Songs for the Adventure that We Will Take Some Day
In a time when we have been restricted to our homes more than ever, we all long for the adventures that will follow this pandemic. Now more than ever, we find ourselves daydreaming of spending time with friends and discovering beautiful views all over the world. But whether you dream of going to concerts, the beach, summits, or just returning to in-person classes, these songs are the perfect soundtrack to your adventure ahead.
Graphic by Gabriella Silva (Photos via Getty Images)
1. Caamp, “Vagabond”
The trio Caamp packs a lot of different emotions into only two minutes of music. “Vagabond” opens with a subtle guitar and banjo instrumental. Coupled with soft vocals that leave a slow nostalgic feeling, the intro makes you think about all the places you could be in the world. Then, when suddenly the song’s tempo picks up, you’re immediately transported into a dream and might as well be moving “100 miles an hour in the fast lane.”
2. Of Monsters and Men, “Little Talks”
“Little Talks” never wavers in its character. From the beginning, its brass carries the melody, crafting a contagious energy that lasts throughout the song. This free, liberating energy makes “Little Talks” the perfect song to accompany the sun rising over the mountains, your drive along the coast, or anything in between.
3. Vance Joy, “Riptide”
Vance Joy’s “Riptide” is the song for a getaway with someone you love. Joy talks about his desire to be someone’s “left hand man” over an instrumental filled with upbeat ukulele, guitars, piano, and drums. “Riptide” strikes a beautiful balance between feelings of driving on a road surrounded by trees on a cloudy day and being out on the water soaking up some sun.
4. Naughty Boy & Mike Posner, “Live Before I Die”
Mike Posner’s music has a way of making you want to soak up every moment of life without taking anything for granted. He has walked across the United States and has written multiple songs about the importance of living simply. In “Live Before I Die,” the lyrics are what make the song. Posner discusses his journey to sobriety and how it has helped him enjoy life more. As he says, “I thought it made my fans think I was tight” and alludes to the way that he still has improvements to make on his journey, offering a sense of inclusion and relatability. He ends this complex lyric with, “I just wanna live before I die” as the instrumental picks up and makes you take everything in.
5. Kanye West, “Ghost Town”
Kanye’s musical style is a definite outlier in this list, but “Ghost Town” will make you want to throw your arms out and just enjoy life. I imagine this song being played as the sun rises or sets and the sky is painted with different shades of reds and oranges. One part in particular stands out: when Kanye says “and nothing hurts anymore, I feel kinda free / we’re still the kids we used to be.” This one line encapsulates everything from finally attaining a feeling of happiness to the never-wavering hopefulness of being a kid that can come out on these adventures.
6. Leon Bridges, “River”
“River” is the perfect song with which to end the day. It feels like it is meant to be played as the sun goes down over the horizon. The slow tempo of the guitar accompanied by a tambourine and beautiful vocals makes this song produce a raw emotion in the listener. Listen to this song at the end of your adventure and simply enjoy the raw beauty of Earth.
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