A while back, we made a playlist with a handpicked song for each NCAA gymnastics team. This is a more general hype playlist for the 2020 season (or any season, really). Whether you’re blasting it on the drive to a meet, in the locker room getting ready or on the floor between rotations, you may have to fight the urge to run through a wall when it’s through. Most of the songs and their lyrics are pretty self-explanatory, but here are a selected few that capture the overall vibe.
Motivation / Normani
I’ma break you off, let me be your motivation
To stay and give it tonight
And, baby, turn around, let me give you innovation, hey
‘Cause I do it so right
Innovation is one of the hallmarks of gymnastics, and it’s a plus when that innovation inspires other gymnasts and teams to do more. This song celebrates being extra and flashy, and college gymnastics is inarguably at its best when it’s those two things.
How it’s Done / Kim Petras feat. Kash Doll and Stefflon Don
You got your hands up, got the bands up
Got your head held high like you’re starstruck
You a boss, you know how to run a bag up
You know you gon’ win the race, tell ’em catch up
The entirety of this track celebrates women and their accomplishments, but I love that this portion encourages the women themselves to do so, since they’re often taught to minimize their success so as not to seem “cocky.” Clearly, some of our favorite NCAA teams didn’t get that message, and we couldn’t love it more.
Rose in Harlem / Teyana Taylor
Been through more than a lil’ bit
Been through more than a lil’ bit
But I ain’t callin’ no names out
No, no free promotion
Naw, naw I ain’t late, I don’t do due dates
No sneak diss, no sneak sh*t
That’s just how I was raised
Taylor’s recollection of the adversity she faced on the rise to fame could easily apply to gymnastics. LSU gymnast Julianna Cannamela’s homage to a shady high school teacher is proof that success is even sweeter when you get to flex it on those who doubted you (whether or not you use their name).
Sissy That Walk / RuPaul
People talking -ish since the beginning of time
Unless they paying your bills, pay them b*tches no mind
And if I fly, or if I fall
Least I can say I gave it all
See message above. Also, flying and falling—clearly Mama Ru had gymnastics in mind here.
Ain’t My Fault / Zara Larsson
I can’t talk right now
I’m looking and I like what I’m seeing
Got me feeling kinda shocked right now
Couldn’t stop right now, even if I wanted
Gotta get it, get it, get it, while it’s hot right now
I have a personal anecdote with this one. The first meet I covered in person was a Rutgers home meet, and I remember how much I loved Belle Huang’s floor music: a pop medley that started with this song. In addition to the badass lyrics, the vibe (especially of the hook) is electric and good to pump up a crowd.
Focus / Ariana Grande
I know what I came to do
And that ain’t gonna change
So go ahead and talk your talk
‘Cause I won’t take the bait
I’m over here doing what I like
I’m over here working day and night
And if my real ain’t real enough
I’m sorry for you bae
This song makes me think of the constant stream of criticism coming from those dark corners of the gymternet. People can get opinionated for having never done gymnastics in their life, no? And yet all season long our favorite NCAA gymnasts still find ways to buck the haters and live their best lives for themselves (hearing Ariana describe the song’s message should send the comparison home). I, for one, can’t wait to see them do so in 2020.
Article by Katherine Weaver.
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