My 2 cents is free

So I have been struggling with going to the gym, because I need it but I hate it. I am just not one of those people who love working out. If someone could work out for me, and I could read all their books for them (or write all their papers), I would consider it a perfect trade. But alas, it doesn't work that way, so off I dutifully and regularly go to sweat and toil (to sadly little result).

But I am not here to complain - I am here to discuss what music helps! This is, of course, highly personal and ever changing. You have to have the right music for the mood. And in some situations, you can't hear your own music (like in my spin class, for example), so you are stuck with what other people choose. I could write several rants about what I am forced to spin through... seriously, instructors make really odd choices (and they all have their own weird tastes to begin with (I cannot exercise to country, I'm sorry, I love it, but no), and often-grating favorites that they repeat).

But recently my one old man (old and very very very fit) instructor has eased off of his weird trance crap (that made me want to stab people) and blah pop songs, and incorporated some Eminem. To which I say: HALLELUJAH.

Because I love the rage. Eminem's bitter rage about his life - that is how I feel about having to go the gym (or do anything I don't like). Both of our feelings are often overblown, cleverly worded (he really does have a way with words), white-hot, scathing, and profanity laden. Bless him and his endearing straight served anger and arrogance; and the fact that he loves his kids. Also I think he's super hot (when he's not too thugged out or making crazy-eyes, like when he goes to court).


"Till I Collapse" - Eminem ft. Nate Dogg - the thought of not giving up 'till my legs give out' is very fitting, and I find it is possibly my favorite song right now to spin/run to. The video is not an official one - but it doesn't look like there is one (just ones with the video to Lose Yourself)





I also like his recent collaboration with Rihanna - "Love the Way You Lie" - "You don't get another chance, life is no Nintendo game." (Favorite YT comment? Has to be - "2:40 showing her the way to Mordor" - Genius.)





"Not Afraid" is also good for a motivational song - very "uplifting" which comes across in the Superman-esque video. If he didn't end up flying, it would be a pretty boring video. But he pulls it off. Along with "Without Me" (see below) you might surmise he has some superhero issues. And that is just fine, it really works for him.

Favorite line?  (LOL)

"So I solemnly swear to always treat this roof, like my daughters -

and raise it..."

Funny to think how he's come a long, long way since he first appeared. The much more controversial days of the earlier 2000s, and various legal problems and etc. No recent feuds, right? Haven't even heard any recent outrage over any of his lyrics in a while. With age comes wisdom! (And increased hotness, seriously, how good does he look in Not Afraid??!) And the videos have changed as well, from the less-polished but let's face it - far more entertaining - older videos for My Name Is, and The Real Slim Shady to much more mellow (and daresay, serious??) things like Not Afraid; and singing with Rihanna in a fancy pop video with actors. He's all clean and sober and grown up.

Personally, I still really enjoy the goofier side seen in (the Batman-inspired, complete with glorious graphic novel sound effect words) "Without Me" - how can one not like a video that references so much (Batman, Elvis, bad TV shows, Osama Bin Laden, etc). Who doesn't love a man with both anger issues AND a clearly dorky sense of humor? I hope he doesn't completely lose the sense of humor, it softens him and makes for memorable videos.









I will probably have many more gym music rants and picks (not all angry, I promise). In the comments, feel free to contribute your own current motivational, keep-moving-those-jelly-legs gym gems - angry or not.