Normally, February would be ending a day early, on the 28th day, but since this is a leap year, we all get one extra day. That means that it would only be right to make this week’s playlist with a similar theme in mind, all songs that “go the extra mile”.

• Song #1 – The Proclaimers – “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” (1988)

One of the more memorable “one hit wonders” of the 80’s, this song by the eccentric Scottish folk band (which is comprised of identical twin brothers) managed to make a huge splash when it was released stateside. The song peaked at 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and has been featured in everything from television shows to movies.

• Song #2 – Vanessa Carlton – “A Thousand Miles” (2002)

This is actually one of the most memorable songs in recent memory. The recognizable intro and seemingly inescapable first lines of the song are known by nearly everyone in America at least, if not the planet. After a top 5 performance on the Billboard chart, the song skyrocketed in popularity after being prominently featured in the Wayans Brothers’ comedy “White Chicks”.

• Song #3 – Jay-Z and Kanye West – “Who Gon’ Stop Me” (2011)

Despite not being an official single from the album (“Paris”, “Otis”), or being featured on or in advertisements (“No Church in the Wild”), this song remains one of the more popular ones from the critically acclaimed Watch the Throne album. Using a sample (speaking generously, as the song pretty much just uses the other one) of dubstep producer Flux Pavillion’s “I Can’t Stop”, Jay-Z and Kanye trade verses, and Jay’s performance at the end of the song is nothing less than legendary.

• Song #4 – The Internet – “Fastlane” (2011)

Despite the title, this song is a mellow selection from the Internet’s debut album. The song deals with a woman attempting to decipher the cryptic speech and actions of her partner. Smooth vocals over a beat that sounds like a combination of one from a Tribe Called Quest album and one Pharrell might have made 9 years ago make “Fastlane” a standout cut from the album, which consists of many.

• Song #5 – Child Rebel Solider – “Don’t Stop” (2010)

The hip-hop supergroup Child Rebel Soldier (consisting of Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, and Pharrell) released this, only the second song the three of them have made as CRS, as part of Kanye’s “Good Friday” single release series. The song is somewhat short for one with 3 people on it (all of them have one verse, though Kanye’s is twice as long) and has no hook. The song’s title is repeated throughout via an unknown sample.

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