My “Happy Place” Playlist

Last summer, when I told my colleague that I was going to the beach, the look on her face was one of shock. “But it’s so far away!” she lamented. DC is about 3 hours away from the coast, which to a native San Diegan might as well be a transatlantic flight to Portugal. For me, a Nebraska native, 3 hours was almost too good to be true. Growing up landlocked, any trip to the shore felt like I was on vacation because that’s the only time I got to see it. And now I can take weekend trips and even day trips to the beach anytime I need it. I love that my happy place is within reach and that I can take off and just go when I want to. All I need is a tank of gas.

Two years ago, when I was living in Nebraska, I spent a summer missing the beach. The best thing I had at my disposal was a pool with a pool chair– not complaining, but something about hearing waves crash and sizzle against the shore puts me in my best state of mind. Calm, present, content. So, I put together a playlist called “My Happy Place” with songs that remind me of sunny days with toes in the sand, a beer in my hand, and frolicking in the salty surf with the feeling of sun on my skin. Some of these tunes are chill and relaxing but still have a peppy island vibe, some are all-out beach party hits. Ahh, I can practically smell the funnel cakes and malt vinegar now.

Enjoy! And be sure to let me know what some of your favorite beach/poolside hits are.

My Happy Place Playlist

For starters, pretty much anything on Kenny Chesney’s “Be As You Are” album. My favorites:
- “Somewhere in the Sun”
- “Soul of a Sailor”
- “Guitars and Tiki Bars”
Other Kenny Chesney hits:
- “Live Those Songs”
- “Key’s in the Conch Shell”
- “Beer in Mexico”
- “I Go Back”
- “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem”
- “Anything But Mine”
- “When the Sun Goes Down”
- “Pirate Flag”
Zac Brown Band
- “Island Song”
- “Knee Deep” (feat. Jimmy Buffet)
- “Castaway”
The entire “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights” soundtrack (trust me)
“Ocean Avenue” Yellowcard
“Island Feeling” Clear Conscience
“Cake by the Ocean” DNCE
“Lights Out” Santigold
“Island in the Sun” Weezer
“12:59 Lullaby” Bedouin Soundclash
“I Like It” Enrique Iglesias
“Paradise” Ana Serrano van der Laan
Anything by Bob Marley (obviously!), but especially:
- “Jammin'”
- “One Love/People Get Ready”
- “Stir It Up”
- “Could You Be Loved”
“Cruel Summer” Blestenation
“You’ve Got the Style” Athlete
“Wildfire” John Mayer
“Middle of Nowhere” Hot Hot Heat
“Sleeping With a Friend” Neon Trees
“She’s Mine” Brett Dennan
“Darlin’ Do Not Fear” Brett Dennan
“Lost” The Mary Onettes
“Forever” Matt Hires
“St. Croix” Family of the Year
“Smoke Detector” Rilo Kiley
“Harvest Moon” Neil Young (and Poolside has a good remix)
“Love Is Strange” Lady Saw and Shaggy
“If I Ever Feel Better” Phoenix
“Soak Up the Sun” Sheryl Crow
“Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel” Tavares
Basically any country song about having a good time, my favorites:
- “Yeah” Joe Nichols
- “It’s 5:00 Somewhere” Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett
- “Let’s Ride” Easton Corbin
- “Summer Thing” Troy Olsen
Anything from the Beach Boys
“Dancing on the Shore” Tropical Flavor Steel Drum Band
Other classics, like:
- “Shambala” Three Dog Night
- “Under the Boardwalk” The Drifters
- “In the Summertime” Mungo Jerry
- “Copacabana” Barry Manilow
- “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)” Rubert Holmes