Welcome to another edition of the Weekly List. As Thanksgiving draws nearer, we here at Georgetown are prepping for a much needed visit home. Whether it’s by plane, train, or … Megabus (sorry if this is your rickety means of transportation) many of us are bound for a long ride home. Halftime believes that no trip is complete without the perfect playlist. Without further delay, we bring you The Weekly List: Headed Home.
“You Can Call Me Al” – Paul Simon
This ‘80s classic is something fun and dancey to keep up morale during hour number seven of travel. Indulge in this guilty pleasure and have an Amtrak headphone party.
“Ballroom Blitz” – Sweet
Sweet hits the nail on the head with this glam-rock track. A fast tempo and piercing falsetto lines like “And the man in the back is ready to crack as he raises his hands to the sky!” will give you an eager energy to get where you’re going.
“Instrumental II” – Noah and the Whale
This next track slows things down a bit. Without lyrics, this song is highly emotive, reflecting joy and sadness through instruments alone. It can be interpreted a number of ways but is memorable and well-crafted regardless.
“Sweet Thing” – Van Morrison
Van Morrison’s smooth, romantic track is perfect for trying to relax while sitting on a crowded train. This song goes out to all the people with an over-stuffed duffel bag pushed underneath your seat and a backpack resting on your lap. Melt into your seat and forget about the crying children behind you with this Irishman’s beautiful voice.
“The House That Heaven Built” – Japandroids
The playlist livens up a bit with this punk rock track from Japandroids. Aggressive vocals and heavy distortion are enough to keep your eyes open and foot tapping through the whole flight home.
“Send Me On My Way” – Rusted Root
The famous chorus of this track is littered throughout television and movies of the ‘90s and ‘00s. Forget your tone-deaf voice and belt out every lyric proudly. Actually, keep it in your head, you’re in transit here, getting tackled by a TSA agent would really put a damper on the evening.
“Dirty Old Town” – The Pogues
With celtic-folk vocals and gritty, acoustic guitar, this song goes out to all of those folks who are happy to be back in the city that they call home, even if it is a bit worn down and dirty.
That’s it for this edition of the Weekly List. Halftime wishes you happy listening and safe travels.
