I chatted with a few readers this week about the daily routine of a creative, and we all agreed on one thing: when the morning coffee wears off and you’re still stuck with a massive to do list, it’s time to pump up the volume. Naturally, I have a few go-to songs I like to blare from the speakers, but I hadn’t though to put them all in one place… until now.

The songs below will either kick your buns, adjust your perspective or inspire you endlessly. And no, R. Kelly didn’t make the cut. Sorry, Robert.

–

Frou Frou “Let Go”
“So let go, jump in. Oh well, what you waiting for?”

The Shins “Sleeping Lessons”
“Jump from the hook. You’re not obliged to swallow anything you despise.”

Switchfoot “This Is Your Life”
“This is your life; is it everything you dreamed that it would be?”

Lenka “Roll With The Punches”
“If all life offers is black and blue, you’ve got to roll, roll, roll with the punches.”

U2 “Beautiful Day”
“What you don’t have you don’t need it now; it’s a beautiful day.”

Jimmy Eat World “Everything”
“Hey, you know they’re all the same. You know you’re doing better on your own, so don’t buy in.”

Priscilla Ahn “Red Cape”
“Yesterday a hurricane had blown away my long red cape and I feel satisfied.”

Natasha Bedingfield “Unwritten”
“I’m just beginning, the pen’s in my hand; ending unplanned.”

KT Tunstall “Suddenly I See”
“Oh she makes me feel like I could be a tower…”

Snow Patrol “Run”
“Light up, light up, as if you have a choice.”

Eels “Mr. E’s Beautiful Blues”
“No don’t believe anyone, but most of all, don’t believe me. Believe you.”
[submitted by casa de crain]

The Temper Trap “Sweet Disposition”
“A moment, a love, a dream, a laugh.”
[submitted by jessica zigenis]

She & Him “In The Sun”
“We all get the slip sometimes everyday; I’ll just keep it to myself in the sun.”

Sara Bareilles “Uncharted”
“I won’t go as a passenger, no, waiting for the road to be laid.”

The Avett Brothers “Head Full of Doubt / Road Full of Promise
“There was a dream; one day I could see it.”
[submitted by amy]

Wilco “What Light?”
“Don’t let anyone change your bag.”
[submitted by amy]

Oh Land “We Turn It Up”
“But in my room I hear the sound of trumpets…”
[submitted by nadine]

Free Energy “Hope Child”
“Do you know, child, that a little while is all we’ve got?”
[submitted by melanie]

EDIT: Lots of goodies in the comment section! Keep ‘em coming, friends!

Reader Cara Bloch sent this photo over last week and it made me laugh so hard. She spotted it in an artist’s trailer at The Hangout Music Fest in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Hilarious!

My day needed some brightening. This helped.

Song: Lisztomania
Artist: Phoenix

OK so yes, this looks like little more than a spherical thing of wonder, but it’s actually much more. Engraved while listening to the “Anthology of American Folk Music,” these plates can be played on a turntable to create noise music.

Which is pretty much the coolest thing I’ve heard today. Go, art!

Link:  LITTLE PAPER PLANES

I’m pretty un-cool when it comes to music (Milli Vanilli, anyone?), but I spotted Tracey Thorn’s latest album in my local bookstore and wanted to snatch it up that instant… all because of the totally cool artwork.

I didn’t (should I?), but I did do some research and found the design team that created it. Fantastic, yes?

Link:  IWANT

A tree stump turned turntable. What would one even call that?

Awesome.

Design + music + GREAT taste = Gordon Reid. Yessss!

Link:  MIDDLE BOOP

Best album cover ever.

Link:  DIRTY PROJECTORS

Noah sent over his music video debut [which I can hardly believe is his first] of friend Sara Lov’s sweet singin. I can’t tell which I like better– the video or the song. Or the set? My gosh!

Link:   YOUTUBE

Jeff’‘s biggest and most exciting project to date has officially been released. Booooooom readers from around the world will be producing a Choir of Young Believers music video– all entries and participants are welcome! Visit the link below for more information; I’m so thrilled by the marriage of art/visual productions/music. Go, Jeff!

[Have you seen my collaboration with Jeff? Check our the Free Encouragement postcards right here.]

Link:  BOOOOOOOM!