Taylor Swift Archives - Margo Donohue

Playlists March 1, 2016 by Margo Donohue

Brooklyn Fit Chick “Ventura Highway” 50-Minute Workout Playlist Featuring: Foos, Eminem, Gaga and more

BROOKLYN FIT CHICK’S PLAYLIST

“Ventura Highway” (50 Minute-Ride)

50 Minute Playlist Including a Cool Version of "Ventura Highway" — 50 Minute Playlist Including a Cool Version of “Ventura Highway”

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

Whenever putting together a playlist for one of my classes I truly struggle with the warm-up song as it sets the tone for the workout. A few years ago I came across this amazing remix of America’s “Ventura Highway” and love to figure out new ways to introduce it to my classes.

So today’s playlist is a mixture of old and a new tunes designed to get you working out in a good mood.

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

Thanks!

Ventura Highway: (Deepsky’s Blizzard in L.A. Remix) America

I love how it has a California/Trance kind of vibe to it and it always starts the class off in a trippy mood.

Shake it Off: Taylor Swift

Is there any more joyful song than this one by the woman who travels in squads? I am not into collecting friends like that but she sure knows how to write a hit!

Rumble & Sway: Jamie N Commons

This tune has a fun, bouncy swing to it that makes me happy.

Saint Cecelia: Foo Fighters

This song mixes two things I love—the name Cecelia (because I am an old-school Irish girl) and the Foo Fighters (because I am also a total rock chick.)

Spiderwebs: No Doubt

Does anyone else miss Gwen Stefani and the dudes from No Doubt? Their music was so damn great!

Once in a Lifetime: Talking Heads

When I take my students on a heavy climb in cycling classes or to do a series of lunges in bootcamp—I prefer a heavy song with a strong beat. This one from the Talking Heads does the job nicely. (I prefer the live version.)

Without Me: Eminem

The funny thing about Eminem is that he seemed so important at the time and that we would miss him when he took time off from his career. Not so much for me but I do love some of his music still.

Butterfly: Crazy Town

I love me some early 00s pop hits like Butterfly reminds me of my younger days.

Let Forever Be: The Chemical Brothers

For high intensity drills (HIITs) I like songs that have a powerful feel to them and The Chemical Brothers are masters of that stuff.

Tusk: Fleetwood Mac

In spin classes I love to guide at least one out of the saddle climb with heavy resistance and then finish with a run up the rest of the hill. “Tusk,” which has the U.S.C marching band propelling the music helps give it a majestic feel.

Poker Face: Lady Gaga

My favorite version of Lady Gaga is the edge dance diva and this is one of my favorite hits by her.

Use Me: Hootie & the Blowfish

For the final climb (or floorwork depending on the class) I like to out this Bill Wither’s classic on and ask the class to guess the band. It’s a hoot (pardon the silly pun) to watch them try to figure it out!

Simple Man: Lynrd Skynrd

I am a “dyed in the wool” city gal at my core but man do I love me some southern rock and this band always makes me smile.

That’s it for me this time. Now go out there and get your own workout in!

Until next time…

Ox Ox,

BFC

Brooklyn Fit Chick

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Playlists July 26, 2015 by Margo Donohue

Brooklyn Fit Chick Playlist: 50-Minute Intervals with Matthew Sweet, Gaga, Taylor Swift & More

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BROOKLYN FIT CHICK’S PLAYLIST

“Girlfriend” Ride (50 Minutes)

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

Today’s playlist was inspired after I heard Matthew Sweet’s Girlfriend on the radio last week and my brain went “ahhhh” from happiness. I decided it would be the perfect warm-up song and created a 50-minute interval ride for indoor cycling that will work for any of your cardio needs. Hope you like it!

Let me know what you think of it and remember—I need song suggestions, always.

Girlfriend: Matthew Sweet

From the opening guitar riff right through all of the cool drum fills-this song seriously kicks butt and makes me want to work harder. Love, love, love, deeply love this song.

Pump It: The Black Eyed Peas

For all of you Pulp Fiction fans—the music “bed” here is Dick Dale’s Misirlou which gives it a retro cool kind of sound.

Can’t Hold Us: Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis

I love the consistent beat here and it always gets the class powered up to take it up a notch. (The video is a little strange but I kind of like it anyway.)

A Sky Full of Stars: Coldplay

The music and orchestration here are so lush and wonderful that I had to find out who produced it. Guess what? It’s co-produced by my favorite Swedish DJ Avicii!

Fly: Sugar Ray featuring Super Cat

It is basically impossible to NOT sing along to this tune from Sugar Ray which always reminds me of summer. Plus, I really do just want to fly.

Gold Guns Girls: Metric

Being the American superfan of this band brings a tremendous responsibility on my part where I must include them as often as possible in my playlists. You’re welcome!

Safe and Sound: Capital Cities

I like my bouncy fun dance pop tunes and this one fits the bill nicely.

Americano: Lady Gaga

Where did Lady Gaga go? I mean that seriously because I am happiest when she records pop tunes like this that have an edge. Gaga, please come back when you are done touring with Tony Bennett!

(Also–can someone please find me the original video which included a cameo by Norman Reedus? Thanks!)

Style: Taylor Swift

This is my new favorite song and represents the first time Taylor Swift has been included in one of my playlists. Hello Taylor!

Hella Good No Doubt

I have an image from my friend’s wedding over ten years ago where they played this song at her reception and her grandparents boogied to Hella Good. (So much fun and the bass here is excellent!)

Shut Up and Dance: Walk the Moon

Every time I hear this song it reminds me so much of the kind of songs that would appear on 80s movie soundtracks. That’s meant to be a compliment.

