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.
Looking Up – Barenaked Ladies
A catchy reminder that how you look is often more important than what you’re looking at. What happens is trumped by what you do with what happens.
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.
Song for Josh – Frank Turner
I very much hope you haven’t lost someone the way this song references. Too many have and as Frank always seems to do so well, there are so many questions and thoughts. I don’t know that there are answers in the song but it sometimes helps to know others are asking the same questions.
Soul Satisfier: A Little Blast Of Positive Energy. I’m Always Opposed To Ignoring The Negative Or Unpleasant But No One Should Live There.
Back to Life – Amanda Mammana
Recently had an interesting conversation on the Podcast where my friend stated he didn’t think he would change things in life that made him who he is, even if they weren’t pleasant at the time. Reminded me of this tune.
“But what if I could go back in time
And change the way I felt about my life?
Oh, but then would I still have inside
Everything that’s brought me back to life?”
Caustic Cathartisizer: Angry And Aggressive…But Only For Catharsis I.e., Meant To Process Anger Not To Build On It.
Protect Ya Neck – Wu Tang Clan
The Wu is back. What else do you have to know?
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.
Don’t I Make It Look Easy – Meghan Trainor
Starts off sounding so cocky but if you listen closely there is the notion that while we are trying to appear all good, much of what we do really takes effort and struggle. Tru dat.
Cool Groove: Just On The List Cause It’s Something To Which You Can Mentally Recline And Tap Your Feets.
A Fifth of Beethoven – Walter Murphy
A slightly less classic take on a classic.
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.
Blue in Green – Miles Davis feat. John Coltrane and Bill Evans
Absolute Jazz monsters.
Cultural Compositions: A Chance To Experience The Music Of Peoples Different From My Own Peoples, Even Though We Are All The Same Peoples.
The Parting Glass – The High Kings
I always said if I owned a bar, this would be a communal karaoke toast to end the night.
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.
Doritos and Fritos – 100 gecs
Yeah. Uhhhhhh. Yeah.
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.
Life Less Ordinary – Carbon Leaf
“Live a life less ordinaryLive a life extraordinary with meLive a life less sedentaryLive a life evolutionary with me”
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.
It Ain’t Me Babe – Bob Dylan
The minstrel poet of counter culture applies challenging thoughts to personal relationships.
“You say you’re lookin’ for someoneWho’s never weak but always strongTo protect you and defend youWhether you are right or wrongSomeone to open each and every doorBut it ain’t me, babeNo, no, no, it ain’t me, babeIt ain’t me you’re lookin’ for, babe”
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!
