We’ve all been there. You left school or work ecstatic for the weekend because that awesome new friend / cool co-worker / cute classmate you’ve been admiring from afar just invited you to a party. But now it’s getting to be time to head out and you’re having reservations. You’re not really going to know anyone there, and you’re worried about embarrassing yourself in front of all these people who are cooler than you and oh hey look there’s a great episode of Top Chef on.
Luckily, the music team at Autostraddle is here to cure your funk with, well, the funk. Listen to this mix, get pumped up, check out your beautiful bad self in the mirror and have a good time because you fucking deserve it!
This week’s formspring playlist request:
To be played during those first few minutes of the debate, when you’re still pondering, as Joe Strummer once did, if you should stay or you should go. This will tip the scales for ‘yes.’ Go with it.
LCD Soundsystem is pretty much applicable to every possible situation ever, but especially dance parties, be they solo while you’re getting ready or with a group.
Lady Luck – Jamie Woon
This track from oh-so-smooth British R&B upstart Jamie Woon goes down extra nicely with a glass of liquid courage on the rocks (but please for the love of Eileen Myles please drink responsibly and always have a safe and sober ride kthx).
Alright – Supergrass
‘But we are young / we run green / keep our teeth nice and clean / see our friends / see the sights / feel alright.’ ‘Alright’ is the kind of lovely, silly little pop song that makes you want to go be young and get into shenanigans and make questionable decisions, because it usually works out in the end.
Don’t act like this isn’t already on your going-out playlist.
Hit Me With Your Best Shot – Pat Benatar
All getting-ready / pregaming playlists need at least one obligatory lip-sync-like-a-nerd-in-front-of-the-mirror-in-a-towel number. This is it. (‘Pocketful of Sunshine’ and ‘Man! I Feel Like A Woman’ are among the many acceptable alternatives.)
P.Y.T. – Michael Jackson
Because you may not have MJ’s moves, but you are certainly a P.Y.T. and will carry yourself accordingly.
Banquet – Bloc Party
One of my personal favorite getting ready / pre-gaming songs. The riff will get you going and you may find yourself lip syncing rather passionately to the ‘you know I’m on fire when you come‘ bit without realizing it, potentially confusing your roommates and / or passersby if you’re out in public.
When I was in college, this guy I knew made a coming-of-age movie and used this song to soundtrack a getting-ready montage. I remember thinking it was very effective, and every once in a while, it pops up in my head while I’m getting ready.
Super Freak – Rick James
I find funk to be a particularly effective genre for party / eventually getting your freak on motivation. It has been scientifically proven impossible to not at least slightly shake one’s groove thing while listening to this song. You will feel like a better dancer than you may actually be. And confidence is, like, more than half the battle.
Up For the Down Stroke – Parliament
Same idea as the above. George Clinton is imploring you to get up, so you had better do what he says. This could probably be substituted for any Parliament and / or Funkadelic song, but this is just a personal favorite.
The Rooster – OutKast
An underrated cut from Speakerboxxx / The Love Below. The horns will make you feel downright majestic.
Hey Ladies – Beastie Boys
Listen to this one near the end of the getting-ready process. Maybe you’ve got a beer or your drink of choice in hand. Maybe you’re applying lipstick or fixing your hair. Look at yourself in the mirror, maybe do a little spin as you get to the ‘hey ladies!’ bit.
She Wolf – Shakira
That she-wolf Shakira is singing about? That’s you, you beautiful sexy beast, you. Now go out there and show ‘em what you got.
Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
Sometimes, for that last little boost of confidence, you just need to break out the big guns.
Bad Kids – Black Lips
You can listen to the entire playlist here!
And out the door you go, throwing caution to the wind, dancing to fuzzy Atlanta garage-punk and feeling like you could take on the world. Go get ‘em.
Add your favorite getting ready / pump-up / pre-gaming songs in the comments below.
Have a playlist request? Send it to Crystal via Formspring and someone on the team will make it for you.
