Ready, set, dro: The 4/20 playlist
By Max Bonem, Staff Writer
April 20, 2008 | 12:26 a.m.
The month of April brings about many special festivities cherished by old and young: celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, the beginning of baseball season, the reemergence of skimpy clothing. Above all else, April provides one day for pure rest, relaxation and indulgence: 4/20.
Although April 20 is not a government-recognized holiday, the day has become the official occasion to celebrate all things weed related (yes, we are talking about the ganja kind, not dandelions). On a day spent sitting on a couch and smoking hideous amounts, attempting to converse with friends who are hidden behind a thickening cloud of smoke, the one element that can make or break your buzz is the music. So for all of you out there making preparations for this weekend's event, here are some suggested tunes to take into account.
“Dark Star (Live)” - Grateful Dead
The 23-minute long opus brings you into a world of ranging soundscapes and multiple guitar solos. Although the Grateful Dead is certainly an acquired taste, the band seems to be accepted by most with a weedy palette. There are no real messages that Jerry Garcia tries to project with the limited lyrics in the song, but by simply immersing yourself in the Dead’s cosmic wonderland, this song will take you on a journey like never before.
“Burn One Down” - Ben Harper
Ben Harper’s self-proclaimed love of herb stares you straight in the face while you’re listening to this acoustic guitar and bongo-driven classic. The lyrics speak for themselves throughout the song, and it is easy to see that Mr. Harper has no interest in hiding his love. “Herb the gift, from the Earth/And what’s from the earth is of the greatest worth.” Later, Harper even goes on to tell his listeners not to knock it until you have tried it. Spoken like a true aficionado.
“Weed Party” - Band of Horses
For all the indie-music lovers out there, Band of Horses taught us it was OK to enjoy the simpler things in life. Although this upbeat tune from their first album does not speak in too much detail about drug use, you can tell that these boys are out to have some fun. Essentially, the song is supposed to leave you with the thought, “I need to buy some weed and have a party.” Simple as that.
“Glass Onion" - The Beatles
Because of the fact that The Beatles catalog contains probably at least 30 songs that could fit on this playlist, choosing one was difficult. But “Glass Onion” explains many of the perplexing questions that rattle the minds of Beatles fans everywhere, especially when they are stoned and pondering. After John Lennon informs us of how close he and “the walrus” are, he goes on to explain, “Well, here’s another clue for you all/The walrus was Paul.” If that does not cause a sudden mind blow, then another joint is needed.
“Rainy Day Woman #12 and 35” - Bob Dylan
“But I would not feel so all alone/Everybody must get stoned.” Sure, Bob Dylan’s 1966 classic may actually be talking about being held down by authority, but thinking it’s a suggestion from Dylan to get everyone baked makes the song a little jollier. Dylan was responsible for many important things in our cultural history -- he introduced The Beatles to marijuana, he was one of the first American musicians to be as thin as the models he was sleeping with, and he gave the world an anthem for 420 celebrators everywhere. If the song alone is not enough, sitting around and making outrageous theories about the its title will definitely make your holiday better.
“High Tide or Low Tide” - Bob Marley and The Wailers
For most people, the first name they think of when they hear any one of the names used for marijuana is Robert Nesta Marley. Whether it is because every college student seems to have a poster of the reggae icon smoking a gigantic joint in his or her dorm room or just because those soft guitar rifts and thumping bass lines bring us ease, Bob Marley has become the face of 420. Almost any Bob Marley song could appear on this list, but “High Tide or Low Tide” is a lesser-known song by the master and it happens to take most people who listen to it to a very positive place.
“Crush” - Dave Matthews Band
If people are outraged when they see the Dave Matthews Band appear on this list, then they need to get off of their high horses and understand where this is coming from. Dave and the boys might be some of the largest proponents of weed in the music business today, and their song “Crush” contains one of the great drug-infused lines of all time. After a minute or two of rippling bass and smooth saxophone, Dave Matthews calmly describes his current situation, “Sitting, smoking, feeling high/And in this moment, ah, it feels so right.” If that one line does not describe the atmosphere of 420 in itself, then no song can.
“4 + 20” - Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
Although this song appeared on a CSN and Y album, it is performed solely by Stephen Stills. After listening to the cleverly titled song, it is evident that Stills was writing about how he grew up and had absolutely no intention of associating this song with Mary Jane. The the whole “420” day had not even been created yet. However, the light guitar picking and soft texture of Stills’ voice gives the song enough reason to be treasured by listeners and stoners everywhere. If you need another CSN and Y fix, just put on some Crazy Horse. That should fill the void,
“Garden Grove” - Sublime
The alt-reggae band has gained a cult following in the years after lead singer Bradley Nowell’s death, but Sublime has been infamous for its funky tunes narrating the life of surf bums and stoned-out teens everywhere for more than a decade. Sure, “Smoke Two Joints” would have been the obvious pick with the sound of a bubbling bong filling the intro, but “Garden Grove” gives the listener a better idea of what Sublime was actually built on while still supplying some pot humor. “Saying I’m happy when I’m not/Finding roaches in the pot.” When all of you celebrators find that lost roach between the couch cushions during this song, you will understand where the decision came from.
“Aqueous Transmission” - Incubus
Any song that relies heavily on the playing of a sitar belongs on this list, but Incubus’ tale of journeying down a spiritual river will send any participant to the mindset of “Whoa.” Since the boys of Incubus tend to stray away from the psychedelic side in much of their music, “Aqueous Transmission” is a rare treat that can be put on repeat for hours and no one will care. And in the end, the song leaves you with an epic question: “Will I make it back to shore/Or drift into the unknown?”
“Get 'Em High” - Kanye West (Featuring Talib Kweli and Common)
Because this song is rather upbeat compared to some of the others provided, it may seem strange that it falls so far down on the list. However, because of the fact that most of those celebrating probably do not ease in to the festivities, “Get 'Em High” is just the wake-up call needed. The thumping tale that goes back from one rapper to another throughout the song will most certainly provide the energy needed to slice open another blunt and continue on with the day. Best of all, if someone is having doubts about participating in the festivities, just listen to Mr. West: “And I don't usually smoke but pass the 'dro.”
“High and Dry” - Radiohead
At the end of the day, many participants may be experiencing exactly what Thom Yorke and company are speaking of in this Radiohead classic. So is “High and Dry” a song about Thom Yorke’s fear of cottonmouth? No, probably not, but this song does provide the perfect ending to an intense, 70-plus-minute smoke session and possibly the sign that someone needs to go on a Slushee run.
For all of the 420 participants who are too lazy to get up and change the songs individually, here are a few albums that will most certainly satisfy the urge to get the feeling flowing: Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd, Abbey Road or Srgt. Pepper by The Beatles, or The Chronic by Dr. Dre.
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