NASA has released the official wake-up playlist for the Artemis II mission crew, marking a special moment in space history. The playlist, selected by the astronauts themselves, includes eight songs that have accompanied the crew throughout their 10-day journey around the moon. This tradition of playing music to wake astronauts dates back over 50 years to the Apollo missions.
The Artemis II crew, consisting of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, launched on April 1 and recently completed a lunar flyby. They became the first humans to orbit the moon since 1972 and traveled farther from Earth than any other humans in history, reaching about 252,756 miles away. As part of their daily routine, the astronauts woke up to songs chosen to boost morale and camaraderie.
Among the tracks are “Sleepyhead” by Young & Sick, John Legend and André 3000’s “Green Light,” Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club,” CeeLo Green’s “Working Class Hero (Work),” Mandisa and TobyMac’s “Good Morning,” Glass Animals and Denzel Curry’s “Tokyo Drifting,” and Queen and David Bowie’s classic “Under Pressure.” Notably, “Tokyo Drifting” made history as the first hip-hop song played in space, a milestone celebrated by rapper Denzel Curry himself.
NASA explains that wake-up music is used to create a sense of unity between astronauts and ground control teams. This practice began during the Apollo Program when mission control would play songs with lyrics relevant to the mission or crew mood. Over time, it has become a cherished ritual designed purely to support team spirit without outside influence on song choices.
The Artemis II crew captured stunning images of Earth, the far side of the moon, and an eclipse in space during their mission. Their final day in space is expected soon, with NASA yet to announce which song will greet them on that morning. Historically, crews have ended their missions with songs like Dean Martin’s “Going Back to Houston.”
This wake-up playlist continues a legacy of astronaut-selected music that enhances morale during long space missions. It reflects not only personal tastes but also moments of cultural significance — like introducing hip-hop into space for the first time — highlighting how music remains an important part of human space exploration.
As Artemis II returns toward Earth, these carefully chosen songs serve as a soundtrack to a historic voyage that advances humanity’s reach beyond our planet and inspires future generations of explorers.
