Once every four years, we pick up an extra day somewhere. This year is a leap year, meaning February has 29 days instead of the usual 28. The four seasons don’t repeat in a whole number of days every year, so we add an extra day every four to correct for those small differences.
Either way, you get an extra day in 2012, and you had better make the most of it. Why not do something you’ve been meaning to do? Start working out. Tell the guy or girl of your dreams how you feel. Build a giant sandcastle. Catch all 150 original Pokémon. We won’t judge. Just do it. These songs should get you motivated.
“The New Workout Plan” – Kanye West
“One and two and three and four and get them sit ups right and tuck your tummy tight and do your crunches like this.” It’s hard not to want to go work out when this song plays. Plus, under all the satire, it’s a positive message for women: There’s more to your value than your body. Try to find that in another rap song.
“No Reason” – Sum 41
After 25,968 “encounters,” YouTube user Abenzio499 finally found a shiny Ponyta on his Pokémon: Leaf Green game while this song is playing. And he’s really excited about it all. We don’t know what any of that means, but maybe leap day is the day you’ll finally find your shiny Ponyta.
“Absolutely (Story of a Girl)” – Nine Days
This is the story of a band/That made one hit song and lost all their fans/They probably look real sad in photographs/Cause they got no more money/And no more smiles. Nine Days only released one album—their second album was supposed to be released by Sony but never saw the light of day. Don’t be like Nine Days. Use your leap day productively.
“Superman” – Goldfinger
If you grew up in the late ’90s and early 2000s, you almost certainly played “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” at some point, and you know this song. So here you are, growing older all the time. Go out and live your dream.
“Lose Yourself” – Eminem
Who would have thought that the guy who wrote the lyrics “You think I give a damn about a Grammy?/Half of you critics can’t even stomach me, let alone stand me” would be nominated for five Grammy awards two years later? Not even those uptight elitists could deny the inspirational power of “Lose Yourself.”
“We Are Young” – fun. feat. Janelle Monáe
Whether you’re young or old, use your leap day to set the world on fire. Figuratively speaking, of course.
