Music is all around us at Dartmouth. From breakfast in Collis Café to studying in One Wheelock, to working out at the gym and getting Facetime in Baker Lobby, music is the constant backdrop to everyday activities. Not every space is created the same, though, and a song that reminds us of one place might seem totally foreign somewhere else. With the help of some musically astute students, I compiled a campus-wide playlist for you. You’re welcome.
Baker Lobby
“Strangers in the Night (Instrumental)” (1966) by Frank Sinatra
“Everything (Instrumental)” (2007) by Michael Buble
“Clocks (Instrumental)” (2002) by Coldplay
Elevator music. Blobby reminds us of a hotel with its new uncomfortably clean couches, stiff chairs and echo-inducing high ceilings. The musical atmosphere is one that you are not supposed to notice, but maybe it will make you feel slightly less awkward and lonely among the hoards of people constantly passing through. You won’t hear any music with lyrics in it here.
One Wheelock
“Don’t Know Why,” (2002) by Nora Jones
“Thinking Out Loud” (2014) by Ed Sheeran
“Sitting, Waiting, Wishing,” (2005) by Jack Johnson
One Wheelock has a mainstream coffee shop vibe (but not like too mainstream, you know?). You might as well be sipping a soy non-fat vanilla cappuccino pumpkin spice latté in a non-Starbucks coffee shop in Seattle watching the rain. Music here should be acceptable to the DJs of XM Radio’s Coffeehouse station.
Russell Sage
“What Do You Mean,” (2015) by Justin Bieber
“Shots,” (2009) by LMFAO
“Turn Down For What,” (2014) by DJ Snake and Lil Jon
As ’19s try to impress new friends with their musical prowess, expect to hear lots of EDM and Soundcloud remixes at the pregames. But let’s just all agree to give it up and play instant crowd-pleasers. Just remember, do not take shots of hard alcohol to the song “Shots” #MDF.
Novack Café
“Anaconda,” (2014) by Nicki Minaj
“My Humps,” (2005) by The Black-Eyed Peas
“Waiting for Love,” (2015) by Avicii
Discoteca tunes. When the line gets short and the night gets late, expect to see students behind the counter jamming out to music that would be at home in a city night club. I also once heard a Novack employee say he hates country music, so don’t expect any of that.
4th Floor Berry
Trick question, this space should be silent at all times. Cue the pencil scratching and page shuffling.
TDX
“Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” (2002) by Good Charlotte
“All the Small Things,” (2000) by Blink-182
“Mr. Brightside,” (2004) by The Killers
I don’t really have a specific name for this genre of music, but come 2:30 a.m., one can reasonably expect to hear at least a few of these angsty anthems from our adolescence whilst twirling around the basement with the lights on.
Heorot
“Trap Queen,” (2015) by Fetty Wap
The Canadian National Anthem
The “No Music” chant
Basically music that’s awkward to dance to but good to kinda bob your head around to while playing pong and watching sports. But the DJs here sometimes throw it back a few years, too. As long as there is music on...
“I also think of ‘Thunderstruck” by AC/DC,” Elise Ferguson ’18 said. “The brothers go crazy when it comes on.”
Phi Delt
“I Want to Hold Your Hand,” (1964) by The Beatles
“American Pie,” (1971) by Don McLean
“Jessie’s Girl,” (1981) by Rick Springfield
If any frat has a formula for its music, it’s Phi Delt. Don’t expect to hear any music that’s come out since you were born. These guys take their music VERY seriously. I tracked down Phi-Delt member and music guru Nick Gutierrez ’16 to find out more.
“Even though we appreciate new music, we like to keep our old school music playing,” Gutierrez said. “We cater to the geriatric population of Hanover.”
Life Science Center
Bill Nye the Science Guy Theme Song (1993)
“The Cat Came Back,” (2002) by Macabre Minstrels
“Free Fallin’,” (2002) by John Mayer
Do people play music during science labs? I don’t even know, but Bill Nye the Science Guy’s opening sequence on repeat is what I imagine. It may vary from subject to subject -— for EARS 1, I imagine some hard rock and for Physics, the John Mayer cover of “Free Fallin.” In Bio, I can hear them playing songs about the animals they dissect.
