The present may be tough right now, however some tunes from the past will hopefully uplift your day.
"Sleep Walk," Santo y Johnny (1959)
“Sleep Walk” is purely instrumental with soft steel and electric guitars. This tune infamously appears in the 1987 film La Bamba which is about the life of Ritchie Valens’ LA-based musical career during the chicano rock movement. (Related Whittier trivia: Luis Valdez, the writer and director of “La Bamba,” gave a guest lecture at the College in 2016.)
“Dreaming Casually”- Thee Midniters (1967)
Thee Midniters originate from East Los Angeles and were heavily inspired by Whittier Blvd. This band used instruments that consisted of horns, timbales, congas, keyboards, and electric guitars. The area Whittier College is founded in is historically and musically rich, which makes it a fun experience to be in this environment.
Sometimes we can easily get lost in our thoughts down the rabbit hole; the lyrics say “If we let our cares just drift into space / We can always find the time and the place / Maybe Saturn or it may be Mars / The both of us just searching the stars”. The meaning of the song is to not allow yourself to be your own worst enemy, because your dreams are achievable.
“Natural High”- Bloodstone (1973)
This soul ballad is about the ecstasy that love gives you. It is the perfect slow dance song or to simply pause and listen to during the day.
“Spell” - Blue Magic (1974)
A R&B soul song for your soul, its dreamy ballads and vocals are vibrant in tranquility. “Spell” is about the experience of falling in love.
“Oh Honey”- Delegation (1977)
This last song is consistently calm; you can listen to it while you’re driving, doing homework, going to sleep, and its rhythm will relieve stress. This song never fails to put me in a good mood and I hope it does the same for you!
