Music for... Love by Budjerah
‘Music for...’ is one of two Opera House Spotify playlist series where we ask visiting guests to curate playlists based on a theme of their choice: music for a particular moment, place or feeling.
A Coodjinburra man from the Bundjalung nation, Budjerah is a teen R&B sensation. Mentored by Matt Corby, the 19 year old singer-songwriter is just as much of a heartthrob, hypnotising fans with his soulful chops and tear-inducing lyrics. True to form, Budjerah has themed his playlist around love, and all the daydreaming and sweet talking that comes with a budding romance. Listen in, then tune in to his exclusive Opera House show for Liminal.
▷ For Once In My Life – Stevie Wonder
“This is on my morning time playlist – it wakes me up. I think it's super sweet to think that there’s someone out there that needs you and they won’t desert you. It makes me happy when I think about it.”
▷ So In Love ft. Anthony Hamilton - Jill Scott
“I love this song a lot, it’s got a super classic sound. It talks about not being able to keep yourself away from that person. Waking up and they’re all you can think about. Everything they do just makes you love them more.”
▷ Misty - Sarah Vaughan
“I spoke to my great grandmother about her wedding songs one day and she said she loved Sarah Vaughan’s version of “Misty”. I think the lyrics are super sweet and poetic.”
▷ Day Dreaming - Aretha Franklin
“I alway catch myself daydreaming about that special someone. When you’re into someone they take up space not just in your heart but in your mind as well.”
▷ Got To Be Real - Cheryl Lynn
“Apart from this song being an ultimate disco party jam, it teaches a very important lesson about being honest and truthful. Honesty is one of the key parts to a successful relationship and it’s super important not to hide from the person you love.”
▷ Love - Destiny's Child
“I love the complexity of this song. The way they blend their voices together, it's really smooth and makes you feel like you’re floating. This song shows that even though love can be simple sometimes, it can also be very complicated to understand.”
▷ Send It On – D'Angelo
“D’Angelo is one of the smoothest dudes on the planet. When I was in high school and I started to mature my voice properly, I would try to sing his songs to develop the smoothness in my voice. I also thought it might help me be smooth when I talked to girls.”
▷ A Sunday Kind Of Love - Etta James
“I grew up listening to Etta James and this song taught me that when I look for someone to love, the love should last forever and not just for a night.”
▷ Sweet Thing - Rufus & Chaka Khan
“This song is also really smooth. The opening lyrics stick out to me: ‘I will love you anyway, even if I cannot stay’. Loving someone when you can’t be physically near them can be tough but I think it’s a testament to true love.”