Arlo Parks' Honest Playlist: Arctic Monkeys and Prince 2026

Arlo Parks, the acclaimed singer-songwriter, recently shared her honest playlist, revealing the songs that have shaped her life and career. From angsty teenage walks with Arctic Monkeys to the timeless allure of Prince, Parks offers a glimpse into her musical journey.

The First Song She Fell in Love With

Parks recalls hearing Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics at a very young age. "There was something about the line at the beginning that I was completely intoxicated by," she says. This early infatuation with a single line speaks to the power of a well-crafted hook—a lesson Parks has clearly carried into her own songwriting.

First Download: Arctic Monkeys' Fake Tales of San Francisco

At 10 or 11, Parks downloaded Fake Tales of San Francisco by Arctic Monkeys onto her iPod Nano. She would wander through the park, headphones on, feeling all the angst. "I loved the storytelling, the characters and the gritty tableaux they described: it felt so real, even though it was far away from where I grew up," she explains. The song's vivid narrative style clearly influenced Parks' own lyrical approach, which often paints detailed pictures of urban life.

Karaoke Pick: Prince's When Doves Cry

Although Parks doesn't do karaoke, she hypothetically chooses When Doves Cry by Prince. "There's something almost unattainable about the way he sings," she notes. "I would throw myself at it with passion, but not be able to pull it off!" This admiration for Prince's vocal prowess highlights Parks' own commitment to emotive, technically impressive performances.

Guilty Pleasure: Jamelia's Superstar

Parks admits she inexplicably knows every lyric to Superstar by Jamelia. "It makes me happy—it's a kind of bubblegum pop song," she says. This lighter side of her taste shows that even critically acclaimed artists appreciate the simple joy of a catchy pop tune.

Musical Influences from Her Parents

Growing up, Parks was surrounded by her parents' diverse record collection. Her dad introduced her to jazz legends like Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, and Duke Ellington, while her mum favored French music and powerhouse vocalists like Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, and Janet Jackson. This eclectic mix undoubtedly informs Parks' genre-blurring sound.

Inherited Records from Her Uncle

At 12 or 13, Parks inherited records from her uncle, choosing randomly from artists like Sade, LL Cool J, Grandmaster Flash, D'Angelo, and Prince. This treasure trove expanded her musical horizons and deepened her appreciation for soul, hip-hop, and funk.

Arlo Parks' Playlist at a Glance

Key Takeaways from Arlo Parks' Honest Playlist

• Early influences matter: A single line from a Eurythmics song sparked Parks' love for music.
• Storytelling is key: Arctic Monkeys' narrative style left a lasting impression on her songwriting.
• Embrace diverse genres: From jazz to pop to hip-hop, Parks' taste is refreshingly eclectic.
• Family shapes taste: Her parents' and uncle's record collections broadened her musical palette.

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