With spring having recently begun, it is the perfect time to curate your personal spring playlist. These are some suggestions for when you want to walk around, look at the flowers and take in the newly warm weather.
“Spring Is Coming With A Strawberry In The Mouth” by Caroline Polachek is a cover of the original song by Operating Theatre, particularly outstanding for its mosaic of lyrics, spoken words and variety of instrumentals and sounds. As the title makes clear, the song is ideal for the beginning of spring and with it, the beginning of new life experiences. Lines like “It’s been such a long time since I was in love…Spring is coming” presents the idea of spring as a season of new beginnings. The way spoken words move to lyrics and melodies provide a unique sense of empowerment and inspiration, making it perfect to begin the season with.
“Linger” by the Cranberries may not mention flower or springtime, but the melodramatic lyrics combined with the buildup throughout the song lend to the feeling of an emerging and peaceful time. The song builds up, starting with light humming and then sets a scene before repeating the line “do you have to let it linger?” The composition is perfect for one of those early spring walks surveying the cherry blossoms.
“Coming Up Roses” by Harry Styles is the eighth track of his most recent album. This song is mellow as compared to the others recommended in this list, yet still encompass the feeling of spring. While this was originally meant to be a Christmas song, it developed into a commentary on how special the relationships that don’t last forever are. This connects to the individual’s relationship with the spring season. Spring is fleeting, but there is beauty to be found in the short time it’s here. While the second line “I’ve turned back the clocks, it’s that time of year,” referring to the winter daylight savings, the theme and title make this feel better acquainted with the spring one.
“(Nothing But) Flowers” by Talking Heads grapples with important topics like climate change. Despite the pointed and complex lyrics, the instrumentals are surprisingly upbeat. The band, Talking Heads, are known for their juxtaposition of unconventional genres with obscure lyrics. Since school is still in session, the song is a great way to listen to fun, spring music while still having the opportunity to delve into impressive lyricism.
“womb” by Adrianne Lenker is a comforting song for the cozier spring days. While spring can certainly be an exciting time, it’s nice to have some peaceful songs to provide comfort. This song travels through natural scenery as it uses a womb as a metaphor for protection and comfort. The association of spring with nature is emphasized in this song through the line “Dripping your tears like a precious warm spring.” The lyrics, vocalized through Lenker’s light whispering tone arranged with the simplistic instrumentals give way to a vulnerability that the listener may feel as a new season begins.
These songs are a great start for those who are looking to create a spring playlist that includes the fun aspects of the warm spring and flowers with more calm and introspective songs sprinkled in.