I had this very funny powerful moment recently in Trader Joe’s. I was in the thick of something at work (just in it, ya know?), and in need of a quick mid morning break.

While I went straight to the peanut butter chocolate chip Lara bars, on came “Jump in the Line” by Harry Belafonte. It turned my whole day around.

For the rest of the week, I walked to work playing that tune and it made me feel happy, light-hearted, invigorated, energized and wanting to watch Beetle Juice all at once.

 That’s the great thing about music: it can completely change your mood.  It can transport you back to a certain place and time.  It can make a train ride go by quicker. It can bring people together at a wedding.  It really helps during a break up. And can generally always help you power through the workday.  It can fuel you to run faster.  And at least for me, it can just make you dance a fool in the kitchen.

 Post election, I was grasping onto anything that would uplift and sooth my spirits.

The most immediate: listening to good music. Or just music that would get me dancing again.

 Last year, Subjects to Change, a teen program that I worked with at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, created a “Pump Up Playlist” project. This entailed crafting personal playlists with music that ignited individuals to get up, stand up and get pumped for changemaking.

With this in mind, I decided to make my own Pump Up Playlist last week.  It’s been great to listen to on my walk to work, making dinner, and in researching what to do next in response to the election.

NOTE: I (finally) just got on Spotify and recommend you take a listen here (also happy to share it directly with you). Enjoy! 

 

A PUMP UP PLAYLIST TOWARDS PROGRESS

People Everyday – Metamorphosis Mix /// Arrested Development

Rhythm Nation /// Janet Jackson

Standard // Empress Of

Skin on the Drum /// Michael Franti & Spearhead

Get on Your Feet /// Gloria Estefan

We Belong /// RAC (feat Herzig)

Come Together /// The Beatles

Keep On Pushing /// The Impressions

So Insane /// Discovery

I’ll Rise /// Ben Harper

Scream /// Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson

We didn’t Start the Fire /// Billy Joel

Light Me Up (feat. Marti Nikko) /// DJ Drez

Don’t Worry Baby /// Beach Boys

Changes /// 2Pac

Om Nashi Me /// Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Up Up & Away /// Kid Cudi

Send me on my Way /// Rusted Root

Stay Human /// Michael Franti

Changes /// Seu Jorge

Heart it Races /// Architecture in Helsinki

Love Train /// The O’Jays

Run the World (Girls) - Beyoncé

Float On /// Ben Lee

Jump in the Line/// Harry Belafonte

 

p.s. currently in NYC and snapped this photo in front of thousands of post-it notes containing messages of hope, tolerance & solidarity in the Union Square subway station. It is AWESOME. (check out more here: subway therapy).