those are just the rules.
"Ooh Wee" by Mark Ronson feat. Ghostface Killah, Nate Dogg, Trife and Saigon
Let's talk about classics: this was Ronson's debut single from the 2003 album Here Comes the Fuzz, but old millennials may remember it best from the Honey soundtrack.
"Like A Feather" by Nikka Costa
This 2001 hit was on nearly every one of my burned CD playlists in high school, and it's probably one of the first Mark Ronson-produced songs I ever heard. I know you remember it.
"Locked Out Of Heaven" by Bruno Mars
Yes, yes, "Uptown Funk" and all that, but for me, this is the Bruno Mars/Mark Ronson collab that gets me up on my feet and screaming every word as loud as possible.
"Brand New" by Rhymefest feat. Kanye West
This one takes me all the way back. Rhymefest and Kanye West may not be friends anymore, but their Ronson-produced hit will bang forever.
"Littlest Things" by Lily Allen
Lily Allen's debut album Alright, Still is packed with bops, and this one is just timeless.
"Joanne" by Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga wrote this gorgeous song about her father's sister, Joanne — who died from lupus as a teenager — and Ronson both produced and performed on it. I get goosebumps whenever I listen to it because it reminds me of my best friend, who passed away in a car accident we were in when I was 16. Not only was the Joanne album a masterpiece (in my opinion) but this heartfelt ode always gives me the happy-sads.
"Baby Blue" by Action Bronson feat. Chance the Rapper
This is a highly underrated "You've got me entirely f*cked up" anthem that can only be listened to at the highest of volumes.
"Cold Shoulder" by Adele
One of Adele's first up-tempo tunes is this jam from 19, which is the only song on the album produced by Ronson. A gem!