Stars: Moby

This song is great for climbing or using the incline on the treadmill. Plus it features tons of stars including Corey Feldman whom Margo P. and talk about on our podcast here at this iTunes link.

Unknown Legend: Neil Young

This is my favorite song off of Neil Young’s Harvest Moon album and features background vocals (on the original album) from Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor and Nicolette Larson so it generally just rules.

That’s it for me this time. Now go out there get your workout mojo on!

Until next time…

Ox Ox,

BFC

Brooklyn Fit Chick

Follow me on Twitter: “BrooklynFitChik” (note the spelling!)

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Playlists, Uncategorized December 28, 2014 by Margo Donohue

Brooklyn Fit Chick News & Notes Plus, Top Workout Songs of 2014!

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Brooklyn Fit Chick’s New Year’s Workout Goals

Plus: Top Workout Songs of 2014 (and the Worst!)

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

I can’t believe this year is finally heading out the window and could not be more grateful to see it go. Not sure what you all have been through in 2014 but I have dealt with health issues, family issues and all sorts of stressful things that have made me feel a little less buoyant than normal. However, I will not allow the past to interfere with my future pleasure so today I am just talking about the good stuff and getting ready for the fabulousness that will be 2015!

First I will do a little housekeeping on the latest BFC things, the Book Vs Movie podcast update, my fitness goals for 2015 and then my picks for the best workout songs of 2014. So let’s do it! (The Brooklyn Fit Chick Vlog to return next Sunday with a fantastic New Year’s/New You Giveaway!)

Book Vs Movie Podcast: Margo Porras of She’s Nacho Mama’s Blog and I are working our butts off to get our new website off the ground plus we are using a fancy podcast service called “Libsyn” to get it out to y’all without all of the drama of our previous service which shall not be named. To get ready start reading Joe Klein’s Primary Colors which was turned into a movie in 1998 and directed by Mike Nichols whom we sadly lost this past year. Read the book and/or watch the movie to prep and we will post the details on our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/bookvsmovie?ref=br_tf

Tria Hair Removal System: Still using my fabulous Tria hair removal system and am so far impressed with the results. There is less hair growing around the back of my ankles and the side of my face which is making me very happy. I am also using it on my upper lip and underarms and will offer a full review in a week or so.

CrossFit Goal for 2015: As you may know I am a “Fit Bottomed Girl” who contributes to fitbottomedgirls.com. The gals at FBG asked me (BFC) if I had any fitness goals I want to accomplish and the first thing that popped in my mind was the box jump. I am terrified of performing a box jump but know that if I can overcome my fear—it will make me feel like a rock star to land a good one just once. Coincidentally a new CrossFit gym opening in Brooklyn (the largest n the borough) called Crow Hill Cross Fit (http://www.crowhillcrossfit.com/) and they said if I want a real trainer to teach me to box jump—then they have me covered. So THAT is going to my first fitness goal to tackle this year. (Stay tuned for updates on this!)

The Crow Pose: My second fitness goal is to perform a crow pose. I am not sure how I will manage it but it has been the one pose in yoga that vexes me and I just want do it once to know how great it feels. And then, hopefully, do it many times after that. I will let you know what steps I am taking to make this happen. (Wish me luck!)

And now for something completely different—the Brooklyn Fit Chick Top Workout Songs of 2014!

I have been churning out a couple of playlist each month for the last few years and think I have it down to science at this point. Today I am featuring the songs that made me want to work harder and inspired my students to give a little extra effort during class. So here they are in particular order:

KONGOS/ “Come With Me Now”

Technically I am cheating here because this song came out in Africa in 2011 but they were only introduced in the U.S. this past year so I am putting this in the 2014 column. “Come With Me Now’ has a fantastic hard-driving beat and always made people’s heads bop along to the music.

Mark Ronson (featuring Bruno Mars)/ “Uptown Funk”

Come on—what better song came out this year? Everything about it says move your butt and have some fun. A funky, modern masterpiece that makes you want to sing along and dance with abandon.

Avicii/ “Wake Me Up”

Swedish hotboy Avicii knows how to put together a tune and this one is just about scientifically proven to be THE MOST PERFECT warm-up number for any kind of class you teach. Seriously—I am his biggest fan now.

Dear Rouge/ “I Heard I Had”

This band is from Vancouver and they are winning all sorts of radio contest in Canada. “I Heard I Had” is about as great as a “second” song for a playlist as it gets. Download it now!

OneRepublic/ “Love Runs Out”

A foot-stomping favorite in my classes that always gets people into the best mood.

Taylor Swift/ “Shake It Off”

I don’t care about her dating life nor will I hassle her because she claims to be a New Yorker now (as if!) but damn this woman knows how to write a song that cooks! “Shake it Off’ is just about as perfect of a pop confection as it gets. Brava Taylor!

John Legend/ “All of Me” (Tiesto’s Birthday Treatment)

This is another perfect song for a warm-up that puts people in a good mood. Sweet, romantic and dancy—what is not to like about it?

And the worst workout song for 2014——-“Fancy” by Iggy Azalia

Someone told me Iggy Azalia would be THE big deal this past summer so I started including this dreadful song in my classes. A tuneless,annoying piece of tripe that make me want to gauge my eyes out with my thumbs. My take on Iggy Aazalia? NO. Thank. You!

But if you must hear it for yourself…

That’s all I have for today folks. I am so looking forward to all of the media reviews, playlist, Vlogs, giveaways and gear reviews for the new year. Let’s bring on 2015!!!

(If you are reading this on a different site or a different feed than Brooklyn Fit Chick, it has been taken without permission.)

Until next time…

Ox Ox,

BFC

Brooklyn Fit Chick

Follow me on Twitter: “BrooklynFitChik” (note the spelling!)

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