Staff Assembly Motivation Playlist

Staff Assembly Motivation Playlist

Whether you are working from home or back on campus, Staff Assembly created a playlist to keep you energized! Our Motivation Playlist is a collection of songs submitted by over 55 staff members from around campus. These songs will help you start your day off right, get you through that post-lunch slump, and keep you focused as you grind through emails. When submitting songs, staff share why the song is motivational for them. You can see the full list of songs and reason why they were selected here.

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Submissions by staff member and why they love their songs:

Alex Svensson, Graduate School of Management

"Move Your Body" by SIA

Amanda Houston, Office of Educational Opportunity and Enrichment Services

"Marmalade" by Macklemore, "Black Caddilac" by Hollywood Undead 

I LOVE MUSIC!!! When something is upbeat and gives me a positive vibe it helps counteract any negativity I may have encountered! 

Amy Bernauer, Finance

"Brilliant" by Shinedown, "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" by Kelly Clarkson, "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" by Pat Benatar, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor

If I'm having a bad day, it helps me remember that I can crush it.

Angelina Herron, Undergraduate Education

"I've Got the World On a String" by Frank Sinatra

Ann Sullivan, Development & Alumni Relations

"Can't Hold Us" by Macklemore

I absolutely love getting up and dancing around to this song for 4 minutes to get energized in the morning. Raise your hands up like the ceiling can't hold you!

Anthony Harvey, Grounds

"Highway to Hell" by AC/DC

It gets my blood pumping.

Arden Gabor, Student Disability Center

"Brave" by Moriah Peters, "Shelter" by Carrollton

Both of these songs are catchy, energetic and have empowering lyrics. 

Ayla Barrow, Information & Education Technology

"OK Not to Be OK" by Marshmello & Demi Lovato and "Good as Gold" by Greyson Chance

They have good beats and positive messages, they inspire me to dance, and they don't make you feel bad for not being OK right now when the worlds on fire, there's a pandemic, racism abounds, and democracy is at stake.

Bambi Rhoden, Library

"Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor

The Eye of the Tiger is humorous and motivating for me. It is one of the songs from Rocky who is inspirational. And humor is the best medicine that also helps with being more resilient. 

Brandee Mead, Staff Development and Professional Services

"Wild Night" by Van Morrison and "Good Day Sunshine" by The Beatles

It's just happy...with fun music behind light hearted lyrics. 

Brenda Fudge Jensen, Undergraduate Admissions

"Happy" by Pharrell Williams

Bridget Mabunga, Academic Assistance and Tutoring Centers

Pitbull Station on Pandora

I love the mix of musical styles and Spanish/English; it's fun, uplifting and makes me move by booty--which makes me happy!

Caitlin Wehrley, Animal Science

"Sleepyhead" by Passion Pit

The beat is infectious!! It always gives me a burst of energy. 

Calvin Lee, Admin IT

"Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor and "America" by Neil Diamond

"Eye of the Tiger" it gets my blood flowing, being keen/sharp.  Whereas, "America" reminds me where I came from and pride in serving this country.

Carol Swafford, Operations and Event Management

"Gold Rays" by Vinyl Pinups and "Wake Up Everybody" by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes

"Gold Rays" makes me smile!!!! 
"Wake Up Everybody" seems so relevant to our current times! It has help to motivate me during the pandemic.

Chantay Jones, UC Davis Stores

"Speak to Me Lord"

Each day I request guidance and direction with an open heart and mind.  A way to bless and encourage those I may encounter today.  It also helps me to re-center (remember what is most important)

Christina Reyman, Electrical and Computer Engineering

"Mamacita" by Black Eyed Peas

Christy Pearce, Reprographics

"We Got the Beat" by The Go-Go's

 

David Benning, Analytical Lab

"I Am Dreaming of the Mountains" by Simon Khorolskiy

I grew up in the Appalachian mountains.  This version captures the Mountain music sound even though the scenery is Washington State and the Columbia River.

