pat thomson

an academic writing playlist

1. A song for staring at the blank screen
2. A song for explaining to your lover why you didn’t hear what they just said
3. A song for reading reviewers’ comments
4. A song for that feeling of being really, really stupid
5. A song for pressing the submit button
6. A song to drown out the noises in the hall
7. A song to remind yourself to get off twitter now
8. A song for an impossible deadline
9. A song to soothe the savage writing
10. A song which prompts you to go sit outside
11. A song to celebrate getting the book proofs
12. A song to remind you why you became a scholar
13. A song that speaks back to administrivia
14. A song for finding a typo in the just published paper
15. A song to mark a co-author’s retirement
16. A song which encourages you to think slowly
17. A song which thanks your dog for just being there
18. A song which counts ALL the work you’ve done
19. A song for making new academic friends
20. A song for waking up at 3 am writing in your sleep

11 comments

  4. OK, here is my effort. You might be able to listen along at:
    http://www.last.fm/user/jod999/library/playlists/6ydrp_an_academic_writing_playlist

    1. A song for staring at the blank screen
    Simon and Garfunkel – Sounds of Silence.
    2. A song for explaining to your lover why you didn’t hear what they just said
    K’s Choice – Virgin State Of Mind.
    3. A song for reading reviewers’ comments
    Lily Allen – Fuck You.
    4. A song for that feeling of being really, really stupid
    Hepburn – I Quit.
    5. A song for pressing the submit button
    Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra – Do It with a Rockstar.
    6. A song to drown out the noises in the hall
    Galdson – Denilio. [Actually, any Galdson will do.]
    7. A song to remind yourself to get off twitter now
    Melanie Horsnell – Birds.
    8. A song for an impossible deadline
    AC/DC – It’s a Long Way to the Top [Or maybe Midnight Oil – Beds Are Burning.]
    9. A song to soothe the savage writing
    Haley Bonar – Ransom.
    10. A song which prompts you to go sit outside
    Happy Rhodes – Ra Is A Busy God [Vocal version]
    11. A song to celebrate getting the book proofs
    The Corrs – The Right Time. [This has never happened to me, but when it does…]
    12. A song to remind you why you became a scholar
    Supertramp – The Logical Song. [Or perhaps Pink Floyd – Another Brick in the Wall]
    13. A song that speaks back to administrivia
    Ice-T – Big Gun.
    14. A song for finding a typo in the just published paper
    My Chemical Romance – Welcome to the Black Parade.
    15. A song to mark a co-author’s retirement
    Alison Krauss & Union Station – It Doesn’t Matter.
    16. A song which encourages you to think slowly
    Austin Wintory – Cut with a Keen-Edged Sword.
    17. A song which thanks your dog for just being there
    Aimee Mann – Pavlov’s Bell. [I don’t have a dog.]
    18. A song which counts ALL the work you’ve done
    The Police – Every Breath You Take.
    [Because of this article:
    Kirby, Michael D. 1986. “Access to Information and Privacy: The Ten Information Commandments.” Government Information Quarterly 3 (4): 333–44. doi:10.1016/0740-624X(86)90031-6.]
    19. A song for making new academic friends
    Marian Call – I’ll Still Be a Geek After Nobody Thinks it’s Chic (the Nerd Anthem)
    20. A song for waking up at 3 am writing in your sleep
    Blood Ruby – Remains of the Day.

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  5. 21. A song for when your first article is accepted
    Sam & Dave ‘Hold On (I’m Comin’)
    22. A song for when you’ve just read the most lovely acceptance comments on a paper and realise you might not be an imposter after all!
    Nina Simone ‘Feeling Good’ (note – sung in head, with full orchestral accompaniment, whilst strutting home across the park!)

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  6. 1. A song for staring at the blank screen
    Air – Universal Traveller
    2. A song for explaining to your lover why you didn’t hear what they just said
    Roxy Music – More Than This
    3. A song for reading reviewers’ comments
    Go Ask Shakespeare – Burt Bacharach
    4. A song for that feeling of being really, really stupid
    XTC – Stupidly Happy
    5. A song for pressing the submit button
    Si Tu Dois Partir – Fairport Convention
    6. A song to drown out the noises in the hall
    Whole Lotta Helter Skelter – Led Zep v Beatles (Soundhog)
    7. A song to remind yourself to get off twitter now
    Talk – Coldplay (Junkie XL remix)
    8. A song for an impossible deadline
    Smells Like Teen Spirit (Live) – Nirvana
    9. A song to soothe the savage writing
    Miles Davis – So What
    10. A song which prompts you to go sit outside
    Green Garden – Laura Mvula
    11. A song to celebrate getting the book proofs
    Long, Long, Long – The Beatles
    12. A song to remind you why you became a scholar
    What difference does it Make? – The Smiths
    13. A song that speaks back to administrivia
    The Last Laugh – Mark Knopfler
    14. A song for finding a typo in the just published paper
    Cant Get Blue Monday Out Of My Head – Kylie v New Order
    15. A song to mark a co-author’s retirement
    You to Thank – Ben Folds
    16. A song which encourages you to think slowly
    Slow – Rumer
    17. A song which thanks your dog for just being there
    Helen Wheels – Wings
    18. A song which counts ALL the work you’ve done
    Kate Bush – Pi
    19. A song for making new academic friends
    Metaphor – Sparks
    20. A song for waking up at 3 am writing in your sleep
    Nocturnal Sunshine – Me’Shell NdegeOcello

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  7. 5. A song for pressing the submit button – Fool if you think it’s over, Elkie Brooks
    15. A song to mark a co-author’s retirement – What took you so long?, Emma Bunton
    13. A song that speaks back to administrivia – Shut Up And Let Me Go, the Ting Tings

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