BROOKLYN FIT CHICK’S PLAYLIST
“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.
- Lose Control: Missy Elliott and Ciara
Remember at that Super Bowl half time show that started with Katy Perry who was totally upstaged by Missy Elliott? Me too!
- Spaceman: The Killers
For really fast sprints and intervals—you can hardly do better than this one from The Killers.
- The Step and the Walk: The Duke Spirit
I loved this band SO much and have no idea what happened to them. Do any of you have an update?
- South Side: Moby and Gwen Stefani
This song goes right into the dreamy pleasure center in my brain….
- Paralyzer: Finger Eleven
Do you think the name of this band has a dirty double-meaning? Hmmmmmm…
- No Scrubs: TLC
Not only is this song great because TLC sings it but also Kandi Burrus of the Real Housewives of Atlanta wrote it. (Love my Real Housewives…)
- Raise Your Glass: P!nk
Found this one on one of the old iPods and it made me happy right away. The students today loved it as well!
- Wish You Were Here: Radiohead
This version is so completely dope that is blows my mind every time I hear it. Hope it makes your day as well.
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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That’s a great playlist! As a newbie group fitness instructor to-be, I’m trying to figure out playlists and choreography and how to keep things fresh and still remember what to do and when. I still don’t know exactly how but I guess it gets easier with experience? I hope so!!
It definitely gets better! But you need to get through the newbie growing pains which I know you will!
TLC- YES!! Making playlists would stress me out so much. I’d probably have my boyfriend make them for me. He’s great with music.
Thanks Nicole!
What a fun playlist. Thanks for sharing
Thank you!
I am so sick of my music right now. A lot of these are new to me so I am going to check them out thanks!
Cool! Let me know if you like any of them. 🙂
I’m a huge fan of old 90s music. I listen to that way more often than current music.
I feel the same way! I struggle finding good new music in my classes sometimes.
Quite a variety you have there! I enjoy listening to Dubstep when lifting.
Nice!
I just took a walk down memory lane with your playlist. So much great music from the 90s, and I absolutely love it!
Thanks Kathryn!!!
Love Pink and I LOVE “I Will Wait!” It’s one of my favorite songs!
I love “I Will Wait!”
I do love your playlists, Margo! My ipod Classic sits idle these days. Kind of sad. It’s loaded with excellent tunes!
Thank you Wendy!!! 🙂
I haven’t heard The Pogues in ages! Great list!
Aren’t they amazing!
I use a basic Ipod Shuffle…no frills and it works great! My playlist is very diverse…lots of current Top-40, classic rock, 80’s hits, even a few (very few LOL) wanger-twanger country songs (don’t judge). I love my tunes!!
I never judge people Kim!! I love my tunes and dig me some twangy music form time to time.
When I run with music (very seldom), I pull out my old school ipod as well. It’s just so nice and compact compared to my phone.
How do you run without music? I would find that challenging.
Great list! Totally forgot about Moby and Gwen Southside. Awesome song.
Thanks Mar!
lol I love that you still have the classic! I never had one and wanted one SO bad. I had the ipod nano. Now I kind of want one again bc like you said, it’s all your music in one place and no distractions!
Love the lack of distraction with iPod Classic.
Some great oldies but goodies here. My ipod bit the dust a long time ago!
Pretty solid playlist ya got there! That Lo Fidelity All Stars song used to be my jam! Gotta add that one to my workout playlist 😉 The Moby and Gwen Stefani song made me giggle, mostly because the YouTube image is of Gwen licking Moby’s signature bald head lol
Yeah–I thought about that Gwen &MO by screen shot but decided to use it anyway. 🙂