Motivational Music, the Massively Cheesy Edition

So I've been working on a new "About Me" page for my author blog and for a new author website that I've been setting up, all in advance of RoboNomics becoming a featured story on Wattpad. And while I've written out my story, it has taken on a definite...hard-headed tone.

For some reason this made me think of the various Motivational playlists that I've shared with you in the past. And it also put me in mind of the very large blind spot that I intentionally had in sharing those playlists. That is, I didn't want to admit to listening to some of the most ridiculously corny songs when I need a motivational pick-me-up.



Maybe over-the-top songs about obtaining one's goals are required once you've decided to pursue a career in the arts. Reading, training, learning and practicing. Drafting and revising and line editing -- all of this takes time. So much time that it's hard to keep my 'eye on the prize'. And so once in awhile I have to indulge. I have to remind myself why I'm doing this. I need obvious lyrics and bad instrumentation to knock me over the head with my original intention.

This is how I build my own support system. In a world full of trolls and haters, I don't troll or hate back. I just listen to cheese-ball songs! :P

Just for Fun Friday

I was sitting in my car the other day, waiting on my love who was running on errand. I turned on the radio to this song and instantly loved it. I Shazamed it and found out the track heralds the return of my old dear friends, Silversun Pickups. Wheeee!


So good. So happy. :)

I also love when I find bands that seem to evolve with me. When I first heard "Lazy Eye", I was obsessed with it. But I don't listen to that song much these days because I'm not in that emotional place anymore. But "Cannibal" just so corresponds with where my head is these days, I'm pretty sure it's going to become my new obsession.

Music for Journeying

Having recently completed a move that included a journey across part of this continent, I thought I'd focus on songs that make me think of journeying.

There have always been stories of traveling in all world literature. And much has been written about how journey stories are metaphors for a human's journey through life -- traveling from major life event to major life event rather than from place to place. I, for one, have yet to write my own big journey story that I have on my back burner. But in my life, I've always moved around. In 33 years I've lived in 9 different places. I haven't seen much of the world, but I have seen much of this continent we call America of the North.

So it might not be surprising that I am inspired by songs about traveling that have a definite folksy-country vibe. Here are just a few of these songs, starting where I started this journey: in the Wilderness of Manitoba.

And then of course there's Johnny Cash's "I've Been Everywhere" which is like a musical North American travel bingo. Of course, this move we crossed only a few of the places in the first verse off the list! Two provinces: Manitoba and Ontario. Six states: North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. And we passed through numerous cities: Winnipeg, Grand Forks, Fargo, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Baraboo, Madison, Chicago, Flint, Sarnia, London and Toronto. It was a long trip.

But I've realized that this enjoyment in travel, or rather, in moving from place to place is not a joy shared by many. I'm a rare breed: someone who likes moving. I've noticed that there are a couple members of my extended family who have that wanderlust, but beyond our family I don't know too many people who actually like the prospect of moving every few years. But it's something that has marked my adult life. The last time I lived in one place for a long time was between the ages of 3 and 17. Since then, I haven't lived in a city for longer than 3 years at a time.

So I've thrown in a few rambler anthems into this mix. If you're going to write a journey story, I hope you find that these songs give you some inspiration!

Also, be sure to enjoy the video for "Hopeless Wanderer." That one took me by surprise with its silly secret. :)

I Need Some Motivation to Write!

Yesterday, on my other blog, I wrote about how I had to deal with trolls for the first time as it relates to my writing. I already wrote about what I have done in response, but I wanted to follow it up with some awesome tracks that help me get back to being a determined, persistent artist who wants to succeed. That, instead of a wallowing pile of self-pity.



My musical way of saying fuck you, trolls!

Music that Inspired RoboNomics Chapter 3

Hey everyone! I'm working on some stuff for my other blog, as well as working hard on RoboNomics Chapter 3! While you wait for all that to be complete, enjoy the soundtrack to Chapter 3:



Hey at least I managed to get a Chapter 3 preview pic out! Lots of work this week!

Retro Motivation

Sometimes, I need a little kick in the bum when it comes to getting the writing on the page. Especially this time of year, when there are lovely and fun distractions such as writing holiday greetings to friends or buying gifts or attending tacky Christmas sweater parties. I personally need motivational soundtracks galore over the next two weeks to remind myself not to throw in the towel early.

