By: Caitlin Marsilii
Out of all the seasons, summer seems to stand out and reconnect us with our roots in childhood and in nature. It seems to have a special and unique hold on both the child and adult alike. For many, it heightens certain features of the world — or highlights the value of simplicity — and can create vivid perspectives, memories, and emotions all intermingling with one another.
For me, music has always been such a staple to that summer experience, and I have found that as much as the music emphasizes the summer, the summer layers the music as well. This idea has led me to curate a list of summer perspectives through the eyes of others, in addition to the music that has serenaded those experiences. I hope the end result acts as its own playlist and allows you to dive into these separate yet shared experiences. To start, I asked some friends and family for two things: some words describing their summers growing up and one song that would define those summers.
And here’s what we came up with…
Caitlin: Dirt, mist, creativity
Portugal — Walk the Moon
Tayla: Carefree, trees, bicycles
White — Odd Future ft. Frank Ocean
Matt: Running, freedom, ice cream
The Suburbs — Arcade Fire
Steven: Always stay positive
Everything is Broken — Kenny Wayne Sheppard
Michele: Wildwood, outside, ice cream
Summer Breeze — Seals and Crofts
Kara: Exciting, eventful, adventurous
September — Earth, Wind, & Fire
Savitha: Change, peaceful, imaginative
Love Story — Taylor Swift
Bianca: Isolation, stifling, burning
911/Mr. Lonely — Tyler the Creator ft. Frank Ocean & Steve Lacy
Kiara: Free, sunny, fun
Another Night on Mars — The Maine
Nikki: Hot as #&*!
Lonely — Akon
Jim: Hot, baseball, running
De Doo Doo Doo, De Da Da Da — The Police
Madeline: Exciting, relaxing, unforgettable
Life is a Highway — Rascal Flatts
Ilene: Beaches, nature, road trips
Summer Skin — Death Cab for Cutie
