Originally Posted: 10/28/2020
I know. Not everyone is moved by music. But like it or not, music connects with and moves people in ways little else does. For those folks…I’ve often used a tune or two that might help validate and normalize their experience as they plug into common themes, might give them a tool to use outside of sessions to remind them of specific things or to alter their mood or remember why they want to make different choices, and for those folks the music does something they or I couldn’t manage ourselves.
With some assistance I’ve been building a practice playlist with the idea of some shared musical experiences for our team and access to the widest variety of magical/musical styles, emotions, lyrics, etc., for those days when just that one song will do. So if you are one of those folks who enjoys the tunes and is on the lookout for new beats or if you have clients that could use a hummable reminder…you should be able to find something new here.
*standard disclaimer…some of these songs are brutally aggressive or ugly (kinda like life sometimes ([that’s why they’re on here]) and some use words even I find offensive and I’ll try to warn you with some kinda symbol when that’s going to be the case.
**less standard disclaimer…if you are certain there is not a style of music you don’t care for, I take that as a personal challenge and have a fairly good start so don’t expect to love or connect with everything…but you might be surprised here and there and find yourself going back to something that didn’t sit well at first aural glance. Happens to me all the time.
For the First Outing, I’ll include some long-standing classics from the list, some VIP’s as it were.
Selections by Category
Monday Motivator: Kinda Like A Workout Song For Your Noggin.
Love & Ire Song (Explicit Lyrics) – By Frank Turner
To see a live performance: click here
Love the idea of feeling overwhelmed at times by the state of the world but being “Crass Enough to Care” moving back to your post to make what difference you can!!!
Heart Wrencher: Songs Embracing Good Reasons For Sadness, The Kind You Listen To In The Midst Of A Break Up While Eating A Tub Of Ice Cream Kinda Thing Or Finding Out Someone/Thing You Love Is Temporary.
It’s A M*********R (Explicit Lyrics) – The Eels
Listen on YouTube: click here
Stumbled into this entirely overly-appropriate song shortly after the death of my Dad. Still a M**********r to hear. Just the first couple notes dig a deep hole and stir quite a pot for me. HATE this song…love this song…
Soul Satisfier: A Little Blast Of Positive Energy. I’m Always Opposed To Ignoring The Negative Or Unpleasant But No One Should Live There.
A Change Is Gonna Come – Sam Cooke
Listen on YouTube: click here
Gorgeous song of hope that simultaneously makes me appreciate how far we’ve come with a serious reminder we soooooo still have a long way to go.
Caustic Cathartisizer: Angry And Aggressive…But Only For Catharsis I.e., Meant To Process Anger Not To Build On It.
Bodies (Explicit Lyrics) – Drowning Pool
Listen on YouTube: click here
Very few people would ever guess this is one of the wife’s favoritist songs in the world…just goes to show ya, you never know what you will connect with.
A Team: Love The Care And Skills Some of My Colleagues Have Put Into Their Work, This Is One Of The Ways I Like To Brag About Them. Maybe There’s Someone You’d Like To Champion.
Summon The Heroes – John Williams
Listen on YouTube: click here
Most counselors don’t get medals but I am forever inspired by the effort and devotion many show the folks who entrust us with their time and wellbeing. In my mind, they bend their waists, bow their heads, feel the weight of gold on the ribbon placed across the back of their neck, do that stupid biting the medal thing, and go home knowing all of their work and the bits of their souls they surrender for this work are appreciated, rewarded, and valuable.
Cool Groove: Just On The List Cause It’s Something To Which You Can Mentally Recline And Tap Your Feets.
It’s So Good – Joe Satriani
Listen on YouTube: click here
Used to spend a fair bit of time playing the guitar. Weren’t nothing special myself but deepened by appreciation for them that are. Love lots of players for many reasons and Satch is not just proficient but is super tasty as well. Next time I’ll do another song of almost the same name performed on a brass instrument similar to another thing I had spent a fair bit of time learning.
Terrific Technicians: Be It Classical Composing Or Shredding Their Instrument(S) With Amazing Precisions, A Fair Reminder That Combining Your Gifts And Ongoing, Non-Stop, And Intense Efforts Can Result In Incredible Skill That Touches People.
Bach Suite No.1 In G Major – Yo Yo Ma
Listen on YouTube: click here
This one is a two-fer. Lovely composition by JSB and unparalleled cello manipulation in it’s translation. Lilting beauty by both.
Cultural Compositions: A Chance To Experience The Music Of Peoples Different From My Own Peoples, Even Though We Are All The Same Peoples.
Yaad (Maybe Explicit Lyrics?) – Bloodywood
Listen on YouTube: click here
One of the lighter offerings from an “Indian Folk Metal” crew (Yeah, that exists). The video suggests it’s about losing a furry family member and at the time I was relating to that way more than I wanted to. The groove of the percussion in their heavier numbers make them recognizable quickly.
Squeeze Me?!?: Sometimes There Are Songs Or Groups That Represent Confusion Or Discomfort In Some Way By Being…Well, Their Own Particular Brand Of Weird. Helps Me Remember People Don’t Hear Or Interpret Anything The Same Way And This Tune Strikes Me That Way.
Eventually – Ornette Coleman
Listen on YouTube: click here
Soooooo. My Mom can’t listen to Jazz. Says it makes her anxious. I love jazz but there are certainly times Ornette Coleman makes me anxious. Sometimes it’s like they’re all wwaring noise cancelling headphone while they play instead of studio cans. Gives me the jitters.
Hope you found something you at least enjoy if not something that will serve some purpose for you. Be back soon, there is so much great tunage!
