Why Can't I Just Listen to Music Like a Stupid Normal Person, Part 2
Long-time readers and short-term stalkers may remember a post I made last August about how I was needlessly complicating my song library by dividing it up into 8 seasonal playlists, of which two would be combined, rotating on a staggered schedule. This is what that had looked like when I planned it out:
It's been the better part of a year at this point, and I'm sure you all are anxiously awaiting to see how this turned out for me so you can decide whether to implement this yourself. And the answer is: yeah, it's great! I regret nothing and have fulfilled every objective.
Part of me is a bit surprised by this, because there's actually an inherent challenge I had to overcome: each of the eight playlists needs to be distinct and feel appropriate for the time of year, but also needs to harmonize well with each playlist on either side of it, since it will be intermingling with each at different times. And I think I got the balance just right. Let me share what I did:
Early Winter
As Fall eases into Winter, the days get shorter and the weather begins to get colder. The wistful vibes of fall begin to give way to depression; songs in this playlist have sadder, angstier themes and heavier instrumentation.
Admittedly, as far as cohesiveness goes, this is my weakest playlist. Grunge would lead the charge, except I don't actually like grunge. So it's kind of become a dumping spot for rock songs that aren't happy or jovial, but also aren't hard enough to keep up with the rest of the Late Winter tracks. Ah well. It still works decently enough.
Example tracks:
- Social Distortion – Story of My Life
- Sleater-Kinney – Bring Mercy
- My Chemical Romance – Famous Last Words
- Smashing Pumpkins – Cherub Rock
- Foo Fighters – Everlong
Late Winter
The dark, cold days mean that, most of the time, you're cooped up at home. Cabin fever starts to set in. You just want to move around and blow off steam. Cue the Late Winter playlist, which has all your angry, punk-y songs to let loose with. "Rowdy" is the term I use. Good spot for hard/garage rock, heavy metal, and rap.
Example tracks:
- Halestorm – Freak Like Me
- Street Sweeper Social Club – Promenade
- Billy Talent – Surprise Surprise
- Alanis Morissette – You Oughta Know
- The Lippies – 302
Early Spring
As far as theming a playlist around the seasons is concerned, this one is tricky. It's the only bridge between the bleak depths of Winter and the sunny delight of Spring, and again, it has to play well with both. And it needs to stand up to whatever chaos the weather happens to bring that day, which is more variable than any other time of year.
In my mind, then, this playlist can be just as chaotic and unpredictable. Sometimes it's sad, heartbroken, and introspective, accompanied by dreamy synths as you try to shake the last of the Winter blues; other times, it's anthemic and celebratory, featuring wailing guitars and blaring trumpets that ring in the reawakening of the natural world. Honestly? This playlist might be my favorite.
Example tracks:
- Rihanna – Umbrella
- MGMT – Time to Pretend
- Tina Turner – Better Be Good To Me
- Journey – Don't Stop Believin'
- The Killers – Mr. Brightside
Late Spring
Hooray, we can finally be happy again! No frills here; it's time for sunny, jangly indie pop, upbeat folk, and Celtic inspirations. If it's a song that would be perfect for cresting a flowery hilltop on a warm day, it goes on this list.
Example tracks:
- Julia Nunes – Into The Sunshine
- Florence + the Machine – Dog Days Are Over
- George Jones – The Weatherman
- The Corner Laughers – Midsommar
- OK Go – Here It Goes Again
Early Summer
We keep the good times rolling on into Summer as we see later nights and more parties. It's time to break out the cheesy pop, bouncy rock, fresh funk, and anything else that just makes you want to dance around like an idiot.
Example tracks:
- Walk The Moon – Shut Up and Dance
- Lady Gaga – Born This Way
- The Darkness – I Believe in a Thing Called Love
- Stevie Wonder – Superstition
- Van Halen – Jump
Late Summer
The heat starts to get to us as Summer drags on, and maybe we don't want to move around so much anymore. Although still lighthearted and easygoing, the songs on this playlist are less demanding. On here we have blues, Americana/country, old-school rap, and any of the classic rock your dad used to listen to. For some reason, when I picture the dog days of Summer, I picture the southern United States, so any music that has its roots there is a strong bet.
Example tracks:
- Howlin' Wolf – Smokestack Lightnin'
- Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc.
- ZZ Top – Sharp Dressed Man
- Brittney Spencer – I Got Time
- basically anything by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Early Fall
We're keeping it easy and mashing parts of Summer and Fall together here. Still enough time to enjoy the warmth Summer brings, but we're starting to slide towards the softer reminiscing spurred by Fall. On this playlist we see some edgier indie, harder folk, and a lot of the pop-punk nonsense that I'll never stop liking even though I should.
Example tracks:
- Bob Dylan – Tangled up in Blue
- Jimmy Eat World – Coffee And Cigarettes
- Emmy The Great – Bad Things Are Coming, We Are Safe
- Matchbox Twenty – How Far We've Come
- Cornershop – Good to Be on the Road Back Home
Late Fall
The crisp, cool days of Fall are the perfect time for nostalgia and reflection. If Early Spring is "We just broke up and I'm sad about it", Late Fall is "We broke up a while ago, and now I can look back on that time fondly". This playlist thrives on acoustic instrumentation and soulful lyrics, and isn't afraid of songs that stay and linger a while.
Also, this is a great season for violins. I'm just saying.
Example tracks:
- Lucy Dacus – Brando
- Barton Carroll – Those Days Are Gone, and My Heart Is Breaking
- Buffalo Nichols – Lost & Lonesome
- The Verve – Bitter Sweet Symphony
- Tracy Chapman – Fast Car
And now that that's done, I never, ever need to micromanage my music library ever again wait what do you mean that version of the song isn't available anymore why you son of a—