A Holiday Playlist: 5 Cities

Do you have a song which reminds you of a country or city you were in when you listen to it? Whether it’s because you rinsed it out whilst you were there or the song mentions that specific place – either way, there is that musical attachment to that place?

And then you return back home and listen to those songs, it just gives you holiday blues. Definitely a bittersweet feeling!

This happens to me all the time, having a song which reminds me of a certain holiday – it’s crazy how powerful music can be! Below I’ve made a list of songs which remind me of a certain city them and why (I’ve also added the YouTube links for each song if you’d like to listen).

Time to reminisce!

1. Amalfi Coast, Italy (2016)

SONG: Beyonce ft Jay-z – Upgrade you

Island hopping off the Amalfi coast, MAFIOSO!

I meannn… You just can’t go to the Amalfi coast without Beyoncé’s “Upgrade You” being the holiday anthem, it’s the law.

When my sister and I boarded the train to the Amalfi Coast region, it finally dawned on us that we were about to live a fraction of Bey and Jay’s life. We were really outchea “Island hopping off the Amalfi Coast.” I just couldn’t contain my excitement, so the only thing left was to pop in my headphones, blast “Upgrade You”, lip-sync and mimic the dance she did in the video as if we were performing in front of Beyonce herself. It was absolutely hilarious and then when we got to Jay-Z’s rap we just let it out, train or no train passengers watching or no passengers watching it had to be rapped aloud – WE WERE ENROUTE AMALFI COAST Y’ALL!

We were SO hyped! But a quick word of advice, don’t let the song get to your head – it is SO expensive to island hop and your bank account will not forgive you. However, if you have Bey and Jay money, go ahead!

2. Hamburg, Germany (2014)

SONG: Chris Brown – Loyal; Kid Ink ft Chris Brown – Show Me

This was the year artists were dropping bangers left, right, and centre (especially Chris Brown & Kid Ink). This was also the summer I moved to Hamburg for my placement year and one of the BEST summers of my life. My friend and I turnt up EVERY weekend, starting off a cosy restaurant and before you know it we’d always end up on the Reeperbahn in our favourite club Superfly (oh the memories).

I literally remember the DJ dropping “Loyal” and “Show Me” back to back, and us losing our ish. You know that “OMG our songgg!!!” moment you have with your friend and then you proceed to take over the dance floor like your life depended on it? Yeah, the below vine was us EVERYTIME we heard these songs.

3. Lisbon, Portugal (2017)

SONGS: Perempay ‘N’ Dee – In The Air, Black Coffee ft Bucie – Turn me on, Jill Scott – Golden (Kaytranada mix)

Whenever I travel to a beach destination or somewhere hot, I just HAVE to listen to songs above on repeat. They just set the mood – you’ve got the beach, hot weather, cocktails and a bit of soulful/funky house. It feels like you’re on a cloud 9 having a musical high (I can’t even describe it in words – comment below if you get me?!)

4. Barcelona, Spain (2017)

SONGS: Masterkraft ft Flavour and Sarkodie – Finally

My trip to Barcelona with my best friend Jasmine was a celebratory holiday. She had just finished her intense Master’s programme and I just needed to escape the craziness at work. It was a holiday to “look forward to”, so when the time came for our trip we would ALWAYS sing:

“Finally ohhhhh, its about to go down!”

It was definitely a fitting song that fully described both our emotions.

5. Los Angeles, USA (2003)

SONGS: Chingy ft JD & Trina – Right Thurr (Remix), Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz – Get Low, P Diddy ft Nelly & Murphy Lee – Shake Your Tailfeather

*DISCLAIMER* The above picture wasn’t taken in 2003. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any of our pictures from that time so I  had to use a recent picture in L.A.

2003 was the first time my sister and I travelled to L.A to visit our cousins, and these songs were POPPIN whilst we were there along with the ‘chicken head’ dance. This was way back when 106 & Park was ALL THAT and the only show we watched on our TV screens. Y’all, we had no business listening to these songs at the age we were (I was 8 and my sis 13) – but we did anyway and you can’t unhear what you’ve already heard *sips all the tea*.

Till this day, if we hear ‘Right Thurr’ or ‘Shake Ya Tailfeather’ we break out into the chicken head dance and shortly after, reminisce about our trip.

I hope you’ve all enjoyed the post!

Do you have a song(s) which remind you of a specific holiday, country or city? Is there a story behind it? Share below I’d really love to know!

Here’s to creating more holiday memories through music!