Song List

As Hurricane Dolly slammed the southern Gulf Coast today, we are reminded that hurricane season is upon us in full fury. Being a resident of the Gulf Coast (or just northwest of it, to be completely accurate), I’m starting to think about how to best prepare for a massive storm. Canned food, water, flashlights, cash…that’s all standard. But what tunes will I take with me to help weather a Category 5?

Oh yeah, don’t forget the battery-powered boom box!

“Rock You Like a Hurricane” by the Scorpions

You can’t have a list of hurricane songs without this 1980’s staple. Jack it up to 10 and maybe it will keep the storm at bay.

“Hurricane Jane” by Black Kids

When the boredom of not having electricity sets in, “drop the needle” on this dance inducing gem from indie rock “it” band, Black Kids. Get your groove on as you wait for the storm to pass.

“Like a Hurricane” by Neil Young & Crazy Horse

The power of this track will rival the Scorpions hit when it comes to scaring away the storm. Neil and his stellar band are in peak form with this one.

“Tryin’ to Reason With Hurricane Season” by Jimmy Buffet

If any songwriter knows about Hurricanes, it this one. Jimmy Buffet, the singing beachcomber, knows how to evoke a feeling of living on the beach. And if you live on the ocean, Hurricanes are a fact of life.

“Hurricane” by Bob Dylan

Although it’s about wrongly convicted boxing champ, Reuben Carter, and not a storm, it’s such an amazing song that it has to qualify. Its rousing message of injustice will put you in a fighting mood, ready to take on any gale force winds that might come at you.

“Hurricane” by Neil Diamond

There’s nothing like a cheesy ballad to get you through the long, dark stormy night. Pull your loved one close and snuggle to some Neil Diamond.

THE RAIN

With a hurricane, often comes a flood. Indeed, Katrina’s big blow came from the flooding, not from the winds.

“Lost in the Flood” by Bruce Springsteen

A sprawling story of the streets featuring a colorful assortment of characters: Jimmy the Saint, a “ragamuffin gunner,” “Eighth Avenue sailors in satin shirts,” “some storefront incarnation of Maria,” “Bronx’s best apostle,” “the cops,” “the whiz-bang gang.” This will keep you entertained as you watch the flood waters rising.

“Here Comes the Flood” by Peter Gabriel

This is what you’ll be screaming as the rain continues to fall for hours on end. Watch those bayous fill up!

“Texas Flood” by Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble

You’ll definitely be singing the blues as you watch your house fill with water and you realize you don’t have flood insurance.

Here’s hoping we make it through another hurricane season with near misses and false alarms!

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