The Artemis II crew is routinely awakened by songs played by mission control in Houston, continuing a practice established during the Apollo era in 1965.
These selections, preselected by the crew and their families for the 10-day mission, serve to connect astronauts to home and culture. Artists whose music has been featured have publicly acknowledged the selections, highlighting the global reach of these unique wake-up calls.
A Legacy of Musical Wake-Up Calls
The tradition of playing musical wake-up calls for astronauts commenced in 1965 during the Apollo program. Brian Odom, NASA’s chief historian, has stated that these calls function as a method for astronauts to maintain a connection with home, family, and culture while in space. Odom further noted that music offers a distinct way to foster this essential connection across vast distances.
Artemis II's Curated Playlist
For the Artemis II mission, the wake-up songs are carefully preselected by the crew members and their families for the 10-day duration. NASA has compiled and released an official Spotify playlist titled “Artemis II Wake-Up Songs,” featuring these selections for public enjoyment.
Initial wake-up songs for the mission included:
- “Sleepyhead” by Young & Sick
- “Green Light” by John Legend featuring André 3000
- “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie
Other notable songs played during the mission include:
- On day three, “In a Daydream” by The Freddy Jones Band was used.
- On day four, Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” was played but was subsequently cut off, an incident that prompted a crew comment.
Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman referenced the crew's anticipation for the song's chorus, which was cut short during "Pink Pony Club."
- On day seven, “Tokyo Drifting” by Glass Animals was played.
- “Good Morning,” a collaboration by TobyMac featuring Mandisa (who passed away in 2024), was also selected.
Artists Acknowledge Space-Bound Selections
Several artists whose songs were chosen for the wake-up calls have publicly responded to the unique honor:
- Young & Sick commented on the significance of “Sleepyhead” being included, describing its use as “massive” and expressing excitement in a TikTok video.
- Glass Animals responded to NASA via Instagram after “Tokyo Drifting” was played, expressing appreciation for the selection.
- The Freddy Jones Band offered a positive response to the use of “In a Daydream,” acknowledging their music's journey to space.
- TobyMac stated it was an honor for “Good Morning” to be selected, noting his collaboration with the late Mandisa.