So I've kind of been MIA lately because I've been face-to-screen for a month and a half writing my graduate thesis. Now that I've lovingly placed that mess into the hands of my advisors, I feel a sense of relief mixed with exhaustion, a dash of nostalgia, and side of blinding fear. (From what I hear, this sounds about right.) Now it's time for the rituals: thesis readings, something called a "hooding ceremony," the graduation itself.
Whether or not you, too, are graduating from something, here's a mix to commemorate the ending of one thing and the beginning of another--because every spring we are born again, no? Off we go...
1. "Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder" - United States Air Force Band
Forget that it's something military and just get swept up in the sheer promise of flight. Think of The Right Stuff, or Top Gun, or something. Whee!
2. "Do It Now" - Mos Def
Busta Rhymes and Mos work it out for us white folks.
3. "Start!" - The Jam
The Jam implores you to get off your ass and get moving.
4. "This Is the Day" - Ivy
A song about brand new days , disappearing, then coming back, sung by a charming French girl. How appropriately surreal/motivational! Kind of like this.
5. "Today" - Smashing Pumpkins
I feel like listening to this song every morning might actually make one believe that, yes, today is the greatest day you've ever known.
6. "The Future, Pt. 1" - Voxtrot
Weirdly, the tinkly guitar lead on this songs has a similar timbre to the tinkly guitar lead in the Pumpkins song before it. Oh, thank you, Lords of the Mix! The real reason I chose this one is for the amazing last line: "One busy street, one flock of birds that scatters beneath my feet/All these simple things they stick to me like truth, like ice, like fire." Now that's some MFA shit right there.
7. "New Born" - Muse
Muse always manages to provide us with songs that were born out of a swell of emotion, the place where momentum comes from.
8. "The New - Interpol
Dear Interpol, how is it that you have been around for over six years? That makes me feel very old, but that's okay. It's not your fault.
9. "Going To Happen" - Koufax
Damn, these boys are good. I think it's going to happen for them. Ugh. I just made myself vomit.
10. "If It Be Your Will" - Antony
And finally, in the words of Oprah, we give it up to Jesus and just have faith that good things will happen.
Bonus Track
"I Will Follow You Into the Dark" - Death Cab For Cutie
I love this wee promise to accompany someone somewhere scary. And it's about surviving Catholic School.
So here's to my fellow grad-school peeps, and for all those with new and exciting things happening in their lives. In other words, to everyone. Congratulations and go on with your bad selves!
Hey Megan, congrats on getting your thesis done!
Great tracks.