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.
Selections by Category
Monday Motivator: Kinda Like A Workout Song For Your Noggin.
Heart of Steel – Galactic/Cyril Neville
Some New Orleans Jam with some serious undertones…
“Deep down insideI got a heart of steelI’ll take the painTurn it in to something realDeep down insideI got a heart of goldIt’s too lateTo change the past.”
But you can make something real out of it!!!
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.
You Never Knew My Mind – Chris Cornell
Chris Cornell who is no longer with us related to his mental health singing the lyrics of Johnny Cash who is no longer with us do to the course of life. The sadness of the lyrics take another step with Cornell and what might have been different were we to be able to know each others’ minds.
Soul Satisfier: A Little Blast Of Positive Energy. I’m Always Opposed To Ignoring The Negative Or Unpleasant But No One Should Live There.
Beauty in the World – Macy Gray
If you know me, you know that I’m not some happy rainbows guy who tells everyone to just focus on the good stuff. Kinda the opposite actually. Which is why this is a good reminder for me. It (beauty) does exist and is good to remember on the regular.
Caustic Cathartisizer: Angry And Aggressive…But Only For Catharsis I.e., Meant To Process Anger Not To Build On It.
Hi Haters – (Z-Ro/Kam Franklin)
How, y’all doin? This is sort of a fun passive aggressive dislike.
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.
With Imagination – Harry Connick Jr.
Looking forward to adding the input of others to grow our little house of change into something even more wildly helpful and different than anywhere else.
Cool Groove: Just On The List Cause It’s Something To Which You Can Mentally Recline And Tap Your Feets.
I Feel Love – Blue Man Group/Venus Hum
Got to see Blue Man Group with a friend years ago and it was not just a hoot, they really made you need to bounce around. The friend was kind of like me, more reserved in public but he and I turned out to have more in common that expected, including some submission to the cool groove of the performance. The only time Go Blue will be an appropriate statement.
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.
Playing God – Polyphia
Maybe Playing Like God would have been an apt title as well. Who are these guys? Watch a few videos and find out they are the guys who are changing the sound of music in a refined and equally groovy way, really something,
Cultural Compositions: A Chance To Experience The Music Of Peoples Different From My Own Peoples, Even Though We Are All The Same Peoples.
Shining – Fire in Little Africa (feat. Steph Simon, Dialtone, Ayilla, Jerica)
If you saw the documentary or the special on the history channel, or where it’s shown up in shows and movies, you know about the Tulsa massacre and the song has a strong message born out of terrible things.
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.
Push Th’ Little Daisies – Ween
I mean c’mon. I think this should have been push the little schrooms…if you know what I mean. Still kinda fun.
Lovin’ My Relationship: If you’re lucky enough to have someone in your life who makes it so much better, these songs are meant to give you a fun way to celebrate and remind you how lucky you are.
Sweet Inspiration – Derek Trucks Band
Now the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Susan and Derek struck magic and sewed it up in their own relationship…and band. How can you not love that!
Leavin’ My Relationship: If you’re un-lucky enough to have had someone in your life who makes it so much worse, these songs are meant to give you a fun (not really) way to suffer and remind you how lucky you are to be free.
Truth About You – Mitchell Tenpenny
Kind of a fun song about not so fun stuff. Although I find that while someone might have a lot to say about you that is lopsided huffy-puffy noise, it’s often best to keep your yap shut and let time tell the story of who’s who. But Mr. Tenpenny is probably right that at times, Let ’em know coach.
You can always find these tunes on Spotify as well. Just look for Ohio Balance. I 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!
