Looking for songs about letting the world go by, help me out.
October 9, 2019 6:02 AM Subscribe
My birthday is coming up next week, and I'd really like to create a playlist of songs about being fine with NOT trying to keep up. In the vein of John Lennon's Watching the Wheels. The wide and varied tastes of the Ask crowd would be super handy at adding some flavor to this endeavor.
Simon and Garfunkel's 59th Street Bridge Song, aka "Feelin' Groovy", perhaps.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:17 AM on October 9, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:17 AM on October 9, 2019 [7 favorites]
Found a couple more -
Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay, Otis Redding
I Don't Wanna Grow Up, by Tom Waits (the Ramones also did a cover of this, but I prefer Tom's)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:31 AM on October 9, 2019 [9 favorites]
Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay, Otis Redding
I Don't Wanna Grow Up, by Tom Waits (the Ramones also did a cover of this, but I prefer Tom's)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:31 AM on October 9, 2019 [9 favorites]
Daydream by Lovin' Spoonful. It is EXACTLY what you are looking for.
Biding my Time by Gershwin
Can't be bothered now by Gershwin
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 6:57 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
Biding my Time by Gershwin
Can't be bothered now by Gershwin
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 6:57 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
Banana Pancakes, Jack Johnson
posted by libraryhead at 7:10 AM on October 9, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by libraryhead at 7:10 AM on October 9, 2019 [3 favorites]
Country song by Tracy Lawrence: Time Marches On
posted by Sassyfras at 7:16 AM on October 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Sassyfras at 7:16 AM on October 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
Pass Me By, by Peggy Lee. I love this song!
posted by lmindful at 7:18 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by lmindful at 7:18 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
Not a freewheeling tone, but Vienna by Billy Joel?
posted by wellred at 7:19 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by wellred at 7:19 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
I don't know why this popped in my head or if it's what you're looking for at all, but
Jethro Tull - Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die!
posted by cabingirl at 7:25 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
Jethro Tull - Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die!
posted by cabingirl at 7:25 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
The Roches. Mr. Sellack.
Give me a broom and I'll sweep my way to heaven.
Give me a job;
You name it.
Let the other forty-million three-hundred and seven
People who want to get famous.
posted by FencingGal at 7:30 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
Give me a broom and I'll sweep my way to heaven.
Give me a job;
You name it.
Let the other forty-million three-hundred and seven
People who want to get famous.
posted by FencingGal at 7:30 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
John Mayer - Waiting on the World to Change?
Me and all my friends
We're all misunderstood
They say we stand for nothing and
There's no way we ever could
Now we see everything that's going wrong
With the world and those who lead it
We just feel like we don't have the means
To rise above and beat it
So we keep waiting
Waiting on the world to change
We keep on waiting
Waiting on the world to change
posted by *becca* at 7:32 AM on October 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
Me and all my friends
We're all misunderstood
They say we stand for nothing and
There's no way we ever could
Now we see everything that's going wrong
With the world and those who lead it
We just feel like we don't have the means
To rise above and beat it
So we keep waiting
Waiting on the world to change
We keep on waiting
Waiting on the world to change
posted by *becca* at 7:32 AM on October 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
"Memo to Human Resources" by TMBG
posted by roll truck roll at 7:33 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by roll truck roll at 7:33 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
Don't Fence Me In has always had this feel for me. Also Moloka'i Slide.
posted by helloimjennsco at 7:35 AM on October 9, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by helloimjennsco at 7:35 AM on October 9, 2019 [3 favorites]
"Peace of Mind" by Boston is the ultimate such anthem. He literally says "I don't care if I get behind / People livin' in competition"
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 7:41 AM on October 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 7:41 AM on October 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
“Time Out For Fun,” by DEVO
don't you lose it, now listen to us
everything's going to be all right
take a break, take some time
everything's going to be all right
don't you lose it—remember to take
time out for fun!
posted by ejs at 7:56 AM on October 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
don't you lose it, now listen to us
everything's going to be all right
take a break, take some time
everything's going to be all right
don't you lose it—remember to take
time out for fun!
posted by ejs at 7:56 AM on October 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
Give Me the Simple Life
I don't believe in frettin' and grievin';
Why mess around with strife?
I never was cut out to step and strut out.
