The Perfect Playlist - Weiran Liu

     This is the playlist for those sunny, quiet days where you just get in your car and go on a drive. Heading where? Nowhere. Just driving to get lost in your thoughts and appreciate the good weather and scenery.

1.        Scar Tissue – Red Hot Chili Peppers

Starting off with one of my top bands and one of the best rock songs out there. The intro is my favorite and perfect to start a drive. Whenever I listen to this song and especially the chorus (“With the birds I’ll share this lonely view) I’m always reminded to take some time and reflect on everything around me. To take time and appreciate the view, whether or not it is a pleasant one, things are to be seen and processed. Aside from being an all-around great song, it’s the perfect one for me to get lost in my thoughts and the world around me.

2.       Island in the Sun – Weezer

You’re driving, lost in thought, lost in your dreams of travel and going greater places, and suddenly this song plays next. Despite other songs by Weezer that I find myself naturally singing along to I can’t help but be happy and quietly smile to myself when I hear this song because all memories of vacations come flooding into my mind. When the sun shines through the open windows and wind blows a constant cool breeze it’s as if I am on an island in the sun. Unfortunately I’m most likely still in Lexington, but hey it’s okay to pretend for a bit, right?

3.       Better Together – Jack Johnson

I was introduced to acoustic rock a couple of years back by a family friend who would come over and do song covers on his guitar. I would sing along until one day he played Better Together; I came to appreciate time spent together with friends. Jack Johnson also has a light yet solid voice that goes absolutely perfectly together with his acoustics on the whole album, not just this song. This is the part of the drive where I find myself heading to go pick up a friend to enjoy this day with.

4.        Riptide – Vance Joy

Switching to indie because who doesn’t like a good ukulele? Vance Joy works his seemingly random lyrics into the perfect feel good song. At first listen I thought the lyrics were just absurd, only to realize they are all centered on tackling our fears. Tackling our own “riptide” which draws us into our own version of darkness, but as dark as that may be the song never elicits those negative emotions. Instead I feel inspired to go tackle and see new things.

5.      (I’m Gonna Be) 500 Miles – The Proclaimers

Every car ride needs a song where you just sing at the top of your lungs, preferably with your best friend next to you. Some of my best nights featured this song, especially when I am with Rena, Henry, and Will. It’s so upbeat and elicits nothing but good feelings. And without a doubt I would walk 500 miles to tackle on adventures and my dreams.