Music has been a really important part of the trip for me. I usually listen to music pretty passively at work and of course while working out - But, the trip leaves me with tons of time on trains, buses, planes, and exploring new cities to have a soundtrack of my choosing on. I thought it would be fun to list some of the top tracks that have been getting exceptional amounts of play on iggy-radio (i.e. my spotify). Tons of the Postal Service (I think I'm still on the Coachella and Lollapalooza PS high). Particularly, "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight." Just yesterday I caught myself dancing in the streets of Helsinki to this tune. Key Lyrics:
"You seem so so out of context in this gaudy apartment complex A stranger with your door key explaining that I am just visiting And I am finally seeing, Why I was the one worth leaving, Why I was the one worth leaving"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUIBnmdJJ50
The Avett Brothers - "The Ballad of Love and Hate." This is always a top track of mine, I can listen to it on repeat for days. I had kind of forgotten about it for a bit before the trip. Thankfully, its been around again to keep me company. Key Lyrics:
"He says "Love, I'm sorry", and she says, "What for? I'm your and that's it, Whatever. I should not have been gone for so long. I'm your's and that's it, forever." You're mine and that's it, forever."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cTJV3HK-Xs
O.A.R. - "Hey Girl." An oldie but a goodie, this song only upsets me because it reminds me of the person that introduced me to the band. Otherwise, I love the optimism pervasive in the track. Key Lyrics:
"Hey girl come with me and let yourself go"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKo9Sj1Ndr8
Man Man - "Hold On." - Love this track. It's got the right message and is catchy as hell. Key Lyrics:
"Hold on to your heart Hold it high above flood waters, Hold on to your heart, Never let nobody drag it under."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI1PWcTe0W4
Walk The Moon- "Shiver" & "I Can Lift a Car." Love both of these tracks. "Shiver" makes me excited to be in love and is the perfect soundtrack to bouncing through the streets of a random new place. I also love the dude dancing at the beginning of this music video. I kind of look like that when I am playing this song. "I Can Lift a Car" makes me feel like I can do anything, and I know I will. Listen to it and try not to go walk towards your next meeting with the swagger of a person who is going to crush it. Key Lyrics:
"Shall we get intimate again? -- I think so, I think so" (Shiver)
"All by myself, I can lift a car" (You can guess which song this is from)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD63wVc57A8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q03YOKrLTPo
Billy Joel - "It's My Life." Perfect song for running around and feeling proud of doing whatever the hell you feel like. Also, reminds me of the fantastic time I had at The Jazzfest this year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPd4Qs4Bzik
Rebirth Brass Band - "Do Whatcha Wanna." Much like the Billy Joel track above, this reminds me of great times in New Orleans and of a key theme of the trip: I can do whatever I want.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E1VBCcA76E
Yeasayer - "Ambling Alp" & One." Can't help but jam when these come on. Nothing more to it than that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKXujEphWS8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOVAGpm0__M
Bastille - "Pompeii." To me this song is super optimistic. I'm not sure that the intention. But I love the message that even when shit is falling apart, if you close your eyes it can feel as if nothing has changed at all. And of course the reminder to be optimistic. Doesn't hurt that it's got a tremendously catchy sound and an epic chorus. Key Lyrics:
"But if you close your eyes, Does it almost feel like Nothing changed at all? And if you close your eyes, Does it almost feel like you've been here before? How am I gonna be an optimist about this?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F90Cw4l-8NY