Give me the simple life.
Some find it pleasant dining on pheasant.
Those things roll off my knife;
Just serve me tomatoes; and mashed potatoes;
Give me the simple life.
A cottage small is all I'm after,
Not one that's spacious and wide.
A house that rings with joy and laughter
And the ones you love inside.
Some like the high road, I like the low road,
Free from the care and strife.
Sounds corny and seedy, but yes, indeedy;
Give me the simple life.
posted by HotToddy at 8:03 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
I don't believe in frettin' and grievin';
Why mess around with strife?
I never was cut out to step and strut out.
Give me the simple life.
Some find it pleasant dining on pheasant.
Those things roll off my knife;
Just serve me tomatoes; and mashed potatoes;
Give me the simple life.
A cottage small is all I'm after,
Not one that's spacious and wide.
A house that rings with joy and laughter
And the ones you love inside.
Some like the high road, I like the low road,
Free from the care and strife.
Sounds corny and seedy, but yes, indeedy;
Give me the simple life.
posted by HotToddy at 8:03 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
Watching the River Flow - Bob Dylan
posted by el_presidente at 8:18 AM on October 9, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by el_presidente at 8:18 AM on October 9, 2019 [5 favorites]
George Harrison- All things must pass
posted by Champagne Supernova at 8:23 AM on October 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Champagne Supernova at 8:23 AM on October 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
Pink Floyd - Biding My Time.
The Beatles - I'm Only Sleeping.
posted by elsmith at 9:06 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
The Beatles - I'm Only Sleeping.
posted by elsmith at 9:06 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
Billy Joel - Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 9:13 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 9:13 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
Watching The Wheels - John Lennon
OK should have read the complete request first.
posted by tman99 at 9:20 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
OK should have read the complete request first.
posted by tman99 at 9:20 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
Do you want Kenny Loggins? Because this is how you get Kenny Loggins.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 9:22 AM on October 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 9:22 AM on October 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
The Beach Boys - Busy Doin' Nothing
posted by DiscountDeity at 11:25 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by DiscountDeity at 11:25 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
a kind of random assortment:
Ivy - Edge of the Ocean
Karen Elson - Lunasa
Little Feat - Roll Um Easy
posted by Nerd of the North at 11:32 AM on October 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
Ivy - Edge of the Ocean
Karen Elson - Lunasa
Little Feat - Roll Um Easy
posted by Nerd of the North at 11:32 AM on October 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
pedro pietri - telephone booth number 905-1/2
pink floyd - a pillow of winds
mills brothers - rockin' chair
slint - washer
tom waits - frank's wild years
posted by 20 year lurk at 11:53 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
pink floyd - a pillow of winds
mills brothers - rockin' chair
slint - washer
tom waits - frank's wild years
posted by 20 year lurk at 11:53 AM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
Dub Miller Living on Lone Star Time
INXS Doctor
Willie Nelson - City of New Orleans
posted by The_Vegetables at 12:09 PM on October 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
INXS Doctor
Willie Nelson - City of New Orleans
posted by The_Vegetables at 12:09 PM on October 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
Now I don't want to be a jet airliner, I just want to be a little bird
I don't want to rip the skies wide open, I just want my song to be heard
And I don't want to be state of the art, I don't want to get there overnight
I just want to be part of all this beauty, want to be part of all this flight on little wings
posted by drlith at 1:21 PM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
I don't want to rip the skies wide open, I just want my song to be heard
And I don't want to be state of the art, I don't want to get there overnight
I just want to be part of all this beauty, want to be part of all this flight on little wings
posted by drlith at 1:21 PM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
Traveling Wilburys - End Of The Line
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:23 PM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:23 PM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
Grandaddy - Collective Dreamwish of Upperclass Elegance
posted by misteraitch at 1:31 PM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by misteraitch at 1:31 PM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
Supersuckers - On the Couch
I hear the phone, and I just let it ring
No, my legs ain't broke, my arm's not in a sling
I oughta get outside, get up and move
Why should I bother? I got nothin' to prove
Fall-Outs - Sleep
Now all I wanna do is sleep all of the time
Don't wanna work, I'm too lazy
I want to sleep
All the time
Superchunk - Slack Motherfucker
I'm working
But I'm not working for you
Ramones - Rockaway Beach
(not specifically about letting the world pass you by, but that's always very much the vibe I've gotten from it)
posted by pdb at 1:32 PM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
I hear the phone, and I just let it ring
No, my legs ain't broke, my arm's not in a sling
I oughta get outside, get up and move
Why should I bother? I got nothin' to prove
Fall-Outs - Sleep
Now all I wanna do is sleep all of the time
Don't wanna work, I'm too lazy
I want to sleep
All the time
Superchunk - Slack Motherfucker
I'm working
But I'm not working for you
Ramones - Rockaway Beach
(not specifically about letting the world pass you by, but that's always very much the vibe I've gotten from it)
posted by pdb at 1:32 PM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
If languid psychedelia works for you, Let It All Pass by Dead Meadow.
