Living in Hamilton, N.Y., we’re lucky to have almost everything within walking distance. For an alternative method of transportation, the Colgate University shuttle is a good option if it’s raining or you just don’t feel like walking up the hill (we’ve all been there). Whether you walk from East Hall to Lathrop Hall or take the Colgate shuttle from the apartments to Case-Geyer Library, this week’s 13 Beats are sure to power your commute:
1. “Accidentally in Love” — Counting Crows (2004)
The guitar and upbeat vocals in this track are sure to start your day off on the right foot. Lyrics like “Think about it every time / I think about it” emphasize the joyous feeling of only being able to think about falling in love.
2. “Love & War in Your Twenties” — Jordy Searcy (2018)
In this energizing folk track, Jordy Searcy sings about wanting to be more in love the longer he lives. “Everybody’s chasing something / But they don’t know they’re chasing someone,” Searcy sings, relating his experience to other people his age.
3. “Wide Open Spaces” — The Chicks (1998)
“She needs wide open spaces / Room to make her big mistakes,” Natalie Maines sings about wanting to move away from home and experience something new. The Chicks’ classic country twang always energizes my steps walking to class.
4. “Motion Sickness” — Phoebe Bridgers (2018)
“Motion Sickness” is perfect for a more contemplative commute. Phoebe Bridgers sings about the contrasting emotions of breakup over a steady and comforting rock beat.
5. “Where You Lead” — Carole King (1971)
“Where you lead, I will follow / Anywhere that you tell me to,” Carole King sings in this classic, warm-sounding track. I love listening to this song while admiring the changing trees on campus.
6. “End Of The World” — Searows (2023)
If you’re looking for a calmer start to your morning, “End Of The World” is sure to satisfy. Alec Duckhart’s smooth vocals pair with a slow but bright guitar melody to ease you into the day.
7. “Feels Like” — Gracie Abrams (2021)
Gracie Abrams sings about the beauty of connection in this track that starts slow and builds to be upbeat. Lyrics like “Met you at the right time / This is what it feels like” describe the special feeling of knowing something is meaningful and going to last.
8. “Juno” — Sabrina Carpenter (2024)
“Juno” pairs a bright and addictive guitar track with a fast beat to make a fun track to listen to on your way to class. “You make me wanna make you fall in love,” Sabrina Carpenter sings about wanting her lover to feel as strongly as she does about him.
9. “All My Love” — Noah Kahan (2022)
“It’s all my love / You got all my love,” Noah Kahan sings about the intense feelings he has for his lover. All of Kahan’s songs have the perfect folk sound to wake you up and get excited for the day ahead.
10. “Right Down the Line” — Gerry Rafferty (1978)
Smooth and slow, this track always reminds me of the beach and puts me in a good headspace before class. Beautiful lyrics like “You’ve been as constant as the Northern Star / The brightest light that shines” pair well with the echoey guitar riffs.
11. “Tangerine” — Tommy Newport (2023)
“Tangerine” was a popular summer song, but you can still listen to it any time of the year on your commute. The synth and guitar sounds create a smooth and laid-back vibe to ease you into your day.
12. “Angelina” — Pinegrove (2015)
“Washing windows with Angelina, I don’t understand anything,” Evan Stephens Hall sings in this track about not knowing how his lover became such a big part of his life and decisions. The song is less than two minutes long, but its folk drum and guitars blend with Hall’s brassy vocals to create something worth listening to.
13. “Lighthouse” — Adrianne Lenker (2014)
Adrianne Lenker combines her incredible songwriting with her comforting indie sound on this track from her debut album. Lyrics like “One for the mind, two for the soul / Three for the body and the heart that knows I’ll never ever let you go” show how much Lenker thinks about a lover.
