The Sounds of Cancer Season
We have officially moved from the chatty, curious chaos that is Gemini season into the long, languid days of Cancer season. I think part of the reason I struggle to find right words when it comes to Cancer is that they themselves are ever-changing, like the moon and the tides. They are dreamy, creative, emotional, intensely nurturing and caring, but also sharp, bossy and forever seeking stability and external approval.
Cancers care. They care a lot. But like their symbol the crab, Cancers carry a hard shell on their back, rarely exposing their soft underbelly to anyone but a select few. The shell is protective, yes, but it is also home. For a Cancer, a strong foundation is everything, and this usually takes the form of family (biological or otherwise) and career. Maternal figures and power are both very important concepts to a Cancer.
Like all water signs, Cancers are also a little bit psychic. As the Astro Poets put it, “Cancers always have one foot in real life and one foot in the transitional states of both birth and death.” I’d like to think this playlist transverses those states, too.
Liner notes:
“Runaway” by Ramin Djawadi: Ramin Djawadi is perhaps best known as the Game of Thrones composer. His orchestrations of modern pop and rock songs for Westworld might be the best thing about that show, and what better way to kick off a Cancer season playlist than with a Cancer-arranged cover of a song by a very famous Gemini?
“Celebrity Skin” by Hole: Oh my god Courtney Love is such a Cancer.
“Summertime Sadness (Cedric Gervais Remix)” by Lana Del Rey: Remember when we all thought Lana was a Gemini? Even though the title “Summertime Sadness” is literally PEAK Cancer?
“Faith” by George Michael
“When You Were Young” by The Killers: Born on June 21, Brandon Flowers is cuspy, but I love The Killers so here you go.
“Come On! Feel the Illinoise! (Part I: The World’s Columbian Exposition – Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me in a Dream)” by Sufjan Stevens: These freaking titles. Sufjan Stevens’s entire body of work has some very Cancerian themes, but as a Chicago native I’m naturally partial to the Illinoise! album. “The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts” and, of course, “Chicago” are also stand outs.
“Paper Planes” by M.I.A.
“Hammer to Fall - Live at Live Aid” by Queen: Freddie Mercury is famously a Virgo, yes, but those sweet guitar licks come courtesy of Cancer Brian May and his curly locks.
“Mamma Mia” by Meryl Streep: Meryl is a Cancer and I love ABBA and that is my excuse.
“Heart of Glass” by Blondie
“Pompeii - Remix” by Bastille
“Love Will Tear Us Apart” by Joy Division
“If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out” by Yusuf / Cat Stevens
“Paint It, Black” by Ramin Djawadi: Think of this as an instrumental intermission.
“The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac: Christine McVie is the Cancer in the band.
“We’re Going to Be Friends” by The White Stripes: tbh I was sort of surprised to discover that Jack White is a Cancer, but the whole “reclusive genius” thing actually pretty much tracks.
“Black Magic Woman” by Santana
“Get Ur Freak On” by Missy Elliott: Cancers are sexy!!
“Should I Stay or Should I Go” by The Clash
“7 rings” by Ariana Grande: Oh, Ariana. She loves to love, in true Cancer fashion, but I picked 7 rings because Cancer is also a money sign, which not a lot of people realize!
“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper
“Don’t Pass Me By” by The Beatles: Ringo!
“The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis & The News
“My Type” by Saweetie: Try not to hear “eight inch bagel,” just try.
“Cranes in the Sky” by Solange: We will never truly know what went down in that elevator, but I get strong “Cancer queen protecting her family” vibes from the whole incident.
“Go It Alone” by Beck: Featuring fellow Cancer Jack White on bass.
“Shadowplay” by The Killers: It’s a Joy Division cover and you know I love it when a musician covers a song by someone with the same zodiac sign.
“Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk” by Rufus Wainwright