And so, I present my Retro Motivation playlist:



Some of the inclusions I've made are obvious. But others need explanation:

Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong - They All Laughed: Sure, it's about a love affair. But it can easily apply to a work of fiction, art -- any endeavour really. Especially since Ella and Louis reference historical endeavours that were once laughed at.

Irene Cara - What a Feeling, Rocky Theme Song, Survivor - Eye of the Tiger, Chariots of Fire: All mega motivational anthems, retro style!

Dolly Parton - 9 to 5, Avenue Q Original Broadway Cast - What do you Do with a B.A. in English/Sucks to be Me: I guess these are more "I'm not the only one feeling this way" songs. Toiling away, chipping away at the steps, working towards a dream sort of songs.

Eminem - Lose Yourself, Travie McCoy feat. Bruno Mars - Billionaire: All right, all right. Not so retro. But still motivational. And besides, does anyone remember the last time Eminem was bleached blonde?

Jessie J - Price Tag: Again, not so retro. But also not exactly of the moment, is it? I needed to add this song at the last moment, as an antidote to the previous track. Lately I've been feeling like I don't want to think that I am writing for money's sake. Maybe I want to create art because I have to. That, for me, is motivational in itself.

Motivation in Contemporary Times

When I last maintained the blog "Inspiration Music for Writers", I had one or two posts that had to do with motivational music. And while I fully intend on revamping those entries and reposting them here, the world has moved on since then. And in the meantime a whole new crop of songs have been released and are currently part of the zeitgeist. And so, here it is: my list of songs on modern popular charts that remind me why I am doing what I'm doing, and keep me doing what I'm doing. Especially potent when played first thing in the morning:

1. Britney Spears - Work B**ch: At first, I paid no attention to this song. What little of the lyrics I caught seemed silly and nursery-rhyming. "Tell everybody in your town", or some such nonsense. But then one day I really listened. And suddenly I realized that the message was super simple and powerful: sure, Will.i.am (one of the song writers) refers mainly to material goods, but it can apply to anything: contrary to some belief systems, no matter what your goal is, you're going to have to work your ass off for it. I like to think of this song, when I listen to it, as a little pep talk to myself. Tough self-love, let's say. It also works for workouts. Which is why the video doesn't really mesh for me with the message. Here I am giving myself a pep talk and meanwhile Britney Spears is involved in some kind of weird slavery imagery? Ick. Also, product placement. Ick.

 

2. Katy Perry - Roar: This song, for me, is about finding one's inner strength. Beyond all the Rockyesque references, for me it's about getting it done even when I don't want to. Again, pretty lame video. Spearing a banana it's quite the achievement that comes to mind.

 

3. Sara Bareilles - Brave: Brave, something that a writer or artist of any kind requires every step of the way. Even writing a first draft can be difficult if you have other people's criticizing voices in your head. And every time you submit a piece of writing to literary magazines, to agents, publishers, and eventually to the public, there's always a chance of rejection. Even telling other people that you're a writing, aspiring or published, requires immense amounts of bravery...since most people judge. At those times, it's a good idea to remember the lyrics of this song.

 

4. Hedley - Anything: And then when judgements come, there's always this ditty by Hedley to remember. Its such an awesome stance towards the haters. Also, I really like the idea of momentum. Because again, anything worth doing requires work. And the more I work, it seems, the more work I am motivated to do.

 

5. Down with Webster - One in a Million: I like this song for times when I am filled with self-doubt. There are so many folks self-publishing these days or having their books traditionally published. Sometimes it feels like deciding to be an author is the decision to enter a heavily saturated market. But I have to believe. I have to know that I can do this, and that even though my chances at success are small, there are not non-existent. Don't think you can do it? Belief. There's one thing you need.

 

6. Classified - Inner Ninja: But you also need to know your stuff. To master your craft. And that's the lesson I learned from "Inner Ninja." If you want to be the best at something, especially an art, you have to learn it and you need to practice it. Belief, work, persistence. That's all we need.

 

7. Beyoncé - Grown Woman: Another one for the haters. The message is simple: just leave it alone. It's my decision to write, and that's what I'm going to do.

****Update: Bonus Motivation Track: Rollin' by iSH! So good!****