Weekly Track Roundup 9/18/23: Michael Roth's Summer Playlist
If Michael Roth made a summer playlist like Barack Obama does every year, what would it look like? Submit a song for theoretical Michael's theoretical playlist!
Michael Roth released a new book some weeks back, and no one at Aural Wes has read it. We liked this theme, though.
[Header graphic: Max Levin ‘25]
Smash Mouth - “I’m a Believer”
A fun, upbeat song, and also a Shrek classic that Roth would definitely jam to :)
-Aishlinn Parinello
Have A Nice Life - “A Quick One Before The Eternal Worm Devours Connecticut”
I am merely a first year at Wesleyan University and I feel there are many mysteries to be uncovered. Chief among these is a seemingly simple question: who is Michael Roth really? This must seem absurd. Of course he’s just the president of our school. However, this answer, while logical and highly substantiated, seems insufficient. I can’t help but feel confused and dissatisfied. Since I have nothing on which to base my argument I will begin with my intuition. From here, through a complex and very real process within my mind, I’m necessarily led to the eternal worm. Is our president the eternal worm? We can’t rule it out. It seems equally likely that he’s the sworn enemy of said worm. Beyond the title, this track evokes the deep sense of mystery that surrounds Roth. I imagine therefore, for all the reasons I’ve mentioned, that this song would be a necessary addition to his summer playlist.
-Bennett Gottesman
Kanye West - “I Am A God”
This is a classic bad b anthem. Micheal often finds himself putting this on for his own self motivation and self appreciation. He relates deeply to the line "get the Porsche out the damn garage" as he has a salary of 1.3 million.
-Oliver Buten
Ryan Gosling - “I’m Just Ken”
Dean Mike really got the kenergy he needed to kensplain the student experience in his new book from this.
-John Earling
Deerhoof - “Dog on the Sidewalk”
-Max Levin
Katrina and the Waves - “Walking on Sunshine”
Roth seems like the kind of guy who likes a nice upbeat summer tune. He listens to this because it reminds him of his own personal motto: positive vibes only.
-Rex Beaver
Drake - “KMT” (feat. Giggs)
I like to imagine this is playing in his earpiece anytime he teaches a new class the Fight Song
-Emmett Favreau
cadenkala - “stay the night” (PluggnB Remix feat. tabris)
I actually had the chance to meet with Micheal Roth personally and asked him about his summer. He, of course, mentioned how he was finishing with the final details of his most recent book, "The Student: A Short History." He told me about how this song was an inspiration to his writing, stating, "it's just...uwu rawr XD...I had to get into the mind of a student >-< and make Socrates-sensei proud!" He then proceeded to griddy away before launching into a full-scale Naruto run, as he was late for his next meeting. However, in the wind trail he left behind, I found a parting note from him: "(ﾉ^ヮ^)ﾉ*: ow ũwùv ù úwuvo *üwov*・ﾟ✧⋆｡°✩ ⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊✩₊‧˙⋆˚｡"
-Alexandra Taylor
Mitski - “Star”
He watched her NPR Tiny Desk and has been following her music ever since.
-Lydia Tadross Marks
COBRAH - “GOOD PUSS”
He's been listening to COBRAH for years in private, and with the release of his new book, finally feels comfortable enough to admit it.
-Nolan Lewis
Taio Cruz - “Dynamite”
this is what I imagine he thinks current wesleyan students are listening to
-Nathan Hausspiegel
Bladee - “Be Nice 2 Me”
so many people, such as the many other submitters to this form, are so mean to poor michael . some times he listens to a little Bladee to calm him self down . let a man chill
-Cassandra Weigle
Kevin MacLeod - “Sneaky Snitch”
I think Mike listens to this while walking around campus
-Elijah Davis
