As the slog through the spring semester continues, I find myself turning back in time to the oldies to put a little pep in my step. Take a listen and reminisce about the simpler days before you had to survive four hour chemistry labs, proliferate esoteric essays and ponder confusing test questions that were not covered in the course material.
- Billy Joel: “Uptown Girl”
This is one of Billy Joel’s many classics, and guess what — he’s coming to Syracuse in April! I like to pump this song as I walk to my nighttime exams, imagining I am instead strutting through a sunny city instead of puddles.
2. Neil Diamond: “Sweet Caroline”
With spring break just out of reach, hopefully we will soon be able to identify with the line, “Good times never seemed so good.”
3. Don McLean: “American Pie”
Now if you actually listen to the lyrics of this song, it is kind of sad. However, I am here for the campy vibe. Feeling cheery!
4. Elton John: “I’m Still Standing”
Play this on the way back from the physics exam that has crushed your spirit… Elton always reminds me that although the battle may be lost, the academic war is not yet over.
5. Van Morrison: “Brown Eyed Girl”
Soon we will all be “Laughin’ and a-runnin,” “skippin’ and a-jumpin” with the longer days on the slope. Feel the warm weather on the horizon and perhaps you too will have a brown-eyed friend to share it with.
6. The Monkees: “I’m a Believer”
We can all relate to the line, “When I needed sunshine, I got rain,” here in Ithaca. I’m still believing I’ll find my pockets of light somewhere on campus.
7. Simon & Garfunkel: “Mrs. Robinson”
Everyone loves an upbeat song about an affair?! Like most Simon & Garfunkel songs, this tune brings the fun and funky vibes we all need this time of year.
8. Katrina & The Waves: “Walking on Sunshine”
Now that we have that extra hour of sunlight, I’m definitely walking on sunshine for at least a few minutes each day.
9. Elton John and Kiki Dee: “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”
A nice duet love song to fill your ears with all the happy feels. Hopefully the rest of the semester won’t go breaking my heart.
10. Billy Joel: “Piano Man”
I had to sneak one more Billy Joel song in here. Oh, to be the piano man, jamming out in a bar on a Saturday night instead of grinding at the library.
11. The Beatles: “Here Comes the Sun”
Couldn’t finish this Solar Flare without at least one song from those Brits we love so much. “It’s been a long cold lonely winter,” but spring is on the horizon of Cayuga’s waters!
We still have around half a semester to soldier on through, but hopefully these songs can remind you life isn't that serious (even when Ithaca weather is rough).
Emma Robinson is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at erobinson@cornellsun.com.
‘Solar Flare’ is a weekly playlist column where Sun contributors spotlight a slice of musical taste with the campus community. It runs every Monday.
