Artemis II is currently making its way around the moon. NASA has been sending the astronauts songs to wake up to but, as a radio station, we think we can do a little better. Here are some songs we would send to wake up the astronauts on Artemis II!
Abby’s Picks:“You Rock My World” by Michael Jackson
Not only are these astronauts doing something so many people dream of, but they are setting the stage for history. Musically, no one made history quite like Michael Jackson. “You Rock My World” is a classic song, and it ropes in the Earth while our astronauts slingshot their way to the moon. Released in 2001 on MJ’s tenth and final studio album, the song became an instant classic. Not only would it bring back memories for each astronaut, but still give them a piece of Earth. With a bangin’ melody and lyrics that will get everyone up on their feet, I think this song is a great pick to have our astronauts wake up and get ready for the day ahead!
Listen to “You Rock My World” by Michael Jackson at the link below!
Alex’s Pick: “Sun King” by The Beatles
What songs should the brave astronauts wake up to as Artemis II circles the Moon?
When I thought about this, my mind went to the Voyager Golden Record, the disks we shot out into space in 1977! Two golden disk copies were sent out into space, one on each Voyager probe. Voyager 1 is now over 15 billion miles away, waiting for life out there to uncover them. On those disks, audio was added in grooves like a vinyl record, with pieces by Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart, and even Chuck Berry and Blind Willie Johnson. The idea was to convey to whoever or whatever finds the record, who humans are.
With that lofty idea out of the way, I’d like to see the astronauts wake up to “Sun King” by the Beatles (followed by the ensuing Abbey Road medley, of course). The astronauts could listen to John Lennon sing “Here come the Sun King” as they watch the blue Earth bathed in sunlight against the black ink of space. I encourage you, go listen to the song at the link below and just imagine the astronauts hearing this upon waking in space.
Check out “Sun King” using the link below!
Chloe’s Pick: “Subterranean Homesick Alien” – Radiohead
The song I would send up to Artemis II is by indie rock icons Radiohead. Their track “Subterranean Homesick Alien” is bound to feel relatable to the astronauts who are so far away from home. While I doubt they are seeing any green, bug-eyes aliens, they must feel like the foreign ones in their new star-studded environment. The opening line would be shockingly relatable to astronauts estranged from their home planet, “The breath of the morning, I keep forgetting, the smell of the warm summer air.” The song itself is a spacey, psychedelic rock track about wanting to escape the monotonies of life on Earth. Swirling guitars and ominous electric piano swells paint a sonic picture of what it must feel like to float through space. Radiohead are the masters of glitchy guitar tones and intricate riffs that almost make you dizzy. The song starts out soft and calm and then, with indie rock intensity, picks up in the chorus which is perfect for waking up the sleepy astronauts. “Subterranean Homesick Alien” would be an energizing and relatable song for the Artemis II crew to start their morning with.
Check out “Subterranean Homesick Alien” by Radiohead using the link below!
Sally’s Pick: “This Must Be The Place” – The Talking Heads
Nothing compares to the new age whimsy of The Talking Heads. I couldn’t imagine a better band to wake up the crew of the Artemis II as they float in their sleeping bags. “This Must Be The Place” is a great song to wake up to anywhere, but imagine opening your eyes to the voice of David Byrne and the view of outer space. The Talking Heads’ surreal energy and lyrics are the perfect fit for a crew drinking their morning coffee in antigravity. With lyrics like, “Home is where I want to be, well I guess I’m already there” the crew of the Artemis II can enjoy a reflective morning, considering the distance between themselves and the earth they call home, before they set out to complete their daily tasks and missions.
Give “This Must Be The Place” by The Talking Heads a listen at the link below!
Stay spacey!
The Interns 🙂
