We got your Thanksgiving car ride playlist covered

Thanksgiving is undeniably the most chaotic holiday in terms of travelling, with an estimated 47 million Americans piling into their minivans, en route to their feast destination.

Year after year, we try to outsmart the traffic gods by watching the local news for suggested travel times, asking friends for secret short-cut routes, and praying that a sudden, violent plague sweeps the country eliminating competition on the road.

Just kidding. But mostly only because I need you alive so you can read my stories.

Now, I don’t know about everyone else, but I like to look for opportunities to make bad situations better. So maybe we can’t avoid the holiday traffic, or go back in time to prevent our parents from overbreeding (seriously, I love all four of my sisters but some of you need to go if I’m ever going to experience the luxury of leg room in our car).

Maybe our dad is always going to act surprised that we are running late and continue to yell at the Garmin like there is an actual person behind its computerized British accent.

Amid the stress, mayhem, discomfort, frustration…is an opportunity to be a hero: an AUX cord hero.  A Mother Teresa of minivan DJs, that brings dope vibes to strenuous forced family fun, easing nerves to the euphonic verses of the all-mighty Young Thug.

Whether your travelling alone or with company, I’ve compiled a list of ten hot songs enjoyed collectively by UMD students to make your holiday journeys more pleasant. You can thank me later. Like, maybe on November 26th or something. Happy listening!  

Recommendations:

Supawifey – Tyga

This is a favorite from Tyga’s newest album released in late August. This song is chill. Tyga spits his usual sound through rap verses praising his girl Kylie Jenner, intertwined with an auto-tuned harmonious chorus.

We all wish we could be the girlfriend who drives a G-Wagon and turns bad boy rappers good, or the boyfriends that have the funds to deck their girls out in diamonds. Tune in to Supawifey and let your imagination take off to a world of luxury and romance.

You’ll probably forget you’re single and double-buckled in a 2004 Toyota Sienna Minivan.

In the Night – The Weeknd

The Weeknd seems to always be challenging his comfort levels when it comes to putting out new music. This song is a testament to his knack for producing music that gives listeners fresh variations of his signature style.

In the Night sounds somewhat reminiscent of Michael Jackson, while maintaining a sound truly unique to The Weeknd. This song is trendy enough to appeal to your siblings, with meaningful lyrics and impressive vocals that even your parents can appreciate.

Runnin’ (Lose it All) – Naughty Boy Feat. Beyonce and Arrow Benjamin

Who are Naughty Boy and Arrow Benjamin? Who cares? Beyonce is featured and that is all anyone is worried about. I hope Adele enjoyed her moment with “Hello” because Beyonce is going to wipe her off the charts in customary Queen B fashion.

Runnin’ matches breathy vocals to vulnerable lyrics, leading to an energetic drum and bass infused chorus. You can cry to this song, but you can also run to this song. It’s pretty low-intensity for EDM, which makes it a good song for car rides, and it has a dream-like ambience for those “pondering everything” moods that can occur when driving.

Now & Forever – Drake

He’s leaving. He’s leaving. He’s leaving. He’s gone. I imagine Drake wrote this song fed up with some of the fuckery that takes place at UMD while strung out from too many pre-break all-nighter’s in Mckeldin. I’ll be playing this at full volume on my way out of campus come Wednesday afternoon. I’m LEAVING! It’s BREAK. THANK. GOD. BYE.

Oui – Jeremih

Jeremih’s R&B sound is perfect for low key listening and cruising. Planes used to be a driving playlist essential but his new song Oui is taking its place. It’s what you’d expect from Jeremih but a less overplayed, new version that you can get excited about.

Drama – Roy Wood$

Roy Wood$ recently signed to OVO record label, so it’s expected he’s going to bring Drake-like softness to the world of hip-hop and R&B.  His voice is soulful, unique, and enticing as he talks about lost girls and their “drama.” Drake (founder of OVO record label) has a knack for putting out lyrics pertinent to the millennial generation, touching on social issues that only we can really “get.”

Drama follows this trend, with a somewhat melancholy tone that makes it easy-listening for travel, but also thought-provoking. Warning: this song really has the potential to get you in your feelings if you’re anticipating any run-in’s with ex boyfriends or ex best friends over break. Roy wants you to keep in mind “they still need you, they still fuck with you.”

Bump this all the way home if you know drama awaits.

Diamonds Dancing/ Jumpman/ Plastic Bag – Drake and Future

I couldn’t include just one suggestion from Drake and Future’s highly anticipated collaborative album What a Time to Be Alive. These three are some solid recommendations from the collab that seem to be enjoyed universally.

Do yourself a favor and check out the whole album if you haven’t yet. You can remove the rock over your head while you’re at it.

All My Friends- Snakehips Feat. Tinashe and Chance the Rapper

I’m always a sucker for the “sing-along” kind of sound that makes a listener feel like they’re hanging out with the artists, belting out to lyrics they feel were written personally about them.

All My Friends highlights the guilt that eventually ensues after spending too many nights at Bentley’s and partaking in your fair share of walk-of-shames. Eventually, we start to see a less glamorous side of the party scene and consider crawling back to the good guy/girl we ditched because they couldn’t keep up.

Obviously this wholesome streak doesn’t last long and the cycle repeats next weekend, but hey, at least there’s a song for the short moment you aren’t completely okay with being a degenerate.

I Can Be Somebody – Deorro

An EDM song with an uplifting message. It’s catchy, family friendly, and your parents will like the optimistic theme. I recommend listening to this to recharge and prepare for the final stretch of the semester over break. LET’S CRUSH THESE FINALS! YOU CAN BE SOMEBODY!

Don’t Stop Believin – Journey, MYNGA REMIX

This is a classic song that everyone knows the words to sing along to. Paired with a modern EDM edge that resonates well with a younger crowd. It’s win-win for a mixed age car ride.