Miscellaneous Records – Image Credit: Mia Gray/Strathclyde Telegraph
Commuting: it’s stressful, time-consuming, and, for public transport, often unreliable. Whether it’s the train, the bus, or even your own car, music is probably the main way people pass their travel time and make it as enjoyable as they can. Having to commute long distances to university can be challenging, especially when trying to adapt to a completely new lifestyle after a long summer break. The early mornings and late nights are unmotivating, trying to keep up with deadlines by doing coursework on your journey is exhausting, and overall, it can be very easy to quickly burn out. For me, this is what made me rapidly tire of university in my first year, so here’s the thing that was crucial to helping me; finding new music. Without further ado, here’s 5 masterpiece albums that are perfect for zoning out to write your essay, make you think as the scenery blurs past, relax you from running for your bus, or just discover something new for your own enjoyment.
Record of Bookends by Simon & Garfunkel – Image Credit: Mia Gray/Strathclyde Telegraph
Bookends (1968) – Simon & Garfunkel
“Seasons change with the scenery, weaving time in a tapestry.”
Starting off strong with one of my favourite albums of all time: Bookends. All Simon & Garfunkel’s catalogue is worth delving into; most people are probably already familiar with Bridge Over Troubled Water, which is undeniably a masterpiece, but I think this 1968 record deserves some love too. The first half of this album takes you on a wonderful journey through the human life cycle and is fittingly encompassed between Bookends Theme and Bookends Theme (Reprise). America is likely the best-known track on side one, and for good reason too, taking you on a road-trip with two young lovers who are surrounded by people trying to achieve the American dream, which is also partly based on a true story. While America and Save the Life of My Child reminisce on youth, Voices of Old People and Old Friends bring you to the future, a brief insight into a young person’s view of aging. Old Friends flows beautifully into Bookends Theme (Reprise) which poetically summarises how fast life passes you by, from being the innocent youth, to remembering that time near the end. Side two is slightly more upbeat, with tracks like Mrs Robinson (from The Graduate), Punky’s Dilemma, and my absolute favourite Simon & Garfunkel song, At the Zoo. While the lyricism is still some of Simon’s best work, it gives you a small kick after the beautiful reflection of life’s trajectory. Some of the words may seem silly, but the harmonies these two create make you appreciate the songs that little bit more. With this album, you can go on two journeys at once; your commute to university, and a slightly less daunting look at the circle of life. And if the album isn’t your thing, then at least The Graduate is definitely worth a watch.
Streets (1975) – Ralph McTell
“Who scattered the stars in the field of night?”
Up there with one of the great storytelling songwriters, alongside the likes of Johnny Cash, is Ralph McTell. It’s a pity many people haven’t heard of Ralph McTell, he’s one of my favourite artists to listen to when I need to calm down and be reminded that for all life’s lows, there are a multitude of highs. Streets starts off strong with McTell’s biggest hit, Streets of London, one of the most beautifully insightful songs to grace human ears, that makes you look at people a little differently. It follows different people you may pass in your local area but describes their backstory in such a way that you’ll never be able to pass by people again without thinking twice. Grande Affaire is equally a deep song, reflecting on a brisk romance, which makes you feel nostalgic even if you haven’t had an affair with anyone. Some of my favourite funnily contrasting yet simple lyrics come from that song, it’s so pleasant to have as an earworm. The best track, however, out of his entire discography, is El Progresso. A Latin inspired tune, the guitar is just beautiful and makes me feel like I can do a flamenco dance when I listen to it. The storytelling is also fabulous, the lyrics being incredibly easy to picture, and the contrast between slow, eye-opening songs to buoyant, faster songs keeps you on your toes. Songs of travelling romance, delving into people’s lives, memories, and relationships, which is really all you need for some thoughtful travelling. That, and I really just want more people to listen to Ralph McTell.
Joan Armatrading (1976) – Joan Armatrading
“Now if I can feel the sun in my eyes, and the rain on my face, why can’t I feel love?”
Only recently introduced to me, but what a find Joan Armatrading has been. Before even considering her music, her authentic elegance should be enough to entice you into learning more about why Armatrading is so important to know. She is widely celebrated as the first British black female artist to achieve global success, breaking down racial and gender barriers in the music world. Her mix of genres, combined with her distinct vocals, blend into a unique sound that is incredibly easy to listen to. Many lyrics on this album are relatable to the human experience of falling in love, heartbreak, different types of relationships, and the feeling of going through/dealing with these events. Armatrading’s best-known song features on this beautiful record: Love and Affection. The lyricism is vulnerable in a way that makes the listener feel seen as the words explore notes of loneliness and longing. An incredibly moving song, but my personal favourites are Down to Zero and Water with the Wine. Down to Zero is one of the best opening songs for an album I have ever heard. It’s raw, powerful, thought-provoking, I just want to scream the lyrics every time I hear it. It captures the mournful feeling of going from being giddily in love to brought down to earth again when it’s over. Armatrading is also praised for frequently not giving the lover in her songs a gender, which means queer connotations can be more easily included. Water with the Wine is a funkier tune, with a few humorous lines written in that make it more of an upbeat track that makes you want to do a little dance. Although you can hear some of Armatrading’s inspirations at times, it’s remains utterly unique, there isn’t a single song that I can fault. I just think it’s a perfect album that deserves your full, uninterrupted attention, such as on a long commute.
