Playlisting #2: That Perfect “Get Psyched” Mix

You know that mix you always wish you had, the one that starts strong and ends strong, the one that can get you going when nothing else can. You know it, it’s the “get psyched” mix, that wakes you up when you’re lethargic, that gets your feet moving on the dance floor. Now, I have worked for years on the perfect “get psyched” mix, and I have some news for you. It will never be perfect, and when it finally is, you’ll need to change it. Why? Because music is constantly changing and shifting, and the song that will get you psyched today may not be the song that will get you psyched tomorrow. The perfect “get psyched” mix is constantly shifting and changing to accommodate you and your moods, and that’s where so many people lose focus and mess up. Here are the keys to a great “get psyched” mix:

Figure out your favorite songs.

This may sound simple, but most people honestly don’t know what their favorite songs are. They might like “Call Me Maybe,” but is it quality enough to be their favorite song? Song of the moment, yes. Favorite song, maybe not. But that’s where your opinion is most important. So, come up with a list of at least 50 of your favorite songs. Don’t be swayed by the popularity (or not) of the songs in question. So, you like Paul Simon’s “Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard,” but you also like Pearl Jam’s “Smile.” It’s okay. Don’t worry about the genres either, if you’re crossing them or not. Maybe one of your favorite is Snoop Dogg’s “What’s My Name?”, but you also really groove to Robyn’s “Hang With Me,” and Bjork’s “Human Behaviour.” No problem at all. Just come up with the list. And yes, it should take you some time to compile. The key is to make sure they are your favorite songs and not just songs other people like so you say you like them too.

Weed out the slow songs.

I know. I know. Some of my favorite songs are slow ones too. I think George Michael’s “Jesus to a Child” is one of the most beautiful songs ever written, but it isn’t making its way onto my “get psyched” mix. Remember, the whole point of the “get psyched” mix is to get you moving, not to have music that will let you sit there and chill. If you want to chill, that’s what the “chill out” mix is all about (don’t worry. I’ll share that one with you soon). If you’re like me, probably about half of your favorite songs are slower ones. And if it has shifts within the song, it doesn’t count. This goes for most of grunge music, that starts off slow, but has hard, harsh choruses. Keep those in your list.

Avoid making a “best of” mix.

You have those NOW compilations if you want a “best of” a certain year or decade mix. Don’t turn your get psyched mix into a best of the 80s list. Maybe most of your favorite songs came from the 80s, but it’s high time you discovered some different music. Also, try to stay away from making a “best of” a particular artist mix. Yes, we know you love Madonna, but don’t put 30 Madonna songs on your get psyched mix. You can make a straight up Madonna mix for that.

Find a rhythm.

Like Barney from How I Met Your Mother said, “The perfect get psyched mix is all rise.” And he’s right. It’s all rise. Start high and get higher. For me, starting high means a song that gets me going but isn’t my ultimate favorite song. Maybe something like N*Sync’s “Bye Bye Bye,” or Genesis’s “Invisible Touch.” Then just tap into that rhythm. The easiest way to do it is to focus on the final five or so beats in that song. Whatever rhythm strikes you there, use that to determine the following song. For example, if you started with “Bye Bye Bye,” the next song could easily be Kesha’s “Tik Tok,” as it starts with a similar rhythm to the previous song’s ending. Or if you went with “Invisible Touch,” the next song could be Paramore’s “CrushCrushCrush.” Now, will this work all the time? No, of course not. Some songs just don’t have a particular rhythm at the end that you can flow with. In that case, you just need to pick the song that has a similar verse-chorus-verse progression. Or, in the worst case scenario, go back to the well and find another song to add to your list that does fit the bill. Then keep flowing from there, in rhythm.

Keep the tracklist short.

By short, I mean 25 or fewer songs. It’s easy to overload a mix because of the ability of our devices now to hold an endless number of songs, it seems, but don’t overdo it. There can be too much of a good thing, especially when you’re dealing with a get psyched mix. Remember, you’re making the mix because you want it to get you going. It’s not like a standard “car mix,” where you want something to last you through the entire length of the trip. You just need something to get you moving. Once you’re moving you can listen to whatever else you want. You have an entire library to choose from then, so the get psyched mix gets the party started, but doesn’t wear our its welcome. Keep it to 25 songs and you’re golden.

Switch it up.

As I said earlier, don’t let your get psyched mix stagnate. Eventually, “Call Me Maybe,” won’t do the same things for you as it does now. Always keep it fluid. If you find a new song that gets you psyched, add it where you think it will fit (try at all costs to avoid placing a new song at the end of your mix), and delete songs that have worn out their welcome. Don’t get all sentimental. If you even remotely have a wish to skip past a song, you no longer need it on your list. Get it gone.

And never forget, that perfect “get psyched” mix is all rise.

Sam