I was minding my business scrolling through Instagram when I noticed Gabriel Piccolo added something to his story. I tapped on the post and saw Starfire’s face, along with the announcement that he had created her Spotify playlist. Finally! Robin, Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy already have their playlists. Starfire has been the one Titan missing her playlist. Gabriel Piccolo and Kami Garcia have written and drawn the Teen Titan graphic novel series. The Starfire playlist is a taste until we get her graphic novel, Teen Titans: Starfire in July 2024. I thought it would be cool to analyze each song in the playlist for clues about Starfire and what happens in her book.
At first glance, most of the songs are love songs. The biggest “Will They- Won’t They” romance from the 2003 Teen Titans TV show was Starfire and Robin. I know we all wanted a graphic novel entitled Robin Loves Starfire since we got Beast Boy Loves Raven, but considering Kami Garcia mentioned that there are only six books in the series and the last team member is to have the spotlight, it seems like we are leaping from Starfire to Cyborg. Kori and Dick’s romance book is not happening, but their romance will most likely be a part of Starfire’s stand-alone graphic novel, and I am so looking forward to it.
Now enough stalling; here are the actual songs from the Spotify playlist and what it means for the new graphic novel and Kori’s character:
“Levitating” by Dua Lipa
Dick and Kori’s first meeting might be chaotic and funny, but they will hit it off afterward. Dick might need an escape from constantly being the dad-friend to Damien and his friends, making sure everyone is safe. I can also see Kori and Dick dancing to this song together, floating in mid-air next to the Hollywood Sign on the last page of the graphic novel as a last-page kiss, just like with Beast Boy and Raven.
“Hard Times” by Paramore
Kori has had some hard times since dropping down to Earth. She was probably homeless for a while in LA until H.I.V.E. took her in like they did with Tommy. Teen Titans: Raven’s panels show Tommy living in a bare room with an industrial shelf, a mattress, and a light without a lampshade. Kori probably has the same situation. It would make sense for Kori to already be in H.I.V.E’s care when they realize she isn’t from Earth. They keep her close so they can use her later.
“Heart Attack” by LOONA
This is one of three KPOP songs. Kori would listen to a lot of K-pop, and she would sing to it in the car while stuck in LA traffic because she has an entire playlist devoted to it. She would scourge the internet for new K-pop bands and buy merchandise like shirts, plushies, and posters. K-Pop has this atmosphere of being romantic and upbeat, like Kori herself. Kori has the Tamaranean ability to learn new languages from skin-to-skin contact, so she can sing them perfectly and know what the song is about. This song in particular is about giving someone (Dick) her heart (Kori). Or it could be the other way around.
“ALIEN SUPERSTAR” by Beyonce
Kori is exceptionally unique in who she is because there really is no one like her. She’s an alien from another planet, and the experiments done on her have changed her physiology. She does her best to blend in on Earth among humans, but she wasn’t raised on Earth. Ultimately, she is unique, as she adopts some Human customs alongside her Tamaranean ones.
“NASA” by Ariana Grande
It’s time for a crazy girl’s night with Max and Raven. What will they be up to? Puzzles? Movies? Discussing their exes? Board games? Face masks or nail painting? All of the above, but since we see Raven and Max as readers, I think we should continue the trend and have Kori be a reader, too. She could listen to audiobooks while stuck in LA traffic. Kori’s favorite genres are romance, manga, graphic novels, and nonfiction books. The nonfiction books will center around Earth’s environment, galaxy, and space programs because she enjoys learning about Earth and its customs.
“Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat (feat. SZA)
“Dick, can you kiss me more?” He’ll do it. The other Titans will catch a peek at one point or another. For Kori, there is no shame in public displays of affection.
“West Coast Love” by Emotional Oranges
Kori grows to love the West Coast, and she doesn’t realize how much until she gets the choice to leave but chooses to stay. LA reminds her of Tameran in some ways: open sexuality, flea markets, and exposed skin (Tamaraneans need to absorb UV light, so the more skin exposed, the better).
“10%” by Kaytranada, Kali Uchis
Kori is known for her confidence, even in the face of adversity. She’s on an alien planet, and she lost her “How to be a Human” guidebook. She’s lost her home, culture, and community. People around her think she’s strange and stupid, so they bully her. She’s learned that she can’t please everyone. Her bullies’ racism says a lot more about them than it does about her. Racism towards Tamaraneans across the galaxies has taught her that, but there are people who don’t judge her, and those are the people who really matter.
“D.A.N.C.E” by Justice
Kori is a high school cheerleader since she’s so agile and strong due to her Tamaraneon physiology. This song is for the first cheer routines she learned. She knows the dance by memory and will gladly show anyone.
“The Mother We Share” by CHVRCHES
This song is about Kori and her sister, Blackfire. (I do wonder what Blackfire’s human name would be since her name is Komand’r. Would it be Kom? Or would it be changed to Kim?) Their relationship is rocky, as the last time they are both seen together, Komand’r strikes Kori with a Blackbolt. Considering this song mentions the mother they share, maybe their rivalry exists due to her. I can’t wait to see their backstory.
“You’re On Your Own, Kid” by Taylor Swift
Kori would be a Swiftie, and she would wear Lover garb for the Eras concert. Kori is on her own on Earth like she never was on Tameran. As she meets Dick and then the rest of the Teen Titans, she won’t be on her own anymore.