posted by ubersturm at 2:46 PM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by ubersturm at 2:46 PM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
(We're Not) the Jet Set - performed here by John Prine and Iris Dement [though there's certainly nothing wrong (well, okay maybe the super-twangy bass could be turned down a bit..) with the George Jones / Tammy Wynette recording that made it famous.]
posted by Nerd of the North at 6:46 PM on October 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Nerd of the North at 6:46 PM on October 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
Idle, by Hem.
Gonna waste some time with you and let this world go
Keep my heart idle
posted by ourobouros at 7:32 PM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
Gonna waste some time with you and let this world go
Keep my heart idle
posted by ourobouros at 7:32 PM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
Nice question! So I haven't checked all of the responses here for duplication, but there might be some answers you’d like from my previous ask along these lines
posted by mmc at 8:08 PM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by mmc at 8:08 PM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
John Denver and Cass Elliot: Leaving on a Jet Plane
Peter, Paul and Mary: Leaving on a Jet Plane
Joni Mitchell: Both Sides Now
Carly Simon: Coming Around
Alison Krauss: Carolina in my Mind
Audrey Hepburn: Moon River
Eva Cassidy: Over the Rainbow
Nanci Griffith: Who Knows Where the Time Goes
Joan Baez: Carrickfergus
posted by TrishaU at 11:03 PM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
Peter, Paul and Mary: Leaving on a Jet Plane
Joni Mitchell: Both Sides Now
Carly Simon: Coming Around
Alison Krauss: Carolina in my Mind
Audrey Hepburn: Moon River
Eva Cassidy: Over the Rainbow
Nanci Griffith: Who Knows Where the Time Goes
Joan Baez: Carrickfergus
posted by TrishaU at 11:03 PM on October 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
More Lovin' Spoonful:
Coconut Grove
Rain on the Roof
Six O'Clock
Funny we got this far without Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville and also Nautical Wheelers
Summer Breeze, Seals and Crofts
Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong, Gone Fishin'
Creedence Clearwater Revival:
Down on the Corner
Lookin' Out My Back Door
posted by Miko at 3:54 AM on October 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
Coconut Grove
Rain on the Roof
Six O'Clock
Funny we got this far without Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville and also Nautical Wheelers
Summer Breeze, Seals and Crofts
Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong, Gone Fishin'
Creedence Clearwater Revival:
Down on the Corner
Lookin' Out My Back Door
posted by Miko at 3:54 AM on October 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
Jonathan Richman - "That Summer Feeling"
posted by easy, lucky, free at 5:31 AM on October 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by easy, lucky, free at 5:31 AM on October 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks so much folks.
I created a spotify playlist with every track I could find mentioned. And I'm going to shuffle listen to it for a few days.
edit: Also, I listened to the few I didn't find on Youtube if they had links.
posted by DigDoug at 8:20 AM on October 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
I created a spotify playlist with every track I could find mentioned. And I'm going to shuffle listen to it for a few days.
edit: Also, I listened to the few I didn't find on Youtube if they had links.
posted by DigDoug at 8:20 AM on October 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
Arguably, Don Henley - Sunset Grill
Al Stewart - Time Passages
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 5:29 PM on October 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
Al Stewart - Time Passages
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 5:29 PM on October 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
Just thought of Sheryl Crow's All I Wanna Do.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:08 AM on October 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:08 AM on October 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
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posted by bondcliff at 6:11 AM on October 9, 2019 [3 favorites]