Almost two years ago (note to self: buy more moisturizer – time is flying) we posted a playlist on our blog about the music that we love…in secret. Yup, you know the type of songs. They’re the ones that are in your Top 25 Most Played on iTunes – yet you don’t admit to listening to in public. The ones that you’d be mortified to have your hipster friend know about. The ones you listen to while marathon training and sing to while driving home after Sunday family dinner.

What we learned from the last post? We all love us a guilty pleasure track. Well good thing gang: there has been a lot of deliriously shitty catchy music released in the last couple years, plus a lot of old favourites we just can’t seem to live without. Find this sweetly sinful playlist here.

Without further ado.....

the no shame workout playlist, part II

“Rest Of My Life” – Ludacris featuring Usher and David Guetta

Just the names listed above should scare any seasoned music lover. Put them together and it’s like getting nacho cheese and chips at 7Eleven at 3am: while it seems like a good idea at the time, the shame spiral after can be severe.

“I Feel For You” – Chaka Khan

THIS IS THE GREATEST VIDEO EVER. I should start a Chaka fan club. #goalsetting

“Whatever You Like” - T.I.

I could listen to T.I. talk about popping bottles all day.

“Turn Me Loose” – Loverboy

Local Vancouver boy Mike Reno threw on a pair of red leather pants and things have been getting hot and heavy ever since (like 30 years ever since). If you’ve ever been to the Roxy (Vancouver’s finest spot for people watching post-Canucks games) you know the power this song has.

“Starships” – Nicki Minaj

We wish she would stop picking on our Patron Saint of No Shame (aka Mariah), but nitpicking aside…this song is a classic.

“Die Young” – Ke$ha

This is the second time in a row that Ke$ha has made the No Shame playlist. Congratulations!

“Music and Me” – Nate Dogg

I actually don’t consider this to be a guilty pleasure but my friends have pleaded with me to retire the proverbial do-rag. Good thing I have the sense to categorically refuse.

“Where Do You Go” – No Mercy

Poor No Mercy has been looking for their lover for 20+ years via a 90’s beat. I hope they never find them because this song is MUY CALIENTE.

“I’m A Flirt” – R. Kelly featuring T.I. and T-Pain

I won’t sugarcoat it: I am a Robert Kelly apologist.  Yeah, I know…this isn’t really acceptable. What IS acceptable? Him talking about hollering at shorties and drinking Courvoisier on the weekends. Trust me, I tried to deny my urges for Kels but the feeling was too strong.

"We Like To Party" - Vengaboys

If getting on the Venga Bus is wrong, I don't wanna be right.

"Call On Me" - Eric Prydz

Now all MTV plays is reality shows and dysfunctional families making bad life decisions, but back in the day when they played actual music videos this was the greatest thing since sliced bread.

"Motownphilly" - Boyz II Men

These are boyz you can take home to mom. They're also responsible for the majority of Junior High makeouts for Gen-Yers. #KanyeShrug

“My Maria” – Brooks and Dunn

For the love of God, Ronnie Dunn: stop using eyebrow pencil on your goatee. But please, please keep crooning FOREVER.

What songs do you secretly love with a burning passion? You can tell us…we won’t say anything, promise.

Yup, it's January. After the mayhem of the holiday season, a sense of calm has taken back over. The air is clear and fresh, intentions have been made and goals set. All that's left is to get up and GO.

We made this playlist to keep things simple and also motivate you to keep on keepin' on when the urge to complicate things arises (yeah, we're looking at you, after work drinks at the local water hole).

back to the basics playlist

*Editor's Note: new year, new functionality: we are now hosting our playlists on 8Tracks. Check them out - we love them and hope you do too! 

1. haim - forever

Danielle, Este and Alana Haim, three sisters from LA, met up with drummer Dash Hutton and put together an entire album clearly inspired by 80's dance parties growing up. Hints of Stevie Nicks and Annie Lennox swirl throughout this track, perfect for warming up and getting inspired by your favourite ladies of rock.

2. van she - idea of happiness

Electro-tinged with enough bass to keep things from getting too sweet. The entire Van She album is awesome - this title track is the highlight.

3. big boi featuring a$ap rocky and phantogram - lines

Ever since releasing "Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty", Big Boi has been on a mission to prove open-mindedness is as important to him as swagger. His new album has him partnering with some familiar names (Sleepy Brown) as well as some new unexpected artists - Little Dragon shows up twice as does electro darling Phantogram. This track is perfect for grinding out tough intervals.

4. tegan and sara - closer

Somewhere along the line Tegan and Sara decided to ditch their guitars at the coffee shop and go synth EVERYTHING. I was nervous when I first heard they were working with David Guetta ("how does THAT work?!") but the results have made me swallow my skepticism.

5. bruno mars - locked out of heaven

Yup, it's the most popular song on iTunes right now. My inner music snob wants to scoff, but no matter: this song is awesome. After I saw Bruno rock out on Saturday Night Live, I like him even more. Does anyone else hear some Police/Sting vibes in this song?

6. kanye west featuring big sean, pusha t and 2 chains - mercy.1

Ever since Kanye's partnership with Jigga last year, he's been putting out serious sh!t. Maybe it has something to do with trying to make up for "Lift Off" - the fake Ghostface Killah album review of "Watch The Throne" still has to be the best thing I've read in a long, long time.

7. royksopp - what else is there? (thin white duke remix)

It's an oldie and it's still such a goodie. This remix takes a good song and turns it legendary, so much that I struggle not to put it on every workout playlist I put together.

8. solange - losing you

Living in Beyonce's shadow probably isn't the most comfortable place in the world. Solange proves on her new album that she isn't a B-grade version of her sister, she's actually completely different - and it's a really good thing, too. This is the best Madonna song that isn't a Madonna song ever (that's a compliment).

9. santigold - the keepers

Every time I think I've exhausted Santigold's album "Master Of My Make-Believe", I find yet another track that makes my Top 25 Most Played. This was a highlight at her performance at Coachella last year.

10. dirty projector - gun has no trigger

I saw these guys open for TV On The Radio a few years back and was absolutely blown away. If the lead singer's voice sounds familiar, it's because she collaborated with Major Lazer last year on the amazing "Get Free." Definitely worth seeing live.

11. macklemore and ryan lewis featuring evan roman - a wake

Right now these dudes are the toast of the town, with good reason. Their lyrics are awesome and the songs are so easy to listen to, from working out to road trips. We can't wait to see what they come up with next.

What music are you kicking off the New Year with? Share with us what's keeping you motivated and focused on your big plans for 2013!