Spotify Releases Playlists for Each Star Sign

Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. astrology / əˈstrɑːləʤi / (n) – the study of how the movements of the moon, sun, stars, and planets influence people’s lives
    Example:

    Maya studies astrology, so many people assume that she can predict the future.


  2. reading / ˈriːdɪŋ / (n) – a specific interpretation or understanding of something
    Example:

    Based on the fortune teller’s reading, Anthony will get married next year.


  3. have a hand in (something) / hæv ə hænd ɪn / (idiom) – to have an effect on something
    Example:

    Some people believe that their star signs have a hand in their life.


  4. upbeat / ˈʌpˌbiːt / (adj) – lively or happy
    Example:

    When he is happy, he likes to listen to upbeat songs.


  5. reflect / rɪˈflɛkt / (v) – to carefully think about something
    Example:

    After her mistake, she took time to reflect on her actions.


Article

Read the text below.

Music streaming site Spotify released personalized playlists for each star sign.


Spotify partnered with Chani Nicholas, an astrology counselor for more than 20 years, to create the playlists. Together, they carefully choose 25 songs that fit each of the 12 zodiac or star signs, which include Aries, Gemini, and Cancer. Aside from songs, the playlists also come with unique horoscopes or future predictions written by Nicholas.


Nicholas chooses the themes for the playlists and the horoscopes. The themes are based on her readings for each zodiac sign. She informs Spotify about the themes and recommends a few songs, then Spotify picks the rest.


In Western astrology, it is believed that zodiac signs have a hand in one’s characteristics, emotions, and personality.


Readings for each zodiac sign change every month. Thus, to keep the playlists updated, new songs and horoscopes are posted monthly. Signs that are predicted to undergo change have playlists that are filled with upbeat songs, while those that should take it easy have calming songs.


Last December, Spotify called 2018 the “year of the horoscope” because a lot of people were becoming interested in astrology and zodiac signs. The music streaming site also said that astrology is not just about love and wealth predictions anymore. In fact, more and more people are now using astrology to understand themselves and to seek direction in life. Spotify claimed that people can use music for those reasons as well.


Nicholas agreed, saying that music is much like astrology because both are relevant in any period of a person’s life. According to Nicholas, the playlists can be used to reflect, find inspiration, and give insights into other people’s feelings.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Would you listen to all the playlists? Why or why not?
• Why do you think music affects people? Explain your answer.

Discussion B

• Should people use horoscopes as a guide to find direction in life? Explain.
• Why do you think horoscopes are becoming popular? Discuss.