I’m Michelle Callaghan, a first-year graduate student at Villanova University. This is our new column, “‘Cat in the Stacks.” I’m the ‘cat. Falvey Memorial Library is the stacks. I’ll be posting about living that scholarly life, from research to study habits to embracing your inner-geek, and how the library community might aid you in all of it.

Perhaps you’ll remember a ‘Cat in the Stacks post from way, way back in September about instrumental music suitable for research. Well, my exquisitely broad music library has been raided yet again for a ‘Cat-approved playlist and for double the music fun, I’ve teamed up with Outreach intern Kallie Stahl. This time around, we’re going full vocals with some of the most life-affirming, upbeat songs you can think of!

Since Kallie and I are graduate students and this is bonafide crunch time, we know exactly what it’s like to lose your mind and lose your hope. Both of us agree: music is the answer. Jam with us and breathe! Click the link below the jamming kitty to listen to the playlist for free on 8tracks.

Kallie and Michelle’s Infinite Playlist (Volume 1)

1)   Afterlife –Ingrid Michaelson
“We all, we all, we’re gonna be alright. We got, we got, we always got the fight in us.”

2)   Chasing the Sun – Sara Bareilles
“You said, ‘Remember that life is not meant to be wasted. We can always be chasing the sun. So fill up your lungs and just run – but always be chasing the sun.'”

3)   Just Breathe – Pearl Jam
“Oh I’m a lucky man, to count on both hands the ones I love.”

4)   You’ll Be Okay – A Great Big World
“You’ll be okay. You’ll be okay. The sun will rise to better days.”

5)   Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag – Minnutes
“What’s the use of worrying? It never was worth while.”

6)   Welcome Home – Radical Face
“Was never much, but we’ve made the most. Welcome home.”

7)   Banana Pancakes – Jack Johnson
“Maybe we can sleep in. Make you banana pancakes. Pretend like it’s the weekend now.”

8)   Let It Go – Dragonette
“We don’t need a cure for the weight of the world, ’cause its floating round in the universe, just swinging like it’s tied by a string that you hold – and let it go!”

9) Tupthumping (Manic Focus Remix) – Chumbawamba
“I get knocked down, but I get up again. You’re never gonna keep me down.”

10) Baba Yetu (Feat. Soweto Gospel Choir)– Christopher Tin
“Baba yetu, yetu uliye, mbinguni yetu, yetu, amina. Baba yetu, yetu, uliye jina lako litukuzwe.”

Bonus! You’ll Be Okay (Live), because it never fails to make me love the world, especially at 1:43:

Article by Michelle Callaghan, graduate assistant on the Communication and Service Promotion team. She is currently pursuing her MA in English at Villanova University.