A couple of weeks ago, Jake and I went to a Classic FM Pops concert with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. (Some of you may have seen my Facebook post about Josh Turner.) Needless to say, it was a lot of fun. Among other selections, the concert featured a medley of Chicago songs. When I was in pep band in college, we played 25 to 6 or 4 and/or Make Me Smile at nearly every game. There aren’t a lot of things I miss about college, but going to basketball games and playing in the pep band was so much fun. After the concert, all I wanted to do was listen to my old pep band mix.
I realize the past six sentences have made me sound pretty nerdy and a little old. For the record, I did finish undergrad 11 years ago, but Chicago wasn’t exactly a new band back then either. Additionally, it’s not a secret that many of my interests aren’t exactly “cool” (I also took Latin in college) or that my musical tastes are extremely varied. I love Chicago just as much as Miles Davis or Mozart and don’t ever apologize for it.
Back in the day, I made a lot of music mixes. It makes me a little sad that I don’t anymore. But in college, I created mixes all the time. So naturally, I have a pep band mix. And I still have it, along with a ton of other old mixes in a lovely black Case Logic CD holder (again, dating myself, I know). It’s been years since I last listened to the mix. I had to get it out again after the concert and have been listening to it in the car the past couple of weeks.
Over a decade after making the original mix, I’m finally sharing a digital version online. Way overdue now that it’s 2017, right?
I have to mention that I always include the Save Ferris cover of Come on Eileen. I don’t love the original version (I know, I know). The Save Ferris cover has a lot more energy, and it’s got an amazing brass arrangement, which actually sounds a lot more like a pep band arrangement.
It’s retro. It’s fun. It’s high energy. It features a lot of brass. I’ve always loved listening to it while driving, but it’s perfect for cleaning, working out, or any other time you want something with a lot of energy (and that may or may not be perfect to sing along to, preferably loudly).
Do you have a favorite music mix?
Share your playlist links in the comments!
