A 2020 Season Playlist

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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