12 Songs That Make You Wish You Lived in Europe

There's an inexplicable allure to Europe. Its rich and fascinating history, its level of influence over the rest of the world in terms of fashion and food, and the romantic aura of the continent makes it tempting for one to just go there and get lost exploring. Unfortunately, many will never have the good fortune to live in a European city. If you've not felt the urge to move your life to Europe, here are 12 songs that will make you wish you lived there. For those who have had the calling: just close your eyes, throw on these songs, and imagine.

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2. AlunaGeorge - "Your Drums, Your Love"

Why it makes you want to live there: Because things must be better where everyone speaks like this

It's always interesting that some British artists used to try to sing with an American accent to appeal more to the U.S. audience. That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Aluna Francis of AlunaGeorge has a sugary English accent that you'll hear in your dreams. Or in particular, that dream where you're in a little bakery in London and Aluna is behind the counter, wearing a floral apron. And then you wake up and go to the deli and the man behind the counter has untamed nose hair and smells like clams.

3. Beirut - "Bratislava"

Why it makes you want to live there: Because you long for simpler times

Zach Condon may be from America himself, but his music, especially on debut album Gulag Orkestar uses the sounds of Eastern Europe and the Balkans, evoking old countryside villages with all wooden houses, and a time when life was simpler. Never is this more true than on "Bratislava," a carefree, jaunty song which even elicted the following YouTube comment: "I am from Slovakia and I think that some parts of Bratislava or Slovakia can be "smelling" like this song."

Inhale the song below.

4. Lykke Li - "I Know Places"

Why it makes you want to live there: Because the "places" Lykke Li knows are probably not in Middle America

When Lykke Li sings about this place where the high won't fade, she's almost certainly talking about a little patch of grass off the shore of the Baltic Sea. It's definitely not that Thai restaurant that you go to at least once a week, even though the food is terrible, just because it's right around the corner.

5. Dizzee Rascal - "Stand Up Tall"

Why it makes you want to live there: Because grime is one of the rawest forms of music but still does well in the charts

In 2004 "Stand Up Tall" entered the UK charts at No. 10, and proceeded to stay in the charts for six weeks. Dizzee Rascal had already had commercial success with his raw, riotous debut album, and as the release of his sophomore record approached, there were worries that the East London MC might water down his sound and lyrical content, but those worries were proved to be totally, utterly unfounded. "Stand Up Tall" was produced by grime originator Youngstar, and saw Dizzee making something that could set up a party off, whilst staying true to grime. This song makes us want to live in the UK because not only is mainstream radio still open to non-watered down content, but grime is still very much alive and pushing boundaries (although sadly, not with Dizzee at the fore).

6. Ratatat - "Germany To Germany"

Why it makes you want to live there: Because Ratatat's "Germany To Germany" tastes like Bratwurst and craft beer.

This song makes feel proud to be German and I'm not German. If this was the country's national anthem, tourism would increase by 50%.

7. The Libertines - "Don't Look Back Into The Sun"

Why it makes you want to live there: Because Pete Doherty makes life as a sloppy Englishman seem romantic

Pete Doherty is known for drug addiction and dating Kate Moss as much as he is for music, but his music is excellent, whether solo or with The Libertines and Babyshambles, and always manages to cast a poetic light on the reckless life of a hopeless romantic lad from England.

8. Gil Scott Heron & Jamie xx - "New York Is Killing Me"

Why it makes you want to live there: Because it makes London sound cooler than New York

While Gil Scott Heron's "New York Is Killing Me" may be enough in its original form to drive you away from his torturous muse of a city, Jamie xx's expertly produced remix should all but seal the deal in convincing you to get the hell out of dodge and visit London. With its thunderous, watery bass and darkly-dance ready synths, Jamie's production on "New York Is Killing Me" sounds like the coolest underground party you've never been invited to, the sonic embodiment of dimly-lit stairwells leading to dimmer rooms, drinks of uncertain origin, and the best DJs you haven't heard of. Can you find those things in New York? Certainly, but after hearing Heron's warning, you might be more inclined to seek them out across the Atlantic.

9. Lost Scripts (John Talabot & Pional) - "I'll Be Watching You"

Why it makes you want to live there: Because parties go on until midday the next day and everyone loves each other

Pional and John Talabot both come from Spain, and their work together as Lost Scripts is sun-kissed and gently swept by warm winds, even when there is an air of sadness and far-off nostalgia running through it. Whether you're in Ibiza, Barcalona, or any of the other warm-weather nightlife destinations, partying throughout the night and into the next day is just tradition. If something like this plays while you're on a rooftop over-looking azure seas that are just starting to glint and glimmer with the first rays of the morning sun, you'll never forget the moment, and even if you've never experienced something like that, a song like this might just help you imagine it.

10. Stromae - "formidable"

Why it makes you want to live there: Because this is the most popular song on Spotify in France

Belgian artist Stromae just dropped his album Racine Carrée and this song is the second single and currently the most listened to song ion Spotify in France. It's not that this is better than what we're working with in the U.S. charts, but the shit just feels more sophisticated, like it belongs in an opera house. Meanwhile, in America, we twerk. Different strokes, etc.

11. Peter Fox - "Haus Am See"

Why it makes you want to live there: Because it sounds like the gorgeous German countryside

While German hip-hop may not necessarily conjure images of idyllic green fields and the snow-capped Alps in your mind, Berlin's Peter Fox uses an unusually pretty, plucky arrangement to paint an image of peaceful, quaint family life by a lake in single "Haus Am See." Think of it as an updated take on the imagery of The Sound of Music (without milk maids and Nazis), an idealized vision of life away from stressful cities, American or otherwise.

12. Jónsi - "Hengilás"

Why it makes you want to live there: Because Iceland is beautiful

Little in music evokes the landscapes of its mother country quite like the sounds of Sigur Rós. Listen to their music and you are soaring over mountains, through enchanted forests, and past majestic ice formations. One member of the Icelandic band, Jónsi, also releases music solo, and "Hengilás" is one of his slower paced songs, all ethereal melodies, wafting over the track like the crisp winter air.

13. Air - "La Femme D'Argent"

Why it makes you want to live there: Because it exudes Parisian cool

Whether it's senseless stereotype or rooted in some empirical reality (or a combination of the two), there exists a classic image of Parisians sitting at cafes, leisurely sipping coffee, smoking long cigarettes, and staring down at newspapers or novels over stylish sunglasses. Whether it was their aim or not, French downtempo electronica favorites Air managed to perfectly capture this effortless sense of cool with "La Femme D'Argent," the tone-setting opening track on their debut album. Though lesser known than "Sexy Boy" and single "All I Need," the breezy cinema of "La Femme D'Argent" makes it one of Air's signature songs, an inviting, mesmerizing seven minutes that invites you to get out of your room and take a walk down the Champs Elysees (or on the moon).

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