Before we begin, here is the link to the Spotify playlist that has all these songs, but if you’re not a Spotify user I will link all the YouTube videos for them too!

If you’d have asked me back in 2015 what my music taste was, first off I’d have told you to strap in because music literally formed the entire fabric of my being at that point in my youth, and then I’d have categorised my music taste as ‘British’. 

How boring right? And yet it’s true, most of the bands I liked did hail from Britain because I’d never made any effort to expand my music taste. Then, later that year I started working in a music shop, which had a world music section – something I obviously knew existed, but due to my self-inflicted unfamiliarity with any music in any language other than English, I was fascinated. I’d deliberately spend hours of my shift “cleaning” that section when in actuality I was just looking through the CDs. After that, I wanted to expand my music taste more and more to include every style the world over. Music is one of the few commonalities that humans have, it’s written into our very existence, and now there’s more world music in my playlists than there are songs in English. 

This playlist is intended to take you on a journey of some of my favourite songs from around the world that I’ve come across, and back in time too. Some are well known and some less so, but each of them is special in its own way. Be warned then, that this playlist does contain songs from a wide variety of genres and time periods! They were almost certainly never meant to be played back to back, so they might not create a cohesive vibe if that’s what you’re looking for. These songs, however, are individually perfect mood makers, road trip songs, alone in bedroom-sing in shower songs, and they’re all pretty positive. There’ll be no sad songs here thank you very much. 

 Of course, music is a subjective medium, so if you happen to dislike all of these songs, then please let me know of others!

North Korea – Hwiparam – Kim Yongim

Let’s kick things off with an absolute banger. Un-ironically, this is one of the catchiest songs I’ve ever come across. All you have to do is read the accounts of tourists who have visited North Korea to glean the surreal human-ness of DPRK natives and tourists humming this song together. 

The songs existence in itself is something of a frenzied grasping of miraculous chance. According to author Travis Jeppesen in his book ‘See You Again in Pyongyang’, Hwiparam was composed at a very unique juncture in North Korean history, in which romance, a genre long banned from music, art, and movies, was allowed for a very brief period to leech into the mass media. Hwiparam, as a result, is one of the few North Korean songs that contains almost no political references, and would certainly never be released today. The song itself is a sample of Abba’s ‘Gimme Gimme Gimme a Man After Midnight’, which I think just makes it even better. 

Mongolia – Baigalaas Irsen Ohin – Tigerfish 

I truly cannot remember where I found this song but it has stuck by my side for many, many years. Tigerfish themselves are a relatively unknown band in Mongolia, and especially on my side of the planet. But this is a cruel injustice of the music industry, since this group of musicians is so skilled at pulling together melodies that are just light enough to not be overpowering, comprehensive enough to pack a punch, and infectious enough to wrap you up in repeated listening. 

This particular song is itself a re-imagining of the 1979 Mongolian song of the same name. It features, like all Tigerfish creations, a mixture of sounds that just seem to blend perfectly even though you might question the logic at first. With its amalgamation of heady bass and light ukulele, this song will not go where you expect it to, but I promise where it is going is wonderful. Complete with some of the most satisfying Mongolian language vocals and harmonies, this song is easy to get to know, and short enough that it’s refreshing on every listen. 

India – Maahi Ve – Kal Ho Naa Ho Cast

This song holds some very sweet memories for me. When I was in university, my roommates, one from India and the other somewhat Bollywood obsessed, would play this song frequently. And no surprise, as it’s definitely a mood maker. Its introduction is charming, catchy, scene setting, and then the song takes a welcome turn to a big beat and ensemble vocal where you can just imagine the dance moves that go with it in the movie. 

Oh yea, it comes from the Bollywood remake of Pretty Woman, Kal Ho Naa Ho, and the soundtrack even includes a Hindi version of the Roy Orbison song, which is also well worth a listen. And that’s exactly why the song was even composed, to get everybody up and dancing, decades after the movie was made. It was born and raised for the sole purpose of being a banger, and it has definitely realised its fate. It’s relatively long at 6 minutes, but I like a song you can really relax into, it’s just more time to enjoy the music. 

