Anthony Palmiscno is a student at Seton Hill University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Anthony studied abroad with ISA in Sevilla, Spain.
Studying abroad in and of itself is amazing, but one thing that makes this time overseas even better is an amazing playlist. A single song has the power to bring back memories from your semester in a foreign country, spent with both new and old friends! I cannot tell you how many times I have walked to school from my house in Triana (30 minutes from the University of Sevilla) and have been uplifted by certain songs on my playlist that give me the energy boost to get through my coursework for the day. Additionally, there are some songs that undoubtedly take me back to amazing experiences and important events around the city, like la Feria de Abril. Here are my ten favorite songs that get me ready to take Sevilla by storm.
- “The Nights” by Avicii
I normally enjoy listening to Avicii, but this song is especially meaningful to me. Not only does it have a good beat, but also the message is appropriate for my time abroad: to live a life that I’ll remember (and now is certainly the time to do that).
- “El Taxi” by Osmani García
The crowd always goes wild when this song comes on. It will always remind me of my time with my friends from ISA as well as with the Spanish friends that I met during the semester.
- “Afterlife” by Ingrid Michaelson
I have always loved Ingrid Michaelson’s voice, but I think it’s the catchiness of this song that puts it on my top 10 playlist.
- “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars
Yet another catchy tune, “Uptown Funk” is a popular song that is played a lot in Spain. I always enjoy dancing and singing to this one, and it constantly reminds me of an amazing weekend that I had in Ávila with some of my Spanish friends. We had a fantastic time!
- “Vivir Mi Vida” by Marc Anthony
This was one of my favorite songs to begin with (even before coming to Spain), but now that I’ve been here, my opinion of this hit by Marc Anthony has gotten even better. I even had the opportunity to sing it at a karaoke night in Almería (a southeastern city in Spain about 3 hours from Sevilla) — talk about ultimate Spanish practice!
- “Bailando” by Enrique Iglesias
“Bailando” is yet another popular song played in Spain, no matter where you go. I cannot tell you how many times I heard covers of this song as I was walking the streets of la Feria!
- “King And Lionheart” by Of Monsters and Men
Of Monsters and Men is one of my favorite musical groups back in the United States. I have made sure to keep listening to them during my time abroad, and this song always gives me energy to take on the day!
- “Baila Reggaeton” by Canelita
This was one of the first flamenco songs I heard in a caseta at la Feria, and it was stuck in my head from the moment I heard it. It has a catchy tune, and it is definitely easy to dance to!
- “El Perdón” by Nicky Jam
This is another popular song that is heard when you go out, and after dancing to it so much, it’s hard not to select it as a crucial addition to this playlist!
- “El Baile del Serrucho” by Los Morochos
This is more of a silly song, but I had to include it because I’ve been listening to it non-stop since la Feria. I had the opportunity to enter two private casetas (tents), which is kind of a big deal here! In the second caseta, there was music all night, and this was one of the songs played. Although the title is different, the song and dance are a lot of fun! I will always think of my first night at la Feria when I hear this melody.
Want to read more about Sevilla? Check out “Grades are Posted Where? 5 Academic Differences Between the U.S. and Spain“