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.
Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Got a lot of Macs’ tunes on our playlist. This is a fun one.
“Can we go back? This is the momentTonight is the night, we’ll fight ’til it’s overSo we put our hands up like the ceiling can’t hold usLike the ceiling can’t hold us”
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.
Be Hurt – Eels
Mark Oliver Everett is sort of the quintessence of sorrow for my experience.
“Be hurt
The world can take it
And so can you”
Soul Satisfier: A Little Blast Of Positive Energy. I’m Always Opposed To Ignoring The Negative Or Unpleasant But No One Should Live There.
The River of Dreams – Billy Joel
Who doesn’t know Billy?
“Even though I know the river is wideI walk down every evening and I stand on the shoreI try to cross to the opposite sideSo I can finally find out what I’ve been looking for”
Caustic Cathartisizer: Angry And Aggressive…But Only For Catharsis I.e., Meant To Process Anger Not To Build On It.
Swamp Song – Tool
Video (Language Warning)
All Hail Tool. The Artiest of Rock.
“My warning meant nothing
You’re dancing in quicksand
Why don’t you watch where you’re wandering?
Why don’t you watch where you’re stumbling?
You’re wading knee deep and going in”
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.
Find Your People – Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors
Don’t remember how I found this, but I’m glad I did.
“You gotta find your peopleThe ones that get the jokeWho understand what you’re saying before a word is spokeYou gotta find your peopleThat put the needle in the grooveWhen you’re together, you got nothing to proveWhen you’re together, you got nothing to lose”
Cool Groove: Just On The List Cause It’s Something To Which You Can Mentally Recline And Tap Your Feets.
Calling All Units to Brocolino – Calibro 35
This seems like a pretty wild bunch but the song is fun.
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.
Seeker – Hiromi, Anthony Jackson, Simon Phillips
Skills!
Cultural Compositions: A Chance To Experience The Music Of Peoples Different From My Own Peoples, Even Though We Are All The Same Peoples.
Blessed – Buju Banton
Video (Language Warning)
A little Grouchy; A little Power; Reggae style.
“Eventually they will see Who is watching over meMek we shine like stars above andGive love to who show us love to”
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.
Chewbacca – Supernova Chile
Qua?
Shee’saa, beecha hoo’onky Chewbacca.
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.
If You Love Her – Forest Blakk
Here’s one for the wife. I know I’m lucky,
“Take itIf she gives you her heartDon’t you break itLet your arms be a placeShe feels safe inShe’s the best thing that you’ll ever have”
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.
Roses – Outkast
I have learned to avoid the perfect, people that is. Apparently, Outkast learned the same along the way.
Roses really smell like poo-poo-oohYeah, roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
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!
