Despite the fact that jazz is now generally associated with an older way of thinking, in its heyday, it was the start of a revolutionary new way of thinking—the same one that led to the weed culture of the 70s.
So it makes sense that weed and jazz are the perfect pairing. But if you’re new to the genre, it can be easy to get lost amongst the mammoth selection. Read on for three musical suggestions to help you chill out in class.
3. “In a Sentimental Mood” by John Coltrane and Duke Ellington (1962)
This song switches between a melancholy D minor and intriguing use of D flat major just a step below that work together to make for a haunting piece that seems to be at the same time sad and slightly happy. In other words, it puts you into a nostalgic, almost sentimental mood.
Such a mood should not be alien to those who are frequent users of Indica strains. The feeling that this song evokes is similar to the feeling of when the laughter stops, the distractions fall away, and you are left with just your own thoughts.
In a similar way, this song creates a mood of self-reflection and introspection. When combined with the herb whose mood it seems to emulate, amazing things are bound to happen.
2. “The Girl from Ipanema” by Nat King Cole (1965)
This song tells a fairly straightforward story of a man’s unrequited love for a woman. The third verse goes,
“Oh, but he watches her so sadly
How can he tell her he loves her?
Yes, he would give his heart gladly
But each day, when she walks to the sea
She looks straight ahead, not at he”
Often sung in English, the song was originally composed by Antônio Carlos Jobim, a Brazilian, with the lyrics being in Portuguese. Talk about getting close to our herbal history.
1.”All of Me” by Frank Sinatra (1954)
No discussion of popular jazz music would be complete without mention of Frank Sinatra. He did a ton to bring this style of music from the fringe to the mainstream of popular culture.
“All of Me” was written in the 1930s and was performed liberally throughout the entire 1900s. In fact, it is still one of the first songs that any student of jazz will learn.
It features a simple and immediately recongizable melody, strengthed by a simple yet jazzy chorus of seventh chords that elevate the piece from a forgettable pop song to a powerhouse who’s emotional core still packs a punch today.
While not the direct message of the song, the chorus of “All of Me” is greatly in line with philosophies surrounding the use of weed, a drug that helps both physical, mental, and spititual issues.
All of these songs are a huge part of our cultural history as stoners. More than that, they are huge cultural icons and growing points for Black and Hispanic communities in the Americas. Most people will enjoy them, but even if you are not into Jazz, they are worth the listen for their historical importance alone.