SUNDAY
“93 Million Miles,” Jason Mraz
Start off the week with this track, which evokes a relaxing feeling with a nice rhythm and lots of soothing guitar. Beyond its chill ambiance, the tune carries a wonderful message: the idea that “you can always come back home” no matter how far away you are (even 93 million miles). This idea feels particularly relevant to freshmen who have just left home, but the theme works for everyone: no matter where we go or what we do, it is important to have a home to come back to. It is easy to get caught up in classes and papers, activities and committees, but at the end of the day, it’s good to know that we are not alone, that we “can always come home.”
MONDAY
“Bad Day,” Daniel Powter
There’s no way around it – Mondays are terrible. There are two ways of coping with this. Some take the day by storm and ignore the “Mondays” by just not thinking about it, and this works for them. But most people (or so it seems) go for wallowing and avoiding Mondays altogether. “Bad Day” works for that. It accepts that bad days happen, and that it will get better, which is sometimes the best way to go. What makes this song perfect for commiserating is that it knows about this process – it even encourages singing “a sad song to turn it around.” And as an added bonus, if you’re a take-charge type of person, you can listen to the “Alvin and the Chipmunks” version.
TUESDAY
“Wrecking Ball,” Miley Cyrus
I understand the apprehension surrounding this choice – the music video is weird as weird can be (licking hammers is neither socially acceptable nor sanitary). However, the song itself is pretty awesome. Miley has a unique voice and this song shows it off well, transitioning between low notes to the top of her range. Also, as a loud, angry song, “Wrecking Ball” is useful for an alarm clock or an intense workout song. I guess my point is that you should look it up – but maybe look for a video that just has the lyrics.
WEDNESDAY
“The Fox,” Ylvis
This song poses one of the most challenging existential questions of the universe, one that nobody seems to know the answer to: what in the world does a fox sound like? I first heard this playing in my hall’s lobby, and now it seems to be everywhere. The song itself is humorous, not only because of the lyrics but because it sounds more like a real song than a joke: it has verses, a chorus and some pretty impressive harmony. The music video also includes entertaining costumes, choreography and characters, so that’s also worth taking a look. By the middle of the week, it’s easy to get stressed and forget the things that are really important, such as humor and challenging life questions. “The Fox” combines both. And if you’ve already heard it, listen again anyway – you know you want to.
THURSDAY
“Take On Me,” A-ha
This is my favorite song from the ’80s, and it is super-underappreciated. It has all the criteria of a good ’80s pop song, including (but not limited to), an electronic intro, a catchy melody, an odd music video (do you really know what’s behind those shelves in the supermarket?) and sustained, super-high notes. Though it’s probably not your go-to ditty for a Thursday, give it a try and you’ll undoubtedly start to get pumped for the weekend, for old music and for more ’80s flashbacks.
FRIDAY
“Not Falling Apart,” Maroon 5
Most people who claim to like Maroon 5 haven’t heard of this track, and I can’t understand why. Released in 2007 and nothing like “Moves Like Jagger,” this melody is both catchy and musically impressive with good vocals and a memorable chorus. The central idea is that bad stuff happens and people leave, but we have to move on and stay strong – something that everyone has gone through and everyone should remember. Even though Adam Levine says he “can’t walk” or “talk anymore,” he’s not falling apart. If he can get through the loss of his basic communication and mobility skills, any fight can be resolved.
SATURDAY
“Whine Up,” Kat DeLuna
What do a lot of people do on Saturdays? Work out, and dance! With a good beat and commanding lyrics, this song works well for both situations – this confident track inspires anyone who listens. Listen up, and have a great weekend!
– By Emma Reidy
The Emory Wheel was founded in 1919 and is currently the only independent, student-run newspaper of Emory University. The Wheel publishes weekly on Wednesdays during the academic year, except during University holidays and scheduled publication intermissions.
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