🦷 Best Bands to Listen to in the Dentist’s Chair (Shoutout to Kristen @ Smile Source North 🤘)
For years I dreaded the dentist — until today. Thanks to Kristen at Smile Source North and a killer Gen X playlist, I actually found myself relaxing in the chair. From Nirvana to Men Without Hats, here’s the ultimate CommonX soundtrack to survive your next cleaning.
by Ian Primmer — CommonX Podcast
Let’s be honest — most of us would rather be anywhere else than reclined under a bright light while someone scrapes away at our molars. But sometimes, the right music and the right person behind the mask can change everything.
This morning I found myself back in the dental chair, mouth numb, AirPods in, bracing for the worst. But my hygienist Kristen changed the game. She was calm, patient, and so gentle I barely realized the cleaning had started. For once, I wasn’t white-knuckling the armrests. I was vibing.
🎧 The CommonX Chair Playlist
If you’re lucky enough to have a hygienist who lets you plug in, here’s the ultimate Gen X-approved soundtrack for your next appointment — equal parts chill, nostalgic, and dentist-chair zen:
Nirvana – “All Apologies”
A soft-grunge lullaby for your nerves. Kurt’s voice somehow makes even the sound of scraping feel poetic.The Smashing Pumpkins – “1979”
A hypnotic hum that turns the whir of the polisher into background ambience.The Cranberries – “Dreams”
The gentle rhythm and Dolores O’Riordan’s vocals make the chair feel like a daydream.Foo Fighters – “Learn to Fly”
Because even in a dentist’s chair, there’s a strange freedom in just letting go and floating through the moment.Men Without Hats – “I Love the ’80s”
The perfect closer — CommonX had the world debut of this track, and it’s impossible not to smile while it plays.
😁 Shout-Out
Huge thanks to Kristen and the crew at Smile Source North for restoring my faith in dentistry. I walked out feeling cleaner, lighter, and weirdly… happy? Never thought I’d say that. Additionally, April is also amazing she was just out today.. just sayin 😎🤘
Turns out, sometimes it’s not about avoiding the dentist — it’s about finding the right playlist and the right person behind the mask.
The Stroke — What It Takes to Build Something Real
In 1981, Billy Squier dropped The Stroke — a track so sharp and ironic that half the world missed the joke. On the surface, it sounded like a swaggering rock anthem. Underneath? It was a middle finger to the music industry’s obsession with fame, ego, and transactional love.
Fast-forward forty-plus years, and it’s still the same song — only the instruments changed. Likes, views, algorithms… that’s the new Stroke. Everybody’s working it, talking it, streaming it, chasing it. But few are still feeling it.
At CommonX, we’re trying to change that.
By Ian Primmer Co-host, CommonX
Intro: The Grind Behind the Glory
In 1981, Billy Squier dropped The Stroke — a track so sharp and ironic that half the world missed the joke. On the surface, it sounded like a swaggering rock anthem. Underneath? It was a middle finger to the music industry’s obsession with fame, ego, and transactional love.
Fast-forward forty-plus years, and it’s still the same song — only the instruments changed. Likes, views, algorithms… that’s the new Stroke. Everybody’s working it, talking it, streaming it, chasing it. But few are still feeling it.
At CommonX, we’re trying to change that.
The CommonX Connection
Building this thing — this crazy media dream — feels a lot like that lyric: “Put your right hand out, give a firm handshake.” Every collaboration, every guest, every article, every episode… it’s the grind. It’s the stroke.
We’ve been lucky enough to shake hands with legends: Richard Karn, Rudy Sarzo, Ivan Doroschuk, Sid Griffin, Dr. Gerald Horne — and every single one of them reminded us of the same truth: success only lasts if you mean it.
Billy Squier wasn’t mocking ambition. He was warning us: don’t let the performance replace the purpose.
Hustle, Humility, and the New Stroke
“Making it” in 2025 isn’t fame — it’s consistency. It’s the grind, the late nights, and the vision to keep going. The stroke never left — it just went digital.
And while the industry still loves its quick hits and viral strokes, there’s a quiet revolution happening underneath it. It’s people like us — the builders, the storytellers, the Gen-Xers who know how to balance grit with gratitude. We’re not chasing the algorithm. We’re chasing authenticity.
Closing Reflection: From Billy to the Builders
Billy Squier’s message still echoes in every creator’s struggle:
“Put your left foot out, keep it all in place.”
That’s what CommonX is doing — staying grounded while the world moves fast. Humble enough to remember where we came from. Hungry enough to keep pushing. Because whether it’s a guitar riff or a podcast mic — if you’re building something real, you’re still in the business today.
Feel the Sound of GenerationX with Rare Vynl