Sunday morning’s graveyard shift is #unrivaled compared to most shifts, but it only takes a few bangers to get the juices going into Sunday.

THON isn’t exactly known for its creative music taste, and the stage performers typically stay within the classics. I think some variety would help get through the spooky hours of Sunday. Whether it be a DJ mix, a karaoke classic, or the self-proclaimed theme song for the U.S.A., these songs need to blast through the BJC speakers.

So without further ado, here are the top ten songs to sing the drowsiness away:

No. 10: Some Nights – fun.

Pardon my lack of “fun.-knowledge”, but any of the big three songs on their album, Some Nights, would play excellently in this crowd. It’s the perfect mix of house party and karaoke, and who doesn’t love that vibe in the early hours of Sunday?

No. 9: Pursuit of Happiness (Project X Version) – Kid Cudi, MGMT, Ratatat

THON is like if Project X was for a good cause that raised tens of millions of dollars and not a high school party. If you close your eyes and listen long enough, you may teleport to Thomas Cub’s backyard. However, there will need to be a few bleep-outs for the young ears in the audience, which is why it isn’t higher

No. 8: American Pie – Don McLean

I’m not sure if this is a hot-take, but the song is so iconic that at least half the crowd should be able to gather shoulder-to-shoulder and sing this eight-and-a-half-minute banger. It’s got a slower build-up, which contrasts well with the upbeat songs.

No. 7: Crank That (Soulja Boy) – Soulja Boy

This song plays as a built-in dance break. The whole crowd knows it, or at least should, and it’s a really easy dance to learn that keeps you light on your feet. Bonus points: it’s non-explicit.

No. 6: Fat-Bottomed Girls – Queen

Any Queen song is acceptable, especially to catch the karaoke vibe that fellow graveyarders unknowingly need. But my personal pick is Fat-Bottomed Girls because Queen’s drummer, Roger Taylor, rocks in it. The vibe differs so much from the basic “Pump It Up” remixes that the BJC’s DJs stick in your head for hours on end. You’ll never deny Queen a chance to get the crowd going.

No. 5: Revival (LIVE) – Zach Bryan

I am definitely biased with this pick, but if you’ve ever been to a Zach Bryan concert, you’d know that this is the most electric closer. Live doesn’t necessarily mean Zach Bryan is actually performing, though that would be awesome, but his live album has a ten-minute rendition of Revival that would play as a substitute.

And for any local bands: Revival is an easy song to learn…

No. 4: Dixieland Delight – Alabama

Although it’s not ours, it’s an all-time stadium song that everyone knows the words and ad-libs for. People yearn for community, and I can’t think of a better way than screaming southernisms together.

No. 3: Don’t You Worry Child (Radio Edit) – Swedish House Mafia, John Martin

This song belongs on the Mount Rushmore of House Party Aux. Easy #3 pick to get the BJC boomin’.

No. 2: Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey

I’m not sure if this counts as cheating because “Sarasota,” a local band, just performed it as its final song, but it’d be remiss to make a list without one of the greatest karaoke songs created. I just witnessed every single dancer on the floor get revitalized with the opening riff, alone. It would be #1, if not for the greatness that resides there.

Honorable Mention: 2023 Line Dane

BJC IS BOOMIN’!

No. 1: Free Bird – Lynyrd Skynyrd

I mean, come on. It’s the U.S.A.’s theme song, and the gold medal match is in a few hours. Nothing fires me up more than Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Allen Collins ripping his iconic guitar solo. Haters will say the lead-up to the solo is too long, but it’s perfect.

Additionally, the song is nine minutes long — an absolute time killer.