Palestine – Mbarak – Apo and the Apostles

This song reminds me of sunshine and summer breeze through the car window. Mbarak is the Arabic word for congratulations, and the tune is one for just that, sharing congratulations at a wedding – but it never oversteps its mark as a party theme. It’s resoundingly airy yet upbeat throughout, and the slurring vocals are commanding yet deservedly so. The brass instruments are definitely the show stealer however, and the general, somewhat bass-less, bounce of the song gives it an unmistakable indie flavour. 

Arab-indie in itself is a niche genre indeed, but a very rewarding one to explore. The band is a feat of modern dedication to music – the lead singer resides in Jerusalem while the rest of the members live in the West Bank, making meetings between the band a challenge to say the least. They had their first hit within a year of forming, ‘Baji Wenek’, which is unsurprisingly a wonderful song too, but I like Mbarak’s boyish charm and versatility. But you won’t find many songs at all in their discography that get political about the situation, instead they continue to focus on what they call ‘Saturday night music’ i.e music for getting up and dancing. 

China – Pink Memories – Han Bao Yi

More Chinese music than any other country seems to makes its way into my playlist, bar South Korea of course (becauseofthekpop). But there’s something about the language(s), the way it melts into music, it’s just so easy on the ears, but the sounds are all so complex that I can never stop listening. 

Thank god for TikTok for bringing this song into the mainstream. There are multiple versions of Pink Memories out there so make sure you shop around to find the one you like the most (the one linked is by Timi Zhou, and the one in the Spotify playlist is a different one altogether). The original, I believe, is sung by Han Bao Yi, and details a lover so perfect that the singer can’t stop thinking about them, and all the memories are so wonderful they are pink and glimmering. You really get the candy sweet vibe from the melody, without even having to understand the lyrics. It’s a good background song for cleaning or writing, or just going about your day, and I often find myself humming the tune without realising. 

South Korea – Where the Wind Rises – Kim Kwang Seok  

Ok, this is hard because there are multiple South Korean songs that I could list here (YESIT’SMOSTLYKPOP). But of course, this playlist is dedicated to songs that don’t get that much attention from Western listeners, so as Kpop has blended somewhat with my everyday music taste, as it has for so many others, I don’t think it quite counts here. 

Instead meet Kim Kwang Seok, a wildly popular Korean musician. Born in Daegu, his folk music is gorgeous and soul soothing, and I loved hearing it playing around the country when I visited. He died under what are considered to be very suspicious circumstances, and his wife suffered what is an interesting example of the Korean tendency to trial by public opinion.  

This song in itself has a sweetness that rides over what could be a very strong political meaning. ‘The place where the wind blows, to that place I go.’ The serene strings and silky vocal is perfect to start any day in a good mood, or wind down after work. For some reason this song also makes me feel a strong sense of gratitude. 

Germany – Mein Kleiner Grüner Kaktus – The Comedian Harmonists

What an absolute romp this song is. I originally was introduced to this song by a German travel blogger through her Instagram stories, as she was showing off her impressive array of succulents. This is one of the oldest songs on this playlist – it was first heard way back in 1934. The Comedian Harmonists were one of the most popular acts within Europe in the interwar years and their discography is absolutely huge and so easy to get lost in. 

The songs lyrics refer to a little green cactus that sits on the singers window ledge, and spikes people who they don’t like, which is an incredible concept for a piano ditty. Aside from wondrous harmonies and fast moving keys, the Comedian Harmonists mastered vocal techniques that make the song so easy to listen to. It always puts me in such a jolly mood, and once again, German is such a pleasant language to listen to when sung, especially when it’s put to some expert tinkling of the ivories. 

Ukraine – Шаланды полные кефали – Leonid Utyosov

Now this is really an example obscura. I believe this song was first performed in 1929, which makes it the oldest on this list, and also the most low-key (and by that I mean it’s pretty understated, just a male vocal and some piano) but it’s undeniably unforgettable. Right from the first drawn out chord, despite the minor key and sombre feeling, I was hooked. Haunting and yet comedic, teasing and yet humbled, it’s wonderful and peaceful, and then picks up into another cheeky little piano number with almost unidentifiable grace. It sounds slightly like a nursery rhyme, and I keep coming back to listen to this song, possibly due to that very loveliness. 

