Election Day Profile and Playlist

Thanks to a post on Pedal-On, I was inspired to create an election day playlist. SloSpin started the thread with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek, and then Katie Sweeney came up with a fun theme of Road to the White House. So I am totally stealing their idea (with permission) and giving it to my two classes tomorrow (I'm subbing at 6 am and have my regular class at 5:30 pm). If you go to the Pedal-On post, you'll see a variety of other song suggestions. Although I am pretty passionate about this election and the need for some serious change in our country, my goal was to keep it as non-partisan as possible (admittedly a bit difficult at times), so I decided to not use some of the more, er, judgmental songs... 

So, here's my rendition of the Rocky Road to the Whitehouse!

Warm-up:

1. Mission Impossible, U2 version (3:27)

2. I've Been Everywhere, Johnny Cash (3:17)

We're on the flats, checking out the political climate. Is it a Mission Impossible? Or is change possible? Remember in the show Mission Impossible - waaaaay back when, they always accomplished their missions, so I believe this mission IS possible with the right person! But as a candidate, get ready to travel non-stop, day-in, day-out, everywhere in this country! 

3. Closer to Free, Bodeans (3:11) 

4. I Can't Get No Satisfaction, Rolling Stones (3:44)

A fast flat first down the path of good intentions, that for just about every politician, seems to turn into the path of least resistance. Several surges, with cadence increases to 100 -105 rpm.

5. A Change Would do You Good, Sheryl Crow (3:50)

6. Get Off This, Cracker (4:11)

7. Rescue Me, The Alarm (3:23)

Jumping over all the mudslinging, and slogging through the media onslaught and misrepresentation. Jump through Sheryl Crow, followed by some 30-second runs with resistance during Cracker (very appropriate lyrics to this song). Back to surges on a flat during The Alarm (which is in honor of our "rescue package" that the new president will have to deal with).

22-minutes of climbing up the Slippery Slope (the next 6 songs):

8. The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song, The Flaming Lips (4:55)

Very powerful words in this song. "What would you do with all your power?" Power is very intoxicating to some. I guess that's why they go into politics! We have to be grateful there are some out there willing to take on these challenges.

Begin with an easy hill, gradually loading on the Power! What will YOU do with all that power under your legs? Stay seated throughout this song as you load it on.

9. I Won't Back Down, Tom Petty (2:58)

A few jumps on a hill. Time to stick to your guns, to your promises,

10. I Heard it Through the Grapevine (LDM101 Remix Radio Edit), Marvin Gaye (4:38)

Sometimes the media is like one big Grapevine! What are you listening to? Where does it come from? Where's the truth, and how do we really know? C'mon, just the facts, ma'am! Dancing with the media and the misleading political ads, let's continue to jump, much slower this time (16-32 counts if using the beat, or about 20-30 second transitions)

11. The Rising, Bruce Springsteen (4:47)

This is one of the songs Obama uses at his rallies. 

Strong and steady, sit most of this climb, and transition to a standing climb when he sings "Come on up for the rising" (he does it twice, at minute 1:10 and 3:45).  After the first one, sit back down after 30-seconds or so and continue to climb seated; after the second one, stay standing until the end.

12. Thunderstruck, AC/DC (5:01)

This is a song used by Sarah Palin at her rallies - you gotta hand it to her, she sure has a lot of gumption! A Great Hockey Mom!  

It's important voters aren't "thunderstruck" by their candidates, and instead base their choice on the facts and on more than one issue, issues that will help our country in the long run.

Powerful climb, allow yourself to get "thunderstruck" for a moment as you go a bit over your threshold, to the point of breathless, pushing it out in a standing climb on the most energetic parts of the song, then sitting back down to catch your breath. Watch your intensity, it's easy to get overly caught up in this one!

13. Spiritual High Part III, Moodswings (5:14)

This song speaks for itself. Riders can choose their own hill, but settling back into a manageable intensity. No matter your preference, think of the significance of the speech in the song, of the significance that an African-American is a candidate for president of the USA. Martin Luther King Jr is beeming! I only wish my mother could have lived long enough to experience this, she would have been so joyful! Whether he becomes president or not, just the fact that he came this far is indicative of the positive changes in our country.

Be grateful for how far we've come as a nation, how much more tolerance we have, how much more opportunity is available to everyone, than 40, or even 20-30 years ago. ...But we've still got a long way to go!

14. Time to Move On, Tom Petty (3:15)

Back to a flat road after our climb, bring the heart rate down.  The road to the Whitehouse is coming to an end. One president will move on, another will move in. We'll know who by the end of the day!

15. Strong Enough (to Be My Man), Sheryl Crow (3:10)

16. Waiting on the World to Change, John Mayer (3:21)

Cool down and stretch.