By Kalena Reynolds | Editor-in-Chief
A great playlist combines two things — diversity and vibes. Whether you’re waking up at 5 a.m. to throw candy off the side of a float or enjoying the game from the comfort of your couch, it’s crucial to have the right tunes for homecoming.
A few deep cuts mixed in with some classics is always a safe bet. Here is a list of five songs to add to your homecoming playlist to ease the effort of finding songs yourself.
“The Time (Dirty Bit)” by Black Eyed Peas
I really miss the 2000s era of flip phones and juicy sweatsuits. I would pay money to go back in time and have a decked out Myspace with a closet full of American Eagle.
While most of Generation Z were only young kids during the early 2000s, I can confidently say we all have a nostalgic connection to the mesmerizing music that came from the time period. “The Time (Dirty Bit)” is a great example of this.
First, the Black Eyed Peas rarely missed when it came to funky synth songs. Second, “The Time (Dirty Bit)” is a celebration song. This tune is truly a foolproof pump-up song and deserves a spot at the top of your homecoming playlist.
“I’m Not Alone” by Calvin Harris
Continue the party with an upbeat club hit that is bound to raise spirits for the nation’s oldest homecoming celebration. “I’m Not Alone” is similar to Harris’ other popular hits but is a little more underground.
Anything off Harris’ “18 Months” album is also a great choice for your homecoming playlist, but if you want a deeper cut, go with “I’m Not Alone.” It encapsulates the uber-catchy synths that Harris is known for and includes a chorus that’s impossible not to dance along with.
Throw this in the middle of your playlist for an energy boost that combines clever beat drops with unbeatable synths.
“The Captain Is Drunk” by Jack Johnson
After you’ve raised everyone’s heart rate with the combination of nostalgic synths and upbeat 808s, it’s crucial to throw a more mellow tune in the mix. “The Captain Is Drunk” is a perfect slow song for your homecoming day playlist.
While Johnson has a foolproof way of raising spirits, his records are also great for yearning, long walks on the beach or enjoying a special moment with friends. While Johnson is largely known for his song “Upside Down,” which is the “Curious George” theme song, it’s worth diving deeper in his discography. He is an uber talented musician that creates dopamine-infused tunes with a side of beautiful acoustic guitar.
“Why Georgia” by John Mayer
Follow up the nostalgic acoustic sound with an upbeat guitar-heavy tune from John Mayer. “Why Georgia” is bound to get stuck in your head, but is also a safe bet for a playlist with friends. Let’s be honest, creating a playlist that appeals to your entire friend group is a tall order. Gen Zers have an incredibly diverse taste in music and are harsh judges of playlists.
While “Why Georgia” is an acoustic yearning-heavy song, its catchy vocals are what make it attractive to any listener. Relieve yourself from the worries of putting a risky song on your playlist by adding a John Mayer hit into the mix.
“Everywhere” by Tim McGraw
Simply because we live in Texas, it’s acceptable to throw a country hit in the mix — just promise me you will steer clear of Morgan Wallen. The truth is, country music gets a bad rap, and that’s largely due to Top 40 country. However, I promise you, good country music does exist.
“Everywhere” is a safe bet for the country connoisseurs and the skeptics. The tune incorporates the catchy hook, key to any good country song as well as an essence of raw emotion. It’s better to add the risky songs toward the bottom of your playlist so that you’ve already built up some rapport by the time you get to it.
If you don’t like Tim McGraw, George Strait, The Chicks or Chris Stapleton are also safe options.
