The Expat Playlist Vol.2

Welcome to another round of pure Expat Ecstatic music. We give you the second volume of Expat Playlist, songs to live the expat lifestyle by. This time, we’ll roll out the sounds with something we can all relate to - falling in love beyond borders, the excitement that comes with living in unfamiliar territory and the woes of homesickness, all  songs that embodies the roller coaster feelings that the expat life can give you. 

Born To Run- Bruce Springsteen

“Baby, we were born to run” Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run” is one of the most popular songs about living life on the road. This gives an optimistic view of living life abroad and sometimes away from loved ones. Not only can this be interpreted as a road song, it can also be about finding and following your dreams wherever it may lead you.

Birds - Kate Nash

This song makes one think of finding love or starting a relationship in unexpected places and circumstances. Such stories aren’t uncommon in the lives of expats, and are always a welcome addition to starting anew abroad. So whether it’s a long distance love affair or a new relationship in your new home, this song is a feel good mood setter for people falling in love.

Leaving On a Jet Plane- Chantal Kreviazuk

You knew this was coming. The quintessential expat song: Leaving on a jet plane. For all the love that is leaving and for the love that is left behind, this song is an expression of distance and longing even before you step out the door.

Ride- Lana del Rey

Out on the open road in this crazy thing we call life, all we can do is ride. Lana del Rey sings this haunting song about riding through life, expecting the unexpected and letting go of the craziness inside us all.

People Are Strange- The Doors

“People are strange when you’re a stranger” The Doors express something that expats feel a lot often than we like to admit. Being the stranger in any place is hard and when you’re strange, everything becomes a little scarier than they actually are. In times when you feel strange, put this song on and remember that you are not alone, everyone is strange and everyone becomes a stranger at some point in their lives.

All My Loving- The Beatles

This song is one of the greatest hits of the legendary band The Beatles. All My Loving is a love song to someone moving far away and coping with life away from the one you love “and then while I’m away, I’ll write home every day and I’ll send all my loving to you” this is of course written before the invention of the internet, instant messaging or even mobile phones so it’s a little more dramatic than it should be. Nevertheless, long distance relationships are always hard, so no matter how great technology has become, nothing compares to being with your loved one in person.

A Thousand Miles – Vanessa Carlton

Love can move mountains, build bridges and yes, even walk a thousand miles. This song is another expression that great love knows no boundaries. Sacrifices made in the name of our loved ones no matter how far they are is inevitable, but we pass through all the challenges and risk a lot of things to just try and get closer to the ones that we value the most.

Hey There Delilah – Plain White T’s

This isn’t just some plain love song, but also a song of ambition and devotion. Quirky and calming, this song reminds listeners to go the distance to achieve their dreams, and to re-assure loved ones that building a better life for them will be worth the sacrifice of being away from them.

Got more Expat Songs in mind? Tell us about your own expat anthem and any particular songs that help you go through or live by the expat lifestyle. You can also send us a message to share your songs and stories and you might be featured in the next volumes of the Expat Playlist.