The forecast is 80 degrees and you’re struggling to find shorts in the depths of your closet — it’s spring in Charlottesville! As the weather gets warmer, students continue to flock to the green grass of the Lawn to sunbathe, finish that essay they were procrastinating or spend time with friends. Whatever you’re up to, here’s a playlist perfect for enjoying these warm spring days on the University’s iconic field of grass.
“Seven” by Taylor Swift
A nostalgic number about the friends of our youth, this song is perfect for the fourth-years at their graduation photo shoots wondering, “Where did the time go?”
This soft folk melody sees Swift utilizing vocals as airy and bubbly as the champagne popped by students in their cap and gown. With lyrics layered on delicate piano and strings, the chorus evokes wistful, loving memories of growing up with dear friends. The opening lyrics of the chorus, “Even though I can’t recall your face / I’ve still got love for you” encapsulates exactly how we’ll always feel about the relationships we’ve made in our four years; though we may be miles apart, the love will always be there.
“West Coast Love” by Emotional Oranges
This is for the daydreamers laying on a blanket with their shades on, counting down the days until the grass of the lawn is replaced by the sand of a beach. If this weather is making you ache for vacation, this song by R&B duo Emotional Oranges is perfect for you. Off of their 2019 album “The Juice: Volume II”, “West Coast Love” reminisces on a romance with a background set in sunny California, the duo’s home state. The female lead croons about “[Taking] the PCH home for some Xs & Os”, referencing the scenic Pacific Coast Highway running along the California coast.
Throughout the song, the verses often repeat the lines “Can I kick it? / Yes you can,” paying homage to A Tribe Called Quest’s 1990 hit, “Can I Kick It?” Ironically enough, A Tribe Called Quest is not from California, but from Queens, N.Y. Combined with its production of 808s with a lightly-strummed guitar overlay, this song creates a laid-back vibe reminiscent of ‘90s California summer. With its fresh R&B feel and “summer loving” vibe, this song will transport you to that West Coast beach you can’t wait to relax on later in the summer.
“Why Do You Feel So Down” by Declan McKenna
Engaging in a rather competitive game of spikeball? This spunky melody can get you and your friends’ energies flowing for a sporty showdown on the Lawn. Described as “sparkly slacker pop” by the artist himself, “Why Do You Feel So Down?” is off of Declan McKenna’s 2017 debut album, “What Do You Think About the Car?”
The opening electro synth chord progression is slightly jarring and reminiscent of the opening theme of a video game — hopefully a reminder of a past, particularly aggressive game of Mario Kart gets your competitive streak going. The fast-paced hi-hat underlying the beat the entirety of the song paired with beachy electric guitar chords juxtapose a sense of urgency with playfulness and excitement.
If you take a closer listen to the lyrics, you’ll see that they are in stark contrast to the dance pop feel of the song’s production. McKenna sings of the sadness of a friend he idolizes and his own failure to recognize the issue. With a bit of an evocative edge to his voice, he sings, “So don't lie to me / I know I’m not as cool as I’d like to be / But why do you feel so down.”
The British singer-songwriter is known for pairing upbeat pop melodies with sad and sometimes controversial lyrics, as he did with his 2015 breakout hit “Brazil” in which he sings about the human rights violations and corruption surrounding the 2014 Fifa World Cup with the background of a beachy pop production.
“Pram” by Omar Apollo
For all the lovers on the lawn, “Pram” by Omar Apollo provides the perfect soundtrack to a daytime picnic date. This 2017 single is one of Apollo’s earliest songs, well before he skyrocketed to his more recent fame, getting nominated for “Best New Artist” at the 2022 Grammys. This song is short, sweet, and simple, with only two verses of lyrics where Apollo croons about missing his lover, singing “I really miss talkin’ on the phone at night” and “I just want you to notice me.”
The production — which takes a lead for the beginning and end of the track — is simple and romantic, just the soft strumming of an electric guitar paired with Apollo’s soft vocals. This creates a light, dreamy feel, perfect to create the feeling of sitting in a lush field of grass with your special someone.
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