I know I love to listen to music throughout the workday, so I wanted to share what I'm listening to and why. This is meant to be fun, so please feel free to drop your own recommendations in the comments!
Put these on before the opening bell...
The Fund Managers
1. Jordan Belfort - Wes Walker (feat. Dyl)
The quintessential hedge fund song about Jordan Belfort and his infamous career flipping penny stocks to get rich. While I don't recommend approaching the market the same way Mr. Belfort did, the catchy beat of this song is perfect for getting you ready to scalp some gains.
2. Michael Burry - Cyrus
The man, the myth, the legend, Michael Burry is best known as the hedge fund manager in The Big Short who called the collapse of the housing market in 2008. His latest big short bet was on Tesla in 2020, and I applaud him for having the cajones to do what I never could... This song perfectly reflects the measured, value investing style of Mr. Burry, serving as a good way to calm the nerves after getting hyped up by Jordan Belfort.
The Hype Songs
3. Jump Around - House of Pain
The trumpets at the beginning can serve as your opening bell. This may be the greatest hype song of all time... it takes me back to opening tip in the Dean Dome at UNC (love you, Danny Green), but I will admit that Wisconsin football lays claim to the most epic rendition of this classic.
"I came to win, battle me, that's a sin". The public market is a daily battle between shorts and longs, which is what makes it a market and so interesting every single day. None of us are giving away our money without a fight!
4. Money for Nothing - Dire Straits
That guitar rift from Mark Knopfler at the beginning-- shewwww boy. We all want money for nothing (dividends?), but there's a lot of work (usually) that goes into accumulating the principal necessary to live like a rockstar on dividends.
5. Worry No More - Diplo (feat. Lil Yachty and Santigold)
Various studies have shown that after a certain level of wealth, we don't really get much happier. However, I think it's safe to say that most of disagree with Biggy on more money meaning more problems in the grand scheme of things. I know that I'd love to make enough money in the market to never worry again - "everybody want it, it's not the cash though, it's freedom".
6. Money (That's What I Want) - Barrett Strong
At the end of the day, no matter how much we love the thrill and challenge of investing, we invest to make money. Barrett Strong before the bell will help keep you focused on the end goal of our investing endeavors.
7. Tusk - Fleetwood Mac
I admit, I may be a bit biased on this one, but this song will never fail to get me fired up. My dad would play this for us on the way to elementary school every morning, and we would absolutely rock out before heading to class for the day. I mean, how can you not be ready for a day of trading after listening to Fleetwood Mac jam out with the USC marching band.
The Friendly Reminders
7. $ave Dat Money - Lil Dicky (feat. Fetty Wap & Rich Homie Quan)
This recent market selloff has hopefully reminded us all of the importance of "saving dat money". Having cash to deploy during dips is a beautiful thing and sometimes we need a reminder that accumulating and saving money is a major key to generating wealth!
8. Take the Money and Run - Steve Miller Band
Bobby Sue took the money and ran while she could... This songs reminds me of the old adage, "Pigs get fat. Hogs get slaughtered." We all need that reminder to take profit after big runs in our positions. Stocks don't just go straight up or straight down, and nobody ever went broke taking a profit.
The Situational Songs
9. Still D.R.E. - Dr. Dre (feat. Snoop Dogg)
Play this when reentering a stock after you sold at a peak... People need to know you're back for the bag again. There's something totally BA about making a nice profit on a stock, selling at the perfect time, and reentering after it sells off. This song is the perfect proxy for a white collar investor.
10. No Brainer - DJ Khaled (feat. Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper, Quavo)
Play this when you stumble upon the perfect investment... Sometimes an investment can seem too good to be true. Maybe it's a juicy multiple, explosive growth rates the market isn'y pricing in, etc. After building a substantial starter position, play this song and be thankful for the opportunity. If it sells off, remember the DD that made the investment a no brainer to you and buy the dip.
11. Magic - B.O.B (feat. Rivers Cuomo)
Play this after successfully calling a bottom or top... Maybe you are an expert charter, but I am of the opinion that precisely calling a bottom or top is the equivalent of magic. All we can really try to do is buy good companies at fair prices. When we catch a little magic and get our timing just right, this track warrants a play.
12. Remind Me to Forget - Kygo (feat. Miguel)
Play this after selling one of your favorite investment ideas for a loss... It's happened to all of us. What seemed like a great idea at the time took a turn for the worse and left you holding the bag. It can hurt to cut bait and take the loss, but it can often be for the best to write it off and forget about that ticker for a while.
13. She Moves In Her Own Way - The Kooks
Play this while your stocks trade with absolutely no direction whatsoever... It's amazing what stock prices can do when they are being played by market makers. It can be the ultimate test of a relationship, but it's important to remember the DD that brought you together. If there's a material change, though, be ready to move on!.... "Paper dreams, honey" That's all our portfolios are until we sell.
14. YMCA - Village People
Play this if you YOLO short-term calls on margin... With the recent influx of expert short-term call buyers on Robinhood, I wanted to make sure I included a reminder of what happens when the market doesn't double after a pandemic selloff... lot's of friendly folks at the YMCA... Be careful.
Put these on after making a lick...
1. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson
Sometimes you just need a little Michael cheering you on for more gains after a big day in the market. It's almost never enough, and it's hard to hop off a hot stock, no matter how extended those multiples get.
2. Celebration - Kool & the Gang
The ultimate song to celebrate to after a successful day. I dare you to play this song and not crack a smile... It's important to celebrate the good times in investing and in life, because we know tomorrow is never guaranteed. This song will help get the party started.
3. I'm So Paid - Akon (feat. Lil Wayne)
Everyone loves a good payday in the market. While I don't suggest following Akon's direction of "Windows rolled down screaming 'I'm so paid'", nor "doing 90 in a 65", both ideas can seem very tempting after a big day in the market. Go ahead and blast this song and maybe eat a juicy steak for dinner -- tomorrow is a new day.
4. Champion - Kanye West
It's a great feeling when everyone views you as a champion for your expert investing acumen. Soak in the glory for a bit and then get back to work, because no one-hit wonder can truly be a champion.
5. Another Day in Paradise - Quinn XCII
Almost every big green day feels like a day in paradise. All your other troubles seem to fade into the background... I used to listen to this song on the subway while heading to work in Times Square - the reverse psychology did not work.
6. Need a Boat - Morgan Wallen
I had to get at least one country song in here. One common theme I hear from folks who have had a good run in the market -- they bought a boat. As far as assets go, I'm not sure there's a worse investment, but, damn, they sure are a ton of fun.
Put these on after taking a lick...
1. Bad Day - Daniel Powter
Does anyone remember this song from American Idol? They used to play it after kicking a contestant off the show, and it always did a good job of pulling at my heartstrings.
This is the first song that comes to mind after a day of bloodshed in the markets. It can sometimes feel like the world is collapsing, but it's important to keep things in perspective as you cry to this song and count your losses.