Crank It Up: The amazee.io 2021 Playlist Has Arrived

As a fully-remote and globally distributed company, amazee.io is always looking for ways for our employees to connect with one another and share their interests. Yes, our Slack channels are filled with top-notch conversation starters (and almost-too-adorable pet pics), but sometimes you need to go beyond messaging apps for the fun stuff.

That’s why the folks at amazee.io have picked 54 songs they think you should hear. Our 2021 playlist is filled with nearly four hours(!) of curated tunes to get you through your workday, a long drive in the car, your next Zoom happy hour, or even just dancing in the kitchen while you do the dishes.

Click here to open the playlist in Spotify, or listen below.

What’s on the playlist, and why did we pick it?

Let’s take a closer look...

#1. “Feel It Still” by Portugal. The Man

• Who chose it: JP, IT Lead at amazee.io
• Why: “Reminds me of my vacation in Portugal, where I lived in a campervan for 3 weeks.”

#2. “If Not for You” by Shakey Graves

• Who chose it: Bryan, Partner Manager at amazee.io
• Why: “Groovy guitar, vocal harmonies, and chilled vibes.”

#3. “The Nights” by Avicii

• Who chose it: Davis, Security Engineer at amazee.io
• Why: “This song reminds us all to make the most of the lives we're living.”

#4. “Holy” by Frightened Rabbit

• Who chose it: Stephanie, Solutions Marketing Manager at amazee.io
• Why: “The energy of the intro and how it carries through the song.”

#5. “Lemon Mouth” by Tigers Jaw

• Who chose it: Stephanie, Solutions Marketing Manager at amazee.io
• Why: “You have to support hometown artists, right? And it reminds me of going to shows in tiny local venues.”

#6. “The Passenger” by Iggy Pop

• Who chose it: Stephanie, Solutions Marketing Manager at amazee.io
• Why: “A perfect road trip song. Singin' la la la la la la la la...”

#7. “Peggy Sang the Blues” by Frank Turner

• Who chose it: Stephanie, Solutions Marketing Manager at amazee.io
• Why: “These lines: ‘It doesn’t matter where you come from, it matters where you go. No one gets remembered for the things they didn’t do.’”

#8. “Wildflowers” by Tom Petty

• Who chose it: Stephanie, Solutions Marketing Manager at amazee.io
• Why: “Tom Petty is my favorite artist and ‘Wildflowers’ is my favorite of his solo albums. I could listen to it for hours.”

#9. “I’ll Be Your Mirror” by The Velvet Underground and Nico

• Who chose it: Stephanie, Solutions Marketing Manager at amazee.io
• Why: “Relaxing vibe, plus a reminder to try to see yourself in the positive way others see you.”

#10. “Here Comes the Sun” by Nina Simone

• Who chose it: AC, Product Designer at amazee.io
• Why: “‘It's been a long and cold and lonely winter... Here comes the sun... It's alright.’”

#11. “When I’m Gone” by Gary Clark Jr.

• Who chose it: AC, Product Designer at amazee.io
• Why: “Appreciating the here and now.”

#12. “Perfect” by Anne-Marie

• Who chose it: Alanna, Documentation, Training, & Dev at amazee.io
• Why: “It's a good reminder that you're enough just as you are.”

#13. “Why Oh Why” by L.A.B.

• Who chose it: Nicole, Team Lead/Engagement Manager at amazee.io
• Why: “Very New Zealand, a combined mix of reggae, electronic, blues & funk. Friends that have recently grown into one of the most-popular and busiest acts in New Zealand.”

#14. “On My Own” by Anamanaguchi ft. HANA

• Who chose it: Brandon, Software Engineer at amazee.io
• Why: “Chiptunes, sick drums, great vocals. It bops.”

#15. “Phoenix” by Hybrid Minds

• Who chose it: Thom, Platform Engineer and Partner at amazee.io
• Why: “A favorite track for the morning skate along the Auckland waterfront.”

