Hey everyone! Kate here from cars.edu.vn, your go-to spot for all things automotive and, apparently, killer work playlists! You might have seen my colleagues Caitlin and Cory share their workday soundtracks, and after a little (okay, maybe more than a little) procrastination, I’m finally dropping mine.
Let’s be real, some days at the office feel like staring into the digital abyss – eyes drying out, posture resembling a question mark, nose practically glued to the screen. And then there are days where impromptu dance parties erupt. Most of the time, it’s a glorious mix of both. Music is the constant companion through it all.
Now, you won’t find Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 on this list, even though it’s pure gold. Why? Because that’s an anthem for clocking in for someone else. Believe me, I belted that out at karaoke like my life depended on it when I escaped the 9-to-5 grind. Same goes for I Will Survive – it was on heavy rotation during my job-leaving era, with personalized lyrics about conquering the work world. And who doesn’t love 16 Tons? But this playlist? This is pure Advokate energy. It’s the sound of happy, self-employed life, right here and now.
If you catch me in the office solo, be prepared for a 90s pop explosion. I try to keep it somewhat contained when Caitlin’s around, but sometimes the music just…escapes.
Beyond my job-quitting anthems and nostalgic throwbacks, here’s the soundtrack that fuels my “taking care of business” days:
Kate’s “Taking Care of Business” Playlist: Get Stuff Done!
1. Bachman Turner Overdrive – Taking Care of Business
This. Song. Right here. When Advokate was just a fledgling idea nearly nine years ago, this became my Friday billing anthem. Weekend work sessions in my home office? Cue this up, crack open a cold drink, and let the sunshine and freedom vibes roll in. For me, “Taking Care of Business” isn’t just a song; it’s the work anthem. It’s the sound of self-employment, pure and unadulterated. It’s the glorious feeling of answering to yourself. “If you ever get annoyed, look at me I’m self-employed…” – could lyrics be any truer? This is the ultimate “Taking Care Of Business Song” in my book.
2. Loverboy – Working For The Weekend
My dad was also a small business owner – KACS, Inc., a construction company in Vermont. Classic rock was the soundtrack to his workday – sawdust, tie-dye, and rock and roll. Helping him out sometimes, that was my image of the workplace. So, classic rock instantly puts me in that zone of independence, hard work, and accomplishment. Loverboy’s “Working for the Weekend” is another weekend work jam for me. It’s about that drive and hustle, even when the weekend is calling. “Everybody’s working for the weekend, Everybody wants a little romance…” That feeling of building something for yourself, even outside typical work hours, is perfectly captured in this track.
3. Ready for the World – Oh Sheila
Office upgrades are milestones! When Advokate outgrew the home office and moved into The Shirt Factory, the water cooler arrived. “Sheila” became part of the team. Suddenly, it felt real, official. “Oh Sheila” by Ready for the World is pure office nostalgia for me. It’s quirky, fun, and marks a step up in the business journey. It’s a reminder of those early growth stages and celebrating the small wins. “Oh, oh, Sheila, let me love you till the morning comes…” It’s a playful track that reminds me to enjoy the process.
4. Petula Clark – Downtown
My current office on Exchange Street has a perk I absolutely adore: walkability. Petula Clark’s “Downtown” is my soundtrack for that walk to work. Living in a place where a pleasant walk to work is even possible is a gift. To make my public serenades slightly less…enthusiastic, I taught the “Downtown” echo to my kids. Now, we’re a (slightly more harmonious) walking, singing group. Funny side note – I first heard this gem in Short Circuit 2 (yes, the second one is my favorite!). “Don’t hang around and let your problems surround you, there are movie shows… Downtown!” It’s an upbeat, optimistic song that sets a positive tone for the workday right from the start.
5. Iron and Wine – Cinder and Smoke
Sometimes, work requires intense focus and calm. Enter Iron and Wine. I discovered them during a massage (talk about relaxation!). Their music is my antidote to the daily tornado of tasks. When I need to buckle down, especially for design work, Iron and Wine Pandora is my go-to. It centers me, promoting single-minded focus and peace. “Cinder and Smoke” itself doesn’t scream “work song” lyrically, but its calming melody is pure magic for productivity. “Cinder and smoke, Some whispers around the trees…” It’s about creating the right atmosphere for deep work.
6. Jolie Holland – Damn Shame
Another artist in the calming category is Jolie Holland. I was lucky enough to see her perform a small concert thanks to Jason Tavares at The Shirt Factory. Her music is incredibly captivating, and that intimate concert experience imprinted a sense of calm and peace whenever I listen to her. Similar to Iron and Wine, Jolie Holland’s “Damn Shame” isn’t lyrically work-related, but her music creates that focused, tranquil zone essential for certain tasks. “When evening comes around, All my senses fly away…” It’s about finding focus through music, even without direct lyrical connection to work.
7. Pac-Man Theme Remix
Kids have a knack for earworm creation, right? My kids are currently obsessed with the Pac-Man Theme Remix. It’s on repeat, Alexa’s best friend. It’s undeniably catchy. And surprisingly, the beat is fantastic for multitasking. It’s that kind of rhythm that lets you wiggle and break, wiggle and break through tasks. Crucially, it’s way less brain-stopping than Baby Shark. Baby Shark just…shuts down all cognitive function. The Pac-Man remix? It somehow makes thinking more…awesome. It’s the unexpected “taking care of business song” for when you need a quirky energy boost.
8. Gloria Estefan – Conga
Remember the Pomodoro Method? Work sprints with set breaks? For a glorious, health-conscious phase (standing desk, posture brace, kale!), I used tomato-timer.com and Gloria Estefan’s “Conga.” Every 25 minutes, “Conga” would blast, and the whole office would shimmy, stretch, and de-stress. Seriously, it was back pain magic! We need to bring back the “Conga break.” It’s a fantastic work practice. “Come on, shake your body baby, do the conga, I know you can’t control yourself any longer…” It’s about injecting fun and movement into the workday to boost productivity and well-being.
9. John Denver – Leaving on a Jet Plane (Instrumental)
Shout out to Ann at Milk & Honey downstairs! Their shop’s soundtrack is also, in a way, our work soundtrack. Instrumental versions of “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” “Take Me Home Country Roads,” “When a Man Loves a Woman,” and Celine Dion hits are constant office background music. We genuinely enjoy them and sometimes, yes, we sing along (instrumentally, of course…mostly). “Leaving on a Jet Plane” (instrumental) is a mellow, familiar tune that creates a comfortable and consistent work environment. “Hold me like you’ll never let me go…” – even instrumentally, it adds a touch of warmth to the office atmosphere.
10. Night Ranger – Sister Christian
Confession time: “Sister Christian” by Night Ranger has been inexplicably stuck in my head for weeks. Lately, it’s the first song that pops into my mind when I turn on office music. I only know the “MOTORING!!!” part, but that’s the earworm. I think it’s because work lately feels like “jamming and clicking,” and “MOTORING!!!” just flips a switch in my brain, like a hockey goal song! “MOTORING! What’s your price for flight, You’ve got him in your sight, And driving through the night.” It’s the unexpected, slightly absurd “taking care of business song” that captures the feeling of being in the zone and powering through tasks.
This is just a glimpse into my work soundtrack – the songs that keep me energized, focused, and feeling that glorious self-employed freedom.
Right, back to work! And for the rest of the day? Sister Christian, on repeat. Enjoy your workday soundtrack!
