Happy fake spring to all those who celebrate! After a beautiful stint of sunshine and light jackets, I can only assume that, as of print, the weather has taken a turn for the worse once more. But isn’t it so wonderful to reminisce about better days? Or day, Tuesday really. In any case, it is nice to appreciate the little things in life, even if it is just the little time we have left with good weather in Cleveland. Pop in your ear buds, ponder going on a serene walk and maybe choose to stay dry inside to listen to these tracks.
“North” – Clairo
Sometimes, I think I miss spring like an old lover. We know that fake spring cannot last and still, we must enjoy it while we can. In “North,” Clairo perfectly captures this dreamy feeling of cherishing a love you know is temporary. It also has that soft feel you’d want from spring. Spring calls, just like a lover, now just isn’t the right place or the right time.
“Something, Somehow, Someday” – ROLEMODEL
Sticking with that love feel, in my barely-two years here, I think a nice spring and Cleveland are fundamentally at odds, star-crossed lovers even. ROLEMODEL sings about a couple who, despite every difference, would be great together. Where he is reckless and destructive, like Cleveland weather, she is serene and beautiful, like any good spring. If we believe as ROLEMODEL does, then maybe, somehow, someday, we will have a nice spring.
“Gold and Green” – Slaughter Beach, Dog
This is another track about appreciating the little things in life. Slaughter Beach, Dog follows a very stream of consciousness format here, describing the world around them with pleasant affection. Even when the weather takes a turn for the worse and it seems like there isn’t much of a future in hoping for better weather, it is good to stop, look around and focus on what can be good. See the richness in nature, the “gold and green.”
“Fool in the Rain” – Led Zeppelin
We really should acknowledge the reality of the situation, even nicer springs have rain. Maybe Ohio just doesn’t deserve a nice spring. We may very well be chasing after a spring that just doesn’t want us, like the lead singer chases after the object of his affections in this song. With the coming weather, we will all be “Fools in the Rain,” but we can at least have fun. Put on your boots, listen to an underrated Led Zeppelin song and beware of puddles!
“Build Me Up Buttercup” – The Foundations
I’ve heard many jokes about first years being so incredibly gullible for believing fake spring is here to stay. Look, I get it, it’s silly, but is it so bad to believe in it? Think back to when you had that hope in your heart and think of how much it hurt to be let down again and again by cold weather and rain. Let The Foundations serenade you with the feeling of being failed by your love for fake spring, constantly.
“Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles
Let’s end the playlist on a positive note and as on-the-nose as possible. Think of last Tuesday’s sunshine, feel the warmth. One can only hope that the sun truly is coming back. Even though “it seems like years since it’s been here,” it will be worth weathering the storm. Hold on till May, probably!
A few more tracks from the weeds: “Would That I” – Hozier; “the way things go” – beabadoobee; “Vienna” – Billy Joel; “Love Grows (Where my Rosemary Goes)” – Edison Lighthouse; “Dancing in the Moonlight” – King Harvest; “Private Presley” – Peach Pit.