Anatomy of a Power Hour (Part I)

Power Hour – the best form of drinking around.

For those of you that do not know, a power hour is a drinking game/activity where one drinks a shot of beer every minute for an hour. If you do the math, that comes to 5-7 beers in an hour, so the average drinker probably should be wary of the power hour.

The power hour is by far my favorite form of drinking – better than Beirut, flip-cup, BBQs, or even drinking at a bar. It is great fun.

You are probably asking yourself what makes the power hour so great. Well, it is the music. You don’t just stare at a clock in drink every minute. You have music going. And not just any music, but a special CD, which plays each song for one minute. There is a special method, even an art to making these CDs. It is pretty easy. You can just download a simple program online. Mine only allows the first minute of your selected song to be played, but others allow you to choose the specific minute. Below I will give you some insight into the methodology of making a fine power hour CD mix. And remember, it is for the people

Ok, so I made this CD this past summer with the help of my girlfriend. We had limited resources – just the music on my computer and itunes downloaded are not allowed to be reformatted to change the time- so this is by no means the greatest power hour ever, but using the materials we had, it is a fine example and tool and a damn good time!

Song 1 – I Wanna Hold Your Hand – The Beatles

The first song is definitely the most important of the 60, even more so than the last, because people are already drunk by then and will like just about anything. You need something that will get people excited and let them know what they are in store for. The other two previous power hours in which I have experienced can show you the type of 1^st songs that work. Oh, the previous two were themed 80s and 90s, but mine has no theme, just all over the board as you will see. But # 1 80s – Take on Me by a-Ha and 90s No Diggity by Blackstreet. Nice.

The Beatles was as simple choice. Can’t go wrong. Everyone will know it and it is upbeat. A good start

Song 2 – Let’s Get Retarded

May also be known as “Let’s Get it Started”, get retarded was the original version. Again, it is the beginning, so let the people know that they will have some fun, maybe even get a little retarded. Oh, this song was the first song after the Bride and Groom dance played at my sister’s wedding. But not the Retarded version.

Song 3 – Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys

Slowing it down here a bit, but still something with a likable vibe and a hook (chorus) people will know. The power hour should fit the classic story pattern with a long build up ending with a climax and contain a very smaller build-ups and climaxes within the larger. Make sense? So slow building up to a climax, then slow building up to a bigger climax, with the last climax being the most intense. And like a book or a movie, people should want to keep going to find what is coming next.

Song 4 – Sitting on the Dock of a Bay – Otis Redding

Nice chill vibe here. You don’t want to go too strong yet, people have only had 4 shots of beer at this point and won’t really be singing along. Yet.

Song 5 - The Weight – The Band

Keeping the chill vibe going. This song, very underrated, is one where people just sit back and enjoy life.

Song 6 – The A-Team Intro

Ok, this one is a bit experimental. I was super excited about it, but at this power hour’s premiere, only one other person get real excited. I still stand by it’s inclusion. Just check out the spoke word intro

In 1972 a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit. These men promptly escape from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles Underground. Today they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help and if you can find them, maybe you can hire ….The A-Team

Queue gun shots, queue music, queue explosions.

Maybe the second best spoken TV intro after Quantum Leap

Theorizing one could time travel within his own lifetime, Dr Sam Beckett stepped into the Quantum Leap Accelerator and vanished. He awoke to find himself trapped in the past, facing mirror images that were not his own, and driven by an unknown force to change history for the better. His only guide on this journey is Al, an observer from his own time, who appears in the form of a hologram that only Sam can see and hear. And so, Dr Beckett finds himself leaping from life to life, striving to put right what once went wrong, and hoping that each time his next leap would be the leap home.

Damn that is dramatic!

Song 7 – No One – Alicia Keys

Great song. It was overplayed for a while there, but great for a power hour, keeping it slow, but adding a little beat.

