Mix Tape of the Day: March 20, 2015 - The First Day of Spring

Spring is here!  But unlike summer, fall, and winter, relatively few songs are written about spring.  So I gathered the best songs I could about flowers, trees, and flourishing greenery.

1. The First Days of Spring - Noah and the Whale (2009) Of all the songs on this list, this is the only one that's actually about the beginning of spring.  But it kind of overshadows every other song written about spring specifically.  Hope reigns supreme in this beautiful song.

2. Bloom - The Paper Kites (2010) Spring is when everything comes into bloom.  Life and love together.

3. Cherry Blossom Girl - Air (2004) And when I think of blooming love, I think of cherry blossoms.  Thankfully, there was a worthy song composed on that very subject.

4. Trees - Twenty One Pilots (2011) Sometimes, you just search "Trees" on Youtube.  And you get this.

5. Build Me Up Buttercup - The Foundations (1968) How about some flower related songs?  First, we have that fun '60s classic about flowers crushing our spirits.

6. Kiss from a Rose - Seal (1994) Then we have the magnificent '90s classic about flowers giving us kisses.

7. Lilac Wine - Jeff Buckley (1994) Finally, we have a depressing song about flowers getting us drunk.

8. Bein' Green - Kermit the Frog (1970) Good ol' Kermit can bring us out of our funk.  It may be difficult being green, but it's not the end of the world.

9. Greener - Tally Hall (2005) For the Tally Hall fans among my friends.  I like this song of theirs.

10. Daydream - The Lovin' Spoonful (1966) This appeared on someone else's springtime mix.  It's not about spring specifically, but it is filled with springlike emotions.

11. What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong (1967) And after I heard "Daydream," I knew it was time for this one.

12. Section 9 (Light & Day/Reach for the Sun) - The Polyphonic Spree (2002) But my absolute favorite song about embracing the beauty of the world is this one from the Polyphoic Spree.  Everything bout this band just makes me happy, and this song is one of the best humanity as created.

13. Spring Break Anthem - The Lonely Island (2013) And with spring comes that most sacred of traditions....SPRING BREAK!!!  This was originally going to just be a spring break mix but there is only one spring break song worth listening to and jamming to. #springbreak88

Mix Tape of the Day: February 5, 2015 - Rain or Shine

It's National Weatherpersons Day!  And everyone loves singing about rain when they're sad and sunshine when they are happy, so I had plenty of songs to pick from.

1. It's Raining Men - The Weather Girls (1982) This is the most scientifically accurate song about weather I could find.

2. Blue Skies - Noah and the Whale (2009) I already used "Mr. Blue Sky" on a previous list, so this is my replacement ode to blue skies.  I think you'll find it's just swell.

3. Pocketful of Sunshine - Natasha Bedingfield (2007) I decided to wait on a certain other famous "Sunshine" song.  But you can have a pocketful to tide you over until we start walking on it.

4. No Rain - Blind Melon (1992) Rain is the worst isn't it?  Well, some people are fans of rain!  I happen to like the sound of rain, especially at night or on a lazy day.  As long as it isn't in my face, rain can be pretty great!

5. Rain - Mika (2009) I've held off for a month, but I can't hold it back any longer.  I love Mika, and I've been waiting for the right time to share all of the Mika with you.  This is your first taste.  And it seems as if it's starting to rain.

6. Windy - The Association (1967) And now it's getting a little windy.  Also, this might just be the best song of the '60s.  I've yet to be proven wrong.

7. Rock You Like a Hurricane - Scorpions (1984) Uh-oh, the storm's here!  No other storm songs reach the level of destruction as this one does.  Well, maybe Rossini's "Storm" from William Tell...

8. Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles (1969) Ah, the storm's over and the sun is shining again!  Thanks George Harrison for writing the best Beatles songs!

9. Here Comes the Rain Again - Eurythmics (1983) Ah...well, that was fun while it lasted...

10. Electrical Storm (William Orbit Mix) - U2 (2002) For a song about a storm, this one feels very pleasant to me.  It takes me to a dreary day at the beach, which seems unpleasant, but is somehow comforting.

11. Sandstorm - Darude (1999) Well, now this storm is just getting out of control.  What's this song called again?

12. Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden (1994) Um, this might be the craziest weather day we could ever have.

13. Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In - The 5th Dimension (1969) Perfect time!  Right here in the middle of Aquarius, we have a plea for the sunshine once more, and it seems as if the sun is going to be here to stay!