The frantic wave, the paper-airplane torpedo, "Call Me Maybe" videos, G-chat upon G-chat — at R29 HQ, we're always innovative when it comes to ways to getting our co-workers attention. We're good communicators, promise, but, yes, we'll admit, we do have a bit of an addiction to rocking out with our headphones on. (Okay, sometimes headphones off in an office-wide jam-sesh, too.) But that's what you'd expect from a start-up whose call-hold music is "Welcome To The Jungle," right?
Less expected, maybe, are the tracks each individual R29er is blasting in their own personal sound-o-spheres. To let you in on our behind-the-earbuds world, we're bringing out a mixtape of our all-time top tracks — and we're dubbing the end result the #1 playlist of this season (or any!). Sure, we know that audio style is as subjective as any other, but we're proud of the eclectic tunes that this collective group has compiled. Trust us when we say that this set of beats has a little something for everyone, from Paul Simon to Kylie Minogue (and everything in between). Click through to listen to our favorite tracks and share your personal hall-of-famers.
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Jon Dobrowski, director of product, Mobile/Tablet
Suicide, "Cheree"
"This is one of my favorite songs to listen to walking the Manhattan streets alone late at night. Best when on repeat."
Suicide, "Cheree"
"This is one of my favorite songs to listen to walking the Manhattan streets alone late at night. Best when on repeat."
Naomi Abel, designer
T.Rex, "Buick Mackane"
"I've been on a T. Rex kick as of late, and this one is impossible not to put on repeat. Marc Bolan is a golden god."
T.Rex, "Buick Mackane"
"I've been on a T. Rex kick as of late, and this one is impossible not to put on repeat. Marc Bolan is a golden god."
Charlene Chang, merchandise manager
Hall & Oates, "You Make My Dreams"
"I listen to this when I want to dance like a teenage girl in the privacy of my apartment. I guess this confession no longer makes it private."
Hall & Oates, "You Make My Dreams"
"I listen to this when I want to dance like a teenage girl in the privacy of my apartment. I guess this confession no longer makes it private."
Sara Little, commerce account manager
Dirty Projectors, "About To Die"
"Whenever I'm out bopping around (running errands OR just running) I blast this jam: it's bouncy and fun, despite the title."
Dirty Projectors, "About To Die"
"Whenever I'm out bopping around (running errands OR just running) I blast this jam: it's bouncy and fun, despite the title."
Neha Ghandi, deputy editor
Pistol Annies, "Hell On Heels"
"I'll admit that I first heard this song on an X-Factor audition episode. And it is wonderful. I love the three female voices harmonizing; I'm struck the lilting, haunting melody every time; and I thoroughly enjoy the fact that the lyrics are unabashedly (and kind of menacingly) about gold-digging."
Pistol Annies, "Hell On Heels"
"I'll admit that I first heard this song on an X-Factor audition episode. And it is wonderful. I love the three female voices harmonizing; I'm struck the lilting, haunting melody every time; and I thoroughly enjoy the fact that the lyrics are unabashedly (and kind of menacingly) about gold-digging."
Piera Gelardi, creative director
Paul Simon, "Graceland"
"Graceland reminds me of childhood road trips with my family—the music everyone could agree on. The lyrics always captivated me as a kid ("there's a girl in New York City that calls herself a human trampoline") and I remember thinking then, as I do now, 'this is the best song ever.' It remains a favorite as well as being majorly nostalgic."
Paul Simon, "Graceland"
"Graceland reminds me of childhood road trips with my family—the music everyone could agree on. The lyrics always captivated me as a kid ("there's a girl in New York City that calls herself a human trampoline") and I remember thinking then, as I do now, 'this is the best song ever.' It remains a favorite as well as being majorly nostalgic."
Alexandria Gurule, marketing manager
The Rolling Stones, "Beast of Burden"
"Because this song is amazing. Enough said."
The Rolling Stones, "Beast of Burden"
"Because this song is amazing. Enough said."
Gabriel Bell, staff writer
Nina Simone, "To Love Somebody"
"I just cannot get sick of this track - from the Simone, to the drums, to the guitar, bass, and piano in the background, every single player is absolutely killing it. I tend to concentrate on just one or two of them each time I listen to it. Also, it's amazing how it can be up, happy, propulsive, triumphant, and yet sad, pining all at once. Best track ever in my book."
Nina Simone, "To Love Somebody"
"I just cannot get sick of this track - from the Simone, to the drums, to the guitar, bass, and piano in the background, every single player is absolutely killing it. I tend to concentrate on just one or two of them each time I listen to it. Also, it's amazing how it can be up, happy, propulsive, triumphant, and yet sad, pining all at once. Best track ever in my book."
Jessica Teves, managing editor
Bob Sinclair, "Disco 2000 Selector"
"Old-school Bob Sinclair, especially some of his disco remixes! Always puts me in a good mood because it's chill and rhythmic at the same time. Good stuff."
Bob Sinclair, "Disco 2000 Selector"
"Old-school Bob Sinclair, especially some of his disco remixes! Always puts me in a good mood because it's chill and rhythmic at the same time. Good stuff."
Kate Hyatt, producer
Phosphorescent, "The Mermaid Parade"
"This is the prettiest, most heart-crushing song your ears will ever know. And, it just never gets old so it's perfect for depression music black holes."
Phosphorescent, "The Mermaid Parade"
"This is the prettiest, most heart-crushing song your ears will ever know. And, it just never gets old so it's perfect for depression music black holes."
