I have my headphones in a lot throughout the day; most of the time, I’m content to let my phone shuffle through my music library at random. At night, however — as I’m leaving my library shift at 1 a.m., or returning to my dorm from a Wawa or CVS run — song choice becomes critical. I look for songs which honor the complexity and scope of things experienced that day, songs whose lyrics focus on the self and the world rather than a love interest (or other people in general). I look for relaxing songs which offer a sense of closure.

Some of my go-to selections are listed here in no particular order, as a definitive ranking would, for me, be contrived: rather than “good” or “bad,” I think of music as either fitting, or not fitting, different situations and emotions. This list holds 15 wonderful songs for 15 types of days.

1. Slipped - The National

I'm in the crush and I hate it

My eyes are fallen

I'm having trouble inside my skin

I try to keep my skeletons in

For anxious days.

2. Golden - My Morning Jacket

Sure, sometimes they thrill me

But nothin' could ever chill me

Like the way they make

The time just disappear

For glad days.

3. Mid-November - Johnathan Rice

Wide-eyed, lonely, and dreaming of home

And you know there is nothing more that I can say

I just, I close my eyes, let you carry me away

For uneven days.

4. On My Way Back Home - Band of Horses

Every step, a victory it was

I was cheating death, just in time I woke

My memories start to wander off

Come to me, the remembrance of

On my way back home

For pointless days.

5. From Eden - Hozier

No tired sighs, no rolling eyes, no irony

No 'who cares', no vacant stares, no time for me

For messy days.

6. Fake Plastic Trees (Acoustic) - Radiohead

But I can't help the feeling

I could blow through the ceiling

If I just turn and run

For offbeat days.

7. Green Gloves - The National

Take another sip of them

It floats around and takes me over

Like a little drop of ink

In a glass of water

For confusing days.

8. First Day Of My Life - Bright Eyes

This is the first day of my life

Swear I was born right in the doorway

I went out in the rain, suddenly everything changed

They're spreading blankets on the beach

For hopeful days.

9. Into Dust - Mazzy Star

I could possibly be fading

Or have something more to gain

For tired days.

10. When You Can’t Sleep At Night - Of Mice & Men

Here in this world, I'm awake with mistakes

But it’s love that keeps fueling me

Fueling me

For restless days.

11. Dead Hearts - Stars

Was there one you saw too clearly?

Did they seem too real to you?

They were kids that I once knew

They were kids that I once knew

For mundane days.

12. Dark Bird is Home - The Tallest Man On Earth

And there are many ways of sorrow

For just stepping out

Everyday a growlin' storm

But they're kind somehow

For circular days.

13. Can’t Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley (Cover by 21 Pilots)

Like a river flows

Surely to the sea

Darling, so it goes

Some things were meant to be

For simple days.

14. Cherry Wine - Hozier

It looks ugly, but it's clean,

Oh momma, don't fuss over me

For hurtful days.

15. Rest, Shame, Love - Augustana

Carve your name in a black stone

Swear to God we won't let go

If you can't love, babe, then you can't hurt

We take the good times with the worst

For content days.