#16. “The Girl and the Robot” by Röyksopp

• Who chose it: Bastian, Platform Team Lead and Partner at amazee.io
• Why: “Röyksopp - Nice electronica and if you are here, the first track was free - take 11 minutes and play "Rescue (Lost Tapes)" ;-)”

#17. “If I Had a Heart” by Fever Ray

• Who chose it: Bastian, Platform Team Lead and Partner at amazee.io
• Why: “If you know the Knife, you also don't want to miss Karin Dreijers voice and you'll love this dark song.”

#18. “One Day” by JPson

• Who chose it: Bastian, Platform Team Lead and Partner at amazee.io
• Why: “Turn it up just a little bit too much on the volume, close your eyes and enjoy the song. You'll feel like you're at a concert.”

#19. “Fed All My Days” by Manni Orrason

• Who chose it: Bastian, Platform Team Lead and Partner at amazee.io

#20. “Palm of My Hand” by Zhu

• Who chose it: Salvatore, Systems Engineer at amazee.io
• Why: “Great guitar intro for an electronic song with several different vibes.”

#21. “Chasing Marrakech” by Zhu

• Who chose it: Salvatore, Systems Engineer at amazee.io

#22. “Bonfire Heart” by James Blunt

• Who chose it: Chandana, Systems Support Engineer at amazee.io
• Why: “Good vibes with great music. Also, the video gives a nice getaway road trip experience.”

#23. “Billie Jean” by Los Pikadientes de Caborca

• Who chose it: Jaime, Systems Support Engineer and Keeper of the National Day Archives at amazee.io
• Why: “A nod to my Mexican roots, this is the best cover of one of the best songs of all time. The tuba baseline gives me life.”

#24. “Feels Like I Do” by Vin Diesel

• Who chose it: Jaime, Systems Support Engineer and Keeper of the National Day Archives at amazee.io
• Why: “It’s everything you want in a song: Vin Diesel, great lyrics, Vin Diesel, catchy hook, Vin Diesel, bumping drums, Vin Diesel.”

#25. “Chacarron” by El Chombo

• Who chose it: Jaime, Systems Support Engineer and Keeper of the National Day Archives at amazee.io
• Why: “This is a great song. Such a great beat! And, as an added bonus, it’s truly global just like our team. Mostly because I don't know what language this is in.”

#26. “Man in the Box” by Metalachi

• Who chose it: Jaime, Systems Support Engineer and Keeper of the National Day Archives at amazee.io
• Why: “Another cover! This time, it’s a metal mariachi band covering a great Alice In Chains song.”

#27. “Geyser” by Mitski

• Who chose it: Blaize, Developer Experience & CI/CD Engineer at amazee.io
• Why: “Mitski is the kind of cool you can only dream of being; a cool that's effortless and also completely vulnerable. This is also just a great track.”

#28. “Metalingus” by Alter Bridge

• Who chose it: Tyler, Technical Account Manager at amazee.io
• Why: “Driving beat, technical guitar work, Myles Kennedy vocals are perfect. Great for getting motivated and cranking out some code.”

#29. “I'm Shipping Up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys

• Who chose it: Franz, CEO at amazee.io
• Why: “Very distinctive Celtic Punk sound. Very motivating opening – gets you really going/running.”

#30. “The Diary of Jane” by Breaking Benjamin

• Who chose it: Rhiannon, Interaction Designer at amazee.io
• Why: “There is just something about his voice that puts my mind in the right place and that goes for all of their songs :)”

#31. “He's a Pirate” by Klaus Badelt and Hans Zimmer

• Who chose it: Franz, CEO at amazee.io
• Why: “Goosebump opening of the orchestra. No lyrics, but the power of the orchestra is vibrating through the whole body. Very motivating.”

#32. “Toys and Flavors” by The Hellacopters

• Who chose it: Scott, Security Engineer at amazee.io
• Why: “Cheerful upbeat feel-good punk/rock. And like most Hellacopters songs, a couple of face-melting guitar solos.”

#33. “We Know Something You Don't Know” by DJ Format

• Who chose it: Scott, Security Engineer at amazee.io
• Why: “Great flow and a catchy tune.”

#34. “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World

• Who chose it: Jason, Brand Evangelist at amazee.io
• Why: “Upbeat with a catchy chorus! It's one of my favourite songs and on regular rotation on my personal playlist.”

