Embodying the full spirit of Anthousai (the guardians of flowers that dwell within the blooms themselves) has led me to adding a few songs to my longstanding playlists that I imagine the Anthousai would frolic to in a moment of jubilance…or mischief. So in the spirit of Springtime, don your flower crown and your cutest floral crop top and queue these tunes up.
Flower Duet from Lakmé
This might seem like an odd choice for a casual listening song, but I frequently listen to classical and opera songs. And this one is literally a classic. From one of the most well known French operas of all time, you can find many recordings of the composition on any streaming platform. The opera tells the story of a young woman who’s the namesake for Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity. Modern interpretations of the cultural undertones of the opera as a whole aside, the Flower Duet is a gorgeous song, even more so when you consider the vocal dexterity required of both singers to accomplish the performance.
Roses / Lotus / Violet / Iris by Hayley Williams
This style of song is a sharp divergence from the Paramore Hayley Williams that we’re all probably used to. But this is a lovely, laidback song regardless. I am always more drawn to female singers because the issues they sing of just speak to a deeper part of my psyche and Hayley is no different. The orchestral-string-backed emotion she sings with seeps deeper with every repetition of the word “roses.”
Cherry Blossom by Lana Del Rey
This song absolutely melts me. It is so sweet and so simple, featuring just Lana backed by a piano. I had to look up the meaning of the song but now I know Lana uses various botanicals to draw a metaphor describing what she imagines she would say to an imaginary child, either her future child or her younger self.
Flower by theGrey
This dreamy R&B song mentions how “the world only values the rose” yet the singer still persists to grow and call herself a flower. I love roses but I also love how the meaning of this song denotes that you don’t have to be a certain type of flower to be valued. You can be any color, size, or shape of flower and still thrive in life.
NYMPHOLOGY by Melanie Martinez
I hope this one doesn’t get an eyeroll from anyone but I HAD to include one of Melanie’s songs, even if this one was a stretch. But the orchestral elements in the beginning of the song fit in perfectly with my springtime vibe, even if the lyrics get a little rough. And there hardly is a better theme song that fits the entire brand of mythological flower nymphs.
My Garden by Kat Dahlia
I dug deep in my personal crate for this one. Yes it is definitely raunchier than the other picks on this list. But between this and NYMPHOLOGY, I definitely love to flip to my edgier side every once in a while. Between claiming that her garden is full of daisies to the very suggestive analogy of rain falling down on her, the metaphors make gardening sound sexy.
Garden Song by Phoebe Bridgers
Another mellow one just like Lana’s Cherry Blossom, although the lyrics hint at something darker. This one is still a nice sweet song to mellow to out in the garden.
Waltz of the Flower by Tchaikovsky
I am a classical head, sorry! Yes, this is technically from the Nutcracker but this song is a perfect backdrop for the warming weather of springtime as well. For me, my most vivid memory of this song is from Disney’s Fantasia, where the little forest sprites are ice skating to the music.
La Vie en Rose by Edith Piaf
Between this song and Lakmé, French is apparently the best language to write about flowers in. This dreamy 40’s song immediately transports me to the silver screen and a different kind of romance, where laptops didn’t exist and I wouldn’t ever receive a “U up?” text from someone’s crusty old son.
All in the Golden Afternoon from Alice in Wonderland
YES this is the song that the pansy flowers sing in the Disney animated movie. It makes me so happy I couldn’t help but think of it. An oldie but goldie (pun intended).
Do you want us to pick out 10 more songs? We can definitely keep going. In the mean time, check out our bath and body products inspired by all things flowers, gardens, and spring time.