By Georgia Wyess
I get it. When the pandemic first hit I too grew elated due to the school shutdown. Two weeks. That’s all it was supposed to be. Then when the two weeks turned into two more months and online school became available, I still enjoyed the flexibility working from home provided. “This is great,” I thought, “but I can’t wait to go back to school and see my friends in August.”
It has now been nearly a year of quarantine and time blends together so well to the point I can no longer tell you what day of the week it is. I wake up, attend online school, do homework, go to sleep everyday with no change and no visible breakthrough in the future.
Quarantine has taken a toll on all of us. Myself especially. Yet whenever I feel down, overwhelmed, joyous, silly, or anxious, I tend to turn to the one factor that never fails to lift my mood or calmly ride the low-serotonin wave alongside me. Music. It plays constantly throughout my day; starting at the forefront of my day, songs play as I study class material, drive to the grocery store, bike, etc. Thus, I have compiled a collection of eighteen melodies—adding up to one hour exactly—with upbeat tempos and fun beats to brighten your day, add some light to your run, or lift your good spirits to greater heights. Without further ado, allow music to heal your soul with The Good Good playlist:
- “Golden” by Cory Wong, Cody Fry: This is a song with a very funky tempo and an interesting rhythm. Easily one of my favorites especially because the number features a killer guitar solo and always cheers me up.
- “Everybody Talks” by Neon Trees: A classic piece. What else is there to say? I remember singing this in the car when it was played on the radio station. Overall, this tune has a very upbeat tempo and the nostalgia the song carries makes it impossible to stay in your seat.
- “Mess Around” by Cage the Elephant: “Mess Around” has a buoyant feel while also making me feel like the main villain in an action movie. Imagine walking down the street with this blasting in your headphones; there’s no way you wont feel like the single most powerful person on earth.
- “Cold Cold Man” by Saint Motel: This is a feel good melody featuring a catchy beat with a lighthearted vibe. The melody is great and will definitely lift your spirits.
- “Buttercup” by Hippo Campus: A mellow beginning with a fast-paced core and end. Overall just brings up my spirits and acts as another feel-good tune on The Good Good playlist.
- “Silhouettes” by Colony House: This song is one of my favorite uplifting tunes ever. Whenever I hear the first note I immediately breakout into a smile. The melody is super upbeat and never fails to make me feel like the main character in a movie. A couple years from now when it is truly safe to see people again, blast this number on a roadtrip with your friends, you wont regret it.
- “Run” by COIN: I only came across “Run” when putting together this playlist, but it had a great beat and definitely fit with this playlist. This melody has the power to compel anyone out of their seats and sing at least one line of the song out loud. Definitely puts a smile on my face.
- “You Know It” by Colony House: This tune is another one of my favorite jovial pieces. If this melody comes on, I will—and I mean it, I will—pretend I am the lead singer and dance to this song with all of my energy. “You Know It” is a great piece to play with friends, especially if you’re on the road or biking together.
- “Second Guessing Games” by Colony House: Colony House has the power to lift your spirits no matter how upset you are. The piece “Second Guessing Games” specifically has a cheery and joyous sound that reminds me of spending time with friends over summer break.
- “Monsters In The Dark” by MyKey: Definitely a great song to play in the car when you’re on a roadtrip or biking with your friends. “Monsters In The Dark” makes everything around me just a little brighter and it definitely lifts my spirit with its upbeat and quick tempo.
- “Unbelievers” by Vampire Weekend: An incredibly cheery number with a great tune. “Unbelievers” will lift your spirits without fail due to its buoyant vibe and fun composition.
- “Talk Too Much” by COIN: This tune reminds me of late nights with friends during weeks off from school. It features an airy and effortless vibe that will definitely bring up your spirits.
- “All Over” by CRUISR: “All Over” starts with a jovial tune that immediately peaks one’s interest in the melody. The tune utilizes a great amount of quick drumming and electric guitar which helps the song achieve its blissful tune.
- “Here It Goes Again” by OK Go: OK Go as a group has a unique sound that differs between albums. Nonetheless, their music is always upbeat and catchy—perfect for The Good Good Playlist.
- “I Won’t Let You Down: by OK Go: Another great tune by OK Go which has a great mellifluous composition and features a tune with a unique sound that never gets old.
- “Roll Up” by Fitz and the Tantrums: This melody is a throwback to better days. I remember singing along to this song on the radio growing up as my dad would jam to it as well (he, too, likes Fitz and the Tantrums). The piece itself is incredibly buoyant and fast paced, and the melody is incredibly jovial.
- “LAX” by Vulfpeck: This is one of my highest rated numbers by my favorite music group so there was no way I could not include it. “LAX” isn’t a pop song like the rest (with the exception of “Golden” by Cory Wong and Cody Fry), rather, this is a tune with a funky and positive beat and an ear worm-type tune.
- “For Elise” by Saint Motel: “For Elise” is the first composition I ever heard by Saint Motel and it never got old. The melody combines some of Beethoven’s signature pieces while including an upbeat and exciting twist that will definitely put a smile on your face.