Let’s be honest: sometimes the idea of going on another date, meeting up with yet another guy, getting your smile on and pretending you’re way more into somebody than you actually feel, is just exhausting.  (Or, I mean, meeting someone with whom you have a genuine connection…or whatever…what are dates like for you?)
But for those days when it’s hard, I like to keep a couple of go-to songs on hand to get me pumped up.  These are songs that put me in a good mood, make me feel cool (which I’m really, really, not) and make me feel like a good version of me– the version of me I want to present to this other person.  That is, mostly myself.  Only better.  Cooler. Funnier.  More lovable.
I’m asking a lot from this playlist, but I think it still does the trick.  Maybe it’ll help you, too. (You can listen on Spotify by clicking on the titles.)

1. “Hold Tight”– Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich

I first heard this song during Tarantino’s short film, “Death Proof,” and while it didn’t work out so well for the ladies in the film (RIP Butterfly and Jungle Julia), it has made it onto my “pump me up” playlist.
Between the thrumming baseline and gratuitous tambourine usage, this song really does it for me.

Most dateable lyrics: “Hold tight, shut your eyes/Girl, you suit me for size/ Forget the other guys/ You’ll never fall each time you call/ Hold tight, hold tight, hold tight.”

2. “Anything Could Happen”– Ellie Goulding

Because sometimes you need to be reminded, over and over and over again, that anything really could happen.  You might like this guy. You might one day love this guy! Or maybe he’ll just buy you a mediocre dinner and you’ll save your Netflix at least one night of hard usage.

Most dateable lyrics: “Anything could happen” x 100, approximately.

3. “Don’t Worry Baby”– The Beach Boys

This song takes me back to my childhood.  A simpler time.  I time when I believed that there was every chance I’d marry Harrison Ford and cruise the galaxies with him and Chewie in the Millennium Falcon, listening to this song.  A time when I believed that romance was easy and uncomplicated and populated by Wookiees.  (The last one isn’t entirely wrong, I guess.)  It’s that optimism this song evokes for me and I want to take that with me on my dates.

Most dateable lyrics: “She makes me come alive/ And makes me wanna drive.” Because the height of romance is drag racing!

4. “Power”– Kanye West

Ok, I’m not sure that there’s anything justifiably romantic about this song. Or Kanye West, in general.  But love him or hate him (and honestly, I can see both sides of the argument as far as Yeezus is concerned) the man makes interesting music.  I’m not sure I’m 100% on board with the lyrics of this song or their message, but if you sit back and cruise, this song is damn good.

Most dateable lyric: “I guess every superhero need his theme music.” Really stretching for this one.

5. “Love Child”– Diana Ross and the Supremes

Always, always, always, always use protection. Also, I’m pretty sure it’s a law of the universe that you can’t sing along to this song and be in a bad mood.

Most dateable lyrics: “Don’t think that I don’t need ya/ Don’t think I don’t want to please ya.”

6. “I Am Not a Robot”– Marina and the Diamonds

One of my all-time favorites and a great reminder to everyone– we are not robots.  We are looking for connection and love– all of us, whether or not we realize it. And we are worthy of that connection and love, we just have to be open to it.  So get out there and let that strange man buy you dinner!

Most dateable lyrics: “I’m vulnerable, I’m vulnerable/ I am not a robot/ You’re lovable, so lovable/ But you’re just troubled.”

P.S. You have no idea how hard it was not to just make all of these Beyonce songs.  All of them.
If you enjoyed this, check out my article on 5 Things the “On the Run Tour” Taught Me About Love.
About Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB): CMB  is a free dating service that helps members make meaningful connections. It’s designed for busy singles who want to find something real with little or no effort.