Like many kids growing up in East Coast suburbia, I spent my formative summers in the Adirondacks — swimming, hiking, charring marshmallows and singing poorly by bonfires. So when my dear friend invited me to her aunt’s Lake George lakehouse over fall break, how could I say no?
On the Friday night of our trip, we took my friend’s uncle’s motorboat out on the lake to watch the moon rise. It was a cold night, but I was set: a thick blanket, a warm drink and, most importantly, exclusive aux privileges.
1. Billy Idol: “Eyes Without a Face”
This song’s pulsating bass line punctuates the steady movement of the boat as it pulls out of the dock. It’s 9 p.m., the night is clear and you’ve never seen this many stars in your life.
2. Grover Washington Jr., Bill Withers: “Just the Two of Us”
The boat picks up speed, but only slightly. The wind whips your hair into your face as it turns into the center of the lake. You pull your blanket in close as this song enters its smooth jazz interlude.
3. Billy Joel: “She’s Always a Woman”
Your friend’s uncle, who is manning the boat, tells his wife that he tried to learn this song for their wedding. She asks why he didn’t, and he tells her that he didn’t like the lyrics. She wishes she could have heard it anyway.
You are laying in the middle of the lake. The mountains around you seem to cocoon inwards, trapping you in this moment. The night is silent except Stevie Nicks’s voice and the gentle splashing of water against the side of the motorboat.
Your friend’s aunt asks you to put on more Fleetwood Mac. You oblige. This song reminds you of who you are — choices and old friends and leaving home for the first time. The moon hasn’t started rising yet, but you’re pretty sure you’ve just seen a shooting star.
Your boat is alone on the lake now. You pull the blanket up to cover your head, trapping the warmth in your ears. Prince’s legendary guitar solo seems to echo through the water.
Leaning into the nostalgia of the moment, you turn the volume up on this song. It’s around 9:40 p.m. now, and you think you see the glow of moonrise behind the mountain in front of you. Your friend’s uncle wraps his arms around his wife as they lean into each other.
8. Frank Zappa: “Watermelon in Easter Hay”
This song may be somewhat of an indulgent pick, as you know it won’t necessarily be a crowd-pleaser. You are a sucker for Zappa’s guitar instrumentals. The moon still hasn’t risen. The chill of the night has begun to reach your skin, but you know you would rather be nowhere else.
9. Jimi Hendrix: “Little Wing”
“Do you have any Hendrix on that playlist?” You did not, but you take the question as a request. A chill runs down your spine as the drums come in amidst Hendrix’s intricate, bluesy guitar line.
10. John Mayer: “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”
This is your friend’s favorite song. John Mayer’s iconic guitar line pierces through the silence of the night. The moon has risen — turns out, the boat was turned towards the wrong mountain. The moon was behind you the whole time.
11. Derek & The Dominos: “Bell Bottom Blues”
“You ready?” Your friend’s uncle wants to speed on the way back to the dock. You clutch your blanket close to you and play the last song of the night. You’ve been waiting to play this one but can barely hear it over the rush of water around you. The boat reaches the dock just as Clapton’s last note rings out. You go inside to take a hot shower.
You can find the playlist here.
‘Solar Flare’ is a weekly playlist column where Sun contributors spotlight a slice of musical taste with the campus community. It runs every Monday.
Yaelin Hough is a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences. She can be reached at yh2299@cornell.edu.
