iPick, YouListen

“Don’t Go”
by Rae Morris

Confession time: I discovered this song while watching the show “Degrassi.” Judge me if you must, but it was a really sad episode (and I may or may not have watched it more than once) and it featured some good music, such as this song. I’m pretty sure every girl out there has that one really sad song that they turn to when they are in need of a good cry. This is mine. It is a soft and delicate piano ballad about a girl who (you guessed it) doesn’t want her love to go. Rae’s voice is saturated in sad desperation that can be detected in every note, making the song beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.

“Freaks and Geeks”
by Childish Gambino

Childish Gambino, Donald Glover, or Troy from the show “Community,” has some of the freshest and most original rap verses I’ve ever heard. I don’t think he goes beyond more than three lines in any of his songs without making some kind of clever wordplay that you hear and then 30 seconds later think: “Oh, now I get it, [insert laughter here], that was a good one.” While his songs are riddled with expletives and should under no circumstances be played while your mother is in the room, they’re great for getting in the zone. His beats are catchy, his delivery is impressive and his lines are memorable.

“The Way We Get By”
by Spoon

I really don’t know what it is about this song, but whenever this song comes on my iPod I instantly feel cooler. If it weren’t so socially unacceptable, I’d probably start snapping and finger-gun-pointing at random strangers who walk by. Perhaps it’s the unexpected mix of a catchy piano melody, strong beat via the drums and a tambourine that just won’t quit. Perhaps it’s that secret satisfaction I feel when Britt Daniels (lead singer) mentions some odd thing that he does that I also happen to do. Whatever it is, listening to this song quite frequently is one of the ways I get by.

“You’re an Ocean”
by Fastball

One of my personal philosophies – and I have many – is to never be friends with someone who can’t appreciate a good throwback song. This was one song that came on the radio during the early 90s when you were on a family road trip and everyone ended up belting out the chorus even though not a single person knew (or cared) what band was singing. I throw this song on when I’m driving around during the summer and just yell it, especially when I’m down the shore, because sometimes I point out the window as I drive by a beach and sing, “You’re an ocean!” at the ocean. Too punny, I know.