Whether you’re flying to a different state or on a quick drive, going home for the holidays is a time when the road and airports are the busiest. With that, it’s very easy to get bored, especially when you’re listening to the same songs over and over again. I’ve put together a few songs that not only have a unique and comforting sound to them but also set the mood for your way home!
- “coming home” – sheppard
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“I’m lost without you, but I’m on my way, so hold tight”
As cheesy as it is, the perfect song to start this off is “Coming Home” by Sheppard. With its upbeat vibe and reminiscent lyrics, it can really get you excited about going home, whether you have a long drive ahead of you or you’re stuck waiting for your flight. Releasing this single in 2017, the Australian indie-pop band specifically wrote this song about returning home to a loved one after a long time away, so basically, I had to add it to this list. You can thank me later.
- “Parent song” – Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea cutler
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“So you might have to see me less, But it’s nice to have somebody to miss”
Alright, it’s about to get a tad bit emotional up in here. “parent song” by Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler was released last year along with the rest of their EP entitled “brent ii.” This song is perfect for when you’re on the way home to your parents. We spend so much time away from them, and this song captivates that almost awkward tension between leaving home and growing up, yet leaving someone who has taught us so much. In fact, I was so moved by this song that I had to know Jeremy and Chelsea’s parent’s reaction to it, and this is what she had to say:
- “‘Tis the damn season” – Taylor swift
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“And the road not taken looks real good now, and it always leads to you and my hometown”
Red (Taylor’s Version) has just recently been released! While we’re indulging ourselves in her obvious talent, I simply had to include a song that was made for the holidays and returning home. However, like most of Taylor’s songs, this song lingers on to be about someone special or perhaps a significant other, which could be relatable to someone who’s returning home to see someone of that kind for the holidays. This mellow song kind of introduces a new sound for her along with her latest album entitled evermore which was released late last year.
- “where you are” – a r i z o n a
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“If dreams could be, we would never have to spend another day away from each other”
Aside from the fact that this band is extremely underrated, I forget how truly magical this song is, and it lifts my mood every time I listen to it despite how bittersweet the lyrics are. Regardless, this song is perfect to listen to on your way home. It talks about wishing you were with someone special, and since you’ll be on your way back to them, it reminds you of the feeling that will soon be swept away when you reconnect with that person you’ve been missing. This song is also the perfect mix of that pink-skies-windows-down-sunset type of drive, but it also personally gives me a red-eye-flight-too-excited-to-sleep feeling.
- “Angela” – the lumineers
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“Home at last”
The last song on our list is an acoustic masterpiece from another indie-folk band. Along with their hit singles like “Ophelia,” “Ho Hey” and “Cleopatra” — this song is just as unique and touching. This song personally pictures an end to a long trip when you’re getting tired and excited about getting home, and the outro helps capture just that.
It’s important to remember to unwind during this holiday season, and with new music, we hope we could get you guys in that mood. In fact, I went ahead and made a Spotify playlist with all the songs included on this list and a couple of other ones. Enjoy! Happy relaxing!