My Gen X Playlist: Good Life – OneRepublic

When I was young and single, I used to have a rule. If I worked past 10 pm, it was too late to eat, so I’d walk to the local neighborhood bar and drink dinner. Not the best plan, mind you, especially since my first stop the next morning was to Starbucks for a venti sized black coffee, followed by another venti for lunch. I frankly don’t know how I survived those liquid days. Ah, to be young and invincible again.

Since then, I’ve made a few changes. I got married, reduced the amount of times working past 10, and no longer have liquid meals. I haven’t figured out a way to properly unwind after a tough day. I’ve come to the conclusion that it might have something to do with my mindset. It’s not healthy jumping 110% into work to the point there isn’t anything left in the gas tank at the end of the day. Our time here is too short. The goal should be to enjoy life.

OneRepublic released Good Life in 2010, so it’s not really a Gen X song. But it’s got a great vibe and I like the feeling of enjoying life. This song is also top of mind because I heard it last night.

I decided to make a quick trip to Las Vegas and was at the blackjack tables. Typically, players at the table exchange pleasantries – name, where they’re from, what brought them to Vegas. There couldn’t have been a more different crowd – a young couple from Arkansas on vacation, an older gentleman from Cincinnati in town on business, a quiet guy who didn’t say much at all and me, a guy on the tail end of a sabbatical. Conversation was sparse and light. We were just playing cards listening to the loud background music. Then Good Life came on and we all seemed to know enough to sing or hum along. Funny how a song changed the atmosphere at the table and warmed it up. The best part was the dealer busting during the chorus and we all high fived around the table. That was the ice breaker we needed. After that, we gradually became a livelier group, chatting more and no longer strangers sitting at a table. It was pretty cool. It all happened because of a song.

–

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Woke up in London yesterday
Found myself in the city near Piccadilly
Don't really know how I got here
I got some pictures on my phone

New names and numbers that I don't know
Address to places like Abbey Road
Day turns to night, night turns to whatever we want
We're young enough to say

Oh this has gotta be the good life
This has gotta be the good life
This could really be a good life, good life

Say oh, got this feeling that you can't fight
Like this city is on fire tonight
This could really be a good life
A good, good life

To my friends in New York, I say hello
My friends in L.A., they don't know
Where I've been for the past few years or so
Paris to China to Colorado

Sometimes there's airplanes I can't jump out
Sometimes there's bullshit that don't work now
We all got our stories, but please tell me-e-e-e
What there is to complain about

When you're happy like a fool
Let it take you over
When everything is out
You gotta take it in

Oh this has gotta be the good life
This has gotta be the good life
This could really be a good life, good life

Say oh, got this feeling that you can't fight
Like this city is on fire tonight
This could really be a good life
A good, good life

Oh, a good, good life
Yeah
Oh, oh

Hopelessly
I feel like there might be something that I'll miss
Hopelessly
I feel like the window closes oh so quick
Hopelessly
I'm taking a mental picture of you now
'Cause hopelessly
The hope is we have so much to feel good about

Oh this has gotta be the good life
This has gotta be the good life
This could really be a good life, good life

Say oh, got this feeling that you can't fight
Like this city is on fire tonight
This could really be a good life
A good, good life

Oh yeah
Good, good life
Good life
Ooh

Listen
To my friends in New York, I say hello
My friends in L.A., they don't know
Where I've been for the past few years or so
Paris to China to Colorado

Sometimes there's airplanes I can't jump out
Sometimes there's bullshit that don't work now
We all got our stories, but please tell me-e-e-e
What there is to complain about