As you might be able to tell, music is deeply impactful to me. I like to recap and capsulize time based on what music I listened to during any given time, and school semesters are a great way to compartmentalize what I was into at the time. 

10: “Babylon Sisters” by Steely Dan

One of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands, I just could not keep it off of my spring playlist, especially as the nights get warmer here in Pullman. The first line of the song is “Drive west on sunset to the sea,” which is an incredibly atmospheric lyric that is really fun to listen to while driving around during a warm sunset.  

9: “Everything She Ain’t” by Hailey Whitters

This country tune made rounds on social media because of its catchy pre-chorus and chorus. “Everything She Ain’t” is a story told by a woman who wants a guy she is into to break up with his boyfriend and go out with her instead. 

8: “Wet Sand” by Red Hot Chili Peppers

The opening chords of this song hilariously remind me of the song “The Pit” by the fictional band Mouse Rat from the sitcom “Parks and Recreation.” Besides that, this is a really good tune that starts slowly but crescendos over time to climax toward the end of the song.  

7: “Ride Like the Wind” by Christopher Cross

As you might know, I am a big fan of yacht rock; a song by Cross made my list, but “Ride Like the Wind” is arguably a pretty big snub from my list. This song delivers the laid-back easy listening aspects of yacht rock but also some fast-paced urgency, it’s a fun window-down, sunny day song.  

6: “Return of the Mack” by Mark Morrison

In an incredibly groovy breakup anthem, Morrison sings about how he will be back and better than ever after he was broken up with. 

5: “The Girl Is Mine” by Michael Jackson

The third song off Jackson’s legendary “Thriller” album, “The Girl Is Mine” delivers a fun duet with Paul McCartney of the Beatles. I have some homework for you to do, reader. Go look at the track list of “Thriller” and look at songs three through eight and tell me that isn’t the best six-song run in music history. 

4: “Don’t Look Back In Anger” by Oasis 

Starting with almost the same piano riff as “Imagine” by The Beatles, “Don’t Look Back In Anger” is a powerful, meaningful song if you listen to the lyrics. As the title suggests, the song encourages the listeners not to look and regret the past, and to make the future better.

3: “Whatever It Is” by Zac Brown Band

I used to be a huge fan of the Zac Brown Band and recently re-discovered “Whatever It Is,” and I am glad that I did. The song tells the story of a woman that he loves, but cannot put into words what he loves about her. 

2: “The Rubberband Man” by Spinners

This song will immediately put the listener in a good mood. The bassline and soulful vocals create a cool atmosphere. The lyrics are secondary to the groove, but they are interesting to listen to as well. 

1: “Before You Hit The Ground” by Jonny Lang

I essentially found this song by accident. I set up an alarm to play blues music to wake me up and it chose “Before You Hit The Ground” by Jonny Lang, and, oh my, it is incredible. The song combines funk and blues to create an upbeat, groovy song that is infectiously positive.