Three Little Guidelines

I'm busy putting the finishing touches on our semi-annual Solstice Party today.  You know. . . a bit of whirlwind cleaning, some last-minute cooking, and getting the bar set up.

Several years ago, Tom and I created a Winter Solstice Playlist just for our party -- and we've been using it (and expanding it) ever since.

We have three simple guidelines for our playlist.  The songs:

1. Must NOT be Christmas songs.  (This is a Solstice party, after all . . . NOT a Christmas party.)
2. Must include some loose reference to "the sun," "light," "darkness," "stars," or . . . generally getting through a long slog of any type.
3. Must cover a variety of genres/time frames.

Our current playlist includes 84 songs.  As you can imagine, we've got the simple and the obvious covered . . . Here Comes the Sun, for example.  Or Soak Up the Sun.  We've even got a lot of the more obscure . . . like Dark Sunglasses and Mr. Brightside; Ziggy Stardust and Sunny Came Home.  (There are a few just plain good party songs in the mix, too.  Because party.)

Overall, it works!  It's a good party-playlist, and it's refreshing at this time of year to go somewhere and NOT hear the more expected holiday tunes.

But I'm hoping you can help me.

You see . . . there are still a few hours until our party begins (and there's always next year. . . ).  I still have time to add songs to the playlist for this evening.   And I'm sure we've missed some good ones.

So. . . 

What songs - following our three guidelines - would YOU include on this playlist???

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(And while you're thinking of songs, be sure to drop in over at Carole's to see more Three on Thursday posts.)

Comments

[Bonny]

These are most likely already on your list or maybe too much of a stretch, but ZZ Top's Cheap Sunglasses, Keith Whitley Light at the End of the Tunnel (country and not exactly a party song, but still light), The Doors and/or Jose Feliciano Light My Fire, Manfred Mann Blinded by the Light, and Clapton Travelin' Light. This is going to be a great party ~ have fun!

[Juliann]

Good day sunshine?

Have a fun evening

[Vera]

Like Bonny, I'm thinking you may already have these on your list, but here goes: Everlasting Light by the Black Keys, The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia by Reba McEntire, In the Light by Led Zeppelin, We Are All Stars by Moby, Everybody's a Star - the Kinks, Shooting Star - Bad Company, The Boy With a Moon and Star on his Head - Cat Stevens.

Have fun!! Sounds like it will be an awesome party.

[Carole]

We have Here Comes the Sun on ours, too and also Good Day Sunshine. I would also say Another Trip Around the Sun (even though it's a birthday song, SUN is part of it) , Banana Republics by Jimmy Buffett (down to the tropical sun), Indian Lake by the Cowsills (just keep it in mind if you're looking to find a place in the summer sun), Shanghai Breezes by John Denver (it's the same old sun up in the sky), When the Sun Goes Down by Kenny Chesney. I think when you're done you should share your list on Spotify so we can ALL enjoy it!

[Patty]

I know that there isn't a thing I can add to this but...I like the sharing idea! Have fun at the party...what a great day to celebrate!

[AsKatKnits]

What fun! Okay, What about Coldplay: A Sky Full of Stars. Ed Sheeran: All of the Stars, Stevie Wonder: Another Star, The 5th Dimension: Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In, Sara Bareilles: Chasing the sun, One Republic: Counting Stars, Madonna: Lucky Star, The Avett Brothers: Morning Star, Johnny Cash: Out Among the Stars, Earth, Wind & Fire: Shining Star, Bing Crosby: Swinging on a Star, The Church: Under the Milky Way, and while not Sun or Stars The Police: Walking on the Moon!

XOXO Have so much fun tonight!

[Bridget]

Here Comes the Sun is one of my most fave songs. I have left instructions to have it played at my funeral. (For real.)

Happy Winter Solstice!!

[Vicki]

Bad Moon Rising (CCR), 5AM (Amber Run) (it starts very slow but wonderfully builds), Starboy (The Weeknd +), Skyfall (Adele), Night Moves (Bob Seger), Bloody Mary Morning (Willie Nelson), A Thousand Stars (Arthur Alexander), Stars Fell on Alabama (Jimmy Buffet), Walkin' After Midnight (Patsy Cline), When The Lights Go Out (Crybaby), 50,000 Watts (Rosanne Cash), Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The 5th Dimension), Sunshine Of Your Love (The 5th Dimension) (or Cream), Changing of the Seasons (Two Door Cinema Club), Awakening (AURORA), Demon to the Dark (Son Little), Luna (Fear of Men), Walking On Sunshine (Katrina & The Waves), Baby I'm A Star (Prince), Sun (Cat Power), All Stars (Grafton Primary), In The Dark (DEV), Late Night (Foals), Summertime Sadness (Lana Del Ray, Cedric Gervais).

OK. That was fun!! I may a list, too! I looked through a bunch of the Spotify playlists that I regularly listen to and came up with these -- some may fit better than others. (SO FUN!!) Have a GREAT PARTY!!

[margene]

Learn to Fly by Foo Fighters (maybe), Sun Glimpse by Gerald Clayton, Blue Skies and/or East of the Sun by Ella Fitzgerald (or dozens of other singers), Who Loves the Sun by Velvet Underground, Third Stone from the Sun by Jimi Hendricks. Looks like you're going to have some great songs to add to your collection! Have a light and lively evening celebrating the return to light!

[Vicki]

Popping over to add: Letters From The Sky (Civil Twilight).

And to bookmark this post because I feel an EPIC coming on.

[Tere]

Starman by David Bowie, The house of the Rising Sun by The Animals
What a fun idea for a party!

[Annette]

What a wonderful idea for a party. I always honored both solstices, even when I was working 12 hour shifts I'd leave at noontime to sit outside and glory in the sun and earth. And marvel at the wonder of it all.
Merry "Holidaze" to you and yours!

[Mary]

Of course I have NOTHING to add, but I sure did enjoy reading all the ideas! Know you had a great time (and I hope today isn't too hard as a result ;-)