As the heat of summer lingers and the hills of Ohio University seem to get steeper by the day, what is merely a 5-minute walk to class in the morning can seem more akin to a grueling trek through miles of invisible quicksand. However, as the saying goes, music is the best medicine. Here are the top 10 songs to make that painful hike up Jeff Hill just a little more bearable:
“Fly Me To The Moon” by Frank Sinatra and Count Basie
Let Ol’ Blue Eyes serenade you all the way to the top of that hill with some classic swing. Accompanied by some of the best jazz piano of the 1950s from Count Basie, “Fly Me To The Moon” contains Sinatra’s distinctive crooning and giddily infatuated lyrics that could bring a smile to anyone's face, even those walking to class before the sun has had a chance to come up.
“Out of the Woods” by Taylor Swift
With a title that speaks for itself, “Out of the Woods” is the perfect testament to reaching a better reality. Whether it’s getting out of a relationship that has gone bad, or just getting into a building with air conditioning, this moving and powerful number from 1989 will see you to the end of the road.
“Rebel Rebel” by David Bowie
“Rebel Rebel” is a reassurance to all of the misfits, outcasts and challengers of the norms. With a punk guitar riff that could be recognized from miles away and Bowie’s unique and impassioned vocal performance, this song will lift your chin and quicken your step all on its own.
“How Will I Know” by Whitney Houston
“How Will I Know” remains one of the best dance songs of all time and certainly one of Whitney’s greatest ballads. Her voice soars like no other, and the energy and enthusiasm she puts in her performance will put a skip in the step of anyone who listens.
“Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z
Until the Marching 110’s thrilling cover of “Crazy in Love” drops on Spotify, Beyoncé’s original rendition will just have to do. Beyoncé remains unmatched in her vocal performance, and with a powerful brass section behind her and a killer verse by her husband, Jay-Z, this song remains uncontested in its ability to get people moving.
“9 to 5” by Dolly Parton
From the opening piano motif to a chorus that is impossible not to sing along to, “9 to 5” is the unspoken anthem of hard workers all over the world, including us Bobcats. Let Dolly inspire you with her grit and gentle, yet enthusiastic, voice to tackle the day, starting with the walk to class.
“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
While it may not seem like it when standing at the bottom of the daunting Morton Hill, Marvin and Tammi prove that there really “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” to keep you away from your class. This soulful classic is the perfect motivation to make it to the top of that hill, and it is a promise that you will want to dance the whole time you do it.
“With A Little Help From My Friends” by The Beatles
In addition to music being the best medicine, it has also often been said that music can feel like a friend. “With A Little Help From My Friends” jauntily encourages the idea that anything is achievable, whether it is help from a friend or just from Ringo Starr’s voice singing in your ear.
“Cherry Bomb” by The Runaways
The feature of this song in some of the most intense action sequences of recent years speaks for itself. A truly outrageous punk anthem by one of the wildest girl groups in history, “Cherry Bomb” is just as exhilarating and inspirational today as it was 45 years ago.
“Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman
For a slight change of pace, “Fast Car” will take you on an emotional journey that will hopefully inspire you as you embark on your own one. Chapman has one of the most earnest voices of her generation, and when paired with her painfully longing lyrics, you can’t help but be inspired to do the one thing that it all boils down to, just keep going.
