Sleepy Songs
by Rich Santos
Rich Santos considers himself an expert on music, but totally clueless about dating. It makes perfect sense, therefore, that he’s the dating blogger for Marie Claire. But after years of writing what he doesn’t know, he’s branching out to write a little about what he (thinks) he knows. He still makes (speaking of bad dating practices) mix CDs for women he dates, and so for The Hairpin, he’ll be posting YouTube mix tapes (sounds cooler than mix CDs) that will maybe help you discover some new music. Stop by, listen, and share your thoughts.
Every Thanksgiving, we partake in our favorite traditions: football, eating, shopping, toasting with family. And at every Thanksgiving table, someone inevitably references the tryptophan in turkey, and its mysterious power to put people to sleep. Today, I’m going to be that guy, and I’m going to point out that you’re probably going to pass out after eating turkey. And so, without further ado, here’s a mix to help you fall asleep on the couch.
“Wake Up, I’m Leaving,” by Velocity Girl
Simpatico, Sub Pop (1994)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnIUedhHHDE
Velocity Girl churned out beautiful, chunky, and feedback-laden guitar tunes in the early ’90s, but this is a calmer track. It features a solitary guitar with a bit of echo playing a melancholy melody. I’ve always loved the title, too. It’s kind of a sad scene. I imagine someone leaving someone else at three in the morning after something didn’t work out, even though they both thought it could.
“To Here Knows When,” by My Bloody Valentine
Loveless, Creation (1991)
Although I know they’re not for everyone, My Bloody Valentine is one of my favorite bands, and their album Loveless changes me every time I listen to it. (My friend said he nearly vomited when he first heard Loveless, but he meant it in a good way, I think.) It’s a challenging album, striking and beautiful. “To Here Knows When” is whirling, guitar-driven, and somehow placed over an electronic dance beat (maybe not the sleepiest song on here, but bear with me). And as is the case with all the songs on Loveless, the band buries the vocals deep in the music. I often wonder what heaven would look and sound like. I’m quite sure I won’t make the cut to get in, but I imagine it might sound like this song (and taste like Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets or Wendy’s spicy chicken sandwich).
“Green Arrow,” by Yo La Tengo
I Can Hear The Heart Beating as One, Matador Records (1995)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWYPkODdxI4
This song was built to induce peaceful sleep, with a slide guitar slithering over a sonic bed of crickets and maracas. It’s on the long side, maybe even monotonous in its beauty. But that’s a good thing as far as dreamland goes.
“Sparkly,” by Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions
Bonus track from Japanese version of the album Bavarian Fruit Bread (2001)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXdTe_pxhuE
This is perhaps the most beautiful song I have in my collection. Hope Sandoval (she was the lead singer of Mazzy Star before moving on to other projects) doesn’t sing words so much as she whispers and hums, making her voice like some kind of heavenly instrument. It doesn’t really matter what she’s saying — this song is shimmering and peaceful.
“Us and Them,” by Pink Floyd
The Dark Side of the Moon, EMI (1973)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcG47CpsU6c
As if the opening part of this tune weren’t pretty enough, that saxophone that enters at 1:11 is chill-inducing. This is one of the more sensual songs on the list (!), and it almost feels like it holds you as you slip to sleep. If you’re an easy waker, you might get a start from the choruses, but that piano-ushered sax solo will take you back down.
“Sleepwalk,” by Santo and Johnny
Santo & Johnny, Canadian-American Records (1959)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1st_9KudWB0
One of my favorite instrumental songs, this track features a gently rolling beat and a steel guitar line. I wonder if I’d associate it with drowsiness if it weren’t called “Sleepwalk” (or if I hadn’t seen a Lou Diamond Phillips sequence in La Bamba that used it as a soundtrack)?
So now you know I don’t think I’m heaven-worthy, but I also want to know what you think of my mix. And tell me what songs would make you fall asleep after eating turkey — I hear that tryptophan stuff really knocks you right out.
Previously: A weakness for The Little Mermaid.
Rich Santos also Tweets @RichRavens.