Flashlights, check. Batteries, check. Hatches battened down, check. Just one more thing left while we’re storm tracking and trying to predict the path of Hurricane Irene—a Hurricane Playlist. To anyone heading to a hurricane party or just hanging at home in the Hamptons—or anywhere else, for that matter—mix yourself a drink and kick back with these 10 songs inspired by the weekend of Hurricane Irene.
“Rock You Like a Hurricane” by Scorpions—If natural disasters could pick up a guitar, this is what they’d play.
“Fool In The Rain” by Led Zeppelin—This one is dedicated to that guy running through down Main Street during the downpour in his bathing suit, the geniuses out surfing, and anyone on the golf course saying, “Oh, I don’t think the heavy stuff will come down for a while.”
“American Storm” by Bob Seger—As much as it may feel like it, Hurricane Irene isn’t all about the Hamptons. It’s been estimated that 65 million Americans—that’s roughly 20% of the population—will be affected by the hurricane when all is said and done. That’s an American Storm.
“I Love a Rainy Night” by Eddie Rabbitt—If you can find an open karaoke bar, this one will make you a hero until Sunday night. Once the storm passes, though, you’re on your own.
“Hurricane” by Bob Dylan—You know the old saying: “The best way to ride out a Category 1 hurricane is with a protest song by a legendary folksinger about a wrongly incarcerated middleweight boxer who would one day be portrayed by Denzel Washington in a pretty decent movie.” What, that’s not a saying? Well, it ought to be.
“Blame It on the Rain” by Milli Vanilli—Dune Road closed. No Opening Day at the Hampton Classic. Someone or something has to be held accountable. Of course, you could also blame it on the government, global warming or those raw clams you had last night.
“Respect the Wind” by Van Halen—Look out the window on Sunday. Watch the movie Twister. Now go move that lawn furniture.
“Riders on the Storm” by The Doors —Charlie Sheen once told me that when he and Wynona Ryder were working on the movie Lucas he suggested that she change her name from Winona Horowitz and use this song as inspiration for a new moniker. Not sure what that has to do with anything, but it’s a cool story.
“I Made It Through The Rain” by Barry Manilow—You need encouragement to face whatever this hurricane may bring? I defy you to listen to this song and then claim you don’t feel like you just heard the Saint Crispin’s Day speech as delivered by Vince Lombardi. Or maybe that’s just the Pat O’Brien–style Hurricanes talking.
“Goodnight, Irene”—For all of you about to suggest changing the title to “Goodbye, Irene,” we’re with you. The classic made famous by Lead Belly has been covered for nearly 80 years by everyone from Pete Seeger, Jerry Garcia and Willie Nelson to Frank Sinatra, Eric Clapton and Nat King Cole. But the version by Van Morrison, Lonnie Donnegan and Chris Barber has the perfect balance of melancholy, defiance and bluesy heartache for hanging in the Hamptons and watching Irene blow through.
“Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season” by Jimmy Buffett—Nothing wrong with a little escapism today, Margaritaville-style. Our own East End calypso poet sure knew what he was talking about when he wrote, “Sure could use a Bloody Mary so I stumbled next door to the bar.” Who’s with me?
Bonus Track
