The Magic of an Intentional Playlist
How I used music as a spell to transform my mind, money, and love life (romance).
In January of 2025, I put together a vision board and a bingo board, but I also did something that I’d never seen anyone do, I created a “dream life” playlist. In this playlist, I chose songs that brought me joy, lyrics that embodied the life I desire, and songs attached to good memories only. What I did not know is, I was doing spell work. Witchy? Yes, but walk with me! It’s going to make sense, I promise. Pinky promise actually because I put a spell on youuuu hehe jk.
Let’s backtrack a little more, in December of 2024, I told yall how I hopped in the studio and channeled (see link to article below). The energy I was feeling created a lasting moment in the form of music. So while I already knew music was spiritual, it hit real different when I was the one behind the creation of music. I visualized the words I spoke when I was in the studio and I’m certain I’m not an anomaly, many artists do it too. When we are listening to music, we are often times in an artist’s head and experiencing their purest energy. Hence why people often say “be careful of the music you listen to/consume”.
Pause. ⏸️ Let’s define music. I don’t know about yall, but I grew up with a physical dictionary in the house. My mom made sure I understood what words meant, so I truly cannot help myself, especially nowadays when buzz words are often used incorrectly. Merriam Webster defines music as vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony. They also define music as the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity.
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Anyways, music is powerful, even as I type this, I hear the sound of birds chirping. That is music; music is everywhere, even nature. It does not have to be this big thing such as, a studio production or multiple instruments to have a profound effect on us. Instead, music can be as simple as birds chirping. Music has a profound effect on our wellbeing and can tell a lot about the state of mind we are in individually and collectively. Again, with birds, when birds are not chirping, that is often a sign of bad weather on the horizon. Or better yet, think about when you hear birds, what happens? You stop in your tracks and look around. I often think of simpler times when I would play outside as an child and hear birds, or sit on the front porch with my great great grandmother and just listen to nature and wave at the cars passing by.
Music also enhances our memory. When hearing a new song, before we can even think about it, our mind is beginning to create feelings and memories attached to that song. I believe that is why we often have nostalgia associated with music and say things like music was better “back in the day”. We often have good memories tied to the past, not necessarily because the past was better, but because the past has memories we can recall, while the present is trying to create them.
Pause. ⏸️ Okay, let me get into the “spell work” of it all. But first, let’s define spells. Merriam Webster defines spells as spoken word or forms of words held to have magic power, or initiate a state of enchantment. They further add, it is a strong compelling influence or attraction.
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So how can music be a form of spell work? Have you ever had a song that transports you into another world? That is spell work (enchantment). Or maybe you’ve had a song instantly remind you of a concert or person? That is also spell work (compelling influence). You listen to a song when you need a pick me up after a bad day? That is spell work (compelling influence). If you still don’t believe me, because I know it’s a stigma around spells and witchy stuff, let me provide you with some cultural examples.
“Why Don’t We Fall in Love” by Amerie. Tell me that song doesn’t transport you to summer and falling in love. I dare you to tell me it doesn’t. Exactly, you can’t.
“Take Me to the King” by Tamela Mann. I bet your whole body reacts at the following lyrics “Truth is I’m tired, options are few, I’m trying to pray, but where are you.” You’re either transported to a time you felt that way, or your body reacts because that is where you are currently.
“Contagious” by the Isley Brothers. Their storytelling in the song, plus the music video, will have you visualizing and reenacting parts. Or is that just me? Oh… you know it ain’t just me! We all do it.
“Cranes in the Sky” by Solange. Solange gave us example after example for us to resonate with and when I hear each example, I remember a moment in my own life I tried to avoid the cranes in the sky. There are still dissertations about the meaning of this masterpiece, so if none of my examples above worked, I know this one did.
Pause. ⏸️ I began writing this article before the India.Arie and Yung Miami debacle and 1. Don’t disrespect India.Arie around me, her music gave me hope as a child who was bullied, especially “Get it Together”; and 2. I like Spend Dat by Yung Miami, but it’s a song I don’t like to listen to on repeat, because I’m not calling in no scamming for myself and definitely not for my future man. We must be mindful of what we are consuming and how much, music is just like food.
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If you made it this far, you must either agree or are intrigued. Yay! I put a spell on youuuu lol, sorry I couldn’t resist saying it again. I want to share how certain songs from the personal playlist I created for myself, helped me transform my mind, money and love life (romance). Note, I will not share the entire playlist because it is sacred to me. I will however, encourage you all to create your own playlist and listen to it often. Last year, it was my most played playlist with 3,991 minutes or 66.5hrs. Repetition is important when doing spell work, why do you think there are choruses in songs… gone and marinate on that (that is an Outkast reference by the way).
Mind
“Closer” by Goapele helped me transform my mind by remembering that with each passing moment, I am getting closer to my dreams. Goapele encourages us to close our eyes and visualize and each time I listen, I see the sun shining on my skin and a version of myself that is at peace knowing, I am fully in my purpose in my midcentury modern home that is filled with art and my favorite people. She also acknowledges that sometimes fear makes us feel like we will never get past this present moment, but reminds us that we are going higher despite, and to let our fears go so we can continue on.
