The N-U-C Playlists

Zman

Whit recently gifted me a few months’ worth of Spotify. He’s a mensch, to be sure, and famously generous. But the cynical Yankee jackass in me notes that this effectively doubles his capacity to find good music (I frequently text him stuff I find) and serves as a balm to his ego (I tell him that the stuff he sends me is outstanding, furthing the legend of his impeccable musical taste).

Snark aside, it’s a great gift. And it gives us something to do during these odd times.

The other day Whit proposed “dueling playlists with the same inspiration within one post” and asked me for “three one-word sentiments/principles/themes for the playlists.” I love this shit.

My first response was “nooners.” If I didn’t have kids this shelter-in-place order would be great. Nooners all the time! Nothing cuts through monotony like a nooner. If you haven’t tried it you’re missing out.

Then I said “uplifting.” We all need some uplifting music right now.

I concluded with “cocaine.” So many great songs involve booger sugar. I could just do 15 Rae and Ghost songs. Hell, I could just make a playlist out of Cuban Linx and call it a day. Or I could pull together a bunch of Boogie Down Productions stuff. But cocaine crosses all musical genres. It seemed like a great idea at the time, if not a great fit for the current state of the world.

Whit’s response was “Ah, the old N-U-C.” And thus two playlists were born. Enjoy them while locked at home alone or with your kids, not getting any noontime action.

Whitney

At my advanced age, I just enjoy when people are sporting. Something about taking life less seriously. Like when I chuck out a goofy idea and somebody says, "Yep, let's do it."

Zman is that kind of dude. And a wealth of music suggestions that are not on my radar.

You down with N-U-C?