Isabel Cafaro, executive assistant
No Doubt, "Don't Speak"
"Oh this song...whenever it comes on shuffle, I think back to the time when I was just a 14-year-old girl in urban Montreal obsessing over a ska band from Orange County. No Doubt was my first concert, my first musical influence, and my first love. I always feel a little nostalgic listening to this tune. It never gets old."
No Doubt, "Don't Speak"
"Oh this song...whenever it comes on shuffle, I think back to the time when I was just a 14-year-old girl in urban Montreal obsessing over a ska band from Orange County. No Doubt was my first concert, my first musical influence, and my first love. I always feel a little nostalgic listening to this tune. It never gets old."
Megan McIntyre, senior beauty editor
Sublime, "What I Got"
"It's an oldie but a goodie. Not to be corny, but I believe wholeheartedly in the healing power of music, and whenever I'm having a crap day or feeling uninspired, I put this on. When I play it, I can't help but tap my feet, smile, and just mentally relax. It helps me remember what's important in my life and put the stress and anxiety out of my head. It's just a kick-ass song, period."
Sublime, "What I Got"
"It's an oldie but a goodie. Not to be corny, but I believe wholeheartedly in the healing power of music, and whenever I'm having a crap day or feeling uninspired, I put this on. When I play it, I can't help but tap my feet, smile, and just mentally relax. It helps me remember what's important in my life and put the stress and anxiety out of my head. It's just a kick-ass song, period."
Chris Bunk, vice president of technology
Janis Joplin, "Me and Bobby McGee"
"Janis is always good for a rock session, and this song is one of the best."
Janis Joplin, "Me and Bobby McGee"
"Janis is always good for a rock session, and this song is one of the best."
Gabriela Alford, senior designer
Aaliyah, "Back & Forth"
"This song is just the best, ever."
Aaliyah, "Back & Forth"
"This song is just the best, ever."
Kelsey Miller, SEO editor
Bob Dylan, "Sara"
"One song I never get sick of is Bob Dylan's 'Sara.' It's a torch song, love ballad, and the story of a couple's history told in bittersweet vignettes. It's a sad one, to be sure. But it makes me sad in that achey, resonant, belting-along-in-the-car-in-the-middle-of-the-night kind of way, that feels so good at the same time."
Bob Dylan, "Sara"
"One song I never get sick of is Bob Dylan's 'Sara.' It's a torch song, love ballad, and the story of a couple's history told in bittersweet vignettes. It's a sad one, to be sure. But it makes me sad in that achey, resonant, belting-along-in-the-car-in-the-middle-of-the-night kind of way, that feels so good at the same time."
Judi Lee, HR manager
The National, "Runaway"
"I love pretty music that's a bit melancholy — it calms me."
The National, "Runaway"
"I love pretty music that's a bit melancholy — it calms me."
Annie Georgia Greenberg, New York editor
The Contours, "Do You Love Me"
"Okay, so maybe this isn't the most obvious choice -- and sure, there are more emotionally moving songs. But, c'mon a guy that's pleading for your love via dance moves? That's kind of amazing. Plus, it's exactly this get-up-and-groove type of number that can instantly lift a mood, get some feet jiving, and hey, maybe even make a love connection. In the words of The Contours, 'Watch me now, hey'!"
The Contours, "Do You Love Me"
"Okay, so maybe this isn't the most obvious choice -- and sure, there are more emotionally moving songs. But, c'mon a guy that's pleading for your love via dance moves? That's kind of amazing. Plus, it's exactly this get-up-and-groove type of number that can instantly lift a mood, get some feet jiving, and hey, maybe even make a love connection. In the words of The Contours, 'Watch me now, hey'!"
Seija Rankin, East Coast editorial assistant
Mariah Carey, "Always Be My Baby"
"I know what you're thinking, but when this song first came out, Mariah Carey was still da bomb. I've loved this song since I was a wee elementary schooler listening to it on my tape player. MC taught my cold, black heart how to love."
Mariah Carey, "Always Be My Baby"
"I know what you're thinking, but when this song first came out, Mariah Carey was still da bomb. I've loved this song since I was a wee elementary schooler listening to it on my tape player. MC taught my cold, black heart how to love."
Philippe von Borries, Co-Founder
Roxy Music, "More Than This"
"The first time I heard this song was at a bar in Munich and the bartender there actually looked like Bryan Ferry. Such an epic and dreamy song...I could listen to it on repeat forever."
Roxy Music, "More Than This"
"The first time I heard this song was at a bar in Munich and the bartender there actually looked like Bryan Ferry. Such an epic and dreamy song...I could listen to it on repeat forever."
Lisa Dionisio, production editor
Elton John, "Your Song"
"Who doesn't love Elton John? My parents were always playing albums by The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, and Elton John growing up—and "Your Song" is still one of my all-time favorites."
Elton John, "Your Song"
"Who doesn't love Elton John? My parents were always playing albums by The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, and Elton John growing up—and "Your Song" is still one of my all-time favorites."
Kristian Laliberte, senior editor
Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue, "Kids"
"Robbie? Kylie? Together? It's even better than I thought a duet from this Brit/Aussie duo could be. Cheeky lyrics, immediate hook — oh, and one damn sexy music video (they'd make a good sex tape, come to think of it). It's pop, but not pathetic. Though it is pathetic that I'm still crushin' on Robbie."
Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue, "Kids"
"Robbie? Kylie? Together? It's even better than I thought a duet from this Brit/Aussie duo could be. Cheeky lyrics, immediate hook — oh, and one damn sexy music video (they'd make a good sex tape, come to think of it). It's pop, but not pathetic. Though it is pathetic that I'm still crushin' on Robbie."
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