Awesome Mixtape Vol. 1: How to Master Retirement Songs

Ooga-chaka Ooga-Ooga
Ooga-chaka Ooga-Ooga
Ooga-chaka Ooga-Ooga

That freakin’ opening number in the Guardians of the Galaxy Awesome Mix featuring “Hooked on a Feeling!” It set the mood for the entire soundtrack and would most definitely get Baby Groot movin’.

At blooom, we LOVE music in the office – control of the SONOS is a perpetual war of will! And who doesn’t get hooked on a good mixtape? It’s such the perfect way to communicate a feeling.

It was about a month ago my mixtape nostalgia was rekindled again. I discovered a great card game called MIXTAPE on a favorite podcast of mine, The Chalkboard Podcast.

I immediately ran out and bought it. With question cards like “What song plays as you ride a lion to work in slow motion?” how could I resist?

For me, a child of the 80s and 90s, it’s awesome to see the mixtape culture make a comeback.

But Don’t Call It A Comeback! We Look Forward To Retirement

And that card got me thinking – though I spun the idea of nostalgia … of looking back, into what if we looked forward toward retirement. The day you decide to retire or give your notice of retirement, what song plays in your head (i.e. what’s your theme music for this moment)?

I posed the question to the team and the submissions create an awesome volume.

Without further ado, I proudly present the Awesome #Mixtape Vol. 1: Master Your Retirement Songs (You can listen to the Spotify playlist for everything but Beyonce and read my commentary — or Chad’s on my selections — about each selection in italics):

Awesome Mixtape Vol. 1: Master Your Retirement Songs

Side 1:

“My song would have to be ‘I Believe I Can Fly’ by R. Kelly. The lyrics say it all, but also because Space Jam was one of my favorite movies as a little kid and I wanted to be a pro basketball player…but made the tough choice to forego that opportunity for blooom.”

Andrew Thomas, Director of Client Service

A fitting song for someone who likes to give that extra 10% …

“I think my song would be Beyonce’s ‘Formation’…. All about working hard to get to the top, and letting nothing hold you back! Plus… hopefully when it comes to retirement, ‘I slay.’”

Claire Harrison, Campaign Manager

Claire also slays.

“My retirement song would be ‘Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta’ because I can’t help but think about that scene from Office Space.”

Jordan Nietzel, Director of Investment Operations

And if we all could filet a fish at our desk …

“Let’s Go Crazy’ by Prince (Brent song 1. “Because we’ll throw a huge party to celebrate life and this Prince track — RIP, your Purple Holiness — will kick it off.”)

Chad: Love it, but crazy within reason…remember that money has to last you the rest of your life. Don’t go buy that Little Red Corvette unless you have already planned for it.

Side 2:

“It would have to be ‘Forever Young’ by Alphaville. It’s a song I love to sing as loud as I can and reminds me of being free of responsibility. ”

Shannon Duncan, Chief Compliance Officer

So … Shannon and I were born in the same year, on the same day within the same hour (although in different states, so no we’re not twins). But with that odd fact, I do particularly like this idea of Forever Young.

“Smashing Pumpkins ‘Today’! It’ll be the greatest….day I’ll ever know”

Chad Beland, Director of Client Happiness

Yeah, Chad, your vision is one thing TODAY, but will it change TOMORROW?

“I’d be playing ‘Babe I’m Gonna Leave You’ by Led Zeppelin because of the lines …

‘It was really, really good.

You made me happy every single day.

But now!

I’ve got to go away!’

I like them because they’re quite positive, which I would hope is how I’d feel about my work, even at the end of my career.”

Carolin May, Email Marketing Manager

Becca loves the Zeppelin play but she prefers ‘The Ocean.’

“I Got Mine” by The Black Keys (Brent song 2. “When my ‘career’ is all said and done I’ll know I left everything on the court.”)

Chad: Great choice. Even better song — one of the retirement songs or otherwise. You should get yours because you were smart and planned for the future.