As someone who firmly believes that playlists should be centered around moods rather than actions, I don’t think there can be a singular perfect playlist for walking to campus. For example, strolling along in the sunshine for a study session on a Sunday afternoon is clearly not the same vibe as feeling super hungover and running to a Monday 9:00am lecture. Even though technically in both cases you are doing the same thing and going to the same place. Therefore, the following walking to campus playlist includes ten songs that are designed to boost your mood, make you feel like the main character and get you ready to take on the day. Even if you are heading to a seminar vastly underprepared in joggers and a hoodie.
These are best listened to in order, rather than on shuffle, for those seamless transitions.
BLESSED – Tyler, The Creator
My favourite albums and playlists start with a short speech of some sort that is similar to a voice note. So I have started this one with the minute-long ‘BLESSED’ from Tyler, The Creator’s latest album CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST. It is a spoken-word verse in which Tyler expresses his gratitude for all of his personal successes and the incredible things he has achieved thus far, ranging from his clothing brand to film soundtracks. Whilst not many people can relate to those specific accomplishments, perhaps least of all your average university student, Tyler’s refreshing reminder that ‘life is fucking beautiful’ is just the right amount of encouragement needed to start your walk to campus.
It Was A Good Day – Ice Cube
The beat on this track is probably the chillest thing ever produced and Ice Cube’s laidback storytelling over it creates a narrative that you cannot help but picture in your mind as you swagger out your front door. While I think there is definitely a worthwhile argument that ‘It Was A Good Day’ could be on a walking back home from campus playlist, I am a strong believer in the power of manifestation. Essentially, thinking about having a good day while on your journey will ensure you actually end up having a good day. Whether that means you are productive in the library or not is a different story.
Fly As Me – Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic
Hot take: Silk Sonic is the best thing to come out of 2021. To be honest, any of the songs off their debut album – An Evening With Silk Sonic – would work on this playlist. However, the third track, ‘Fly As Me’, is my personal favourite. Anderson .Paak’s lyrical braggadocio does not miss, with lines like ‘tryna boo you up like it’s the Apollo’, and the 70s inspired robust bassline is so infectious that it is impossible to not groove to. Furthermore, the premise of the song itself makes it perfect to walk along to, because it makes you feel like the shit.
What’s the Use? – Mac Miller
I truly believe that Mac Miller was one of the best hip hop artists of all time, defining an era of rap that moved the genre away from what it was stereotypically known for and making it authentically his own. Swimming, the last album to be released during Mac Miller’s lifetime and where this track is from, is my personal favourite release from him and it also earned him a posthumous nomination for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. If you ignore the fun 70s funk production of ‘What’s the Use?’, the lyrics are actually quite depressing, as they reference Mac Miller’s battle with substance abuse. Nevertheless, this is the longest song on this playlist, clocking in at almost five minutes in length, so if you live further away from campus then this is a good one to stick on for a while.
CHANCES – KAYTRANADA, Shay Lia
Before I recommend this next track, I have to issue a warning that once you listen to ‘CHANCES’, it will forever be stuck in your head. KAYTRANADA is well-known for producing some of the catchiest but chill dance records out there and although this song is taken from an EP rather than a full-length album, he certainly stays true to his colours. Add to this French-Djiboutian Shay Lia’s soulful yet light vocals which float over the muted bass and a hazy dream of nostalgia is created that transports you to an alternate dimension. If it is foggy outside or your mind is just a blur from the mind before, then ‘CHANCES’ is the wavelength to be on whilst on your walk.
Woman – Doja Cat
As a woman, at times it can be quite daunting walking to campus alone. We have all experienced our bodies freezing up with dread when a car slows down next to you or a horn goes off somewhere. However, listening to the first track of Doja Cat’s most recent album, Planet Her, serves as a reminder of the power that we as women hold. ‘Woman’ fully embraces femininity in all its different forms and Doja voices her lyrics through a female gaze that reclaims acts which would typically be considered misogynistic. Aside from this, the afrobeats and percussive nature of the song offer a great rhythm to walk along to.
Good Morning – Kanye West
As is evident from the title, this track is best for those morning walks to early lectures and seminars. The backing vocals from a sample of Elton John’s ‘Someone Saved My Life Tonight’ combined with a haunting descending keyboard riff and the ominous banging of a drum do not necessarily make this the most upbeat piece of music to walk along to, but I think that the cadence and flow of Kanye’s rapping makes up for this. The song comes from Ye’s third studio album Graduation and whilst I do not think it is the best one to come out of his career, there is definitely a refined lyrical prowess that makes it stand out amongst his earlier repertoire. ‘Good Morning’ is no exception to this with clever academic metaphors that reference different aspects of university life, making that walk to campus a little more motivational.
Sky – Playboi Carti
The main reason I positioned this song next in the playlist is to carry on with the electronic production from the previous one. I think it is fair to say that the ‘video game-esque synths’ employed in ‘Sky’ are inexplicably addictive, as can be seen from the fact that it is a trending sound being used everywhere on TikTok at the moment. Personally, I like to listen to most of Playboi Carti’s music whilst doing chores or at the gym, because it has that hypebeast quality to it that somehow manages to just double your productivity levels. Therefore, I would suggest this track as probably one of the best ones to listen to whilst walking over to campus for a study session.
Moth To A Flame – Swedish House Mafia, The Weeknd
The transition from ‘Sky’ to ‘Moth To A Flame’ is another pretty good one due to the continuation of synths, which both seem to be inspired by the 80s (in the same way that a lot of The Weeknd’s music is more generally). As someone who consistently has The Weeknd in their Spotify Wrapped’s ‘Top Artists of the Year’, he happens to be an appearance on basically every playlist I have ever created; however, regardless of this, I think that this track in particular is a great one to walk along to because it plunges you into a cinematic soundscape that is inescapable with its dark minor key and groovy house beats. If you have a fairly long way to go before you get to campus, I would highly recommend listening to this song, because you will get lost in it for four minutes and forget you are even walking.
Good Days – SZA
Although this is a bit of a jump listening-wise, walking along to this song provides you with a brilliant opportunity for self-reflection and a calm feeling of zen that cuts through any of the busyness surrounding you, whether that be the physical traffic you encounter on the street or the mental chaos ensuing in your mind. SZA never fails to release the most beautifully nostalgic music and this track is no exception with angelic harp arpeggios floating underneath her flawless vocals. Plus, in a similar vein to my reasoning behind including ‘It Was A Good Day’, I think ‘Good Days’ is the perfect way to end this playlist, because it leaves you on an optimistic note that will hopefully brighten the rest of your time on campus.
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