music – The Peabody

Contributed by Emma Lavoie (and Friends of the Peabody)

Ahhh summer! Whether you’re on the beach, enjoying a hike or walk through nature, taking a drive with the windows down, or a staycation in your backyard – nothing beats a day in the sun.

And there isn’t a better companion for your summer adventures than music! From nostalgic tracks to newest releases, the Peabody shares its “Songs of Summer” playlist to keep your summer vibes going. Enjoy our playlist here!

Sloop John B by the Beach Boys

“I prefer the Me First and the Gimme Gimmes punk version from their 2001 album Blow in the Wind, also on the 2013 soundtrack for Wolf of Wall Street.”

– Ryan Wheeler, Peabody Director

Summertime by Booker T & the MG’s

“It don’t need no explanation … it’s mellow, it’s expressive, it’s languid, it’s cool in the shade.”

– Richard Davis, Peabody Volunteer

L.A. Woman by The Doors (1971)

“This is one of my two favorite songs from my favorite band that stirs up ample memories of fun times and fun drives with family and friends. With fast and upbeat guitar riffs and classic Jim Morrison “whoos,” there is no better song to play too loudly with the car windows (or better yet drop top) down and the wind in your hair.”

– Donny Slater, PA Faculty & Peabody Board of Advisors Member

Consequence Free by Great Big Sea

“Great Big Sea was the sound of my college years and is forever tied to fun, friendship, adventure, and a good time. The live version is a MUST and I strongly recommend seeking out the live version for all their music.”

– Marla Taylor, Peabody Curator of Collections

Jackie & Wilson by Hozier

“One of my favorites!” – Kayla Reilly, PA Development Associate for Advancement Initiatives

You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon

“Every time I hear it, I’m instantly reminded of summers growing up in Rhode Island. It was always playing while we were camping, out on the boat, or spending the day at the beach. It brings back all those carefree summer memories and never fails to put me in a good mood.”

– Danielle Akin, PA Capital Project Manager (Peabody Building Renovation)

So Alive by Love and Rockets

“I’ve been wearing my Love and Rockets t-shirt a lot this summer and getting a ton of reactions from strangers in the street. None of them seems to notice, though, that my t-shirt is of the comic book, not the British rock band.”

– Lainie Schultz, Peabody Curator of Education

All Summer Long by Kid Rock

“It takes a song from my childhood, mixes it with fun summer things, and sounds new enough that I don’t feel as old as I really am.”

– Joan Maguire, PA Assistant Director of Capital Projects (Peabody Building Renovation)

Saturdays=Youth (Album) by M83

“Full of expansive, 80’s inspired new wave soundscapes, this album takes me back to a time when summer stretched out forever and was full of possibilities. It’s a perfect complement to any trip with open roads and breathtaking landscapes.”

– John Bergman-McCool, Peabody Collections Coordinator

Play Your Games by Greta Van Fleet

“New release just in time for the summer by one of my favorite bands. I’d describe this brotherly rock group as ‘new generation Led Zeppelin’ with classic bluesy riff-rock and Plant-esque vocal delivery. Whether you’re on the beach or out for a drive, this song represents restless energy, a sense of youth chaos, and the beautiful nature of seizing a moment.”

– Emma Lavoie, Peabody Administrative Assistant

Contributed by Marla Taylor

For the past two years, the Peabody has been dealing with an endlessly noisy neighbor. Falls Music Center, a new home for music at Phillips Academy, has been under construction since early 2023.

The noise started early in construction as a massive mountain of dirt was excavated from the building site. Next came the drilling for the geothermal wells. We could feel the vibrations in the ground as the wells reached 500 feet deep in an effort to maintain PA’s commitment to sustainability. Alas, despite our repeated (yet playful) requests, we were not allowed to sift through the back dirt to look for pieces of Phillips Academy history.

Over the next months, the building rose behind us and carried all the sounds of construction as the steel frame went up and carefully crafted practice and performance spaces were built. Most spaces within Falls Music Center are acoustically separated to isolate noises and capture the most “live” sound possible. The sounds were a constant background to much of our work moving back into the Peabody after our building project.

My favorite discovery during the construction was that the window in the main stairwell of the Peabody looks directly into the glass stairwell of the Falls Music Center. I have to admit that more than once I tried to wave at the construction workers. Unfortunately, no one waved back.

Towards the end of 2024 the fences around Falls Music Center came down, the sidewalks were repaved, the grounds were cleaned up, and the sounds diminished. I can’t say that we have missed them, but we definitely notice their absence.

Now, Falls Music Center is open to students and I look forward to a new type of noise – the stray notes from the incredible student musicians and sound of increased student presence in our little corner of PA.

Tag: music

Peabody Songs of Summer