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“Raiding the iPod Classic” Playlist (50 Minute-Ride)

My collection of iPod Classics on my shabby-chic desk. You’re welcome!

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

Coming up with a new playlist on a frequent basis is one of the most stressful parts of my job. When I started out I played everything I liked and figured my students would just learn to dig my eclectic tastes. Over time I have learned to tailor my workouts and playlist to a broader audience so that it is not always “the Margo show.” (Big lesson to new instructors out there—play the whole room!)

When my mind runs out of ideas for songs to play in class it is time to power up the four old iPod Classics that I will never throw away even though their collective battery power barely lasts an hour. The iPod classic is now something of a relic as it seems that the marketplace demands for electronics that serve multiple functions. Why have an iPod AND an iPhone? Just have your calendar, photos, email and music in one place makes life so much easier, right?

The thing is—I love the iPod classic because all it does for me is contain my audio files in one place. I have thousands of songs and podcasts waiting in one easy to scroll screen. (Hate touch screens for song shuffles!)

It never takes messages or runs out space because it only serves one function. When I groove around Brooklyn with my iPod, I enjoy my music without any beeps or dings or buzzes to remind me of text messages or retweets.

My mistake was that I used them solely and not CDs in my classes (which though they are old-timey contain THE best sound for music IMHO) which quickly wore the “classic” down (you can’t replace the battery in those Apple products!) I reckon I went through an iPod classic every two years which is expensive and wasteful.

Currently I have a collection of them in a drawer in my office. It’s the same drawer that holds the cat treats so whenever I take them out to recharge (which can be an overnight task for one of them) my Tuxedo cat goes nuts until I give her some “Greenies.”

I decided to take all four of them out and do some digging into past playlists with names like ‘If So Ride,” Classic Ride Climb” and the truly cringe-worthy “One Hit Wonder Ride” when I thought themed classes were going to be “my thing.” (Shuddering at my hubris right now—yeesh!)

However, in the middle of my “way too many 90s and white dudes songs” are some real gems that I completely forgot about and I went through and cherry picked a few to reintroduce to my classes. (Hence the name—the “Raiding the iPod Classic Ride.”)

Let me know what you think and remember—I need song suggestions, always. So be sure to post them in the comments below!

Thanks!

Tuesday Morning: The Pougues

This band is about as Irish as it gets which is always a good thing to me and this song in particular is so lush and enjoyable that it starts the ride off in a joyful place.

I Heard I Had: Dear Rouge

Once again—I am doing everything I can to make this Vancouver band break it big in America so I can see them live in New York. (I have your back Dear Rouge!)

Battleflag (Radio Edit): Lo Fidelity Allstars

This song was used a few times in the show ER in the 90s to very creepy effect (remember when Dr. Carter was stabbed by the schizophrenic in that crazy episode?!) There is also version and the real version with tons of MFs in it depending on the kind of room you teach.

I Will Wait: Mumford & Sons

I love how I Will Wait builds in energy (and banjos!) as it moves along.

Wishing it Was: Santana with Eagle-Eye Cherry

I use this one for a slow climb with heavy resistance and tell me students if they feel sexy listening to it—that’s totally okay. Then I enjoy watching them all sway their shoulders to the beat.