Saxby’s Coffee
Last heard there: “Total Eclipse of the Heart," Bonnie Tyler
Typically Heard: Terrible, terrible things
(like the above song)
Imagine yourself trying to tackle your beloved (read: loathed) ASTR 001 homework at Saxby’s and finding yourself more and more baffled by the shop's music selection. Regular selections include some Sirius XM radio station that plays the likes of Jewel, “Time After Time” covers, and Celine Dion’s “Because You Love Me.” Perhaps the genre is bad love songs by women? Regardless, not loving it.
Bottom Line: Occasionally—very occasionally—there will be a good song on, but mostly it’s bad music from a few decades ago that should have been left there.
Saigon Cuisine on 40th & Chestnut Streets
Last heard there: “Bye Bye Bye,” ‘Nsync
Typically heard: R&B or ‘90s boy bands
Rumor has it that this new Vietnamese BYO on 40th has an interesting soundtrack. Apparently, it plays a shocking amount of boy band music with some R&B here and there. ‘N Sync and the Backstreet Boys were cited as examples and you might find yourself wondering: is this is the most ironic restaurant of all time? What is a Vietnamese restaurant doing playing ‘90s boy band music? Maybe it's a rhetorical question. I have no idea what’s going on here.
Bottom Line: If you’re really into Boyz II Men, JT with frosted tips, and the B–street Boys, this is for you.
Pottruck
Last heard there: “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!,” Shania Twain
Typically heard: Anything that’s ever been super popular
Pottruck is the mecca of cheesy music. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of it is great for working out, but cheesy nonetheless. Some well–played favorites include Belinda Carlisle’s “Heaven is a Place on Earth,” Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles,” Ace of Bass’ “The Sign” and DMB’s “Ants Marching.”
Bottom Line: “Heaven is A Place on Earth” might get you through your last mile on the elliptical, but otherwise this music selection isn’t worth much.
Last heard there: Something or other by Mumford & Sons
Typically heard: Indie pop/alt rock or oldies
Starbucks isn’t too bad, but watch out for a strange rendition of “Always Something There to Remind Me,” and by strange, I mean in French. There are some Sinatra or Mumford days and that’s a definite plus. On the other hand, the struggle is real when they play experimental alternative that sounds like discount Foster the People. Starbucks gets bonus points for playing “Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” all the time because that song is awesome.
Last heard there: “Bad Day” by Daniel Powter
Typically heard: Oldies or contemporary pop
After some consultation with other CVS shoppers, it's often said that they play a lot of oldies, but a step into the store would reveal otherwise. You can always count on CVS to play all Top 40 all the time, so basically any song that’s been in the Top 40 in the last ten years (see: “Bad Day”). T–Swift seems to be a particular favorite here, and considering she recently said Amy Poehler and Tina Fey should go to hell, it’s officially time to start hating her openly.
Bottom Line: CVS plays shitty music.
One time I went there at one in the morning; they were playing Daughtry. Needless to say, I felt myself feeling as though I wanted to go home, too.
Bottom Line: No clue, but Daughtry is bad.
Bottom Line: Sometimes Starbucks will disappoint, and sometimes it will surprise you with some stuff you forgot you loved. Bring your own headphones just in case.
