Okay … so this is slightly embarrassing. And when I considered perhaps not writing about this topic for fear everyone would point and laugh, I then thought to myself … you really aren’t a true female, or male in some instances, until you’ve done this. From tomboys to Barbie dolls … you’ve thrown on your music of choice, stood in front of your mirror and danced around slash model walked like an idiot. Whether you were trying on outfits, just plain ol’ rockin’ out, or pretending you were Kate Moss (she’s my end all be all favorite model) … it has happened. Right? Nod your head because you know it has. So therefore, I’m not afraid to admit that I do slash have done this. Why? Because God dammit it feels good.

I’m, as I’m sure you are well aware if you’ve met me or read this blog in the past, that I’m absolutely obsessed with fashion shows. If I could park myself in the tents at Lincoln Center for the entire week, I literally would be in ecstasy. I would be a-okay with someone shooting me when it was all over because there would be absolutely no need to go on.  Why do I love it so much? No, it isn’t just the designer labels, fancy slash famous people running amok, or the clothing I couldn’t afford unless I sold my mother on the black market … no. I mean that shit is cool too … but for me, it’s the show, the energy, the big picture if you will. The lighting, the strutting and the music. Oh the music. And that takes me to my point (finally, I know).

I LOVE me some good strutting music. Life doesn’t get much better than when you get a chance to strut. I bet you are pulling a Carrie Bradshaw right now and saying to yourself, “Strut? Do I strut? Am I a strutter?” My answer to that question is EVERYONE is a strutter. EV-ER-Y-ONNNNEEE. Or if you don’t think you are, try it for the love of God. Throw on a pair of heels or not and get your Kate Moss, heroin chic look on. No, I’m not one of those fools that thinks she is totes model material. GOD no … the opposite if anything (I’m a realist for Christ sake). But I do like to practice for funsies.

And sometimes when I’m listening to my Pandora station that I could absolutely make out with throughout the day (yes, I’ve trained it to play exactly what I want), on my car rides home or just when I’m listening to my iTunes … I hear songs that spark a strut in me. So I’ve decided to compile a list of the best songs to strut to. So ladies and gents, if you’ve never cleared your room or living room and made a fake catwalk, this is your homework for the weekend. Close the blinds or do it after a few or a few too many cocktails … whatever pulls that strut out of you. Enjoy, be free, pull out the inner model in you because, well, “YOLO” as the kids are saying these days.

I’m telling you. EVERYONE needs to have a mental fashion show once or twice in their lifetime. And here are some strutspiration songs that will rip it out of you, ahem:

1. Superstition by Stevie Wonder

2. Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand

3. So Happy I Could Die by Lady Gaga

4. Stayin Alive by the Beegees (Duh)

5. Bittersweet Faith by Bitter:Sweet

6. Lonely Boy or Howlin’ for You by the Black Keys

7. Hands in the Dark by the Chromatics

8. Vogue by Madonna (Duh)

9. I Remember by Kaskade and Dead Mau5

10. Evil Woman by ELO

11. Shining Star by Earth Wind and Fire

12. Epoca by Gotan Project (If I ever have a fashion show, this will be the song, I don’t care if it was in a Tide commercial or something like that )

13. Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz

14. Hella Good by No Doubt

15. Son of a Gun by Janet Jackson

16. What We Talkin’ About by Jay-z

17. Shadowplay by The Killers (I realize Joy Division originally sang this, just to be clear)

18. Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz

19. Midnight City by M83

20. Cosmopole by Cantoma