calm clams* playlist (blog post 23) de Annie Deitz

*BEFORE I CONTINUE WRITING I AM MORALLY AND PHYSICALLY** OBLIGATD TO GIVE (almost) FULL CREDIT FOR THE "CALM CLAMS" PLAYLIST NAME TO ZAYNAB KHAN (who I mentioned in my zombie apocalypse blog post)

We have officially reached the one month countdown until AP tests begin. This time of year is always the worst. There are too many places to be, too many things to do, and too many tests to study for. And as the length of time before the first AP week decreases, the amount of stress and anxiety in students increases, exponentially. So, if you happen to be a student reading this, here are a few songs that can help you reduce cortisol levels and become a "calm clam."

Give Me Love- Ed Sheeran
If you've listened to multiple of Ed's songs, you've probably realized that they can easily put you to sleep. Ed's soothing voice and soft acoustics are the number one choice for a calm clam's playlist. Disclaimer: if you haven't heard this song before and are actually planning on listening to it, I do have to warn you that the last forty or so seconds stray slightly from the course of the rest of the song.

Long Way Down- Tom Odell
You may recognize this song from The Fault in Our Stars soundtrack. Songs on movie soundtracks (particularly ones that serve as background music, as this one does) usually help viewers concentrate on the story. Plus John Green has a decent taste in music.

Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)- Green Day
What many people think this song is about: some girl broke up with one of the band members. In response, they're writing a sassy song about how they're glad she left.
What it's actually about: some of our fans think we aren't punk enough for them. That's fine, we can't really control that, and this is the way we want to do things. As grateful as we are that they helped us get this far, we really aren't too devastated by the fact that they dislike us now, and we can do little to change their minds, so we'll accept things the way they are.
That's the way a calm clam thinks. Calm clams go with the flow and try not to get upset over things they can't change.

Sing Together- Train
Whilst this song may bring tears to the eyes of an overly sentimental person, the calming vibes and happy aura given by this song helps to relax an anxious mind.

Vincent- Don McLean
Van Gogh is my favorite artist. That's probably obvious to you all by now. But I'm not just putting this song on my playlist because it's about him. Everyone knows Don McLean's musical style (bye, bye Miss American Pie, drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry. And them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye....) Vincent has the same sort of folk feel, but it's softer and more relaxing. If you only listen to one song on my playlist, please listen to this one :)

This Love- Taylor Swift
In what world would I not choose a Taylor Swift song on this playlist??? Trick question, there is not one. Lay down, imagine you're at the beach, and play this song. It's not necessarily a happy song, but it's soothing.

I could continue this forever, but I've already rambled on enough and I need to finish the other blog post. So, stay classy calm clams.


*Zaynab could easily beat me up.