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

About pat thomson

Pat Thomson is Professor of Education in the School of Education, The University of Nottingham, UK

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11 Responses to an academic writing playlist

David Mathew says:

August 18, 2014 at 7:40 am

Brilliantly thought-provoking list. I really this. Mind if I share?

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- pat thomson says:
  
  August 18, 2014 at 7:44 am
  
  Of course.
  
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Robin says:

August 18, 2014 at 8:09 am

I find that Savage Garden’s ‘Affirmation’ works for most of those and it’s wonderful really loud.

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coocho (@coocho) says:

August 18, 2014 at 8:31 am

for waking up at 3 am writing in your sleep – yessss!

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Jonathan O'Donnell says:

August 18, 2014 at 11:37 am

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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- pat thomson says:
  
  August 18, 2014 at 2:02 pm
  
  Wow. I’m impressed.
  
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- Robin says:
  
  August 19, 2014 at 8:13 am
  
  Love no. 3 🙂
  Also think “Shaddup you face” Joe Dolce, might work just as well… “what’s the matter you, eh”?
  
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Kate says:

August 18, 2014 at 2:00 pm

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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fred6368 says:

August 18, 2014 at 6:31 pm

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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Peteurbed (@other_pete) says:

August 19, 2014 at 9:23 am

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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