You may repress your inner flower child with hair above your collarbone or pants that tighten around your lower thigh — perhaps this technological decade has usurped the free-loving, free-moving and Hendrix-worshiping sides of your internal being. However, if the hand sown moccasins and garden plucked headband seem to call you from the back of your closet, then the legacy of the late 60s remains in your inner core. There are plenty of ways to unlock your inner-peace-loving-constantly-chilling hippie self, but there’s no better way than a playlist. So, here’s a set of songs, some old and some new, but all perfect for those days of running around with a peasant top and some flowers in your hair. Go ahead — embrace it and let every summer feel like the summer of ’69.
1. “Me and You” - Barry Louis Polisar
A flower child playlist is incomplete without a funky-folksy love song. This cute single from Barry Louis Polisar epitomizes free-spirited romance and love for natural things. The lyrics speak for themselves as the great bearded Barry sings, “Me and you singing on a train/Me and you listening to the rain/Me and you we are the same.” The fast-paced guitar gives it a Bob Dylan vibe ideal for musically backpedaling a couple decades. Listen to this at a romantic Woodstock reunion date or at a lovely little circle in some strawberry fields.
2. “Energy” – The Apples in Stereo
In the official Woodstock documentary, an anonymous blond attendee describes the internal effects of yoga. He illuminates on the spiritual capabilities of practicing yoga with its ability to connect you to an alternate, abstract energy, and it’s basically the hippiest thing that ever happened. This single from Apples in the Stereo highlights the mentioned ideals exactly — an energy that continually and unobtrusively seethes around us, earning “Energy” a place on your 60s playlist.
3. “Another Travelin’ Song” – Bright Eyes
This single is ideal for your classic cross-the-nation road trip — the one that was actually inspired by The Beatles but, whatever, same difference. This acoustic track hits on many hippie themes, with lyrics that champion free-spirited nomadism and are backed by optimistic, groovy and relaxed tunes.
4. “Within You Without You” – The Beatles
Let’s be real — flower children love Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band almost as much as they love the drug that it’s best listened to on. The psychedelic vocals and wonderfully phantasmagoric sitar make this track particularly potent on the hippie spectrum. The song is ideal for communal chilling, solo dancing or, of course, getting down with your inner Abbie Hoffman.
5. “Fight Test” – The Flaming Lips
Aligning with typical patterns of The Flaming Lips, “Fight Test” experiments with conflicting ideals, bittersweet realities and progressive themes. In “Fight Test”, Wayne Coyne discusses the positive and negative repercussions of his pacifist choices. Though his desire to “avoid the fight” causes him to lose an unidentified girl, the song highlights the non-violent ideals inevitably embedded within his character. This deep-rooted pacifism backed by psychedelic sounds earns “Fight Test” a concrete place on this funky playlist.
6. “Buffalo” – Mountain Man
This track from American-trio, Mountain Man, solely focuses on nature. The track isn’t psychedelic, but the folksy backbone and mountainous vibe are ideal for any hike or solitary park walk. The soothing sounds perfectly channel those peaceful themes.
7. “Summertime” – Janis Joplin
There is no 60s playlist without Janis.
8. “The General” – Dispatch
This acoustic track from Dispatch staples the playlist. The song does not identify with energetic psychedelia, but the lyrics narrate a tale of feverous pacifism. This anthem of peace was created decades after the anti-Vietnam efforts but it rightly identifies with the movement’s infamous legacy. Now go protest something. Anything.
9. “Brittany’s Back” – The Love Language
The layered instruments and elongated vocals of “Brittany’s Back” give this track a contemporary, groovy sound. It represents modern psychedelia, using late 60s methods in an indie-modern context. This 21st century hippie track should close out your 1960s-inspired playlist.
