Commuter Playlist
Monday, April 19th, 2010
Drew Taylor may have one of the longest commutes to school of any student at The New School. Every day, he travels up to 90 minutes, by train, subway, and foot from Fairfield, Connecticut, to New York City. Drew jokes about having an unrelenting love for rail travel. What he really has is a sense of humor and an ear for music that help him endure the ride. Upon arriving at school, Drew often shares his music choices with fellow students, entertaining them with a handpicked song of the day. The tradition began after he played R. Kelly’s "Gotham City" to classmates in hopes of shedding some light on their day. As an expert on music and school-day traveling, here's Drew's top five playlist for when you’ve got a “long motherfucker of a commute.”
01. "Sweet Freedom," by Michael McDonald
“I chose this song for two reasons: One, nothing electrifies the soul like the molasses-smooth vocal power of Michael McDonald. And soul electricity is what you need when you get on a train at 8 a.m. to be there in time for a 10 a.m. class. Secondly, the one thing you're thinking of, from the time you step foot on that train is sweet, sweet freedom.”
02. "Gifted," by N.A.S.A., featuring Santigold, Kanye West, and Lykke Li
"Listening to a song this catchy in the morning can have the toxic side effect of being stuck in your head for the rest of the day," warns Taylor.
03. The entirety of Electric Light Orchestra's 1981 album *Time*
“An album with central themes of dislocation and longing are deeply familiar to any longtime commuter.”
04. "Streetwalker," by Michael Jackson
“Track down 'Streetwalker,' a little gem from the special edition release of *Bad* a couple of years ago. It's perfect for the walking part of your commute, although its borderline misogynistic lyrics may have you creepily leering at any woman you pass by.”
05 "Trains to Brazil," by Guillemots
“Its buoyant drum line simulates the monotony of the train ride fairly well, although the sweet lyrics seem to have left out such commuting touchstones as being hassled by drunk yuppies, sitting in something that you thought was dry but wasn't, and getting squeezed into your seat by a fat person. Not exactly pop song material, I guess.”
01. "Sweet Freedom," by Michael McDonald
“I chose this song for two reasons: One, nothing electrifies the soul like the molasses-smooth vocal power of Michael McDonald. And soul electricity is what you need when you get on a train at 8 a.m. to be there in time for a 10 a.m. class. Secondly, the one thing you're thinking of, from the time you step foot on that train is sweet, sweet freedom.”
02. "Gifted," by N.A.S.A., featuring Santigold, Kanye West, and Lykke Li
"Listening to a song this catchy in the morning can have the toxic side effect of being stuck in your head for the rest of the day," warns Taylor.
03. The entirety of Electric Light Orchestra's 1981 album *Time*
“An album with central themes of dislocation and longing are deeply familiar to any longtime commuter.”
04. "Streetwalker," by Michael Jackson
“Track down 'Streetwalker,' a little gem from the special edition release of *Bad* a couple of years ago. It's perfect for the walking part of your commute, although its borderline misogynistic lyrics may have you creepily leering at any woman you pass by.”
05 "Trains to Brazil," by Guillemots
“Its buoyant drum line simulates the monotony of the train ride fairly well, although the sweet lyrics seem to have left out such commuting touchstones as being hassled by drunk yuppies, sitting in something that you thought was dry but wasn't, and getting squeezed into your seat by a fat person. Not exactly pop song material, I guess.”
More by this Author
Featured Articles
