Playlist for Polycules: A Selection of Music for the Group-Oriented
Featuring classics new and old...including a Glee cover!
By Charley Burns
Oberlin College and Conservatory’s ultra-liberal reputation lends itself to fostering a wide variety of relationship types. Supporting its students no matter the number of lovers they decide to take up during their time here, Oberlin is a hub for the poly and poly-curious. Polycules are a very… let’s say… notable part of the Oberlin community and I would just like to apologize that we at WOBC Blog haven’t made a playlist for them yet. Until today! So, Oberlin polycules, please enjoy this carefully curated selection of songs for you. Just for you.
3 Way (Golden Rule) – The Lonely Island (feat. Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga)
This is, in my opinion, the most quintessential polycule song of all time. Though in most cases, it is “gay when it’s in a three-way” here at Oberlin College. Though the song’s “golden rule” is bullshit, you have to appreciate the freeing sexual nature of the eloquent lyrics. This is a great representation, also, for normal dudes with insanely attractive significant others. Many of you out there might be able to relate to this.
In the Middle – dodie
There’s a truly unifying message to this song, with artist dodie encouraging both her ex and current significant other to join her in a beautiful throuple. Even maybe encouraging adding more to their group with the lyrics “You’ve got so much in common / talk about your taste in women / I’ll be in the middle / while you two get along.” Using the power of the polycule to overcome past relationship strife.
Two for the Price of One – ABBA
I feel like it’s pretty obvious that iconic Eurovision winners ABBA, are pretty down to clown with anything. This piece tells the story of two women putting out an ad in the newspaper looking for a third. It’s an adorable meet-cute that is the gold standard for meeting the extra member of any relationship. The song ends by even suggesting that this third should come and meet the two women’s mothers.
3 – Britney Spears
Okay, this one is a little problematic with Britney equating polyamory with sin, but besides that, she speaks very highly of having multiple paramours, stating “the more the merrier!” It’s objectively an amazing song, encouraging groups of 3+ in a progressive way for early 2000s pop.
3 (Glee Cast Version) – Glee Cast
No explanation needed.
Boys – Charli XCX
The importance of this song to the polycule community really comes from the plurality of the title of the song, which is repeated numerous times throughout the song. Charli expresses her love for the male gender but specifies large quantities of men from every demographic. It’s a celebration of just really wanting many, many, many men (while also humbling them by calling them boys), and that's awesome!
girls – girl in red
On the flip side of “Boys,” I present you with “Girls.” Once again, the plural nature of the title and subject matter lends itself to celebrating the more group-oriented. Specifying over and over that she doesn’t want boys, she wants girls. A subject that many of our lesbian polycule member friends can definitely relate to.
Team – Lorde
This song is kinda loaded, exploring the pain that comes with being a teenager and that destructive nature that comes with it. Inside all this commentary, it also tells a story of group love, in the frenzy of sexual energy that comes with being young, and how it’s directed. Perfect for any polycules who are looking to do some deep self-reflection.
Yeah x10 – Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Also self-explanatory.