I’ve been blessed to live in the great state of Michigan, a place where we get to experience every season to its fullest.
We get the beautiful shorelines of the Great Lakes, exceptional beaches in the summer. We get to watch the abundance of deciduous maples change their colors into the beauty of the fiery Michigan fall.
We get to witness the first snowfall of every year – igniting the inner child in everyone – before the cold takes over and blankets our wonderful state, making it into a glistening, winter wonderland. Finally, we get to see that snow melt and spot the tulips and other flowers pop up through the ice as the weather warms, introducing spring.
All of the seasons bring their peaks and valleys, but it’s fun to find the beauty in each one.
We all listen to music during these seasons. For me, that music changes, depending on the season. Music is a magical thing. It’s something that makes us laugh, cry, dance, think and act. All the while, music makes us feel something – whether that be safe, comfortable, happy, sad, motivated or countless other emotions. Wherever we are and whatever we are doing, we listen because we are human and we love to feel.
Here’s some insight on what music I listen to throughout the different seasons; hopefully it can give you some inspiration for what to listen to as the seasons change.
Summer
To me, summer is the best season. I love summertime and all the music that comes with it. Whether it’s chilling on the beach, sitting by a campfire or just taking a summer drive, music is being played. Many of my favorite songs and artists in the summertime come from the country genre. Artists like Kenny Chesney (who I like to call “Mr. Summer”), Zac Brown Band and Taylor Swift are among my favorite summer artists.
I have two different playlists on Apple Music (yeah, I use Apple Music, what about it?): “Summer” and “Beach.”
Within these playlists you’ll find a variety of different genres of music such as country, pop and a little bit of rap. I like to keep things fast, happy and groovy in the summertime; who wants to be sad when it’s sunny and 75 degrees outside?
My top summer song recommendations are:
- “American Kids” and “Summertime” by Kenny Chesney
- “Knee Deep,” “Chicken Fried” and “Toes” by Zac Brown Band
- “Red Dirt Road” by Brooks and Dunn
- “Some Beach” by Blake Shelton
- “Summer Nights” by Rascal Flatts
- “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” by Alan Jackson
- “All Summer Long” by Kid Rock
- “19 Somethin’” by Mark Wills
- “7 Summers” by Morgan Wallen
- “Good Directions” by Billy Currington
- “It’s a Beautiful Day” by Michael Buble
- “Watermelon Crawl” by Tracy Byrd
- “Our Song” and “Love Story” by Taylor Swift
I could go on and on with perfect songs for summertime, but if you enjoy these and want more, come find me and we’ll talk.
Fall
It’s currently fall, though it feels more like winter now that it’s almost December and Christmas is right around the corner. As I am writing this piece, I find myself listening to my newest playlist “Fall Essentials.”
This playlist is full of alternative country, folk (including folk pop, rock, country) and indie. Artists including Zach Bryan, Noah Kahan, The Lumineers and Hozier fill this playlist with their talented songs and voices.
I started listening to these genres – and many of these artists for that matter – this year. TikTok helped me find them. As I started listening to them more and more, I found that they brought me a sense of comfort and happiness, something I need when I’m here at college.
I play this music when I wake up in the morning; as I get ready for the day. I play it while I do homework, take a walk outside or when I go for a drive – all of which bring me a sense of comfort and happiness. In the fall, we need these feelings as we stress through college during the season.
It may also be due to the fact that I live four and a half hours from home and many of these songs remind me of home and my family.
Some of my favorites from this playlist which attribute to my reasoning behind why I listen to them are as follows:
- “Stick Season” and “Dial Drunk” by Noah Kahan
- “Revival” and “Hey Driver” by Zach Bryan
- “Coastline” by Hollow Coves
- “Ho Hey” and “Cleopatra” by The Lumineers
- “How Could You Love Me” by Darren Kiely
- “The Night We Met” by Lord Huron
- “Life is so Good” by John Denver
Hopefully these songs and artists help you enjoy the fall that much more.