The artist, Leonid Utyosov, is Ukrainian, born in Odessa, but back then it was the Russian Empire and when it wasn’t, it was the Soviet Union, so whether you can actually attribute this song to the Ukraine is a different question. It’s also worth mentioning that the singer in the Youtube version is Mark Bernes. However, the songs lyrics are about a sailor, Kotsya, who’s ship makes port in Odessa and he falls in love with a fisherwoman named Sonya, and all the other Ukrainian sailors tease him. 

Russia – Two Slices of Sausage – Kombinaciya

So here I have to refrain from recommending hardbass, as that was my first introduction into Russian music, but it certainly does not fit everyone’s tastes. Instead, another (almost) Soviet song, and another from TikTok. Gaining popularity in 1992, this song is an absolute rollercoaster of a female anthem. At peace with a somewhat egotistically misplaced husband, the singer narrates their first date in which instead of cooking her a wonderful meal, he offered her two slices of Kolbaska sausage. 

Even if you don’t know Russian you’ll want to sing along to the insanely catchy chorus, it’s a fists in the air kind of deal no doubt, and complemented by a variety of instruments and an ensemble that switches between wonderful choral harmonies, and contagious chants. And, the narrator also gets rich during her marriage to this man, so who knows, maybe this song can bring you good luck in that department. I just like to stomp around and channel some Russian misandry though, which this song is one of the best choices for.  

Wales – \Neidia/ – Gwilym

One of the very few Welsh language indie bands out there, and this song is just perfect. The language is melodic without singing it, so when it’s set to a gorgeous, sparkling assortment of keyboard and electric guitar, complete with toe tapping drums it’s impossible to ignore how special this song is. Neidia is the Welsh word for jump, and as far as my (limited) translation skills tell me, this saxophone-in-the-last-chorus hymnal is about a manic pixie dream girl type character, who is released of her worldly suffering as she dances wildly on a beach. 

Of course I’m biased, what with being Welsh, but this is another windows down, driving song, as well as being one for the girls. Big and beautiful, it has a nostalgic and youthful vibe with a mature execution, this song really shimmers in front of you as you listen to it. Their other song Catalunya is also definitely worth a listen, as well as their entire discography. 

Argentina – Me Gustas Tanto – Miranda!

Miranda! are an absolute power house of latin pop, and have been for many years. This is one of their most popular songs but it doesn’t seem to have permeated the western market much at all, especially considering the western music industry’s recent obsession with the Puerto Rican reggaeton and subsequently most Latin music with a beat drop, following the success of Despacito. Perhaps this particular track is just a little too devoid of reggaetons ‘chill’ to have gained popularity over here, but you really don’t miss it – which is why it’s here on this list. 

The beat is without a doubt the best bit, sitting pretty at 127 BPM it’s the definition of a house dancing song, with its whisperings of EuroPop and DJ Sets. It’s also a good choice to put a pep in your step wherever you’re walking, on account of the pacing and syllabic cadence of the singing style. 

 While this one definitely won’t be for everyone, (I dismissed it when I first heard it, only for it to make its way into my ‘On Repeat’ playlist and never leave), it is so fun to listen to and bob your head in time with the intensely catchy flow.

Italy – Calipso – Charlie Charles, feat Dardust, Sfera Ebbasta, Mahmood, and Fabri Fibra

Finishing on a high note with by far the most popular song, this is a collaboration between multiple current Italian hip hop and pop artists, my favourite of which is the Eurovision god Mahmood who’s individual hit Soldi is unmatched if you’re looking for other songs to try. He’s also the reason I think Spotify recommended this song to me, aside from the fact that it easily got to number 1 on the Italian chart. 

This song in itself has the same focus on beat as much of the music produced does now (no complaints here as I evidently am partial to a big beat), but it’s far more mature and of its time; rap and an infectious hook, complete with enough variety to keep you more than satisfied. Heavy drums and a brass overlay are coupled with wonderful vocals, and lyrics detailing finding your heart despite your hardships, and the power of music, which is of course very fitting. It’s the most modern and possibly familiar sounding song on this playlist, and it’s a brilliant go-to when you can’t find anything else to put on and need a backing track to nod your head to. 

So there you have it, 12 new songs from across the globe to add to your playlist. And there’s plenty more where this came from, so stay tuned!