It helps you get out of bed in the morning and face the day. It gets you through that long subway commute to your summer internship and back. It might even help cheer you up after a rough breakup. No it’s not a strong cup of coffee, it’s music! Whether your heart beats to the tune of twangy country or bubblegum pop speaks to your soul, there are plenty of sites and songs out there waiting for you to find them with eager ears. Read on and then listen up; the soundtrack to your life is just a few scrolls and clicks away!
Start your day with a song
You thought getting up in time for class was a challenge, but now you find yourself at a summer job or internship and sleeping in every day is no longer an option. For those days when you’re struggling to get up earlier than the sun or just before your favorite café stops serving breakfast, try a few of the following tunes.
As far as we’ve heard, Sara Bareilles can’t go wrong. She had us at “Love Song” and we’ve been listening ever since. “Uncharted” will encourage you to toss those sheets aside and see what’s out there, even if it’s just another impatient latte order or a dreaded day of filing. If her beautiful voice and pick-me-up lyrics aren’t enough for you, there’s always the hilarious music video featuring Josh Groban, Adam Levine, Ben Folds, Tegan & Sara and more of some of the best names in music lip syncing along.
Alright, children of the ‘90s. If you don’t remember this tune at least vaguely, please tell your parents that a significant part of your childhood was compromised. This catchy song can be found toward the end of the Roald Dahl classic Matilda, when she finally got the mother she deserved. At the very least, tell us you heard it during Ice Age. “Send Me On My Way” defines happy-go-lucky and will perk up your day in minutes, even if you can’t understand exactly what they’re singing.
With a title like that, I couldn’t help but choose it for this list. You might be a reluctant morning person who needs a more mellow start to your day, and if so, here’s your song. Guster encourages you to “wake up, sweetheart”. Isn’t that a nicer greeting than the blaring sound of your alarm? Set your iPod to “Rise and Shine” and you might just be on your feet before the snooze button becomes necessary.
Move to the music
Finding time for regular exercise isn’t always easy, but now that it’s summertime your excuses involving textbooks and essays aren’t valid anymore. Use all this extra time to create a playlist that will motivate you to finish that last lap around the outdoor track or clock a few more miles on your bike.
Whether you’re of the Gleek camp or the ‘Glee is so last year’ camp, you have to admit that this is one catchy cover. I dare you not to follow this song’s instructions and bust a move the moment Mr. Schue starts to rap. Much like the show, it’s goofy and fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
This four-man band from South Carolina is known for their crooning tunes, but this one breaks the trend a bit with a pounding beat made to match your strides. The steady beat will inspire you to keep treading even when you’re sweating more than you thought was humanly possible. If you’re feeling daring you might even hit repeat when the 3 minutes are up.
Take a time machine to your parents’ heyday with this track from the Pointer Sisters. For fans of romantic comedy, remember that moment in Love Actually when Hugh Grant as prime minister did a victory dance all around his mansion? How adorable was that? Recreate the magic with this 80’s hit, and keep in mind — there are only so many opportunities you’ll have to acceptably wear neon and spandex, and working out to this song is one of them.
