The Marie Claire Flower Child Playlist
MarieClaire.com editor Lauren Valenti shares her favorite free-spirited tracks.

Simply put, if I could go back to the '60s and '70s and never look forward, I would. If that were the case, I could actually see all of my favorite bands live — pretend I'm with the band, try to sneak backstage, and experience live music in a pre-Instagram era. Though, in all fairness, I did see the Rolling Stones three times last year.
Don't get me wrong, I'm as guilty of snapping pictures in the middle of a show as the next girl — the temptation is real. But let's face it, you can't really be enraptured with the performance if you're simultaneously contemplating which filter will make Jack White look least less pale.
Since I have yet to crack the secret to time travel, I like to let '60s music figuratively transport me. I'll kick off my heels, throw on the Grateful Dead, The Mamas & the Papas, or The Troggs, perhaps adorn my hair with some flowers (as I did at Governor's Ball in the Instagram pictured) and just pretend. Here, I've selected my 25 favorite songs from the free lovin' era.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Lauren Valenti is Vogue’s former senior beauty editor. Her work has also appeared on ELLE.com, MarieClaire.com, and in In Style. She graduated with a liberal arts degree from Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, with a concentration on Culture and Media Studies and a minor in Journalism.
-
Sydney Sweeney Makes (Faux) Fur Work for Summer
She wear anything she sets her mind to.
-
Wray's Curtain Call Won’t End the Push for Size-Inclusive Fashion
Serna opens up about the end of her revolutionary label—and where fashion goes from here.
-
This Vintage Clip of Kate Middleton Apologizing to Prince William After Beating Him in a Boat Race Is Going Viral on TikTok
"We were sabotaged," Will joked after Kate beat him not once, but twice.
-
Finn Wolfhard Shares What Music Shaped Him—and What's on His Playlist Now
With his album 'Happy Birthday' out now, the actor/musician opens up about his musical preferences for the 'Marie Claire' series "Listen Up."
-
Maren Morris Shares What Music Shaped Her—and What's on Her Playlist Now
With her album 'D R E A M S I C L E' out now, the singer opens up about her musical preferences for the 'Marie Claire' series "Listen Up."
-
Beyoncé Battles Her Gatekeepers on the 'Cowboy Carter' Tour
And proves the best use of her power is looking beyond them.
-
In 'Sinners,' Music From the Past Liberates Us From the Present
In its musical moments, Ryan Coogler's vampire blockbuster makes a powerful statement about Black culture, ancestry, and art.
-
After 25 Years, 'The Virgin Suicides' Is Still Influencing Artists Like Me
To coincide with the film's anniversary, Mia Berrin from Pom Pom Squad reflects on what it's meant to her artistic journey.
-
Rico Nasty Shares What Music Shaped Her—and What's on Her Playlist Now
With her new album 'LETHAL' coming soon, the rapper opens up about her musical preferences for the 'Marie Claire' series "Listen Up."
-
In 'Opus,' Cult Leaders and Pop Stars Are One in the Same
The A24 film's costume and production designers open up about crafting fictional pop icon Moretti’s style and mysterious estate.
-
The Melancholic Sound of Success
The artist known as Japanese Breakfast opens up about finding her sound on a new album after experiencing whirlwind success.