The weather here sucks. It’s almost May, and it’s still way too cold. Why is the weather so cold? Why does it snow multiple times in April? In Orlando—greatest city on Earth—it’s 89 degrees. Wonderful.
Well, actually, probably not wonderful because animal agriculture accounts for more greenhouse gas emissions than planes, cars, trains, and boats combined, and climate change is really the cause of most of my concerns, but regardless.
Perhaps this is just my nostalgic pining for home as we begin to crash slowly and ungracefully into exam season, but I want summer weather again. In an effort to accelerate the change in seasons, I have begun to listen to my favorite summer songs (or at least songs that also pine for nice warm weather). It didn’t snow today, so I think it’s working. Also, I’m putting this playlist on the newly reinvigorated Heights Spotify! Link below (with additional songs).
- “Ocean Man” – Ween. This song, which most of you—and I’m including myself by way of the royal you here—know from The Spongebob SquarePants Movie credits scroll, is a great song to begin thinking about summer with—as well as disappointing yourself about the no man’s land of class and finals that stretch between now and summer. Anyway, yes, “Ocean Man” is the perfect semi-psychedelic tune to jam out to. Plus, the lyrics almost describe my upcoming journey to the end of finals (and back to Florida). “Ocean man, the voyage to the corner of the globe is a real trip.” Yes, Ween. Yes it is.
- “Coconut” – Harry Nilsson. Famous for the “put the lime in the coconut” lyric, Nilsson’s “Coconut” is a stand-out for the late artist and for my summer song playlist. The song is fairly easy going and easy to listen to, not much to meditate on here. It also offers words of encouragement (and a recipe) to get you to the start of the sunny season. “You put the lime in the coconut, drink ’em bot’ together / Put the lime in the coconut, then you feel better.”
- “Margaritaville” – Jimmy Buffett. This is probably my favorite song on this playlist, and my favorite song by the master of the beach music genre, Jimmy Buffett. “Margaritaville” is the perfect song to which you can resign yourself to the stress-free, take things as they come, relaxed attitude you need to enjoy the summer (especially on a beach in Florida, don’t @ me). That gives me an idea: I should write a column about the best Jimmy Buffett songs. Keep an eye out.
- “Summer Breeze” – Seals & Crofts. I imagine listening to this song while driving to the beach with the windows down—cooler and surfboard in the back. “Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind.”
- “Ventura Highway” – America. “Some people say this town don’t look good in snow.” Looking at you, Boston. While America is singing about a road in California, I think that the song can be applied to S. Atlantic Ave after A1A merges into it at New Smyrna Beach. And you can get a Pub sub right at the intersection from the Publix there. “Ventura Highway in the sunshine / Where the days are longer / The nights are stronger than moonshine / You’re gonna go, I know.”
- “Three Little Birds” – Bob Marley & The Wailers. One of the greatest examples of songs that everyone knows by the lyrics and not by the name, “Three Little Birds” is a fan favorite from the king of reggae, Bob Marley, and his legendary band, The Wailers. It’s also a great song to listen to right before you take that exam you should have studied more for: “Don’t worry, about a thing / ’Cause every little thing gonna be alright.”
Whether you’re headed for warm or cold weather this summer, take this playlist with you to get into the season—I certainly will.
Featured Image by Mailboat Records
