Not sure what Crank That Hit! means? Go here. 

This week’s Crank That Hit! was inspired by a reader request. A big hello to Amy, who is helping build political infrastructures in Baghdad. Which means deadlines all the time.

Oh… and thanks for the request! If anybody else would like to see a special Crank That Hit! theme, just send me an e-mail! 

But back to today’s topic: Deadlines. We all have ‘em, and sometimes we miss ‘em. But if you’ve got a project that’s breathing down your neck, and you do not want to drop the ball… Then you’d better Crank. That. Hit. Okay?

(keep it on deadline… after the jump)

(1) “American Boy” by Estelle (featuring Kanye West) — This is both the jam of the summer and a great motivator. Because you see… it’s about international relations. Estelle needs to find a boy to take her to Brooklyn for the very first time. She needs someone to show her L.A. And that means she needs her American boy to be on top of his game.

You know who else need to be on top of his or her game? You. Because that report you’re typing up could be read by someone in another country. Those numbers you’re crunching could have a direct impact on foreign exchange rates. So put the pedal to the metal, baby! Finish your work on time, and you’ll be like Estelle… grooving on the slinky beat of your multination cool.

 

(2) “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey

I don’t know if you guys pay attention to the iTunes chart as much as I do, so let me tell you… Ever since it was used in the final episode of The Sopranos, this song has been one of the service’s 100 most-downloaded songs. And you guys? That episode aired over a year ago.

You know why people keep getting their Journey on? Because this song unequivocally kicks ass.

Just check the title, and you’ll see why it belongs on this list. Let Steve Perry carry you. You might be a small-town girl, living in a lonely world, but you can do it. You can get your taxes filed on time.

(3) “Around the World in Day” by Prince

I can’t find a sample of this song on the internet–Prince is kind of uptight about that–but I know you can download it from iTunes and the like. And you totally should. It’s slinky and loopy and fun, with all its chants and sitars and cymbals, but it also has a catchy chorus. Plus, think about this: If Prince can make it around the world in a day, then you can get your homework done.

(4) “Running Out of Time” by Joan Osborne — Dammit! I can’t find an online sample of this song either… that’s what I get for picking all these album tracks. But these songs are just too awesome to ignore! (And this one is also readily available for download.)

Anyway, Joan Osborne deserves to be known for more than “One of Us,” and this song proves why. It’s got a sweet blues-rock riff and features some of her best gravelly vocals. If you really are running out of time, this will make you know that Joan feels your pain.

(5) “Deadline” by David LaMotte — Okay, this title is a bit on the nose, but David LaMotte is a really great singer-songwriter who comes from that “just my voice and my guitar” school. His lyrics are evocative and specific, and they usually twist their theme in a clever way. (For similar lyrical magic, please see  Christine Kane, Richard Shindell, and the amazing Dar Williams.) 

This track is a nice reminder that deadlines don’t always matter. So maybe you should kick back for a second and talk to someone you love, or at least write them a note. The work can wait, but relationships shouldn’t.

(To hear the song, scroll about two-thirds down this page. Look for the link to the live performance video.)