#35. “False Connections” by Zeth Mekes

• Who chose it: Jason, Brand Evangelist at amazee.io
• Why: “Super catchy and always puts me in a good mood! A great track by one of our own Amazees :)”

#36. “Rise” by Eddie Vedder

• Who chose it: Vincenzo, Systems Engineer at amazee.io
• Why: “It's one of the songs we listened to as a lullaby for my daughter.”

#37. “Escape Velocity” by The Chemical Brothers

• Who chose it: Vincenzo, Systems Engineer at amazee.io
• Why: “I listen to this song when I want to focus on something...very very trippy song :)”

#38. “Firestarter” by The Prodigy

• Who chose it: Vincenzo, Systems Engineer at amazee.io
• Why: “Another strong song remembering good times with friends.”

#39. “Double Trouble - Live at the Budokan Theatre, Tokyo 1979” by Eric Clapton

• Who chose it: Vincenzo, Systems Engineer at amazee.io
• Why: “Imagine yourself sitting on a comfortable sofa in the dim light, having a drink and relaxing.”

#40. “Fear of the Dark” by Iron Maiden

• Who chose it: Vincenzo, Systems Engineer at amazee.io
• Why: “Evergreen :)”

#41. “I Fought the Law” by The Clash

• Who chose it: Vincenzo, Systems Engineer at amazee.io
• Why: “Because everyone needs punk :)”

#42. “Pyramid Song” by Radiohead

• Who chose it: Vincenzo, Systems Engineer at amazee.io
• Why: “Another dreamlike song.”

#43. “Money” by Pink Floyd

• Who chose it: Vincenzo, Systems Engineer at amazee.io
• Why: “Pink Floyd should be in EVERY playlist.”

#44. “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits

• Who chose it: Vincenzo, Systems Engineer at amazee.io
• Why: “Can a playlist without this song exist? (ps: also one of the first video clips in computer graphics).”

#45. “Lithium” by Nirvana

• Who chose it: Vincenzo, Systems Engineer at amazee.io
• Why: “This song reminds me of the times when I was young, long hair and moshing around at the concerts.”

#46. “Retreat!” by Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings

• Who chose it: Seth, Digital/Social Media Marketing Manager at amazee.io
• Why: “Sharon Jones is a gem and an absolute inspiration – her vocals always make me feel like I can tackle anything – she belongs on all playlists.”

#47. “Love Will Keep Us Together” by Captain and Tennille

• Who chose it: Seth, Digital/Social Media Marketing Manager at amazee.io
• Why: “A little bit of funk with a lot of happy.”

#48. “Love Will Tear Us Apart” by Joy Division

• Who chose it: Seth, Digital/Social Media Marketing Manager at amazee.io
• Why: “The dark chocolate of love songs.”

#49. “Tiger is Coming” by LEENALCHI

• Who chose it: Seth, Digital/Social Media Marketing Manager at amazee.io
• Why: “A new flavor of funky.”

#50. “Motorcycle Emptiness” by Manic Street Preachers

• Who chose it: Toby, Lagoon Product Lead at amazee.io
• Why: “The Manics ruled my early teens. If I was old enough to drive, I would have car-a-oke'd this non-stop...”

#51. “You Get What You Give” by New Radicals

• Who chose it: Toby, Lagoon Product Lead at amazee.io
• Why: “This song was a common thread throughout University for me, and it still brings a smile to my face.”

#52. “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + the Machine

• Who chose it: Toby, Lagoon Product Lead at amazee.io
• Why: “I remember listening to this song at a point in our lives when we'd just discovered our own ‘dog days’ – even so, listening to this song reminds me that great good can arise from bad situations.”

#53. “Skál” by Corvus Corax

• Who chose it: JP, IT Lead at amazee.io
• Why: “Skál! (Self-Explanatory).”

#54. “Surf Eat Sleep” by Al-Berto & The Fried Bikinis

• Who chose it: JP, IT Lead at amazee.io
• Why: “Cheers me up when I need some sunshine.”