There's only one thing better than finishing class on a Friday afternoon, and that's finishing class on a sunny, 75-degree Friday afternoon.
The sun is out, the stress of classes is put on hold and all you really want to do is soak up the sun, turn up the stereo, hang out with friends and revel in the fact that the weekend has arrived.
Whether you're throwing the Frisbee in Bowman Park or lounging in the shade on a porch swing, here is a playlist of classic feel-good tunes that will even further brighten your day.
1. "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison.
"Brown Eyed Girl" has never once failed to put me in a good mood, and singing along to those "sha-la-la-la-la-la's" never gets old.
2. "I Want You Back" by Jackson 5.
People of all ages tend to get really excited whenever Jackson 5 is played in a social setting.
It is customary for people to start jumping around and imitating young Michael Jackson's voice as soon as they hear the intro to "I Want You Back."
3. "Life on Mars?" by David Bowie.
I love this song. I'm not exactly sure what the lyrics are talking about or if there is life on Mars, but it's really fun to dramatically sing along to this quintessential Bowie anthem.
4. "Peace Train" by Cat Stevens.
In one of happiest songs I have ever heard, Stevens sings, "Now I've been smiling lately, thinking about the good things to come." It makes you want to skip around outside and be nice to everyone.
5. "Sweet Jane" by the Velvet Underground.
The lyrics, Lou Reed's voice and the pop-rock vibes are especially notable, but I love every single aspect of this song and so should you.
6. "Mister Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra.
"Mister Blue Sky, please tell me why, you had to hide away for so long."
This one is especially appropriate after a seemingly never-ending week of intense paper writing or after being buried in books on the third floor of Roy O.
7. "Get Off Of My Cloud" by the Rolling Stones.
The Rolling Stones were played over and over during my childhood vacations, so I think I have been classically conditioned to associate them with lazing in the grass sipping on strawberry lemonade.
In my opinion, you can always find a Rolling Stones' song to fit right in with any given playlist.
8. "Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes" by Paul Simon (or really anything from the album Graceland).
The afro-pop beats and melodies were designed for sunny day play.
9. [Insert totally random and somewhat cheesy 80s, 90s hit here].
These are guilty pleasure songs that everyone knows the lyrics to, yet aren't really sure how.
Examples include "Blister In The Sun" by the Violent Femmes, "Friday I'm In Love" by The Cure and "500 Miles" by The Proclaimers.
10. "Wouldn't It Be Nice" by The Beach Boys.
This is such a sweet and simple song.
Really anything from The Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" or "Endless Summer" albums would suffice.
Consider this list of timeless tunes the next time you're basking in the glory of the weekend and catching some rays while the summer weather lasts!
— Veri is a sophomore from Columbus, Ohio intending to major in philosophy.
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