FIGHT SONGS – WE ALL NEED ONE…..OR MORE

Everyone knows colleges and universities have fight songs.  The purpose of a fight song is to cheer on the team when a touchdown is scored, or when the “three pointer”  takes the team into the lead.  A fight song is critical when the team is in a slump and needs pumping up.  It occurred to me we moms need our own set of fight songs.  Wouldn’t it be nice when we are carrying a gigantic load of laundry from the top of the stairs to the bottom if our kids started cheering, “Go, go mom, go go go Mom!”  Or when we pull the dinner from the oven, “Go, Go mom, We love lasagna!”  When the chips are really down, the obvious selection would be “Give me an M” “M,” “Give me an “O” “O,”  well, you get the picture.


As it turns out, I have a few favorite songs that remain on my ipod at all times.  Every one of these cheers me up and gives me a boost, thus, my “fight songs.”  When I hear any of these songs, I can really tackle anything, even carrying the laundry back up the stairs.   Put together your own collection and it will be the perfect relief to a traffic jam, bad math test scores, or the one missing ingredient when you have 34 cupcakes to make for the next morning.  These are my fight songs, and I trust you will enjoy them.

1. So What (I'm still a Rock Star):  Pink - This is a song that will never leave my iPod for the simple reason that it has attitude, a good beat, and when you really want to just kick in someone’s teeth, you know you are not the only one who ever felt that way.
   
2. Tub-thumping:   Chumbawumba – Who can argue with getting knocked down and getting back up again.  We moms live by this rule.
   
3. That's not my name:  The Ting Tings –  This helps me deal with my occasional identity issues.  I can think of so many days when I made 3 PBJ sandwiches, ran the vacuum, dusted, visited the pediatrician, and then later, went to a dinner party with my husband (All cleaned up – I swear!)  I always wondered if the pediatrician wondered if I ever combed my hair, and if the folks at dinner might have been fooled into thinking I had my act together.   As we juggle the variety of ways that people know us, and how they think of us , some days we wake up wondering just exactly which person is getting out of bed   This song always reminds me of that and keeps it all in perspective.
   
4. Dreamer:  Duffy – If you haven't heard of Duffy, this is a perfect introduction.  This song starts out on a slightly quiet bend and builds up to a huge victory, just like every day should, and is a constant calling to not let go of your dreams.
   
5. What doesn't kill you: Kelly Clarkson – Indeed, her most recent hit is consistent with the Kelly Clarkson survival mode.  I would agree that for the most part, any one of her songs puts a little kick in my step, but this is probably my all-time favorite because it captures that familiar phrase we mothers repeat to ourselves on a regular basis; and, frankly, it is true.
   
6. I’m shipping Up to Boston: Dropkick Murphys –   This is a killer song about a sailor trying to find his wooden leg.  The intensity of the tune, combined with the ridiculous errand are absolutely hilarious and even though you may not be out looking for your wooden leg, you will be able to relate to the madness of this song
   
7. Mean: Taylor Swift – Hahaha, mean junior high and high school girls.  What else can I say?  
   
8. Fifty Ways to say Goodbye:  Train – This is a recent favorite, has a great upbeat tempo and really reminds me of the crazy excuses we hear from our kids.   Just like when the Brady kids broke the lamp, lots of excuses.  Love it.
   
9. Girl on Fire:   Alicia Keys – Previously this would have been “Superwoman” by Alicia Keys, which I still think is a great song, but this recent release captures all of us – we are all on fire!  If anyone gets it, Alicia gets it.
   
10. Open Happiness:  Brenden Urie – Otherwise known as the Coke song, this is just a cheerful reminder that every day is a new day, a new chance, a new opportunity, even when staring at the same pile of laundry, dishes, and dust.  I love it.

So rock on my friends – and keep fighting the good fight!!