The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland List: Shane’s 2025 Playlist

How often do you sit there thinking about what to watch? You might have an endless watchlist that keeps piling up (I certainly have one myself). Sometimes you are just in the mood for a type of film or a certain filmmaker or actor and want to take yourself into a deep dive. As someone who watches so many movies, I have people asking me for recommendations all the time. One of the best feelings as a cinephile is recommending a film and that person loves it. Take this wealth of cinematic knowledge and experience and enjoy some recommendations on me. Genre. Subgenre. Filmmaker. Actor. Composer. Writer. Genre. Story. Trope. Cliché. Any other cinematic elements or them. Here is The Wasteland List:   

Shane’s 2025 Playlist 

“The Future Is a Foreign Land” by Ghost 

This anthem boasts a powerful message of standing together or falling together in the face of a spiraling world along with that classic Ghost vibe mixed with some classic 60s/70s rock vibes that gives it a feeling that it is ripped from a time capsule.

“Children of the Revolution” by T. Rex 

This ripping, bombastic anthem is filled with big hooks and a bigger attitude from T. Rex from man Marc Bolan who cries out for attack and revolution all while injecting a much heavier feel than T. Rex’s music usually offers.

“Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan 

From the opening piano play, Chappell Roan sets the tone for this popular modern anthem that mixes her incredible vocal abilities with a beautiful message of finding community away from home with all the queer energy you can find.

“Rasputin” by Boney M. 

This rip-roaring disco classic has been having people dancing in big form for decades (including with Just Dance) as Boney M. takes an enigmatic villain from history and turns his story into a big thumping disco hit injected with some Eastern European pizzazz and flair.

“Rainbow Demon” by Uriah Heap 

Progressive rock band, Uriah Heap, is a personal favorite of mine and this darker track takes an interesting combination of simmering tension with bombastic bursts of hard rock energy as they spin a yarn about an enigmatic, fantasy figure.

“Daddy Cool” by Boney M. 

When that bass starts thumping, you know Boney M. has yet another amazing track that is going to get you moving with that sultry female vocals that exclaim the song’s titular figure paired with plenty of cool vibes and musicianship that wants to get you moving.

“Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” by Billy Joel 

The epic, odyssey in Billy Joel discography, this long and sprawling song is a wonderful mixture of musicianship (which boasts all types of instruments not normally heard in rock music) as Joel sets that Italian restaurant vibes as well as offering a tapestry of relatable tales.

“My Way” by Frank Sinatra

Big, powerful, and iconic, this crooning anthem is one of Frank Sinatra’s most famous songs that has big energy and a powerful presence as Frank delivers a message of reflection and doing your life on your own terms draped in plenty of nostalgia.

“Dance The Night” by Dua Lipa 

Dua Lipa has forged a sound that is the perfect mixture of modern pop and classic disco tinges and this track from Barbie is the perfect representation of that with its big energy, movement, and sultry vocals from Lipa herself.

“Gonna Fly Now” by Bill Conti 

One of the most inspiring work out tracks to ever exist, Bill Conti’s iconic track from the Rocky franchise has a thumping energy with its orchestral musicianship, simple yet inspiring lyrics, and an ever-rising energy that will make you want to run through the streets of Philadelphia.

“Run Runaway” by Slade 

Filled to the brim with joy and energy, glam rockers Slade deliver this big and bold track that has a thumping intro that builds energy before ripping into a propulsive track filled with nonsensical lyrics but hard rocking vibes for sure.

“30/90” by Andrew Garfield 

The opening track of the musical, Tick. Tick. Boom., this struck me deeply as it came out on my 30^th birthday (personal connection) but it is the high energy of Andrew Garfield that injects so much energy into this song and makes it so relatable.

“Defying Gravity” by Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande 

The show-stopping grand finale of Wicked (Part I), this song gives me goosebumps every time Erivo and the song crescendos, but it is the incredible rising tension between Erivo and Grande and the build that makes this such an amazing song.

“Glass Shatters” by Disturbed 

Unadulterated rage and aggression, Disturbed really killed it with this theme song for professional wrestler “Stone Cold” Steve Austin as it is nonstop bombast and big Disturbed energy (you know it, if you know it).

“Hung Up” by Madonna 

Madonna is one of the greatest pop stars of all time and in the 00s she delivered an infectious disco track that channels and samples ABBA making it a song that will make you want to get up and move for the extended length of the song.

“Caravan” by Rush

The incredible opening track of Rush’s “Clockwork Angels” album, this song delivers some impressive science fiction, steampunk motifs with big hard progressive rock energy and a message that is all about dreaming a bit (the start of the hero’s journey in this concept album).

“Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga

I am a huge Lady Gaga fan, and this track is my favorite; while this complex and layered song combines a bold musiccape and plenty of dancing energy while Gaga delivers with her amazing vocals (she is unmatched).

“Sledgehammer” by Peter Gabriel 

Peter Gabriel delivers a big, bombastic 80s track that has a big thumping energy with a specific dance energy along with hilariously cheeky lyrics that just boils down to a bunch of wild collections of sexual innuendos.

“Stargazer” by Rainbow 

This just might be the most epic song ever created with Ronnie James Dio anchoring this early metal band as they bring to life a song that is filled with fantastical lyrics, humongous guitar riffs, a rich metal soundscape, and a killer vocal performance from Dio that will put you on the verge of tears.

“She Sells Sanctuary” by The Cult 

Lowkey, one of my favorite bands that I don’t talk about enough, The Cult delivers an interesting mix of rock and new wave energy that stands out with powerful vocals, an eerie and haunting opening hook, and propulsive energy.

“Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne 

One of the most iconic riffs in all of metal music from one of the most famous icons in metal music, Ozzy Osbourne brings big energy to match Randy Rhoads incredible guitar work to deliver one of the most propulsive and high octane metal songs ever.

“Bad As I Used To Be” by Chris Stapleton 

Chris Stapleton takes a hard twist on his usual country musicality and delivers this cool, thumping, bluesy southern rock anthem that matches the vibes of F1: The Movie and Stapleton’s voices are filled with personality (along with musicality as well).

“Feeling Good” by Michael Buble 

That crooner era of singers was totally my vibe and Michael Buble brought it back to life and this is the most iconic and infectious of that style with his smooth vocals and the impressive horns work that gives it a big band vibe and energy.

“20^th Century Boy” by T. Rex 

More glam rock excellence from Marc Bolan and T. Rex, this track is high energy, fast-paced, and infectious with Bolan’s alluring vocals, which matches the fast-moving musicianship so well and delivers a thrilling experience.

“Pride and Joy” by Stevie Ray Vaughan 

One of the greatest blues guitars to ever live, Stevie Ray Vaughan delivers this powerful guitar heavy track that shows off his incredible talents with its smooth vibes and its lyrics centered around a new love in your life.