Boar Jukebox: Revision Lifesavers

Yes, it’s that time of the year again. But don’t worry: we’ve got you covered with some tunes that should
make even the most tedious revision sessions just about bearable…

Faithless: ‘Insomnia‘

Mark Barac

‘Insomnia’ is an ideal song for revision: it is rhythmic, with a steady motivational beat and a general lack of distracting lyrics. As
the tempo increases and the synth arpeggio kicks in, work levels substantially increase, although as the throbbing beat takes control it can prove hard to not let the body naturally react to the music. Nevertheless, as long as you don’t let the anthemic trance get hold of you, ‘Insomnia’ is the perfect inspirational revision song.

The Velvet Underground: ‘Pale Blue Eyes‘

Joe Baker

“Sometimes I feel so happy/sometimes I feel so sad/sometimes I feel so happy/but mostly you just make me mad.” The opening lyrics of ‘Pale Blue Eyes’ are more than a little reminiscent of exam time anxiety. Arguably any album by The Velvet Underground is a must for students with a taste for the mellow and subdued, but the combination of Lou Reed’s deadpan delivery and the bluesy undertone of P.B.E make it a soothing highlight for revision playlists everywhere.

LCD Soundsystem: ‘Dance Yrself Clean‘

Michael Perry

If I ever get to meet James Murphy, I should thank him for saving my degree, because when it comes to shredding through the revision slog, ‘Dance Yrself Clean’ is absolutely lethal. Its opening minutes establish a warm, gentle rhythm, and then… BANG. Your ears have been blown clean off, your mood has skyrocketed, and your energy has peaked to the point that not even the dreariest topic can bring you down. At nine exhilarating minutes, this is a big, beautiful, and bass-y banger which has kept me fighting the good fight on countless occasions. Fuck procrastination: this is happening.

Klaus Badelt: ‘He’s a Pirate‘

Sam Evans

Perhaps better known as “The Pirates of the Carribean theme tune”, or possibly just “the most epic song ever”, this track is one-minute-thirty of pure exhilaration and escapism. The opening few bars conjure images of ships, swashbuckling and scurvy, though even the latter might be preferable to three hours in Butterworth Hall. There’s also a bonus on Youtube in the form of a ten hour techno remix, if a full day of notemaking really needs livening up.