Miscellaneous

my motivational playlist.

by erin |

I chatted with a few readers this week about the daily routine of a creative, and we all agreed on one thing: when the morning coffee wears off and you’re still stuck with a massive to do list, it’s time to pump up the volume. Naturally, I have a few go-to songs I like to blare from the speakers, but I hadn’t though to put them all in one place… until now.

The songs below will either kick your buns, adjust your perspective or inspire you endlessly. And no, R. Kelly didn’t make the cut. Sorry, Robert.

—

Frou Frou “Let Go”
“So let go, jump in. Oh well, what you waiting for?”

The Shins “Sleeping Lessons”
“Jump from the hook. You’re not obliged to swallow anything you despise.”

Switchfoot “This Is Your Life”
“This is your life; is it everything you dreamed that it would be?”

Lenka “Roll With The Punches”
“If all life offers is black and blue, you’ve got to roll, roll, roll with the punches.”

U2 “Beautiful Day”
“What you don’t have you don’t need it now; it’s a beautiful day.”

Jimmy Eat World “Everything”
“Hey, you know they’re all the same. You know you’re doing better on your own, so don’t buy in.”

Priscilla Ahn “Red Cape”
“Yesterday a hurricane had blown away my long red cape and I feel satisfied.”

Natasha Bedingfield “Unwritten”
“I’m just beginning, the pen’s in my hand; ending unplanned.”

KT Tunstall “Suddenly I See”
“Oh she makes me feel like I could be a tower…”

Snow Patrol “Run”
“Light up, light up, as if you have a choice.”

Eels “Mr. E’s Beautiful Blues”
“No don’t believe anyone, but most of all, don’t believe me. Believe you.”
[submitted by casa de crain]

The Temper Trap “Sweet Disposition”
“A moment, a love, a dream, a laugh.”
[submitted by jessica zigenis]

She & Him “In The Sun”
“We all get the slip sometimes everyday; I’ll just keep it to myself in the sun.”

Sara Bareilles “Uncharted”
“I won’t go as a passenger, no, waiting for the road to be laid.”

The Avett Brothers “Head Full of Doubt / Road Full of Promise
“There was a dream; one day I could see it.”
[submitted by amy]

Wilco “What Light?”
“Don’t let anyone change your bag.”
[submitted by amy]

Oh Land “We Turn It Up”
“But in my room I hear the sound of trumpets…”
[submitted by nadine]

Free Energy “Hope Child”
“Do you know, child, that a little while is all we’ve got?”
[submitted by melanie]

EDIT: Lots of goodies in the comment section! Keep ’em coming, friends!

  • i think joan jett is a must add to the list!
    shout by joan jett
    living room by tegan and sara
    home by edward sharpe & the magnetic zeros

  • firstly, love me some Jimmy. so spot on with that pick (and the rest!). seconldy, you might like “Sweet Disposition” by Temper Trap or “In the Sun” by Michael Stripe and Chris Martin? They always give me inspiration. Thanks for sharing!

  • omg you guys are awesome!!! am going to give these a listen and edit the list monday! whee!

  • Put Your Records On – Corinne Bailey Rae
    King of Anything – Sara Bareilles – for those critical voices in our head and life
    Into the Mystic – Van Morrison

  • I love Head Full Of Doubt/Road Full Of Promise by the Avett Brothers and What Light by Wilco :)

    P.S. Off topic: I cut off all my hair this week and you’re SO my new short-haired style icon! I love the scarves and have been using them non-stop, inspired by you, pretty lady!

  • Hope Child by Free Energy, Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z, Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough by Michael Jackson, Buffalo Stance by Neneh Cherry, Grace Kelly by Mika, Good Morning Baltimore from Hairspray, Daylight by Matt & Kim, Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves, Dog Days are Over by Florence and the Machine, Faith by George Michael…for starters. :)

  • Great list of songs. Words from songs are a great inspiration and can take us to another place which allows our minds a change, which then helps the creative juices flowing.

  • I’m always a big fan of the Grease Soundtrack. If you like the movie, almost all of the songs will make you want to dance and/or sing along.

  • I’m thinking The Decemberists- Why We Fight or Outkast- Hey Now. I’ve recently been playing a lot of Just Dance 2 and the bloody Outkast song and the dance stays for days after!

  • I have a couple of recommendations:

    1. Here Sometimes by Blonde Redhead
    2. 1980 (White Light Version) by Groove Armada
    3. You Don’t Have a Clue by Royksopp

  • Whenever I listen to “Perfect Day” by Lady Antebellum I’m instantly in a good mood.
    “Ain’t worried about tomorrow, When you’re busy livin in a perfect day”

  • Oh thank you thank you for this.. I am in a total music funk and I so need some motivation. I was about to download a Selena Gomez song(Who Says Your Not Perfect)- ha. Although I quite like the words and find them inspiring. I have an 8 year old..my excuse!
    BIG XO

  • So many songs that I would love to add to your list. The artist that is at the top of my list right now is Nikka Costa since I just seen her in concert. She has several motivational songs but for starters: Everybody’s Got Their Something and Can’t Never Did Nothing. Thanks for the post Erin! :)

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