New quarter. New classes. New playlist! Whether you didn’t do so hot last quarter and are enjoying the fresh start, you miss the beach and sleeping in, or are totally psyched about spring, we’ve got you covered in the musical department.
“Sunday Morning” – The Velvet Underground
Watch out, the world’s behind you / There’s always someone around you you can call / It’s nothing at all
The perfect song for those new beginnings. The past is all behind you, and so are your friends and family — spring quarter means a chance for a new start.
“God Help the Girl” – God Help the Girl OST
I love my room, I’m getting used to sleeping / Some nights I really like to lie awake
Even if you can’t catch Belle and Sebastian at the Mondavi Center, you can probably relate to this ‘60s-inspired number from the musical feature film written and directed by its lead singer, God Help the Girl. Waking up is hard to do.
“Two Fingers” – Jake Bugg
So I hold two fingers up to yesterday / Light a cigarette and smoke it all away / I got out, I got out, I’m alive but I’m here to stay
Maybe you failed your last finals or you made some bad decisions over spring break or you’re had a bad breakup recently. What’d I say about a fresh start again?
“Break the Rules” – Charli XCX
I don’t wanna go to school / I just wanna break the rules
Oh, like you don’t feel the same way.
“Saturday’s Song” – Hiss Golden Messenger
When Saturday comes I’m gonna lose myself / When Saturday comes I’m like everybody else / I might get a little crazy
This might be the most relatable folk song ever written.
“Electric Lady” – Janelle Monae [feat. Solange]
Ooh, you shock it, shake it, baby / Electric lady you’re a star / You got a classic kind of crazy / But you know just who you are
If Beyonce is the queen of crazy danceable empowerment anthems, Janelle Monae is their — drum major! You don’t have to be a sorority sister to rock out to this one.
“Eye of the Tiger” – Survivor
It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the cream of the fight / Risin’ up to the challenge of our rival / And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night / And he’s watching us all in the eye of the tiger
But don’t forget to ace your schoolwork! It’s time to get medieval on your midterms.
“Death is a Girl” – Mini Mansions
You got to live in a world where there’s only one day / Death is a girl and she’s only one dance away.
Mini Mansions’ fantastic recent album The Pretenders had a lot of hype for its songs featuring The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson and Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner, but the standout track might be this insanely catchy single, which is also one of the cooler takes on the popular carpe diem/YOLO theme.
“Put Your Records On” – Corinne Bailey Rae
Girl, put your records on / Tell me your favorite song / Just go ahead, let your hair down
A reminder to relax, take care of yourself, and take time to love the little things every so often.
“This is Not a Test” – She & Him
This is not a test / No this is not a test / Taking numbers never made sense, anyway
Academic success is important, but your grades are not the truest reflection of you. A good thing to keep in mind for the new term, when you’re not going medieval on those midterms.
“Everything Will Be Alright” – The Killers
Everything will be alright, everything will be alright, everything will be alright…
Isn’t it pretty to think so?
“Feeling Good” – Nina Simone
It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me…and I’m feeling good.
This classic showstopper has had many worthy covers — feel free to substitute the worthy versions of Muse, Michael Buble, Jennifer Hudson or Adam Lambert — but Nina Simone will always be the one for me.