Winter
My winter music is mainly Christmas music – as it should be, right? If you practice this holiday and want some of my suggestions, then keep reading.
I created a Christmas playlist a few years ago, and I start playing it pretty consistently as soon as Nov. 1 hits and I play it all the way through to the year’s end. Something about Christmas music makes me happy – and even better, it makes me feel at home.
Some of my favorite artists during this time of the year are Mariah Carey (duh!), Pentatonix, Michael Bublé and Bing Crosby. These artists do Christmas to perfection.
Some song suggestions for you during this season, all of which I jammed out to on my way back from Thanksgiving break, would be the following:
- “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Mariah Carey
- “Mary, Did You Know” and “Sleigh Ride” by Pentatonix
- “White Christmas” and “Mele Kalikimaka” by Bing Crosby
- “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas” by Michael Bublé
- “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch” by Jim Carey
- “Come On, Christmas” by Matthew West
- “Peppermint Winter” by Owl City
- “Feliz Navidad” by Jose Feliciano
Hopefully these Christmas songs resonate with you like they do with me and give you a happy feeling this holiday season!
Spring
That leads me to spring, my least favorite season due to the constant rain, wet ground, horrible smell (yes, you’re not the only one who smells that awful spring stench) and of course, the forever-long stretch of school that ends with finals. I do, however, enjoy spring break and the reminder of summer spring presents. Spring usually brings out a bunch of different artists and songs, many of which I don’t ever listen to again. I find myself trying out new music a lot in the spring, figuring out what my favorites will be for the year ahead.
I find myself resorting back to country quite a bit in the spring. Artists like Thomas Rhett, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen and Old Dominion get me through much of the spring. I love the story-telling songs, many of which give me advice and encouragement as I start the new year. This genre also gets me in the summer mood, which like I said, is my favorite season.
Songs like the following are among my favorites during this season:
- “Flower Shops” and “Thought You Should Know” by Morgan Wallen
- “Beautiful Crazy” and “5 Leaf Clover” by Luke Combs
- “Life Changes,” “Country Song” and “Marry Me” by Thomas Rhett
- “One Man Band” and “No Hard Feelings” by Old Dominion
I wouldn’t be surprised if I listen to my “Fall Essentials” playlist this coming spring a lot as well. This playlist is so vibey and is filled with songs that make me feel safe and happy, which is what I need in the springtime.
The Gist
As you can probably conclude, I am a big country music fan, but I have broadened my genre horizons in my time here at Albion. Having friends who listen to different music gives me the opportunity to hear new songs and artists all the time. But, with this also comes the peer pressure of listening to their genre of music, creating a mindset that your music isn’t good enough. I’ve found that if you don’t like it, don’t listen to it. Why listen to music that you don’t enjoy?
Being here at college has proven to me that I do, in fact, listen to different music throughout the seasons. Different weather influences the way I feel which influences what music I want to listen to. Being at college makes me listen to different music based on the seasons due to my distance from home and missing my family. You could just say the vibes change as the seasons change which is the driving force for my different music tastes throughout the seasons.
Enjoy your music, whether it changes or stays the same all year around. Listen to the stuff that makes you dance, sing, laugh, cry, but most importantly, feel.
Great article Isaiah! Loved it and you come by your love of music naturally! I’d have to agree that summertime is the BEST time for some tunes but I sure do love baking in my kitchen to some good ole Mariah Carey. I feel like you missed a couple really important things: 1. Rocking Independence Day by Martina McBride is a no brainer in the summer and 2. 500 Miles by The Proclaimers is a MUST HAVE on everyone’s playlist all year through. Just saying!!!
Very well written Isaiah May – loved hearing about the different seasons of music. I haven’t heard all of them, but I’m putting them on my list. I especially love to sing along as I listen to music especially at Christmas time! Thanks for the great encouragement of putting more music into our lives!