“Mine” by Slayyyter
This is the montage song Kori listens to while she’s getting ready for a date with Dick. Now, what will she wear?
“Hype Boy” by NewJeans
Kori probably had a meet-cute with Dick, and now she’s laying in bed at night thinking about him and maybe thinking about their upcoming date. She can’t help it. But maybe he’s thinking about her, too.
“Wildstar” by Giorgio Moroder (feat. Foxes)
A major plot point of Kori’s graphic novel is revealing Slade’s contingency plan, which probably hinges on promising her the option to go back home to Tameran in exchange for her help capturing the other Titans. She starts to wonder if she should do this terrible act to a group of kids who are just like her so she might have the chance to go home again. She’s probably dreamed of going back. Then she realizes she is already home.
“Love Me Harder” by Ariana Grande, the Weekend
Teen Titans(2006) had an episode called “Troq,” where we learn that Tamaraneans are seen as an inferior species in different galaxies. Kori might have internalized racism due to being a forced experiment where she doesn’t think she is good enough. Earth is pretty isolated from other species, and they haven’t been exposed to the prejudice of Tamaraneons. She might be a little hesitant to tell the Titans where she came from because she’s worried they won’t accept her. But her origins only make them love her harder.
“Recover” by CHVRCHES
Kori needs to recover from her sister’s Blackbolt attack from Teen Titans: Robin. Kori probably didn’t give Blackfire the answer she wanted to hear. After a fight like that, Kori needs to recover physically. And emotionally.
“Can’t Get You Out of My Head” by Kylie Minogue
After meeting Kori, Dick just can’t get her out of his head. He doesn’t even know her name. But he does know he wants to see her again.
“Dance The Night” by Dua Lipa (From Barbie)
Kori probably collects Barbies because she’s healing her inner child. Blackfire seems like the older sister to break her little sister’s toys. She also likes the dolls’ girliness. But just because she likes girly things like pink doesn’t mean she’s weak. She’s one of the toughest people on the planet. Instead of being forced to take part in H.I.V.E.’s strike team, she’s going to fight back.
“(It Goes Like) Nanana” by Peggy Gou
This song shows Kori’s confidence in her emotions, as through them, she can properly use her powers. She listens to her emotions more than her head, which might cause some problems for Slade and H.I.V.E. It might be messy along the way, but it brings her on a better path. Maybe one of those paths is the runway, as this song sounds like a runway song. In the comics, Kori was a model, so she could be one here, too. That might be why the cashier at the store in Teen Titans: Robin was filming her with a phone. She recognized a model.
“DARE” by Gorillaz
Kori has a lot to figure out. Where does she belong? Is she too Tamaranian for Earth? Is she too Human for Tamaran? Who is she? Is she Koriand’r of Tamaran or Kori Anders of Earth? The Titans will help her figure it out.
“E.T.” by Katy Perry
Kori is not like the others for obvious reasons. She’s an E.T., and Dick is so hypnotized by her, causing his cool guy facade to crumble. The other Titans will be shocked. The most shocked of all will be little bro Damien who thought he knew Dick best.
“Super Shy” by NewJeans
Dick is super shy on his date with Kori. He’s nervous because she’s so amazing in his eyes. She’s outgoing and fun. She’s really into manga and anime, which is a secret interest of his. She’s easy to talk to, and they talk about everything, including their relationships with their siblings. All her oddities make her special in his eyes.
Though he never asks her name. He doesn’t want to introduce himself as the orphan Bruce Wayne adopted. They could go the entire date without ever knowing each other’s names until one of the Titans brings it up, “How can you know all this about this girl, but not her name?” A rude awakening ensues.
“Green Light” by Lorde
Kori’s always waiting for her sister to start caring about her. A part of her sister is always looking back at her in the mirror. They’re practically twins except for the eyes and hair. She can’t let go of her sister entirely, but Kori’s not the same person she was a long time ago.
“Killshot” by Magdalena Bay
Kori has been through a lot of trauma. In the comics, Blackfire is the root of it all. She has tried to kill Kori multiple times. Kori has been imprisoned, experimented on, and deserted on Earth. Blackfire most likely abandoned her immediately and wasn’t really a part of her life on Earth until H.I.V.E. or Slade got her involved.
“Space Girl” by Frances Forever
Kori should be pansexual. In the comics, she is a pansexual icon. Tamaranean culture is very open to all types of love and relationships. So far, all the Teen Titans are in heterosexual pairings. It would be so cool to throw pansexual Kori in there to shake things up. Maybe Dick is Bi. That would be cool. A pan and bi-paring we didn’t know we wanted.
“Ungodly Hour” by Chloe x Halle
Kori has a song by two sisters on her playlist who get along better than she and Blackfire. In the comics, Blackfire becomes ill or is naturally born without the innate Tamaranean ability to fly. She was probably bullied for it, and it made her hate herself, so she threw all her pain onto her sister. When Blackfire decides to change her hateful nature and petty games, Kori will be there for her.
One suggestion I have for the playlist would be to add more non-American music. Kori lives in one of the most diverse cities in the world, and she can learn all languages she encounters. She would have different playlists for different languages.
I can’t wait for the new graphic novel to get here. It doesn’t come out until July next year. Until then, I will be looking for the book summary and all the sneak peeks I can get online.