Spring has almost sprung here in Austin. I am loving the extra sunshine and color changes—like the Texas wildflowers that are starting to dot the landscape. A new season always feels like a fresh start and I love the way a good playlist can help set my mood for the day. These are the songs I’ve been listening to on repeat during my long runs and carpool runs. It’s a mix of old-school greats and a few new songs, including two artists playing SXSW in a few weeks. Scroll down to give my spring playlist a listen, and then let me know in the comments which tune is your favorite!
My Spring Playlist
“Strawberry Letter 23” by Shuggie Otis: Why not start out on a happy note? This song puts a smile on my face.
“I Want More” by Kaleo: JJ, Kaleo’s lead singer, has been a friend of my husband’s for a while now, and my kiddos call him Uncle JJ. He is incredibly talented, and this song makes my heart sing every time I hear it. I wish I had an ounce of his talent.
“Cold Cold Cold” by Cage the Elephant
“Sunrise” by Ryan Bingham: I’ve been listening to Ryan Bingham for a few years now. His cowboy roots, grumbling vocals, and beautiful and soulful lyrics make every song a listening pleasure. Plus, I loved him on Yellowstone.
“Fire” by Barns Courtney
“Sweetest Girl” by Wyclef Jean, Akon, Lil Wayne, Niia: This is as close to a spring break song as I can get. I love March because it reminds me that summer is around the corner.
“Chasing Highs” by Alma: I think it’s only appropriate to include a SXSW featured artist. SXSW is one of the best times to check out talent. Austin is ripe with creative energy and amazing musical acts. Plus, there is something about this song that reminds me of being a kid and listening to C & C Music Factory.
“Things That Make You Go Hmmm” by C & C Music Factory: Cause why not?!
“Devil Like Me” by Rainbow Kitten Surprise: I saw this band for the first time at an Austin City Limits taping this past year. I am obsessed. They are incredibly charismatic, fun to watch, and insanely talented.
“Amplifiers” by Deezie Brown: This is also a SXSW band. I discovered them while browsing the SXSW artists. There is something really fun and chill about this song—perfect to listen to on a warm spring day.
“Hope” by Jordan Max
“Wish I Knew You” by The Revivalists: I always say this to my husband, “I wish I knew you when I was young.” We sometimes joke that we wish we were high school sweethearts. A part of me wishes that to be true—to get as much time together as possible—but I know it’s the experiences and growing pains we had before we met that lead us to each other. Still, whenever I hear this song I think of him and our imaginary high school love.
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton: I mean, these are two of the most incredible icons and musicians of all time. This classic is one of my all-time favorite songs written by George Harrison. It has such meaning and insight to the Beatles. Not only is it lyrically stunning, but the guitar solo by Clapton is something not to be missed
“Vanished” by Crystal Castles
“Turntable” by Dead Horses: I love everything about this song. The lyrics are gold, likening music to our souls and body. Sarah Vos’ voice is timeless and rich with experience. I love this band.
“Sunset Lover” by Petit Biscuit
“Texas Sun” by Khruangbin and Leon Bridges: This song reminds me of a hot day on a steaming road. The sun setting and feeling the breeze shift into the evening. It reminds me of moving to the Lone Star State and getting to know my husband’s roots while embracing my own fresh start in Texas.
27 Comments
Hérissa Montenegro
Lately I have been listening to a lot of Ed Sheeran songs, Maroon 5, BackstreetBoys, Michael Bubblé besides samba and pagode, after all I’m brazilian.
Carly
Love when you post what you’re listening to! My fav’s are Devil Like Me and Wish I Knew You 🙂 ALSO from my on repeat playlist Feeling Good and Purple Hat (great during workouts!!) by Sofi Tukker!
Katelyn Griffin
I’ve been listening to Sam Hunt Kinfolks on repeat just really any country song because country music is timeless.
Alyssa
I love Wish I Knew You!
Kerri Reed
My favorite song from your playlist is While My Guitar Gently Weeps. You can never go wrong with the Beatles! I have been listening to One Republic, Carrie Underwood and Elton John.
I’m an actress also, but I do Theatre in LA and San Diego, so nobody knows I exist.
I suffer from depression and find encouragement in Jared’s Always Keep Fighting message.
Watching your perfect life with Jared….and Jensen’s perfect life with Danneel, it shows me that there is happiness in the world🙂
Supernatural has kept me alive. You all mean so much to me. I look forward to meeti g you in October in Vancouver.
Congratulations on all your success!!
Kerri Reed
Marilyn
Cage the Elephant is one of my favorite bands! I love that you enjoy them also. Also a big fan of KALEO and Rainbow Kitten Surprise as well. You have excellent taste in music!
michaela kilbride
Hey Gen, I am really looking forward to spring the daylight hours are longer, exercise is more atmospheric but I have to say ha I think I only know the Eric and Paul song. Maybe because I am british and like in the UK. I am going to give these a listen though. Thanks for sharing, love to you all xxx
Lucia
La canzone he mi piace è questa Strawberry Letter 23.
