It’s Grammy time! This is my third year preparing a Grammys profile for ICA.
As a beat-driven instructor, it’s sometimes a challenge to find music among the Grammy nominations that is usable for riding. The music must meet the cadence parameters, be something that I enjoy and would use myself, as well as be compatible with the profile; all of this while trying to ensure as much variety as possible with artists, genres, and categories. In my own personal rides, I almost never choose country songs, but in order to find songs within the cadence ranges I was seeking for this profile, I have included four (yes FOUR!) country songs in this playlist. But the good news is that it works!
Additionally, I have included an artist who should have been nominated but sadly wasn’t (much to the consternation of millions of fans)! And, he’s a fellow Canadian. The Weeknd was snubbed by the Grammys despite leading nearly all of the expert predictions lists. This was a huge slight, considering that his single “Blinding Lights” was the most-streamed Top 40 song of 2020 and his After Hours album will be at or near the top of many sales and critics’ charts; he even performed at the Super Bowl halftime show on February 7, 2021. So, in protest, you will find “Blinding Lights” on my playlist—and something tells me you or your riders won’t mind! It’s such an awesome song to ride to.
Should you prefer to use alternate songs, in the ICA post for this profile and playlist, you will find an additional compiled playlist below that offers more than 120 songs to choose from; each song is either nominated for a Grammy, is on a Grammy-nominated album, or is from a Grammy-nominated new artist.
Julianne, I love that you create a Grammy ride every year. Because the music is so current, the profile can be used at any time during the year. The eclectic mix of music genres reminds me of Jennifer’s Multiple Personalities ride. I was ecstatic to see that one of my weekly music suggestions from November (“Revival” by Gregory Porter) won a Grammy. https://indoorcyclingassociation.com/friday-favorite-a-heavenly-renewal-of-spirit-and-energy/
Great job. You deserve an award!
Susan, I am so glad you enjoyed it! There were so many good songs this year that I wish I had an opportunity to fit more of them into the profile. Maybe next year I will have to prepare a 90 minute ride to showcase even more of the great, deserving music 🙂 Your comments are truly appreciated!