Pregame Playlist: Alyssa JonesPregame Playlist: Alyssa Jones
Track & Field

Pregame Playlist: Alyssa Jones

Every athlete has a go-to playlist that they listen to before they take the field, step on the court, or dive into the pool. In Pregame Playlist we bring Stanford student-athletes' playlists to you!

Before every game, match, or meet every athlete has a go-to playlist that they listen to before to get themselves ready for action. In Pregame Playlist we hear what student-athletes' playlists mean to them! Today, we hear from junior Alyssa Jones as she shares the playlist that gets her locked in ahead of the NCAA Track and Field Championships. 

GoStanford.com: What’s your favorite song on this playlist and why?

Alyssa Jones: My favorite song on the playlist is probably Almost Everything Is Boinga. When I was younger, I used to watch The Backyardigans a lot, and I remember watching the episode when the song debuted. Also, Boinga sounds like a sound that would be made when we jump, so it is really fun and reminds me of jumping.

GS: Who are your favorite artists these days?

AJ: I would say my favorite artists these days are Kendrick Lamar, Paramore, and Coldplay, especially after the concert at Stanford Stadium. 

20230514 JONES Alyssa2 KL - CopyAlyssa Jones of Stanford places seventh in the women's high jump at 5-8 3/4 (1.75m) during the Pac-12 Track and Field Championships, Sunday, May 14, 2023, in Walnut, Calif.(Kirby Lee)
Alyssa Jones _JPL_04302024_00072 - CopySTANFORD, CA - APRIL 30: Alyssa Jones during a meet between University of California-Berkeley and Stanford Track and Field at Cobb Track and Angell Field on April 30, 2024 in Stanford, California.
BPM13500 - Copy

GS: What about this playlist gets you ready for competition?

AJ: This playlist is really just a huge compilation of songs that I like, starting from when I was in 7th grade. I am someone who doesn’t get tired of music, and I get hyped listening to songs I like, no matter how many times I have heard the song. Plus, I am very picky about the songs I add since I know I will be listening to them constantly, so I try to put in my favorites.

GS: How would you describe your music taste in general?

AJ: Honestly, my music taste is all over the place. I would say R&B is my favorite genre, and most of my songs are R&B. I also really like gospel, folk, rap, rock and roll, pop, and K-pop. If I think the song is good, I don’t really care what the genre is, because it’s getting added to my playlist. 

Alyssa Jones_BD_102224_2384Stanford, CA -- October 22, 2024: Alyssa Jones during a photo session at Stanford University.
Alyssa Jones _JPL_04262024_00036STANFORD, CA - APRIL 26: Alyssa Jones during a game between Payton Jordan Invitational and Stanford Track and Field at Cobb Track and Angell Field on April 26, 2024 in Stanford, California.
Alyssa Jones_JPL_03312023_00054STANFORD, CA - MARCH 31: Alyssa Jones at the Stanford Invitational at Cobb Track & Angell Field on March 31, 2023 in Stanford, California.

GS: Is this playlist different from what you listen to normally? If so, how come?

AJ: This is the playlist I listen to every day, so there is no difference in what I listen to daily. However, I do have genre-specific playlists with songs from this larger playlist.

GS: Any unique stories behind what these songs meant to you or your team?

AJ: I think the most unique story is with "Almost Everything is Boinga". My team has fully adopted the song as one of our hype songs, and it has just generally become an inside joke on our team. At meets, we will say “go Boinga” as a good luck message.

GS: How does your music taste compare to the rest of your team’s?

AJ: I feel like within the jump squad, I have a slightly older music taste with a flair of childhood songs. My teammates feel like my playlist embodies all of our music tastes and so I am often willing to be on the aux before meets. 

GS: Describe your relationship with music, and how/if that relates to your sport.

AJ: I really love music and have since middle school. Although I don’t need music all the time during warmup, I feel like certain songs really get me hyped. I also memorize songs easily, so even during a jump comp, I’ll sing songs to myself from my playlist that I have memorized.

Check out Alyssa's full playlist below.