Delisha Gordon-Brown, Continuing and Professional Education

"No Filter" by Chris Brown and "Blow" by Ed Sheeran ft. Chris Stapleton & Bruno Mars

They are just a couple of pretty awesome songs!  I hear them and I wanna get up and get going!  Especially "Blow"

Dianne Stassi, Strategic Communications

"Born To Be Wild" by Steppenwolf

It has a good beat, I am a 60's and 70's person, I like to think I am born to be wild, and it talks about getting your motor running. 

Duane Lindsay, Student Housing and Dining Services

"Don't Stop Believin" by Journey

I also love  Star Wars & Harry Potter, so recommend John Williams (the movie composer) playlist as background music!

Eleise Kinch, California National Primate Research Center

"California Soul" by Marlena Shaw and "Don't Worry Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin

Don't worry, it will soon pass, whatever it is, don't worry, be happy... cause you're grooving all day long!

Ellen Carlson, IET

"Walk" by Foo Fighters and "You Will Be Found" from Dear Evan Hansen

One's about finding the strength to go on, the other is about others helping you.

Greg Flederman, Environmental Health & Safety

"Get Up Stand Up" by BMW

Guerren Solbach, Health Care Facilitator Program

"Sad But True" by Metallica

Harold Stewart Carballo, Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP)

"Here Comes the Sun" by Richie Havens

It gives me hope and Richie Havens' voice always inspires me to hold my head up.

Heather Johnson, Western Institute for Food Safety and Security

Any Toby Mac Song

Positive message and a good beat

Heidi Sciutto, College of Letters and Science Dean's Office

"Stayin' Alive" by The Bee Gees

Disco groove keeps me moving, and the title is pretty much the theme of these times!

Helena Chang, Center for Immunology and Infectious Diseases

"Rise" by Jonas Blue, Jack & Jack and "Price Tag" by Jessie J, B.o.B.

Rise - I love the mixture of beats and how it's upbeat from start to finish and well the lyrics says it all - keep going till we can't go no more, ri-ri-ri-ri-rise till we fall ;) 
Price Tag - my throwback song, love singing to this song to get out of a slump

Holly Guenther, Manetti Shrem Museum

"Dynamite" by BTS

It's just so happy and energetic.

Holly Hatfield Rogai, College of Letters and Science Undergraduate Education and Advising

"Love On Top" by Beyonce

Jaime Allen, Cal Aggie Alumni Association

"Can't Get Enough of Myself" by Santigold and "Learning to Fly" by Tom Petty

Jenny Verschuur, Biomedical Engineering

"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye

Jojo Melendres, Case Management

"You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban

This has been used by the American College of Surgeons to portray the services they provide in the worst of times.

Karla W. Fung, Strategic Communications

"The Schuyler Sisters" by Hamilton Original Cast and "Yorktown" by Hamilton Original Cast

They're both upbeat...dare I say anthem like? :)

Kelli O'Day, Campus Planning & Environmental Stewardship

"Break-Thru" by Dirty Projectors and "This Girl" by Cookin' On 3 Burners and Kungs

Break-Thru is about a woman who is unstoppable, which is an inspiring concept on it's own. I also love the beat of this song. It's kind of quirky with twists and turns throughout; going from mellow to energizing with funky sounding instruments keeping you on your toes.

This Girl is a super catchy song that keeps me grooving the whole time! I like that it's a remix of a slower soul song. I could be dead asleep and hear this song come on, and I would jump up and start dancing.

Kelli Sholer, Anthropology

"I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston

It gets me energized with those upbeat 80's vibes!

Kelly Scott, Food Science & Technology

"One Body Too Many" by Winds of Plague and "How Heavy This Axe" by The Sword

Great music to workout to and to get dirty working in the brewery!

Lauren Tehrani, Academic Affairs

"I Gotta Feeling" by Black Eyed Peas

I love it because it is so upbeat and just lifts my mood every time I hear it.

