In the entire history of man, there is arguably nothing more universally hated than Monday Mornings. Even anathema Osama bin Laden, the Ku Klux Klan, and brussel sprouts have their apologists. But except for the odd Museum curator or socially-outcast theater usher, there’s nobody on the face of the planet who outwardly supports the idea of Mondays. They are evil, hell-ridden creations, a weekly occurrence so wicked that it takes a heavy dose of something awesome to even remotely dent the dark cloud it creates. Like coffee. Or Coca-Cola. 

Or the Power of Music.

So as a means of lightening the burden on these most evil days, the AJ Blog Network staff will be picking a weekly musical theme, and with it a coinciding playlist. This musical compilation is designed to effectively last an entire workday, while taking into account bathroom breaks, water cooler chatter and extended lunch hours. 

<LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE PLAYLIST HERE>

For a daily dose of musical genius, check out Daily Top Songs for a fresh-tune-a-day, and My Lyrical Disposition for the right chord to match your current mood. Now, attack the malevolence of the start of the work week with the AJ Blog Networks Musical Monday Playlist!

MUSIC THEME: “Swell”

Tim Duffy:

Sunshine Lollipops and Rainbows - Leslie Gore

What could feel more “swell” than this collection of joyous circumstances sung in the jolly voice of Leslie Gore?!

The Freed Pig - Sebadoh

The song “The Freed Pig” describes a situation in which “swelling” egos lead to a band’s demise.

The Way We Get By - Spoon

Everything seems jovial and full of pep in this bouncy song about how “swell” life can be, even as you are just getting by.

Too Many People - Paul and Linda McCartney

Did you know that the population of the world is “swelling” rapidly. There might literally be “Too Many People” soon. This is why the Chinese have all of those monstrous laws about child bearing.

Thumbs Off - The Clean

This song feels like a guy just letting go of anything and everything he is supposed to be responsible for in order to stop feeling so much and just start feeling “swell.”

All For Spinning You Around - The New Pornographers

Speaking of feeling “swell,” what can make you feel better than happily spinning around?

Today Was A Good Day - Ice Cube

While a pre-Are We There Yet Ice Cube would never use the word “swell” except to reference his “swelling” member we might call his Good day a swell one because we are lame and mostly white.

 It's Raining Today - Scott Walker

“Swelling” could also refer to a specific musical arrangement and this Scott Walker song’s swelling strings are a great example.

Heinreich Sioson:

Amazing - Kanye West

Kanye has a swollen ego and head, so this is perfect for the theme.

Time is Running Out - Muse

The song swells and then climaxes when it reaches the chorus.

Spin - Lifehouse

Every emotion runs through me whenever I listen to this song.

 Forever - Drake

This man has A LOT of pride and confidence.

Touch It (Remix) - Busta Rhymes ft. Mary J. Blige, Rah Digga, Missy Elliot, Lloyd Banks, Papoose, DMX

Features a lot of guest rappers and is a long song.

Kristen Mollica:

Knights of Cyndonia - Muse

“Knights of Cyndonia” begins and ends in an upswing. It’s a high energy song. The biggest and best “swell” comes about 4 minutes in after Matthew Bellamy’s vocal solo, with pounding drums steadily creeping in and a guitar solo.

Hey Man, Nice Shot - Filter

“Hey Man, Nice Shot” offers an intense musical swell for the chorus. The verses slowly build until Richard Patrick screams in my ear each time.

The Great Below - Nine Inch Nails

This song demonstrates two interpretations of the word “swell.” Firstly, the song uses the metaphor of an ocean for death. Secondly, although a gentle musical swell, the intensity of Trent Reznor’s voice increases towards the end of the song.

The Noose - A Perfect Circle

The interpretation for this song is completely musical. The song begins very quietly, both musically and lyrically and builds just as slowly.

You Know I Want Your Love Celebration - Robin Skouteris

A mashup of Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Pitbull, this song was chosen because it makes me swell with joy. Every time I hear it, I want to dance my ass off.

Firestarter - Prodigy

I like to think that fires can swell up and engulf everything in flames. This song also makes me happy and its got some swell sick beats.

Bad Things - Jace Everett

“Bad Things” is the only country song I like and it happens to be the theme song to True Blood. Both the song and the television show make me swell in excitement…and yes I mean that in more ways than one.

