by Sadie Tresnit

That’s What You Get for Gettin’ Outta Bed - Grandaddy

Since this playlist is meant to get happier as it goes on, we have to start sad. This tune is perfect for mornings when you wake up in a mopey mood. I listened to it on repeat during a tough time last term, and letting myself wallow in sadness for a bit ended up helping. It’s best to give yourself time to actually experience negative emotions instead of automatically brushing them to the side.

“Tango Atlantico” - Joe Jackson

I’ll admit that I’m a little late with this one since the lyrics briefly mention Christmas. However, this is one of my absolute favorite brooding songs, so it’s staying in. I really like this song because it’s so different from what I usually listen to. The vocal emphasis Jackson puts on the line about “the pissing rain” really resonates when you’re bracing yourself to walk into another Oregon downpour.

“The Queen Is Dead” - The Smiths

What kind of a moody playlist would this be without the Smiths? They have a lot more sad songs to choose from, but I’m partial to this one because it’s snarky all the way through. Get mad about the British monarchy while the energetic instrumentation propels you through whatever silly task you have to do. As I listen, I like to imagine going for a walk “where it’s quiet and dry,” even though that’s a far-off dream for now. 

“I Am a Rock” - Simon and Garfunkel

If you’re feeling like a moody poet, Simon and Garfunkel have a great song for you. When the weather’s dreary and the days are short, I like to stay holed up in my room with my black turtleneck, my guitar, and any good poetry book. If you’re also inclined to live out a moody Beatnik fantasy, this is the pick for you. Who needs society?

“Little Boxes” - Malvina Reynolds

And on the topic of turtlenecking, this one is a blast to play as a relatively new guitar player on days when you’re frustrated with the whole system. I’ve always thought of winter as the season of folk music, and Malvina Reynolds fits nicely into that “little box.” When I was a kid, I loved imagining all the colorful houses in this song but didn’t pay attention to the rest of the lyrics. As a temperamental adult, this song lets me feel fed up with conformity while still enjoying a great tune. You can’t be in a terrible mood by the end of this song.

“Big Yellow Taxi” - Joni Mitchell

Continuing the mini folk theme I’ve got going here, everyone knows Joni Mitchell is the best. This is an indisputable fact at this point. If there’s one thing Joni Mitchell can do, it’s make you feel something. Like the previous song, I listen to this one when I’m in the mood to think about societal problems but not actually cry about them. I think it’s more motivating than disheartening.

“Summer Teeth” - Wilco

I love songs that sound positive but have negative lyrics (maybe this whole playlist tipped you off?) and this might be my all-time favorite in that category. I first heard it last winter, and I was obsessed immediately. Even though it has “summer” in the name and sounds like a spring bike ride to me, it’s cemented in my mind as a winter song. I like to listen to it on my way home after a long day because it’s such an energy boost even though the lyrics are kind of tragic. It’s also great for when you see the sun for the first time in weeks.

“All My Happiness Is Gone” - Purple Mountains

This entry could really be any Purple Mountains or Silver Jews song, but this is the one that happens to be stuck in my head right now. The title is also a dead giveaway that it belongs in this playlist. I’ve been super into all of David Berman’s music that I can get my hands on lately, and this song is no exception. The chorus is insanely catchy for something so depressing. It’ll get stuck in your head all day, and you won’t even mind. Bonus points for an Oregon reference.

“Hazy Shade of Winter” - The Bangles

Here’s a little callback to Simon and Garfunkel. I wasn’t around for the peak of either band, so I don’t really know what I’m talking about, but the Bangles and Simon and Garfunkel occupy such different spots in my Mental Music Map (trademark pending) that I’m always surprised by how much I like this version. This is one of my favorite covers, and it hits the spot on a drizzly day when you’re trudging to class through the wind, fog, and wet leaves. 

“I Hope You’re Happy Now” - Elvis Costello and the Attractions

Some songs are made for careening down the sidewalk while you’re in a mood. This is one of them. Like most of the songs on this list, I played this one on my show recently (8-10 on Thursday mornings! Tune in!) and I’ve been listening to it on repeat ever since. This one sounds so upbeat it’s easy to ignore the negative parts of the lyrics and just dance around if you’re in the mood, but it also leaves plenty of room for snark and frustration - the perfect blend.

“Vanishing Girl” - The Dukes of Stratosphear

People who know me in real life know that I won’t shut up when I start talking about XTC. This song from their spinoff group has been my biggest obsession all week, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. The line about having “no enthusiasm to even answer the phone” is intensely relatable, but even before the lyrics start, you’ll be hooked when the A chord switches to a D minor in the intro. I know I was.  I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to be in a bad mood when you hear this song, so it should give you a push in the right direction.