There comes a time in many twenty-somethings’ lives when we pack up our belongings and cats from the apartment we turned into our own little sanctuary and move back in with our parents, even if it’s only for a summer. Moving back home has reminded me of how much of a drag the suburbs are. I went to college in a small city with amazing public transportation, a small, but thriving queer community, and sidewalks. Back at home, there are no buses, no trains, no sidewalks (???!??!!), and worst of all, it feels like I am the only queer in the entire universe.

Like yesterday when I tried to take a smoke break on my back porch but ended up having a conversation with Rocco, my 80-year-old Italian neighbor, about his summer produce for 45 minutes. Or when I found out that almost all of my friends from high school have moved back and are all either engaged or married and pregnant. Or, last week when I participated in one of the most exciting activities at home to date — grocery shopping with mom — and was the only person in a crop top! In 2016! In the summer! Where am I?

This playlist encompasses all of the feelings I have being a car-less twenty-five year old in suburbia for the summer: gay, lonely, bored, and confused by my neighbors’ dedications to their lawns. It’s for listless days on the deck eating mangos your mom paid for and being disappointed once again while you browse dating apps. It can also act as an hour-and-a-half dance party for days when you think hitting up a high school contact for a quick hook-up might be worth it. (It’s never worth it. There are other better ways to stay cool for the summer.)

Welcome to My Life—Simple Plan
You Don’t Own Me—Leslie Gore
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa—Vampire Weekend
Binary Mind—Ra-Ra Riot
We are Never Ever Getting Back Together—Taylor Swift
Cool for the Summer—Demi Lovato
Boyfriend—Tegan and Sara
Vacation—The Go-Go’s
Boy Problems—Carly Rae Jepsen
Golden Coast—Allison Weiss
Misery Business—Paramore
In the Sun—She & Him
Spectacular Failure—Lake Street Dive
Stacy’s Mom—Fountains of Wayne
You Don’t Know Me—Ben Folds
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun—Cyndi Lauper
Dream a Little Dream of Me—The Mamas and the Papas
Mainstream Kid—Brandi Carlile
Wasted Hours—Arcade Fire
Ocean Avenue—Yellowcard
Back Down South—Kings of Leon
Cruel Summer—Bananarama
Lake Song—Decemberists
Rivers and Roads—The Head and the Heart

https://open.spotify.com/user/1229950546/playlist/27kUIWcPE0M6pZDYFkt66y