By Sadie Tresnit
‘Tis the season for pumpkin pie, cozy sweaters, steaming mugs of coffee, and, of course, “Gilmore Girls.” If you’re anything like me, the show is on 24/7 as soon as the leaves start to change color. Naturally, I’m not content to just watch; I have to fully immerse myself in Stars Hollow with the perfect playlist. Do I spend an unhealthy amount of time imagining I’m friends with Lane Kim? Maybe, but that’s only because we would get along so well. Without further ado, I present the soundtrack for my imaginary day of hanging out with Lane and Rory.
Earn Enough For Us - XTC
This song plays in the show over a montage of Lorelai and Rory getting ready in the morning, but I can definitely see either of them listening to all of “Skylarking” because it’s the best album ever. Bonus points here for “Dear God,” which Lane would listen to in bed after her parents went to sleep.
Move On Fast - Yoko Ono
When Lane said that the Beatles would’ve broken up even without Yoko’s influence, she could not be more right (I will defend this point with my dying breath, but that could be a whole separate blog entry). This song’s pacing and powerful guitar riffs align well with Lane’s rebellious rock taste.
Walk Like an Egyptian - The Bangles
This playlist would be incomplete without a Bangles song, and what better than their biggest hit? I can picture Rory listening to this song hundreds of times with Lorelai over the years, culminating in their big night at the Bangles concert in season one.
Hanging On The Telephone - Blondie
A selection from Rory’s CD collection (shoutout to “The Best of Blondie,” which also has a home in my own collection), this song would be referenced on the show as a cover by Lane’s eventual band, Hep Alien.
The Crystal Lake - Grandaddy
Lane spots this new (at the time) album at a used price and is immediately drawn to it. This convinces me of two things: we could go bargain record shopping together and we would have a blast keeping track of new albums from our favorite bands.
Loser - Beck
As we all know, Lane “gets Beck” and both she and Rory would enjoy this big hit. I’m sure, though, that music fanatic Lane would also dive deeper into his catalog.
My Little Corner Of The World - Yo La Tengo
Georgia Hubley’s voice might just be the best sound in the world, and this song is a prime example. It’s featured prominently in the show’s first season and sounds like a Stars Hollow evening to me.
Time Bomb - Rancid
For a complete change in tone, this punk song serves as an energetic wake-up call. The image of Lane dancing to this in Rory’s room will live forever in my mind.
There She Goes Again - The Velvet Underground and Nico
Any music fan with a taste as broad as Lane’s is bound to like the Velvet Underground, but I chose this song specifically as a callback to “There She Goes” by the La’s, the first song we hear in the entire show.
Supernova - Liz Phair
It’s been a long time since I made a playlist without a Liz Phair song and I’m certainly not going to break my streak now. It might be a little before their time (barely!), but I imagine Lane and Rory would’ve heard this song played on the radio when it was released.
I’m Always in Love - Wilco
During the earliest season of “Gilmore Girls,” Wilco’s “Summerteeth” would have still been relatively new, and Lane would be all over their best album. This song showcases their newer, more electronic sound while providing a cheery sonic background to any everyday activity.
Thirteen - Big Star
This song plays in the show while Rory and Dean walk around Stars Hollow after the dance at Chilton, but I can also see it factoring into her and Lane’s lives as younger teens. I have a mental image of them listening to record after record together in the Gilmore house and this album would definitely be on the list.
Why Can’t I Be You? - The Cure
Who doesn’t like the Cure? I can imagine Rory listening to this on her Walkman while avoiding her peers at lunch at Chilton. It also works as another big dance song for Lane whenever she gets the chance.
So Says I - The Shins
The wildest we’ve ever seen Rory (at least until this point) is spring break during her freshman year of college, which features a live performance of this song by the Shins. It’s the moment she realizes she might be doing spring break “the right way” and I would have to agree. I’ll be jealous forever.
Celebrity Skin - Hole
Like “Time Bomb,” this would be another dance song in the Gilmore world, but this time with a feminist message. I dare you to tell me you can’t picture Lane and Rory rocking out to this after a long day.
Swingin Party - The Replacements
Lane’s secret under-the-floorboards CD collection inspired my imagination, and although they’re not mentioned on the show (to the best of my knowledge), I’m convinced she would like my favorite band. This song captures the small-town teenage angst she might’ve felt at that point in her life. It’s also one of the best songs ever written and she would obviously recognize that.
No Aloha - The Breeders
Rory and Lane are cool enough to appreciate the less massive hit that is “Pod,” but “Last Splash” is beyond fantastic enough to earn a place on anyone’s list of all-time greatest albums. “No Aloha” strikes the perfect balance between catchy and occasionally overlooked, pleasing both the music snob and casual listener.