We at HSLIC know how hard it can be right now to find the inspiration to try new things to help with studying, working, taking breaks, and more. That's why we all came together to create a playlist of our favorite songs for different activities!
Click on the image to be taken to the playlist.
Afraid there won't be something for you? Don't worry! This was a truly collaborative project so there is a variety of taste and should be something for just about everyone. Not sure what might be a good activity for a song on the list? Many participants also gave examples of what they like to do while listening! So check them out:
- David Lucero, Unit Adminstrator
- Imagine Dragons, Linkin Park, and Evanescense when running/exercising.
- Ingrid Hendrix, Nursing Services Librarian
- Talking Heads, Los Angeles by X, and Louder than Bombs by The Smiths when dancing and singing around the house (but not loud enough for her neighbors to hear).
- Jonathan Pringle, Scholarly Communications & Digital Librarian
- "I Wish" by Skee Lo and "Free as a Bird" by the Beatles while thinking about the 90's. "How I miss the 90's sometimes."
- "Rainy Days and Mondays" by the Carpenters when he is singing along, always alone, and preferably on a rainy day or Monday.
- Sol Lopez, Technical Services Manager
- "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole, "Papaoutai" by Stromae, "Blackbird" by The Beatles, and "Running with the Wolves" by Aurora when she's relaxing at the end of the day with her kids and husband or when she needs a little inspiration to wash dishes after a long day. "I really enjoy the Folk genre. The power of music is much needed to connect and lift the spirits!"
- Anna Cibilis, Library Information Specialist
- "The Barrel by Aldous Harding, "Sunflower" by Vampire Weekend, "Lost" by Frank Ocean, "If You Want Me To Stay" by Sly & the Family Stone, and "The Future is Here" by Sleater-Kinney when she's cooking, going on a run, and/or playing board games with her sister/roommate.
- Kelleen Maluski, Student Success and Engagement Librarian
- "Fetch the Bolt Cutters" by Fiona Apple for towards the end of the day when she's been at her kitchen table desk without getting up for too long. It powers her through while making her feel seen. “Fetch the bolt cutters, I’ve been here too long!”
- "Summertime" by Orville Peck when compiling emails/documentation. It is calming and can be in the background but also there are moments of great emotion that help her dig deeper for better writing.
- "Watching the Detectives" by Elvis Costello for taking a quick stretch/dance break in-between Zoom meetings. "I can't help but move when this song is on!"
- "You Go To My Head" by Billie Holiday when she is doing literature searches/chat shifts. She has the LP of Lady Sings the Blues and loves to just listen on repeat when having to do or assist with research. It’s the perfect music to relax her when she has 100 computer tabs open. Extra benefit of the LP is she has to get up to turn it over.
- "Happy Birthday, johnny" by St. Vincent for anything creative. Kelleen lived in NYC for 16 years and this song reminds her of the scene and the people and the seasons and all of that energy while also being mellow enough to keep her focused. This is also another one she has the LP for and it is a beautiful bubblegum pink that gets that creative energy going.
- "Ladies First" by Queen Latifah for processing those microaggresions.
- Kristin Proctor, Library Services Coordinator
- Rites of Passage by the Indigo Girls (especially "Galileo"), The Story by Brandi Carlile, "All I want" by Joni Mitchell, "Making Plans for Nigel" by XTC, "Who Loves the Sun" by the Velvet Underground, "Birdhouse in Your Soul" by They Might Be Giants, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvanna, and the Beatles for singing along when nobody is listening, rocking out while uploading ILL articles, dancing while doing the laundry, and making her cats and husband look at her like she's wild.
- Lori Sloane, Data Manager
- "In the Morning Light" by Yanni during "her time" driving in the car.
- "Cherish the Day" and "By Your Side" by Sade while working in the kitchen and dancing/singing along.
- "Until the Last Moment" and "Love is All" by Yanni for relaxing and feeling good.
- Lucas Poloni, Facilities Services Manager
- "Silbo" by Féloche during his morning drive because "it gives a good vibe."
What do you like to listen to and for what activity? Let us know and we'll include on the playlist!