A Playlist for the Window Seat
Build a train soundtrack with room for the landscape, the announcements, and a change of mind.
17 stories in this chapter
On the Road
Songs, journeys, and the places that stay with a piece of music.
The Song You Play Before Leaving
A familiar track can mark the moment between planning a trip and actually beginning it.
Let the First Walk Have Its Own Sound
Before adding a soundtrack to a new city, hear what is already there.
A Ferry Crossing in Three Tracks
A short passage needs less music than a long playlist suggests.
The Radio You Did Not Choose
Travelling sometimes means listening on somebody else's terms.
The Overnight Journey Has a Quiet Middle
Music for the hours when excitement has worn off and arrival is still far away.
A Detour to the Record Shop
The best souvenir may begin with a conversation about what you like.
A Playlist for Two People
Sharing the soundtrack of a journey requires a little room on both sides.
A Map Made of Songs
Marking a journey with what you heard, rather than what you expected to hear.
When a Song Is in a Language You Do Not Know
You can begin with the sound without assuming you understand the story.
The Morning After the Concert
A musical trip continues after the lights have come up.
Music for the Road Back
The return journey deserves a soundtrack of its own.
An Afternoon With No Signal
A small offline collection can make listening feel less restless.
Leave the Coast a Little Silence
Not every view needs music added to it.
A Song Found in a Waiting Room
The least planned part of a trip can leave the strongest musical memory.
The Same Song in a Different Season
Returning to a place can loosen the meaning of its old soundtrack.
A Tiny Listening Notebook
Three details are enough to keep a musical discovery from slipping away.