Movin' and Groovin': A Cleaning Playlist

I personally love to clean up to music. But then again I also exercise to it, write to it, eat to it, and fall asleep to it. It motivates me and moves me better than anything else.

As I have mentioned before, I love how music and how much it can change how we think, feel, and interact in everyday life. It also has the power to heal and transform lives.

But this is a hub in celebration of music and how much it changes how we feel when we do one of life's most mundane but necessary tasks.

This is the first of three parts to this playlist. In this section, it's all about getting a strong start or at least motivated enough to start cleaning.

Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine James Brown- Before you call the FCC on me, please let me explain. My mom loved James Brown so much, I couldn't help but move as a kid. And to be honest, the sex machine part really didn't affect me. To me the sound reminded me of the washing machine and so in some strange way I had the energy to start moving.

Into the Groove Madonna- If there's anything I've learned from listening to Madonna, is that you can never do wrong dancing. And anytime I have to clean or do something I'm not in favor of, I put this song on and get busy. It works!

Start Me Up The Rolling Stones- Who else could make prancing around look chic? Mick Jagger may not be talking about vacuuming but it sure helps to imagine that when I'm trying to lug it around the house.

We've Got It Goin' On Backstreet Boys- This is especially for us lovers of 90s boy bands and the swagger they gave us. I didn't remember this song too well when I was younger but stumbled upon it again in college and it helped me get my dorm room in order on several occasions.

Apache (Jump On It) The Sugarhill Gang- For all of us who remembers that infamous Fresh Prince of Bel-Air sequence, we all know how this song moves us. But what better way to start your cleaning than to jump on it and let the music take you the rest of the way.

This is the part of the cleanup when you start to wear thin because of all the details you might have forgotten or simply being burnt out on pledge wipes. Believe me, I've been there before. But don't worry, that's what this part of my playlist is for.

Don't Stop To You Get Enough Michael Jackson- I don't know anyone who doesn't at least love one Michael Jackson song. So it's obvious why you should blast his solo smash from the amazing Off the Wall era. It's long enough to get you through scrubbing the toilet and then some.

(You Drive Me) Crazy Britney Spears- Oh the irony or ironing of it all! I'm kidding but for me Britney never fails to make me want to dance. And while this song is about romantic frustration, the same has applied to my laundry on many occasions.

Intergalactic The Beastie Boys - Considered the comeback of the Beasties in the late 90s, this song makes me want to breakdance, rap battle, and star in a Japanese monster movie, even though I can't do any of it. But I figure if this song makes me want to do all of that, scrubbing shouldn't even be an issues.

Work to Do The Isley Brothers- This song is great for so many reasons but it's steady rhythm and Ronald Isley's silky vocals are my two favorite parts of the song.

No Scrubs TLC- TLC was the 90s kid equivalent of The Supremes, so it goes without saying I would put this song on the list. And I like how it talks about scrubs of another kind but really who likes pushing a mop either?

Alright Janet Jackson- Janet Jackson is one of those artists who fit any occasion when you add her to a playlist. But this steady and breezy groove, along with her awesome vocals make you want to keep going.

The last few minutes of anything is tough. Running, doing homework, but especially cleaning, well at least for me it is. That's why I have to pull out the big jams to get through this part of cleaning up.

Don't Stop Believin' Journey- Using Journey in a playlist is cliche. But who said I was inventive? It does the job, enough said.

Spice Up Your Life Spice Girls- If you miss girl power, this is for you. If you don't, well it'll give you enough time to hurry up and finish.

This Is How We Do It Montell Jordan- Even though this is a go-to party jam, it can motivate you to party after you finish cleaning.

Can't Nobody Hold Me Down Puff Daddy and Mase- That's not a typo. The man now known as Diddy actually made good songs and this happens to be one of them.

Well, I hope this helps you next time you have to pull out the broom and dustpan. Thanks for reading and I look forward to your responses.