Nothing makes a rainy day better than a good playlist!
“Raining in Kyoto”- The Wonder Years (Sister Cities)
- The title obviously helps with the imagery but that’s not the only reason it’s on this playlist. There’s a sadness and longing present in this song that’s not found in any other track besides “Helena.” That’s because of the loss attributed to both of them. That loss resonates with me when it rains, and with many others as well.
“Helena”- My Chemical Romance (Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge)
- The rain in the music video definitely translates into real life. This is another song where it’s faster and upbeat. But the pace of the song does not take away the sentiment and meaning of the lyrics.
“The Resurrectionist, Or an Existential crisis in #C”- Frank Iero and the Patience (Parachutes)
- Sonically, this song is exactly the type I’d put on if I had to take a drive in the rain. The song has an upbeat sound but the lyrics are personal. This song feels pretty fitting for the situation we’re all in right now.
"Forget Me Not"- Boston Manor (Be Nothing)
- This song takes me back to driving while it was raining. It makes an otherwise dreary drive a little more bearable. This song isn’t slow like many tracks on this playlist. It’s fast and it’s a little angry at times. It reflects the changes seen in the weather.
“clementine”- Halsey (Manic)
- This is one of Halsey’s slower-paced songs. It’s melody is beautiful, yet the lyrics are heartbreaking. That is what makes it perfect for a rainy day indoors. The notes of the piano paint an imagine of someone looking out a window and watching the rain fall.
“When it Rains”- Paramore (Riot!)
- This is one of the sadder songs in regards of tone on this playlist. The tone itself reminds me of a rainy day. This song has the most important message of any of the songs of this playlist. The message of mental health. Weather and seasons can affect the mental health of some. Rainy days aren’t just rainy days to some.
"Summon Your Savior"- A Will Away (Here Again)
- The shortest song on this playlist, and yet it still deserves your undivided attention. The guitar that starts the song slowly blends wonderfully with Matthew Carson’s voice. As the guitar builds up, so do the harmonies. In a sense it’s like watching the rain go from a slight drizzle to a downpour.
“Passed Tense”- Future Teens (Breakup Season)
- This song brings about an imagine of laying down and looking back at everything that’s happened. I’ve always seen this as a rainy day song for that reason. Daniel Radin (guitar, vocals) is looking back at a failed relationship and lamenting over it in an apathetic way. There’s moments where he wishes things turned out differently, but he’s also very accepting how how everything did turn out.
“(Un)Lost”- The Maine (American Candy)
- This just takes me to driving on the highway as the rain comes down hard. You’re being cautious but any worry is taken away by this song. It comforts and calms you down.
“Wake me Up When September Ends”- Green Day (American Idiot)
- This has always been a rainy day song to me. It’s slow and it’s message can seem dreary at times. Yet, as the rain comes pouring down it is some how the exact song you need to hear.
“The Kids Aren’t Alright”- Fall Out Boy (American Beauty/American Psycho)
- This song takes me back to when I would take the bus in high school. Looking out the window with this song playing in my headphones. Now that alone is enough to get lost in your own head and drift off to another reality, but add in some rain coming down? It adds a whole new dimension.
"Loving Someone"- The 1975 (I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it)
- The opening notes and background noise in the song has always reminded me of rain falling. And playing this song on a rainy drive fits so well while also simultaneously brighting up the mood.
“Brother”- Gerard Way (Hesitant Alien)
- This has always been the perfect rainy day song to me. It’s slowed down, but isn’t stagnant. The storyline is clear and fluid. And no matter how many times I listen to this song I still hang on every word Way sings.
“Plastic Brains”- Knuckle Puck (Shapeshifter)
- This has always been a favorite of mine of Shapeshifter. The power Joe Taylor’s vocals have as he screams “is there any trace left of me?” gets me every time. This song again discusses changing your ways, changing who you are and wondering if that’s the right choice to make.
“Let it Rain”- Grayscale (Adornment)
- Again the power of suggestion is at play here. But this is one of the few songs that shows rain as a metaphor for hope; a way to start a new chapter of your life. And as I create this playlist in a time of uncertainty and social distancing we need that message more than ever.
spotify link:https://open.spotify.com/user/1243254305/playlist/5JrWDvaMNff1DOVZlK4bln?si=QRzzxLa-TFO4v4A3_jrb-g