Gates Hotel Quintessential Key West Playlist
by Various Artists
I was biking around Key West and was looking for music to fit the mood. The Gates Hotel recommended the following playlist:
- Livin’ on Key West Time by Howard Livingston & Mile Marker 24
- Conch Republic Song by Michael McCloud
- Yellow Bird by Jamaican Steel Band
- Key West Address by James T. Slater
- Last Mango in Paris by Jimmy Buffet
- Drunk on Mallory Square by Dani Hoy
- The Florida Keys Song by Gerd Rube
- I Moved to Paradise by Yankee Jack
- Chan Chan by Buena Vista Social Club
- Tide is High by Blondie
I listened, but did not enjoy. This music seemed designed to dull your mind. It felt geared towards retirees who just want to kick-back and relax.
I wanted music to help me connect with the history and distinctive sense of place. For example, my understanding is that Key West was a haven for the gay community at a time when the world was very unfriendly. There is something beautiful and sad about this, and I was hoping for music that captured that sort of energy. Or a general feeling of, “we’ve reached the end of the road - where do we go from here?”
Obviously, these sorts of themes won’t end up on a music playlist published on a hotel website. I don’t have a good method for finding music that tracks with complex emotions associated with a particular place. A better approach might be to just look for local artists.
I think the most successful Florida-based singer is Tom Petty, but he is from Gainesville - faraway from the Keys. I might listen to some Tom Petty anyway. Or maybe I’ll just give up on music and listen to a Carl Hiaasen audiobook.