Let's be honest—nobody likes moving. Luckily, a pizza party isn't the only proven way to lighten the load (and encourage your friends to help out). The right moving playlist is a sure-fire way to inject some groove into your move.
Top 10 Moving Songs by Canadian Artists
With moving day in mind, we recently surveyed 50 Canadian residents ages 18-60 and asked them to name their top moving songs (by Canadian artists, of course). Here are the top 10 songs guaranteed to make moving a lot less tiresome.
- "Born to be Wild" - Steppenwolf
- "Life is a Highway"- Tom Cochrane
- "Old Apartment" - Barenaked Ladies
- "No Time" - The Guess Who
- "Photograph" - Nickelback
- "The Weight" - The Band
- "Roll on Down the Highway" -Bachman-Turner Overdrive
- "This Road" - Blue Rodeo
- "Money City Maniacs" - Sloan
- "Chasing the Sun" - Billy Talent
The Best Canadian Rock Bands
To help give you more inspiration when creating your carefully curated list of top moving songs<, we also surveyed Canadians about their favorite Canadian bands of all time. Now you have no excuse not to make a real Canuck-infused moving playlist on Spotify (or wherever else you like to download music).
- The Tragically Hip
- Rush
- The Guess Who
- Our Lady Peace
- Barenaked Ladies
- Neil Young
- Bachman-Turner Overdrive
- Steppenwolf
- Sloan
- Blue Rodeo
- Nickelback
Creating or Finding An Uplifting Playlist On Spotify
If your impending move is making you feel too pressed for time to select some tunes, fear not, you can easily find a moving playlist on Spotify. The company has a variety of pre-selected moving playlists that are specially designed to put some spring in your step and energize even the most reluctant of heavy lifters. Just use the search engine to type in what kind of playlist you're looking for and Spotify will help you find it.
Other Ways to Ensure a Smooth Move
Songs for moving into a new house aren't the only way to get the blood pumping and keep the energy flowing. There are many things you can do to ease the chore of changing house. Here are some of our favorite suggestions.
Make It a Group Activity
You've heard the expression "many hands make light work" and this has never been truer than when it comes to moving time. A tedious task that could take hours, if not days, can be done in half the time when friends and family share the burden. If they need encouragement, the promise of some tasty free pizza and a few drinks can go a long way to enlist a helping hand. Take note: pizza also comes in handy when you once again seek help in adding a fresh layer of paint to your new digs.
If your friends and family's response to labor remains lackluster, don't give up. You can always ask them over just to sit around and chat. After all, misery loves company and it will certainly help pass the time.
Do a Group Call With Friends or Family
If no one's available for an in-person visit, there's always the phone! Just hit "speaker" and you can hear the comforting and encouraging voice of a friend to cheer you on. Use Skype or FaceTime to enjoy a video chat.
Indulge In an Audiobook
Few of us feel like we ever do enough reading. Moving is a wonderful excuse to listen to some of the books that have been piling up on your "must-read" list. There are few things that will keep you company as well as a good book, especially when it's being read to you by a professional narrator. Most local libraries allow users to download audiobooks for free for a two-week period.
Listen To a Popular Podcast
Do you know how you're always saying there's never enough time to do everything you want to accomplish? Well, podcasts make it easy to multi-task. You can put your stereo on speaker and blast your favorite podcast to keep you engaged while you pack. If you're moving to a new city or country, why not find a podcast about local life or politics that might give you some insight into life at your new hometown?
Binge Watch Your Favourite Show or Movie
Sometimes all it takes is a bit of background noise to feel like you're not undertaking a task on your own. We all have a favorite show that we can basically replay by memory so just press play on your TV and let the familiar sounds of a comedy or romantic movie keep you distracted.
Watch a Moving Movie
Are you looking for inspiration as well as a distraction? Then make some popcorn and put on a fabulous movie that centers on a big move to keep you going. Good ones include Up (escape—house and all—to a magical place), Moving (the importance of hiring reliable movers), and Beetlejuice (a new home complete with an intriguing ghost).
Get Moving
There's no doubt that moving can be a stressful endeavor, but with these top moving songs and tips to keep you energized, moving can be—dare we say—fun. And don't forget, Bluebird Self Storage is here to help with storage options for before, during, and after moving day. Now, are you ready to get moving?
About the Author
Sandra MacGregor
Sandra MacGregor is a Canadian writer who's been writing about lifestyle issues, travel, and finance for nearly a decade. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications like the New York Times, the UK Telegraph, the Washington Post, Forbes.com, and the Toronto Star. She spends her free time traveling and has lived around the globe, including in Paris, South Korea, and Cape Town. You can see more of her work at sandra-macgregor.com