Lisa Tadlock, Office of the University Registrar

"Float On" by Modest Mouse and "I'm Still Standing" by Sir Elton John

Keeps you motivated, the message comes across even though bad days have or are happening, we'll float on and still stand stronger, better than we were yesterday. Just have to Keep Moving Forward.

Lise Heberer, Finance/Equipment Management

"Sugar Magnolia" by The Grateful Dead and "Jump" by Van Halen

Both songs go way way back and they both have an infectious tempo. As often heard on American Bandstand, it has a really great beat and you can dance to it!

Lupe Cox, Continuing and Professional Education

"Finesse" by Bruno Mars

It's got a great beat you can dance and sing to.

Michael Erickson, UC Davis Stores

"On A Monday" by Arlo Guthries and "Martha Divine" by Ashley McBryde

Its a good old song about keepin' on in the face of adversity. But what I really like is the cross over of imagery between On A Monday, Doc Watson's Way Down Town and the bluegrass standard Rolling In My Sweet Baby's Arms.

Michelle Kreuzer Moore, Continuing and Professional Education

"Numb/Encore" by Linkin Park and Jay-Z, "Lose Yourself" by Eminem

Pam Parrott, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital Large Animal Clinic

"Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins, "Imagine" by John Lennon, "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas

"Danger Zone" gets me ready to take on the world. "Imagine" makes me want to bring it together, and "Dust in the Wind" helps me be okay.

Pamela Ranslow, Audit and Management Advisory Services

"Happy" by Pharrell Williams

I listen to this to my 5-year-old before I start work remotely and he starts virtual learning (Kindergarten). It's a great upbeat song that we can sing along with and wake up before we start our day. 

Rosaisela Rodriguez, School of Education

"Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina & The Waves

Samantha Ramalingam, Distributed Shared Services Center (DiSSC)

"Come Sail Away" by Styx

Sarah Messbauer, Interdisciplinary Research Support

"September" by Earth, Wind & Fire, "This is not a song, it's a sandwich" by Psychostick, "Starman" by David Bowie, "Jo Wada Kiya Wo" by Roshan & Sahir Ludhianvi, "Alright" by Kendrick Lamar, "Waitress Song" by First Aid Kit, "Hello Seattle" by Owl City, "Chevaliers des Sangreal" by Hanz Zimmer & Richard Harvey, "Santa Maria (del Buen Ayre)" by Gotan Project

Sean McKee, Letters and Science IT Support Unit

Video game OSTs (Original Sound Tracks): Chrono Chross, Chrono Trigger, Octopath Traveler, Legend of Zelda Series, Final Fantasy series, the list goes on.

I find Video Game OSTs to be great as they're designed to be played in the background and not break your active concentration.  Additionally the variety of soundtracks also means one doesn't become used to or bored with the music which can lessen the desired effect.  

Sheila Bird, UC Davis Stores

"Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies

It's simple, fun, and happyl. And "it has a good beat and it's easy to dance to" as American Bandstand dancers would say. Dating myself!

Stephanie Zarate, Mathematics

"Casio" by Jungle and "Bulletproof" by La Roux - Gamber & Dadoni Remix

Makes me want to dance and wakes me up in the morning! 

Suzy McKechnie, Academic Assistance and Tutoring Center

"Know Your Worth" by Khalid, Disclosure

Good beats and positive message - makes me feel good

Tami Sandeen, CalFresh Healthy Living UC - Shasta Center

"Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" by Charlie Daniels

These are two of my favorite karaoke songs, but they are two of my favorites to get up and move to as well.

Tracy Falk, School of Education

"Beautiful Day" by U2

Music makes the world go around and brings people together. And right now that is something we all sorely need- a feeling a happiness and connectedness!

Tuesday Cool, Small Animal Surgery

"Rock Lobster" by The B-52's

High energy meaningless lyrics

Yevgeniy Gnedash, Center for Neuroscience

"Movement" by Hozier, "Big God" by Florence and the Machine, "All the Rowboats" by Regina Spektor

Great, unusual songs