Ithaca, at all times of the year, is by far my favorite place to daydream; as a self-proclaimed professional, I find the tree-lined landscape surrounding campus to be the perfect backdrop for my favorite pastime. Finding a spot to daydream doesn’t have to be necessarily glamorous, though. In fact, your twin-sized dorm bed, an Olin cubicle or even the foggy window of an OurBus are all wide expanses fit for the wandering mind. Whether you’re strolling the sunset-swathed paths of Beebe Lake or letting your thoughts trickle into the gutters of a rainy Monday afternoon, any one of these songs can take you down memory lane or, if you’re lucky, a sprawling palace of the mind.
1. Faye Webster: “Better Distractions”
Whenever I feel the need to sit down and shake reality loose for a few minutes, “Better Distractions” is an immediate go-to. Faye Webster’s voice sounds like the scent of lavender and a gentle lullaby all wrapped in one. As for the storytelling itself, sometimes it’s nice to revel in the angsty lyricism of young, unrequited love.
2. Fleetwood Mac: “Mystified”
This is easily one of Fleetwood Mac’s most underrated songs. It’s witchy and whimsical and fun, but also perfect for an early morning walk to class. I like to start my days off on a positive note, and I can always count on the enchanting melody of “Mystified” to help me escape the 9 a.m. rain clouds.
3. Enya: “A Day Without Rain”
All of Enya's songs have the power to lure my mind from the task at hand. For any hardcore daydreamers out there, my preferred method is to queue up Enya’s entire discography and let her sweep me away to the Emerald Isle. As an Irishwoman myself, I incessantly imagine what life would be like in a creaky old castle surrounded by cats and books.
4. Men I Trust: “Tree Among Shrubs”
When I listen to this song, I love to fully immerse myself in the scene painted by its lyrics. While “Tree Among Shrubs” is likely intended to be metaphorical, I choose to pretend that I’m a 100-year-old tree stretching my limbs above the forest line. As some of the oldest organisms on Earth, it’s fun to imagine the secrets that trees hold.
5. Mac Miller: “Good News”
“Good News” is one of the more chill, laid-back tracks on this playlist. Amidst the chaos and hustle of everyday life, a little bit of relaxed pessimism never hurt anybody. And if you’re looking for a song that lyrically hits the nail on the daydreaming head, “Good News” does exactly that. I find that being stuck in my own head is a lot more enjoyable when Mac Miller is singing about how he’s doing the exact same thing.
6. Blood Orange: “Uncle ACE”
This song as a whole is an absolute masterpiece, but its outro is its claim to fame. Crescendos of intoxicating saxophone quite literally ring in my ears when I listen to “Uncle ACE,” and I’m always left hitting the repeat button over and over again. If you want to feel the tension and explosive emotion of the ever-iconic Challengers, be sure to give this song a listen.
7. Tame Impala: “List of People (To Try And Forget About)”
Like Enya, any Tame Impala song is the perfect supplement to a successful daydream. Maybe there’s someone in your life who has let you down or broken your heart, and sometimes the memories are so painful you can’t help but wish you had never met them. If you’re looking to confront a memory that you can’t seem to escape, “List of People (To Try And Forget About)” will do the trick.
8. TV Girl: “The Blonde”
Hazy and detached, “The Blonde” feels like drifting through a memory that you’re not sure is real. Its echoing vocals give way to an undercurrent of emotion and rich imagery that are perfect for those looking to conjure any number of fake scenarios in their mind. Beyond its musical atmosphere, the song’s feminine imagery is rich in detail and will certainly resonate with any introspective listeners out there.
9. The Beach Boys: “Let’s Go Away For Awhile”
Any daydreamy playlist would be incomplete without instrumentals from The Beach Boys. While “Pet Sounds” was played on repeat during many of my family’s road trips growing up, I’ve always felt more connected to the complex orchestration of “Let’s Go Away For Awhile.” To me, this song captures the feeling of being led down a mysterious path to an imaginary world of my own.
10. Arctic Monkeys: “Snap Out Of It”
Sadly enough, every daydream must come to an end. “Snap Out Of It” is the perfect song to shake you out of even the deepest trance. The upbeat tempo and repeated lyrics like “I wanna grab on your shoulders and shake” are usually powerful enough to snap me back to reality.
While it’s possible to daydream to almost any song or album out there, I find that all of these tracks lend themselves especially well to doing so. Whether it’s instrumentals, lyrics or just pure vibes, there’s a little something for everyone on this playlist.
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.
Charlotte Feehan is a member of the Class of 2028 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is a staff writer for the Arts & Culture department and can be reached at cgf47@cornell.edu.