FoCo
“We Will Rock You,” (1977) by Queen
“You Know You Like It,” (2013) by DJ Snake, AlunaGeorge
The Alma Mater
Typical music here is of the acoustic variety. For those who haven’t witnessed drocoing (drunk FoCo-ing) students chanting songs about America over Green Key or Fourth of July, just you wait. I have yet to hear the dining hall break out into the Alma Mater, but I imagine it would be pretty epic. Homecoming challenge anyone?
Soccer Stadium
“All the Above,” (2009) by Maino
“Remember the Name,” (2005) by Fort Minor
“Lose Yourself,” (2002) by Eminem
Realistically, they play some rap with a little Top 40 mixed in. I say, the more inspirational the lyrics, the better.
Top of the Hop
“Nocturne No. 2 in E flat major op.9 no.2” (1831) by Frederic Chopin
“Für Elise,” (1867) by Ludwig van Beethoven
“I Just Had Sex,” (2011) by The Lonely Island feat. Akon
Chopin, Beethoven and the like. Or maybe a little “I Just Had Sex” by The Lonely Island featuring Akon. I am okay with people playing piano here, but make sure at least a few people have told you you’re good before you take your skills public, please and thank you. Good piano music helps us study, but bad just gives us anxiety. That means no “Mary Had a Little Lamb” or “Chopsticks” on repeat.
Sororities
“Love Myself,” (2015) by Hailee Steinfeld.
“Independent Women, Pt 1.” (1999) by Destiny’s Child
“Wrecking Ball” (2013) by Miley Cyrus
These are a wild card, depending exclusively on who controls the iPod. Battles have been known to ensue as sisters play pong. Prepare yourself for some country with a little bit of *NSYNC mixed in.
GDX
“I Knew You Were Trouble,” (2012) by Taylor Swift
“Burning Up,” (2008) by The Jonas Brothers
“Ugly Heart,” (2014) by G.R.L.
T-Swizzle and the Joe Bros get a surprising amount of air time in this joint. People love to hate, but there is literally nothing better to scream your lungs out to while gyrating around a sweaty basement.
Gym
“Stronger,” (2007) by Kanye West
“Get Low,” (2002) by Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz
“Fight Song,” (2015) by Rachel Platten
You can’t just pick one type of music for the gym. You’d definitely need a dual speakers approach — angry rap by the weightlifting machines and Top 40 by the cardio machines. But realistically, everyone has headphones on so it really doesn’t matter.
Collis
“Firework,” (2010) by Katy Perry
“Steal My Girl,” (2014) by One Direction
“Superbass,” (2014) by Nicki Minaj
When it gets loud and packed in Collis, rest assured you’ll be hearing some radio tunes that are slightly past their prime, but are at the point where you enjoy them again. Some people I posed this question to, however, took it quite literally.
“Collis makes me think of Green Day’s ‘Wake Me Up When September Ends,’” Ali Dyer ’16 said. “Also known as ‘When the ’19s learn how to order food.’”
True.
Ledyard Docs
“Pontoon,” (2012) by Little Big Town
“Toes,” (2007) by Zac Brown Band
“5 O’Clock Somewhere,” (2003) by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett
Any music that makes you wish you were on a boat. Except “I’m on a Boat” (2009) itself.
The 1902 Room
“Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” (2004) by Green Day
“Mad World,” (2001) by Michael Andrews
“Bad Day,” (2005) by Daniel Powter
Depressing songs for a depressing place. ’Nuff said.
The Organic Farm
“Rain is A Good Thing,” (2009) by Luke Bryan
“Apples and Bananas,” (1985) by Raffi
“Big Green Tractor,”(2009) by Jason Aldean
Sorry we’re just thinking literally here, but the farm is all about good old country music.
Robinson Hall
“Everytime We Touch,” (2006) by Cascada
“Blame it on the Boogie,” (1978) by The Jackson 5
The Salty Dog Rag
Robo = Trips Nostalgia.
Happy listening!