Record of Songs from the Big Chair by Tears for Fears – Image Credit: Mia Gray/Strathclyde Telegraph
Songs from the Big Chair (1985) – Tears for Fears
“This is the working hour, we are paid by those who learn by our mistakes.”
If you don’t recognise the name of the band or the album, I guarantee you’ll have heard of a few songs off Songs from the Big Chair; Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Head Over Heels, and Shout, just to name a few. It’s clear on a full listen why several of the tracks on this record have been commercial successes, and why it’s a shame others aren’t as popular. What makes Songs from the Big Chair so special is that when listening to it absentmindedly, it can be a synth-pop/pop-rock jam that gives you a spring in your step, makes your head nod to the beat, and gets stuck in your head. But when you listen to the lyrics, you can hear the socio-political themes, the protests against human greed, power, capitalisms takeover, and war. The way these words are written and paired with the catchy arrangements feels oddly inspirational, like these two boys from Bath writing hits are truly on the side of the ordinary, working-class folk, rather than merely attempting to be empowering with a lack of knowledge. The three songs previously mentioned have every right to be Tears for Fears best known hits, as they are truly incredible from start to finish. It goes without saying Everybody Want to Rule the World is one of the best songs of all time, it’s just so uplifting and particularly soul-stirring on a summer road trip with your friends, even though anti-war lyrics of human’s constant need for power are contrastingly dark. My two favourite tracks, however, are Head Over Heels and The Working Hour. Head Over Heels is just such a joyous melody, with most people being able to relate to having a crush that you long to know better. The Working Hour also beautifully puts into words the feeling of realisation that you’re being controlled whether it be artistically or in a work environment, the feeling that you know you’re made for better things. I’d say if you’re feeling someone is holding you back in an area of your life, that’s the song for you to motivate you to break free. I used this album for a while as white noise while I finished essays on my bus, but if you just want to look out the window and find comfort in the fact there’s people out there who are as against the state of the world as you are, then I’d highly recommend delving into the discography of Tears for Fears.
Back to Black (2006) – Amy Winehouse
“Soaked in soul, he swims in my eyes by the bed.”
Released only a month after I was born, I vividly remember Amy Winehouse as a voice of my childhood, playing frequently on my parents’ iPod. Winehouse is one of those once-in-a-generation specialities, and I think still, to this day, her loss is colossal and devastating, for what an amazing, down-to-earth talent she was, with this album just confirming that fact. Although the subject of her songs may not be so relatable to me, that doesn’t stop them from being timeless masterpieces. The mix of modern soul, Motown vibes, and jazz, Billie Holiday-esque powerful vocals, comes together beautifully on every heartfelt track on this album. The best track for me is Rehab. As I said before, not relatable to me in the slightest, but the way this song is delivered, I feel like I know exactly what it’s like to refuse the help those around me say I should seek. And that’s coming from someone who’s lived a very lucky, sheltered, drug-free life. The classic Back to Black is also a masterpiece, of course; that goes without saying; the piano is beautifully used in every second of the song, and Winehouse’s voice is just effortlessly stellar. The lyrics are also phenomenal, arguably being some of the more relatable of the album. Equally, Love is a Losing Game has some simple, genius lyrics, and I enjoy the play on words for each verse, for example, changing “game” for “hand” when talking about gambling. There may not be a lot of discussion on travelling in this album, but who needs an excuse to listen to Amy Winehouse for half an hour? Just saying, she’s the perfect person to blast in your car while you sing with your whole chest.
Record of Back to Black by Amy Winehouse- Image Credit: Mia Gray/Strathclyde Telegraph
Like I said, starting university in your first year is incredibly daunting, and you should be proud for getting here in the first place, not just for academics, but because it’s a brave thing to do. There’s a lot of change happening but just look at all the different changes the artists mentioned above have highlighted and gone through! There’s always someone that can relate to you, especially most people you’ll be going into first year with. But if it’s too much to talk to them at first, turn to one of these albums to hopefully help you look at things a bit differently. Then again, if this is all a bit deep for you, and you’re just looking for new music, then I at least hope these five fabulous records can make your playlist and your commute to uni that little bit more interesting.
Culture Editor for the Strathclyde Telegraph 2026/7
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