Comic Relief: Time to ‘Get Psyched’

Barney Stinson is by all definitions awesome. “Legen – wait for it and I hope you're not lactose intolerant because the next word is DAIRY. Legendary,” as the popular ladies man character on the CBS comedy "How I Met Your Mother" has said.

It’s not because he’s a ladies man. Anyone can be a ladies man if they try hard enough, although most of them are just creepy to me. No, it’s not that. It is because he put together a track list of pump-up music and party songs designed to guarantee a good time in the first season episode “The Limo.” That’s, well, awesome.

Today we introduce to you a “Best Ever” list of pump up music to get you going for any high energy occasion, but before we get to it let me give you an explanation of where this all started and why I am running on an epic divergence of randomness this week.

During the meeting Monday night, there was a lengthy discussion regarding a Parking Authority effort to replace parking signs in downtown Southington’s municipal lots. It was legitimate business and an important discussion, but for whatever reason the Ace of Base song “The Sign” kept playing on repeat in my head.

Now those who know me will be the first to tell you that softball is my escape. I play in a competitive “modified” league that allows us to bunt and steal, and I love to warm up before the games with my own little pump up mix. That said, no, Ace of Base is not in my mix. (My apologies to any fans of the group.)

On a side note, first softball practice is this weekend. I’m already psyched.

I warned you this was going to be an epic divergence of randomness.

Anyway, back to my original point. We all have music to get psyched. To start you off, I will provide you with the very compilation that Barney Stinson, a.k.a. Neil Patrick Harris, provided on his blog after introducing the self-made CD on the popular CBS show. Yeah, he has a blog - click the link to see more.

Barney Stinson’s “Get Psyched” Mix:

You Give Love a Bad Name (Jonathan B. Jovi – yes, he actually writes it this way.)
The Humpty Dance (Digital Underground)
Come Sail Away (Styx)
Don't Stop Believing (Journey)
The Transformers Theme Song (O. Prime – again Stinson digresses. It was actually Lion)
You're The Best (Joe Esposito)
High Enough (Damn Yankees)
Jessie's Girl (Rick Springfield)
Rock You Like a Hurricane (The Scorpions)
Hip Hop Hooray (Naughty By Nature)
Change of Heart (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)
Run Runaway (Slade)

Honestly, it’s a pretty good party mix and I enjoy quite a few of these songs across the mix of genres. But it’s not my list.

My list is a little more sports focused, as explained above, but not strict to sports. They are also intentionally original and not the classics seen on most lists, although I hope you’ll include your favorite classic below. So after a record number of tangents in a 500-word spread (that’s where we are at now) I give you my top five pump up songs:

5. Now’s My Time (D.J.I.G.): “I wanna show that now’s my time; today is my day.” OK, so most people may not agree with me on this one, or even know who D.J.I.G. is for that matter, but every time this song plays, all I can think about is creating a highlight reel. And by that, I mean a highlight reel of any event involving even the most remote level of competition. (Extreme bird watching, anyone?)

4. Hell Yeah (Rev Theory): Whenever I hear this song or the phrase, “are you ready?” my response is the same “Hell Yeah.” So basically, the title says it all. For those wondering where you may have heard this before, it’s the theme song on the show Blue Mountain State.

3. We Taking Over (DJ Khaled): The movement will not be stopped. Convict Music isn’t one of my favorites, but this song just rocks. How can you not feel ready to fight the good fight with a song that announces in no uncertain term that “we’re taking over!”

One social note: this could have place higher but I find myself disturbed and confused by Lil’ Wayne’s obsession with liking his Sprite “Easter pink.” Sprite mixed with codeine cough syrup? Really? Kids, look no further than Lil’ Wayne if you want to know why you should never do drugs.

2. Remember the Name (Fort Minor): I am so going to take flak for this, but how could I not select a song that gives you a mathematical equation for success? “This is 10 percent luck, 20 percent skill, 15 percent concentrated power of will, 5 percent pleasure, 50 percent pain and 100 percent reason to remember the name.”

1. Cult of Personality (Living Colour): This song is just brilliant. It touches several generations and investigates what it takes to be a leader. It also encourages people to be their own person with lyrics like “You don’t need to follow me. Only you can set you free.” Winner.

Since I know everyone has a song of to call his/her own top pump up track and I want to hear it. Include a link if you have one. Let’s see if we can grow this list to 100.

OK, enough of a tangent for one day. We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

It's only Wednesday, but it feels like the weekend should have been here two days ago. You have a full plate ahead, lots of work left to do, classes at Southington High School or college to sit through or are just plain in need of a break. We have you covered.