Song 8 – Hound Dog – Elvis

Picking up a bit. Everyone loves Elvis. This will get a few people to start dancing. A little early for that, but we like it.

Song 9 – Pimping All Over the World

Contrast is also good for a power hour. This is a prime example. You don’t want people getting bored. It won’t be as exciting, even if you have all great songs, if they are all the same type. Oh, this is also the first rappish song. There will be more.

Song 10 – Beat It- Michael Jackson

You obviously need some MJ. If Elvis didn’t get a few random dancers this one will.

Song 11 – Don’t Fear the Reaper – Blue Oyster Cult

I really don’t like this song, but lots of people do. Thanks Will Ferrell. More Cow Bell! A bit slow, so a great time to crack open another beer.

Song 12 – For What It's Worth – Buffalo Springfield

Slowing it down again here, but people may start singing along.

Song 13 – Walk This Way – Aerosmith

Bringing it back up again. Good contrast again.

Song 14 – Make it Rain (Remix) – Every rapper from the past 5 years

Ok, this one is not a good power hour song. There is a 30 second intro, so that throws away half your time. But it is so great. And the good thing about rap/hip-hop songs is instead of starting with the first verse, they start with the hook, so you will always get to the part everyone knows.

Song 15 – That’ll Be the Day – Buddy Holly

A definitely change-up, but still a pretty good tempo, and, lots of people like Buddy Holly. This one was a risk, but it paid off.

Song 16 – Last Night – The Strokes

Increasing the tempo and excitement again. This one could work for just about any minute of the power hour. It is fast and people like it.

Song 17 – Break on Through – The Doors

I am uncertain if this is a good power hour song. It keeps the tempo up and people know the words, but for some reason it doesn’t quite fit. Too much instrumental maybe.

Song 18 – Hate Me Now – Nas (Puff Daddy)

You always need some Diddy. This one is similar to 14, long intro, but you get the hook. Also, this lets people get some of that thug out.

Song 19 – Paradise City – Guns n Roses

Contrast again, a sing along one, at least for those white people out there. Remember the scene in Can’t Hardly Wait? Well, this one probably won’t be as exciting.

Song 20 – I Love Rock and Roll – Joan Jett

This one works very well at number 20. People are starting to get a buzz and this song is oh so singable. This will be the first climax. No doubt. Great song. Try not singing it.

Song 21 – Push It – Salt n Pepa

Bringing it down a bit after the previous song. Push It. Yes. A good time to get another beer.

Song 22 – Mr. Jones – Counting Crows

Classic for our generation

Song 23 – First of the Month – Bone Thugs n Harmony

Oh yes, a song about welfare. This one most people like, and you can really see the wanna be thugs when someone busts out rapping not only the hook, but the verses as well. These cats rap very fast if you do not know.

Song 24 – I Can’t Get No – Rolling Stones

Good song, people like it, nothing too special, though

Song 25 – Kiss – Prince

Yes, a great tune, people should be singing. Possibly a suggestive dancer or two.

Song 26 – Who’ll Stop the Rain – CCR

This one was a bit of an error. I knew I need a CCR song, but this one is too slow for this time of the power hour, especially after Prince was picking things up again.

Song 27 – Eminem – Back Again

Need contrast? Here it is. Picking it up again. I don’t care what you say, everyone knows Eminem and most people like him. People will be buzzed and will get excited at this one, especially after the previous few songs were not to hard hitting.

Song 28 – Help – Beatles

Yes, trying to keep the people excited. Keep them on their feet. Keep them singing. The Beatles will do that for you.

Song 29 – Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffet

Slowing it down again, but people are drunk or buzzed now, and will sing this one just like Jimmy Buffet wants them too. Good mid-point song. Get another beer! Obviously a drinking song

Song 30 – The Thong Song – Cisqo

Bet you haven't heard this one in while. People will be surprised. People will smile. Dumps like a truck, thighs like what, baby make the booty goooooooooooo!