Oh, the weather outside is frightful. That is, it's frightful for most of the country. While high winds, mountains of snow and unsettlingly low temperatures are tormenting the majority of the country, here in lovely Orange County we're somewhat spared of the madness. But, why should we be left out of the fun? Leave the freezer open and pile on the layers because here's a playlist we fashioned for you to simulate your own Polar Vortex!
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Gza featuring D'Angelo – “Cold World (Remix)”
What separates the Polar Vortex from conditions the rest of the year is primarily it's a lot colder. Likewise, what separates the “Cold World” remix from the original found on Gza's seminal Liquid Swords is how everything just feels much, much colder. From the addition of D'Angelo on the hook to the airier, more desolate production, it's a great twist on a certified classic.
Camille Saint-Saëns – “Le Carnaval des Animaux: Aquarium”
Not to exhaust the “life is like a movie” cliche, but you know that gentle snowfall scene in every majestic winter-themed movie you saw as a child? Well, now you can relive those memories…sort of. Just put some ice in the paper shredder, point it at the ceiling and play Camille Saint-Saëns' “Le Carnaval des Animaux: Aquarium” in the background. Congrats, you're a winter princess.
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Archie Whitewater – “Cross Country”
While you may be most familiar with it as the sample in Common's “Chapter 13 (Rich Man vs. Poor Man)” from his Common Sense days on his masterpiece Resurrection, Archie Whitewater's “Cross Country” more than holds its own as a strong emotive piece of music. From the gentle percussion to the swaying rhythms, it's an outstanding way to make any potential outdoor winter adventure feel pleasant.
Marvin Gaye – “Purple Snowflakes”
While not one of his most famous works, Marvin Gaye's “Purple Snowflakes” is a favorite of R&B fans looking to start their winter mornings off right. Gaye's ode to the majesty of snowfall, both in appearance and in ambiance, remains 50 years after it was first recorded as one of the most beautiful songs ever written about winter.
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The White Stripes – “In the Cold Cold Night”
Meg White's contributions to The White Stripes' catalog have been among the most criticized aspects of the group's legacy, but her finest moment behind the microphone occurred in 2003 with the sultry “In the Cold Cold Night.” A stand out on their biggest album, Elephant, “In the Cold Cold Night” was just the right amount of chill to intimately warm up any winter.
See also
10 Punk Albums to Listen to Before You Die
25 Greatest OC Bands of All Time: The Complete List
20 Greatest OC Albums of All Time: The Complete List
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