Sometimes you need a little bit of mood music to get you going on a particularly tough day or to bring you down from a stressful situation. I definitely have my own list of go-to tunes to get me in the mood – whether I need a little bit of cheering up or to let it all out.
When I need a little motivation:
- “Feels Like Today” by Rascal Flatts – When I was looking for my first job I pretty much listened to this song every day. It kept me motivated and hopeful that something great was coming!
- “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack – In high school my friends and I used to sing this song all the time! And even now, every time I hear it I can’t help but belt along and feel inspired.
- “Jesus Take the Wheel” by Carrie Underwood – I had a really bad week during my last summer in college: I didn’t have a place to live, I crashed my car and I listened to this song EVERY day.
- “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts – This song came out when I graduated college. My favorite line: “I hope you never look back, but you never forget all the ones who love you in the place you left.”
When I’ve had a bad day:
- “Keep Your Head Up” by Andy Grammer – It’s hard not to believe the words of someone who speaks from experience. This guy was literally living on the street when he wrote this song.
- “Bad Day” by Daniel Powder – This one seems obvious, right? Somehow, it always seems to put me in a better mood when my day – or month – has been less than pleasant.
- “Look After You” by The Fray – I had a major Fray obsession in college and still love listening to their “How to Save a Life” album. It has since died down, but this song still gets to me.
- “Oxford Comma” by Vampire Weekend – Anything by Vampire Weekend can calm me down. They are really chill and have a whole slew of songs perfect for all kinds of moodiness.
When I’m getting ready to go out:
- “Let’s Get It Started” by The Black Eyed Peas – The entire “Elephunk” album would be blasting when I was getting ready for or on my way to a party, bar, social … you name it. I still love it!
- “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper – In my sorority house we would play music in the upstairs bathroom as we got ready for events and it doesn’t get better than this girly anthem.
- “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield – Nothing makes me feel like dancing and having a good time like “Jessie’s Girl”! It makes me miss my girls and my good ol’ college days.
- “Only Girl in the World” by Rihanna – I can’t get enough of belting out Rihanna songs and this is one that I literally scream rather than sing, whether I’m at a bar or in the car.
When I feel like screaming:
- “Shame for You” by Lily Allen – I love Lily because she’s bitter, raunchy and bold – she says all the things I feel like saying when I’m really mad, but would never dare utter out loud.
- “Addicted” by Kelly Clarkson – No one does angry ex-girlfriend better than Kelly! And while I don’t have the crazy boy drama (thank goodness) that she usually sings about, it feels good to sing loudly along.
- “Walk Away” by Christina Aguilera – Here’s another one who’s good at telling off both guys and girls – whoever deserves it. When I wish I could yell at someone, I sing some Xtina songs instead.
- “Rumour Has It” by Adele – I seriously hope they don’t start playing this song on the radio because I’d be bummed if it got played out and I got tired of singing it on my way home from a bad day.
So, now it’s your turn! What are the songs that inspire you?
Book Report: “Kitchen Chinese” by Ann Mah
Another Book Club read, this novel was chosen because it was written by a Chi Omega. It was also a welcome departure from the more serious and scientific books that the group had read in the months prior.
It’s about a Chinese-American woman who works as a magazine fact-checker (I can relate to that) who loses her job in New York (thankfully I can’t relate to that) and decides to move to China to live with her sister – who she never really got close to when they were growing up.
Along the way she makes new friends, meets some interesting and very high-profile guys (by Chinese standards at least) and gets a job writing about food.
The book is really light and fun, and while I didn’t relate to the Chinese parts of the book so much, I could relate to some of the interactions with her sister. Overall it was a good read, but maybe one that you borrow from the library rather than pay for at the book store.
anna•tomy 