Is Spotify Playing Therapist?

How Smart Shuffle “gets me”

Preamble: Once again, I find myself diving into the soundtrack of my life—because who doesn’t need a little more music to help navigate the beautiful chaos of being human?

Most people dream of a Star Trek teleporter to skip their commute and beam right into the office, but not me—I love the drive.

Each morning as I back out of the driveway, I keep one eye on the Infotainment screen, waiting for Bluetooth to connect and reveal that day’s Smart Shuffle pick, a Spotify feature that acts like a personal DJ, using its algorithm to mix in its own vibe-matching tunes to your playlist.

Will it be a tried-and-true classic that never gets skipped? Or will it be a Smart Shuffle surprise, as the universe rolls the dice on today’s mood? Or will the entire commute be spent hitting the “next” button only to land on the perfect song just as I pull into the office parking lot? Oh, the injustice of it all!

It started out with a single playlist. (If you just heard, “It started out with a kiss, how did it end up like this?”—you’re my people.) I called it “Anger Management” because it’s full of alternative rock with intense beats, haunting melodies, and lyrics that hit deep—the perfect outlet for emotions that need a release. It’s a mix of favorite tracks from bands I know well, plus some Smart Shuffle finds that have struck a chord.

After the playlist grew to 163 songs, I felt the need to start a second list, and “Anger Management, Part Deux” was born. Several months and 63 additions later, “Part Trois” is now in the works. The familiar feeling of favorites getting lost in the mix is creeping in again, and, oddly enough, I’m back at 63 entries. I think some numerology research is in order.

Numerology aside, what amazes me is the app’s ability to hit me with a rando that perfectly captures where I’m at and becomes that day’s anthem. How does it know? I ask myself. And I mean, KNOW.

One morning during an especially challenging period at work, an unfamiliar song burst through the speakers with authority. Its intense, in-your-face opening demanded to be heard:

Shut your mouth for a minute
Eyes red, tight chest
Lips that won’t quit it
I’m sick to death of this business
Who are you to tell me I’m finished?

The song, “F.W.T.B.” by the English band Yonaka, with its rebellious beat and defiant lyrics, had me Eminem-ing my way into the office, internally chanting, “You’re Fucking With The Boss now!”

Another morning, I had overdone it the night before. (If you’ve never regretted saying “Sure!” to “Want a shot?” then you’re a better person than me.) My head heavy with hangxiety, it was a challenging start to the commute. But that’s when the Spotify gods sent me a light-hearted beat full of deep lyrics—a mirror to how I try to approach life—and its chorus made me feel a little bit more okay about myself:

It’s alright, it’s okay, it’s alright, it’s okay
You’re not a monster, just a human
And you made a few mistakes
It’s alright, it’s okay, it’s alright, it’s okay
It’s alright

Thank you, Mother Mother, for letting me know “It’s Alright.”

And then there was the morning after a successful night of sharing at my writing workshop, when another pearl flashed its wisdom. Riding high and feeling like things were coming together, a soulful and perfectly timed X Ambassadors song, “Belong,” came on:

It’s funny how life gets complicated
It’s funny how life just takes its toll
It’s funny how everything leads to something
Now I’m back, where I belong

At the end of the day, it’s not about a particular app or algorithm; it’s about the music itself. Each track feels like a message, a reminder that someone, somewhere has felt the same way. As I back out of my driveway each morning, I trust that the universe will deliver just what I need—be it comfort, strength, or a little rebellion.

As the song goes…”This is where we come alive!”