ADDY PITTENGER, Arts & Life Editor—
The transition from the brutal mess of icy roads and snow-covered ground to the sweet smell of spring can lift the spirit of almost anyone here at Denison. This was seen last Saturday as students took advantage of the nice weather by laying out blankets, setting up picnics and setting up casual outside hangouts (not to mention a free pop-up concert from The Cuties!).
That being said, with the numerous speakers laid out on the quad, I have compiled a list of songs that fit the mood of calm, peaceful outdoor time after the cold, mucky, winter.
1. “Fall In Fall Out” by The Luka State
The Luka State, a English rock band from Winsford, Cheshire, England, recently released their album Fall In Fall Out (also named after the song). The title track is about two people slowly falling for each other while also tackling what is going on in both of their lives.
“And we fall in, and we fall out. And I don’t know why we’re doing this.”
Hitting the reality of maintaining a relationship as each of their lives goes on, the song is a powerful feel-good ballad that moves and touches the listeners, making them believe in love too. As you lay out in the sun, this song will surely start to move your emotions as you take in both the lyrics and the heat.
2. “In Dreams” by Roy Orbison
An older song, the title track of Roy Orbison’s 1963 album, In Dreams, is a dream-like feeling song that sounds like a lullaby being sung to someone as they doze off to sleep. With dreamy imagery of seeing a significant other while one falls asleep, this song is certain to put anyone into a calming state with it’s soft, sensitive lyrics.
“A silent prayer like dreamers do. Then I fall asleep to dream my dreams of you.”
3. “November” by Vistas
Perhaps better to listen to in the later half of the day towards prime sunset time, this song by Scottish rock band, Vistas, is about remembering an encounter with someone from a while back, and thinking about their time together as distance slowly pulled them apart.
“Path of least resistance, coping with the distance. But even when I go away, I’m never really far away.”
The song can create a nostalgic feeling for the listener as they become entranced with the simple, yet hypnotizing bass line in the background. The bittersweet lyrics along with the simple instrumentals creates the perfect vibe for watching the sunset on a nice warm day.
4. “Brooklyn Blurs” by The Paper Raincoat
Featured on the soundtrack to the nostalgic movie, The Last Song, this song portrays the feeling of immersing into a city, in this case, Brooklyn, New York. A new setting leads to a new feeling as the city sweeps the narrator off of their feet. Although it’s common that cities can be easily romanticized for portraying only the good aspects of urban life, this song does it justice, paying homage to the business of the city.
“I disappear in those bodies of motion. And a comforting wave washes over me.”
Instead of tackling it from what the narrator sees, they attack it from how they interpret the rush of urban life. This song has a gentle melody—perfect for relaxing during the warm spring day.
5. “Golden Hours” by Brian Eno
Probably one of the more unique songs on this list, “Golden Hours,” off of the 1975 album, Another Green World (an album that sounds quite ahead of its time), is a somber, bittersweet song about getting lost in time as time itself moves forward. Giving it a more existential feel, the narrator of the song describes his inability to note significance and importance in the events occurring in their life. Students all over the world at one point in their lives reflect on the meaning of their existence at a school despite the current events happening around them. The numbness that the current college generation is facing with war, a pandemic, and the looming threat of climate change really puts into perspective how insignificant little actions such as deadlines are. So listeners are forced to reflect on their actions, and perhaps realize that there are more important things than school. For instance, unwinding, and spending time outside.
“The passage of time is flicking dimly up on the screen. I can’t see the lines I used to think I could read between. Perhaps my brains have turned to sand.”