Everything is terrifying. These days, even looking at social media from the comfort of your own home requires steeling up and prepping for the worst, never knowing what could possibly come next. I'm even terrified of sleeping, knowing that the instant I wake up, something else will have gone horribly wrong. Who knows, a quick power-nap between classes might mean that I miss the start of WWIII. That's a comforting thought, isn't it?
While I have a tendency to want to wallow at the state of this miserable country and the people who are running it ("alternative facts," really? I'm the biggest advocate ever that nothing is real, but like, that doesn't give the government permission to just make stuff up, you know?), at this point, it is entirely irresponsible to ignore the direction things are going and not try my best to be an advocate for the things I believe in.
I might naturally have a fatalistic kind of attitude, but come on, we can't actually let things fall apart like this without doing everything in our power to try and prevent it. Even things that seem silly or pointless can become truly revolutionary if enough people ban together to do it. One phone call might seem like it doesn't amount to anything, but it isn't just one call: it's your call and your best friend's call and your neighbor's and their cousin's and half your city's calls. It makes a difference. You make a difference.
The one thing that we have to ensure, though, is that we don't get burnt out. I know it's been less than a month since Trump took office and it already feels like we're in some kind of sadistic carnival funhouse of misery, but we can't stop feeling this passion that we feel to stand up for things and do our part as concerned citizens of our nation and our world. So, to keep this fire alive, I have created a playlist of songs to keep us feeling pumped up, energized, and full of vindictive spite that ensures we won't stop until it kills us (let's just hope it doesn't actually kill us!).
1. Eye of the Tiger — Survivor
It's the quintessential fighter song. Like, it had to be on this list. It couldn't be a list about persevering against all odds without this. But you know this already, I don't have to tell you.
2. Salute — Little Mix
A song all about women all across the world rising up to be warriors? In their killer heels, sneakers, pumps, and/or boots? You bet your ass it's on this list. Women are powerful as hell.
3. Run Boy Run — Woodkid
This one is all about outrunning and outlasting those who are trying to catch you and keep you down. While we could all probably literally outrun our orange leader, we'll just have to use this song for the figurative battle.
4. The Warrior — Patty Smyth
If you haven't sung along to this song at least once in your lifetime, you're missing out. You're also a liar. I'd follow Smyth to war for this song, so it's definitely good enough to get you feeling like a warrior, too.
5. The Final Countdown — Europe
Another essential battle song from the '80s, this one will have you ready to face your demons head on. You might feel a little dramatic playing this song to get you ready to make a phone call, but you'll also probably feel like the biggest badass on earth.
6. Seven Nation Army — The White Stripes
Right from the start, Jack White is already declaring that "a seven-nation army couldn't hold me back." If everyone could get this level of fire in their veins to fight for their own nation, we wouldn't have to ever worry about not feeling like we're enough to make an impact.
7. Love is a Battlefield — Pat Benatar
Don't get too hung up on the fact that it's about love, okay? As soon as you're screaming along to the chorus, you will realize just how powerful you are. Anyone who has ever sung this song drunkenly at a karaoke bar knows this to be true.
8. You're The Voice — John Farham
You probably know this one from the inspirational-turned-riot scene from "Hot Rod." If the fact that it's an integral part of that cinematic masterpiece isn't enough to assure you this song belongs on this list, it's all about inspiring people to make a difference, no matter how small you think you are. Plus, there's bagpipes.
9. Sweet Victory — David Glen Eisley
And last, but certainly not least, we have "Sweet Victory" which you definitely know from the "Band Geeks" episode of "Spongebob Squarepants." If Squidward's band can come together to play a killer concert at the Bubble Bowl, you can definitely pick up the phone or go to a march and get your voice heard.
