For so many of us in those formative, collegiate, quasi-“real-life” years, travel is crucial. We feed on Anthony Bourdain, reblog infinite photos of exotic coasts, and envy the tales of our intrepid, cultured friends who take “gap years” or, more likely, the oh-so-fabulous Semesters Abroad.
Your narrator currently straddles the line between Travel Channel addict and actual traveler; my semester in London begins in a few days. And, like any musicophiliac, what good is packing without a sensational playlist on the side? It’s time to bask in the glory of Springsteen and LCD Soundsystem before pumping myself fresh with English culture.
And so begins my playlist series, featuring some classic artists and some who should be. Check back in a few weeks for my London-licious British playlist and, in a few months, one for the return trip home.
Part 1: To Get America Out Of Your System
Time To Get Away- LCD Soundsystem
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough- Michael Jackson
Jessie’s Girl- Rick Springfield
Ashes of American Flags- Wilco
Pretty Girl At The Airport- The Avett Brothers
The entire Grease soundtrack
We Built This City- Starship
Jenny From The Block- Jennifer Lopez
Shake Your Rump- Beastie Boys
Blue Ridge Mountains- Fleet Foxes
Don’t Stop Believing- Journey
That’s No Way To Say Goodbye- Leonard Cohen
Under The Bridge- Red Hot Chili Peppers
Rock n’ Roll High School- The Ramones
US 41- Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Born In The U.S.A- Bruce Springsteen
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZD4ezDbbu4]
The song responsible for turning lillylivered liberals into cowboy boot-stomping, flagwaving, barbequeing monsters.
-Tori Kerr