I’ve recently gone about the undertaking of watching How I Met Your Mother from the beginning with my housemates. They’ve all seen it, I’m new to it. Odd, considering I have finals, papers, projects, and presentations to juggle- but that is neither here nor there.
Courtesy of a Mr. Barney Stinson, I come to you today with my own version of the Get Psyched mix. Whether you’re popping off on your final exams like me, or popping champagne on New Year’s Eve like the gang, this mix is ALL RISE and is guaranteed to keep you motivated and movin’.
So sit tight and get ready to rock. This is gonna be legen…wait for it…DARY.
Bon Jovi – “You Give Love a Bad Name“
THIS HAD TO BE THE FIRST SONG! It’s obligatory, I’m sorry, and while it goes against all of my morals to put this song on there…I’m here to get psyched, and I know you are, too, so here it is. Odds are you know this song, but in the off chance you don’t, “You Give Love a Bad Name” was the lead single to Bon Jovi’s 1986 album Slippery When Wet, and it’s an undeniable 80’s classic. May the floodgates to psych-age burst open!
The Avalanches – “Because I’m Me“
When you drop one of the most exciting sample-based electronic albums of all time and disappear off the Earth for 15 years, how do you make a comeback? Simply put, like this: 70’s soul, a slick boom bap beat, and a fantastic feature from Bronx rap duo Camp Lo. Mix it all together and you’ve got yourself an infectious concoction of dopeness. The Avalanches weren’t just making a return to the spotlight in 2016: they were running their victory lap. Just like YOU can be running your victory lap through these final exams, man!
Justice & Simian – “We Are Your Friends“
Oh my god, a Justice song? In one of my articles? Shocking, I know.
This 2005 remix is not only a signifier of the power of Justice as a techno duo; it is a red hot reminder that a good group of friends will always have your back, no matter what! When Simon Lord sings that that I’ll never be alone again, I believe him. This song is a dancefloor dominator, and if you’re not bobbing your head to this jam while writing your thesis, I don’t know what to tell you.
Todd Terje – “Svensk Sas“
Todd Terje is a Norwegian DJ, but more than that, he’s a genius. His seminal 2014 album, cheekily named It’s Album Time, if filled to the BRIM with non stop bangers. However, while his hit “Inspector Norse” is just as amazing now as it was in 2012, it’s “Svensk Sas” that truly blows me away. Translated as “Swedish sauce”, this 2 minute 40 second blast of grooves is enough to get anyone up and moving, or at the very least, chugging Yerba Mate and using your caffeinated adrenaline to finish annotating that chapter presentation. Whatever you do to Todd Terje’s music, it’s undeniable groove and camp is guaranteed to get you PSYCHED.
Well, kids, it’s time for me to get back to my studies. In the meantime, I hope this playlist is enough to get you through your grind! Just remember, you got this; drink lots of water, get lots of sleep, and don’t let your workload overwhelm you. Take it all a step at a time, but don’t forget to stay psyched. If you wanna do the robot, go for it, it’s actually encouraged.
Happy finals season from me and the rest of the Mic Drop fam. Winter Break is just around the corner, y’all, so don’t lose hope!
P.S.
Yes, “500 Miles” by The Proclaimers is gonna be in the playlist, because how could it not be?
