#5: Why Would Anyone dance on a crummy day?

A family playlist to turn ropey days around

Our whole family has been sick in the past few days. Nothing too bad, just enough to get in closer touch with what we need and want.

I needed plain white rice, cuddles, and rest.

Instead, I went to sleep late after unnecessary hours in front of the screen. Do you know that aimless, diffuse zone that is neither fun, nor productive work? (Tell me you do!) Unless you count adding dream houses to my AirBnB wish list as fun, or skim-reading random academic papers as productive work.

I also wanted heart-warming music, because dancing in the living room with toddlers is a valid remedy for crumminess.

So I figured: if I’m motivated to curate and sing and reflect, let’s embrace that. Once I decided to compile this playlist in earnest, the “work” felt fun and productive. I feel very fortunate that I can do this here.

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Here are 10 songs that tell (what I see as) stories of intrinsic motivation: songs of purpose, individuality, determined children, and dentists. Some have the fist-pumping quality you'd expect from motivational anthems, others are chilled-out invitations to connect with what lights us up inside.

I’ve compiled these songs in a Spotify playlist, which I hope you’ll play, share and enjoy. If you know and love another song (in any language!) that fits the mood of this playlist, do let me know:

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Ablaze · Alanis Morissette

Morissette’s pop star version of working from home with kids in tow + her lyrics about fiercely protecting her children’s inner drives = ❤️

To my boy, my precious, gentle warrior
To your sweetness and your strength in exploring
May this bond stay with you through all your days
My mission is to keep the light in your eyes ablaze

To my girls, all your innocence and fire
When you reach out, I am here hell or high water
This nest is never going away
My mission is to keep the light in your eyes ablaze

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Bring It On Home · American Authors

This song warms my heart like sitting around a camp fire with dear friends does. (Go on, hit repeat!)

I've walked a million miles
To chase down my own desires
Out of fire, sea and stone
Born to find that great unknown
And when I find my joy, I'ma bring it on home

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Dentist · Steve Martin (from Little Shop of Horrors)

In college, I had silly fun doing backing vocals on this song for the musical theatre society’s winter revue (“WHO WANTS THEIR TEETH DONE BY THE MARQUIS DE SADE?”). It did not occur to me then that this song also celebrates the joy of a man finding his calling!

(The video below is equal parts funny and distressing so please take care of yourself 🦷)

I am your dentist // Goodness gracious
And I enjoy the career that I picked // You love it
I am your dentist // Fitting braces
And I get off on the pain I inflict! // Really love it

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Eye of the Tiger · Survivor

This song (and maybe the Rocky movies? Forgive me, for I haven’t seen them) is about fighting against rivals rather than for your own enjoyment. I’m including it because:
a) I love it
b) I danced to this song at a teen recital, wearing boxer-like polyester shorts and an ‘80s crop top, and hearing it connects me with dancing teen Tania 🩰

also c) this part of the lyrics is on-topic:

So many times it happens too fast
You change your passion for glory
Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive

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Follow The Sun · Xavier Rudd

I received this song as a gift the first time I heard it. I hope it feels that way for you, too.

Follow, follow the sun
And which way the wind blows
When this day is done
Breathe, breathe in the air
Set your intentions
Dream with care
[…]
When you feel this crazy society
Adding to the strain
Take a stroll to the nearest waters
And remember your place
Many moons have risen and fallen long, long before youve came
So which way is the wind blowing
And what does your heart say?

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How Far I’ll Go · Auli’i Cravalho (from Moana)

Composed and written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Moana’s song about wanting to defy her community’s expectations is bouncy, sweet, empowering Disney at its best.

I can lead with pride
I can make us strong
I'll be satisfied if I play along
But the voice inside sings a different song
What is wrong with me?

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Mi Verdad · Ana Tijoux

I felt a bit unsure about including this one. Tijoux sings about the self-affirmation that stems from fighting hardship and oppression, rather than from joy and intention. But sometimes talking about intrinsic motivation appears a bit me-me-me, and I reckon her lyrics counter this, with the idea that plural personal truths amount to collective strength.

Por mi piel morena borraron mi identidad // Because of my dark skin, they erased my identity
Me sentí pisoteado por toda la sociedad // I felt walked over by all of society
Me tuve que hacer fuerte por necesidad // I had to make myself strong out of necessity
Fui el hombre de la casa a muy temprana edad // I became the man of the house at a very early age
[…]
Verdad, verdad mi verdad // Truth, truth, my truth
No quiero tu autoridad // I don’t want your authority
Solo quiero caminar con dignidad // I just want to walk with dignity
Y conquistar mi libertad // And conquer my liberty

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Rhythm Inside · Loïc Nottet

Beverly Jo Scott’s lyrics are, literally, about marching to the beat of you own drum¹:

Listen to the sound of thunder
Rolling in the soul down under
Far beneath the skin, it rumbles
Step to the step of the drum that rolls inside
[…]
And if we die tomorrow
What do we have to show?
For the wicked ways down below
The rhythm inside is telling us

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True To Myself · Ziggy Marley

Marley celebrates self-expression and smilingly tells everyone to bugger off:

Just do what you feel and don't you fool yourself, I say
'Cause I can't make you happy unless I am, I say I say I
Got to be true to myself

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You Do You · Jason Mraz & Tiffany Haddish

If I chose one song to encapsulate this newsletter, this is what I’d pick today. Plus it’s hard not to smile at the Michel Gondry vibes of this video made during the 2020 lockdown.

You do you and I'll do me
Together we'll make harmony
Together we may dance differently but it's all good

I'm easily inspired by the people surrounding me
But still I take pride in my individuality
I might be different from the people in my family
But the truth is their roots keep grounding me
There ain't no mystery to my mastery
I just let myself act naturally

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1. How can Nottet’s vocals be so assured even lying on the FLOOR after a bunch of pirouettes?! Belgium holds a special place in my heart and, six years later, I’m still gutted that this song didn’t win the Eurovision Song Contest 2015.