Amy
I have only discover Kaleo this week (I know, I know, what rock have I been hiding under?) But better late then never and I adore them already!
Cassie
I often listen I Want More of Kaleo when I’m on the road to my parent’s house for the holidays, and I find it a perfect match for a spring playlist. Not only that, I find your songs very inspiring and interesting in term of novelty.
Anna
I love this playlist especially the Kaleo song, obviously the Paul and Eric masterpiece but also the song from the Revivalists that I have never heard before. Thank you so much for sharing and broadening my musical horizons this evening.
Sara
I too love Kaleo and Ryan Bingham! And I am all for the classics, so Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney of course, you can’t go wrong!
Two suggestions for you, Emily Wolfe(I think I spelled her name right) she’s Austin based & I’ve been digging her voice lately, and if you like Ryan Bingham May I suggest a local singer/songwriter from the Missouri Ozarks, Lyal Strickland! He’s been a buddy of mine for over 20 years and he’s got a folk/country/Americana sound similar to Ryan’s. I’m gonna go check out your list right now! Happy belated Anniversary to you & Jared!!
APRIL
Love the playlist and your style, so beautiful! Nowadays I keep replaying Don’t Start Now by Dua Lioa and Best Part of Me by Ed Sheeran. Please don’t judge 🤣
Beatriz de Carvalho Rios Silva
I loved your playlist! I’ve always been the type of person who never had a favorite style of music, so I like everything a little bit. My playlist for this season is really a bit diverse (I’m Brazilian and here we are in the summer, almost in the fall)
my playlist is like this:
“Team ” by Lorde
“Castles” by Freya Ridings
“Grey” by Grey Area feat. Sofia Carson
“One step at time ” by Jordin Sparks
“Hate that I love you ” by Rihanna feat. Ne-Yo
“Glorious” by Ella Henderson
“Love Don’t hate it ” by Duncan Laurence (this song is… Incredible)
“Birthday” by Anne Marie (this song was released recently, the day before my 17th birthday, I really love it)
“Heaven” by Bryan Adams (this song always make me remember my childhood ,my mom used to put this song on while I tidied up the house and I loved listening)
“Let you love me ” by Rita Ora
“Your song ” by Rita Ora ( this song always make me dance)
“Arcade ” by Duncan Laurence (This is a beautiful song)
Julie Frey
Great mix! Thanks for sharing! Love Kaleo and of course George/Paul/Eric, but truly laughed out load when I saw C & C Music Factory!! LOVED then back in the day! Thanks for remind me about them and putting a smile on face to go with the great memories of long ago! 🙂
Autumn
Thank you for your Playlist. we’ve got still chilly weather and i to rise my mood with good music, my favourite band is Poets of the Fall. the Best Band in the World 💖
Sarah
YES!! Fire by Barns Courtney is always one of my go-to songs! Especially when working out. And Sweetest Girl never gets old, another one of my favorites. Love listening to both while driving with the windows down.
Raghda
Love your style today the skirt and your hair even the lipstick 😂😂😂, about music for me it has been a long time didn’t listen to new songs i will try yours
Raghda
I keep listening to sia over and over again 😂😂😂some classic and Jensen songs in radio company
Jen Bona
Do yourself a favor and listen to a few of my faves you may not have heard of out of Nashville (♥️ to Nashville today and always) Zac Clark and Ivory Layne. Great artists and humans!
Tanya E
Played them all – Love 💓 them all – Rhankyou Gen xx
Tanya E
*Thankyou Gen 🥰😍
Erin
I love that your music tastes are so varied 🙂 I haven’t heard any of these before but I’ll check them out! I tend to like a lot of 80s rock, along with more current rock alt punk stuff (my dad raised me on 80s rock it’s in my blood). But if it has a nice beat I usually like it – if I wanna dance it goes on my playlist for either dancing or walking 🙂
Kerri Reed
I love While My Guitar Gently Weeps! You can never go wrong with the Beatles🙂
My playlist right now is One Republic, Carrie Underwood, Elton John, Taylor Swift and classic rock.
Thank you for all you and Jared do to encourage others🙂
I also grew up in Idaho but live in LA doing Theatre. Can’t wait to meet you in Vancouver in October for the supernatural convention!!
Lucia
My favorite song is Strawberry Letter 23.
Yara Hossam
Just the perfect read after a long day. Thank you for sharing this lovely playlist.
Chelsea
Awww what you said about you and Jared wanting to be high school sweethearts is so sweet and cute! Love you both so much and y’all’s relationship is literally goals. ❤️ Can’t wait to listen to these songs! They all sound like great songs so I’m super excited.