“Suddenly I See” by KT Tunstall helped me remember how much of a beautiful light I am. In the song, she says “She’s got the power to be, the power to give, the power to see, yeah yeah yeah” and it reminds me that despite my fears and struggles with my mental health, I have so much power and many people have experienced it. I am unapologetically myself, I am giving to those I love, and I am intuitive AF. Not to mention, it is a fun song; I can’t help but be happy when I hear it.
“Bigger” by Beyoncé is self explanatory. STOP SLEEPING ON THE GIFT DAMMIT.
Money
“God” by Doechii reminds us in this song (it is actually an excerpt from her YouTube when she was completing the Artist’s Way) that we need to not have a scarcity mindset as we move through life. Instead, God has an unlimited amount of money, creativity, homes and more that we ALL have access to. So when I am stressing about money, I remember I am connected to the most abundant artist (God), which means my artistry will provide me wealth and access to the resources I desire.
“Money” by Cardi B reminds me that “all a bad bitch needs is some money”. I know it seems surface level, but money is access, resources, and freedom. Money is a tool that has helped me with having access to a therapist, the gym, and nutritious food, just to name a few. More money will help me purchase my dream home, make me feel secure in my desire for motherhood, and allow myself to take a break without the worry of “will my bills get paid?”. It is important to note that money is neutral, it is the person(s) behind the money that can make it “good” or “bad”; so desiring more money will not make you a “bad” person, but how you use the money will determine if that is the case.
“Upgrade U” by Beyonce is a mix of money and romance because I have my own money and you better have it too, so together we can island hop off the Amalfi coast. Also, have you read my article about this song? Click the link below to read it.
Romance
“Can’t Wait” by Doja Cat (yes I still listen to “showing feet in chatrooms”, judge me idc lol) just gets me giddy when thinking about meeting and being with my person. She talks about how much she cannot wait to provide for him, travel with him, and also write for him. And as a writer myself, I cannot wait to write for someone. Can you imagine the creativity when you’re elevated in love? Ugh, I CAN’T WAIT! But also, I give myself this treatment too; I provide a beautiful life for myself, I take myself on luxurious trips, I write songs for myself.
“Greedy” by DVSN is such a sensual song that feeds my worship kink. Yes, I want you to beg for my pleasure on your knees, I want it to feel like vodoo (that is my Scorpio placements talking), and I am not ashamed to say I want lots of sex and trips. Also, this song is such a good song to hear when I am taking a steamy shower, or looking in the mirror post shower; I feel like an absolute goddess.
“Little Things” by Ella Mai is how I want to feel in love. I want to feel safe to not only receive, but to give back. When I hear this song, it makes me excited to return the favor for my future man, because only the GOAT can get me to feel safe enough to give again. I am naturally a giver, but I have held back as I have surrounded myself with too many takers. This song screams “you’re safe now”. I also use this song to give thanks to myself. I am proud of myself, I am more than enough, and I am trying.
Alright, so how exactly did these songs transform my life? Cause like most, you want the proof. I GOTCHU! My mental health has drastically improved and I was able to get off Zoloft by the summer of 2025. I believe the media I was consuming, not only music, was feeding my fears more than my desires. Once I changed what I was consuming, I began creating an enjoyable present, thanking my past, and looking forward to my future. When it came to my money, I’ve had a lot of financial wins which included: a raise, a new position, multiple bonuses, eliminated my credit card debt, and I moved into a more expensive home that brings me and my dog security and peace. No I don’t have a man YET (lol), but I do feel excited about the potential of dating someone again because I am providing myself with the romance I want to call in from someone else. By giving myself that, I am no longer seeking from a place of lack, I am instead excited to expand with someone with similar life goals. While I still have not dated, or even gone on a date, I am wholly loved for the first time and it cannot be taken away, because I am loved by me.
Have I convinced you to create a playlist? I hope so. Below is a link I created specifically for this article, but you can use it as a guide to create one personal to the area(s) of life you’d like to transform.
Lastly, go look to your most listened to songs recently. What are they telling you about your state of mind? Is it good? Is it bad? Is it neutral? Is it all over the place? There is data that can tell a story about yourself, based on the media you’re consuming. What songs are on repeat? Why do you think that is? How do those songs make you feel? Remember, repetition is important for spells to truly work, so be mindful of what song(s) you’re repeating because like money, spells are neutral. Are you casting a “good” spell, or a “bad” spell. If it is bad, reduce how often you’re listening to that song and use the power of nostalgia to lead you back to music that would cast a “good” spell over your life.
Thank you for reading. I pray that your soul was fed with this article, as well as all my articles. If you feel inclined, please like, comment, and share this with a friend you believe this message will resonate with. Until next time friends. 🧚🏾♀️💕✨
Originally posted on Substack on July 12, 2026 - https://thebrianadionne.substack.com/p/the-magic-of-an-intentional-playlist
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