Brussels Playlist: 12 songs we can dedicate to the city we love and hate

Songs remind us of people, things, experiences, life. So, what songs remind you of Brussels? If you could dedicate any song to this city we sometimes love and sometimes hate, what would it be?

We’ve come up with a compilation of tracks that can very well make us think of Brussels.  Feel free to share yours with us.

Here comes the rain again by Eurythmics

 ♫ Here comes the rain again. Raining in my head like a tragedy, tearing me apart like a new emotion. ♫

Oh you know that feeling so well. Your weather app says it’s going to be a sunny day, and then it suddenly rains. Well, that’s Brussels for you and for us.

Hot and Cold by Katy Perry

 ♫ You change your mind like a girl changes clothes. ♫

One minute, it’s sunny. And then, it’s gloomy. Sunny then gloomy. Rinse and repeat. Story of our Brussels life, ain’t it? Yep, Brussels changes weather like a girl changes clothes.

Hallelujah from Handel’s Messiah

Come on, admit it. This is exactly how you feel when… Voilà! the sun finally shows up in Brussels after a long, cold, dreary spell. Good heavens, it feels like Easter. The sun is risen from the dead. HALLELUJAH! If only it will reign forever and ever. But this is Brussels we’re talking about here. More like rain forever and ever. Oh well.

Can’t stop the feeling by Justin Timberlake

 ♫ I got this feelin’ inside my bones. It goes electric wavy when I turn it on. All through my city, all through my home. We’re flying up, no ceiling when we’re in our zone. ♫

And when summer comes around and the music festivals start rolling in and the dancing begins, you definitely can’t stop the feeling. Allez!

Downtown by Petula Clark

 ♫ When you’re alone and life is making you lonely you can always go… downtown. ♫

When it’s not summer and there aren’t that many festivals and barbecues and parties, Brussels can be rather ho-hum especially if you live in a part of the region where nothing much happens. But no worries. If life gets a little too dull, just go to the city centre or any of the lively commercial districts of Brussels where “everything’s waiting for you.” So maybe I’ll see you there, we can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares…

Mad World by Tears for Fears

 ♫ I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take. When people run in circles, it’s a very very… mad world. ♫

Whatever your source of discontent with Brussels, be it the insane weather or the messy geography or the complex politics or the exhausting bureaucracy or the maddening traffic… this is THE song.

Paradise City by Guns N’ Roses

 ♫ Take me down to the paradise city where the grass is green and the girls are pretty. Oh won’t you please take me home… yeah-yeah. ♫

But let’s not forget the things we love about Brussels. And being a green paradise is one of them. In any part of the city, you will never run out of beautiful parks and gardens. Nature is always part of the landscape. And, of course, the girls are pretty. AHEM!

Around the World by Daft Punk

As one of the most cosmopolitan and multicultural cities in the world, Brussels is like a mini globe. It’s like going around the world all in one city. How cool is that? And no need to quote lyrics here. Just sing “around the world” a million times and that’s it.

Under the bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers

 ♫ Sometimes I feel like my only friend is the city I live in… lonely as I am, together we cry. ♫

New in town? Or if you’ve been living here for years, remember those first few days and weeks after moving to Brussels when it felt like the city was your only friend?

Find Yourself by Brad Paisley

 ♫ When you find yourself in some far off place. And it causes you to rethink some things. You start to sense that slowly you’re becoming someone else. And then, you find yourself. ♫

And then eventually, you find new friends and family, you establish new connections, you build new memories, and before you know it, you’ve become a total local. If you’re lucky, Brussels may just be the place where you find or rediscover yourself. And then, it becomes everything that is home.

Colors by Jason Derulo

 ♫ Hands up for your colors. Represent your country. Raise your flag. Show your true colors. ♫

We borrow this song from the 2018 FIFA World Cup playlist since it captures the wonderful colors of Brussels. She may be a grey city, but hey, she is home to more than 180 different nationalities. That means countless opportunities for cultural exchanges, culinary adventures, and international interactions. So wherever you come from, you will feel right at home. As a good and wise Bruxellois once told me, “there are no strangers in Brussels, international city par excellence.”

Lovely Day by Bill Withers

 ♫ Then I look at you, and the world’s alright with me. Just one look at you, and I know it’s gonna be a lovely day. ♫

Whatever you complain about when it comes to Brussels, there’s gotta be something or some things you love about her. Otherwise, why would you be here at all, right? It may be your work, your friends, your neighborhood, Mont des Arts, Flagey, Place Lux, Place Jourdan, the Manneken Pis, etc. Or maybe it’s someone, yiheee. Whatever or whoever it is all makes Brussels a lovely place to live in. And besides, summer is here and the sun is ready to party. Let’s enjoy the many lovely days ahead.

So, what’s your song for Brussels?