Christine Melgarejo

Love Lost - The Temper Trap

This song is pretty uplifting in that its a song about a lost love that’s now found. And musically it’s pretty rad and also swells up at the end. The whole idea makes me feel swell.

Houdini - Foster the People

I can’t sit still when this song is on, I just want to dance. Its one of those songs that even if i’m in a bad mood, it makes me feel swell.

1991 - Crystal Castles

This song sounds like it’s from a game from 1991, which makes me feel like a kid, which in turn makes me feel swell.

Little Lion Man - Mumford and Sons

This song has swell use of the banjo that’s pretty bad ass. And it swells up vocally to the end of the song.

Darkest Days - The Sleeping

First of all, I know this band personally as they are good friend with my brother. That’s pretty swell. And secondly, it’s about the swelling of dark days and feeling at your worse until things finally change and all those “darkest days are half a world away”.

I Can Lift a Car - Walk The Moon

About feeling so happy with someone that you feel swell enough to lift a car by yourself (I wouldn’t recommend trying it, though).

Nostrand - Ratatat

This song starts off super chill and then totally swells up at the end and gets AWESOME.

Oren Shalev:

The Blood Brothers - Love Rhymes with Hideous Car Wreck

People will typically experience swelling after a car accident.

Super Bass - Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj’s popularity is swelling since her Super Bowl appearance.

Six Pack - The Dirty Projectors

Alcoholics have puffy, swelled up faces.

Searching Through the Past - Bleached

Bleach in the eyes will lead to swelling.

Heat Wave - The Jam

A song about sweltering heat.

Jason Lee - All Girl Summer Fun Band

Falling off a skateboard well probably create swelling.

Together in Electric Dreams - The Human League

This song makes my heart swell.

Kristin Gdula

Going to Carolina - James Taylor

How can you possibly feel bad when you listen to James Taylor? Swell.

You've Got To Funkafize - Tower of Power

Yes, funkafize is a word. And having soul is swell.

3 AM - Matchbox 20

Nostalgia nod! Feeling swell about my killer high school dance moves.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours - Stevie Wonder

Have you ever HEARD this song? That note he sings at the beginning? Swell.

Eyes of Sarahjane - The Jayhawks

Listen to the music. Lots of swells.

Rosalita (Come Out Tonight) - Bruce Springsteen.

Possibly the swellest of all swell songs. It’s awesomely swell.

Tara Ebrahimian

Surfing USA - The Beach Boys

The band is swell and surfing, in part, depends on the size of the swells.

Livin' in the Future - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

B/c many of his songs make emotions swell, and he and the E-Street Band are amazing.

Sugar Pie Honey Bunch - The Four Tops

My serenade for a friend who is swell.

I Will Play My Game Beneath the Spin Light - Brand New

Every spring, towards the end of the semester, when I was over it and looking forward to going home, I would listen to this song, for the lyric “I would kill for the Atlantic…” I understand that passion for home and the strong tie to the ocean. And, oceans, as was previously acknowledged, contain swells.

It's Oh So Quiet - Bjork

The music crescendos (swells).

Somebody to Love - Queen

Queen is awesome and Freddie Mercury’s voice crescendos.

Captain Eric Marmon

Happy Together - The Turtles

The name of the band makes me think of Raphael, Splinter and the gang, which is always swell. And the song itself comes with a jolly “la-la-la” kind of feel. Bonus points for anyone who remembers the N64 Super Smash Brothers Commercial.

Fluorescent Adolescent - Arctic Monkeys

While the actual lyrics in Fluorescent are actually a bit on the melancholy side (and the music video is goofy-depressing), the beat makes me want to bounce from side-to-side, another example of a song eliciting a “swell” emotion.

Section 9 (Light & Day/Reach for the Sun) - The Polyphonic Spree

To quote Christine, “this song is on my iPod specifically for when I need to feel swell.” This is my go-to following female-rejection and Monday mornings after Eagles losses.

Not Afraid - Eminem

This song makes me want to go to a gym and get my “swell” on.

Life, in a Nutshell - Barenaked Ladies

First line; “When she was three, her Barbie’s always did it on the first date / And now she’s with me, so there’s never any need for them to demonstrate.” I dunno, something swell about that…

This Lonely Place - Goldfinger

Just like Fluorescent; bummer lyrics masked by an uppity beat put me in the right mental state regardless of actual song meaning.

She's On Time - Barenaked Ladies

This limited edition track from Stunt is about a guy learning his girlfriend isn’t pregnant. What could be more swell than that??