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.
The Fighter – Gym Class Heroes
Video – Click Here
Heard about this one from my sister-in-law. A reminder that the only loss is quitting.
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.
Bridge Over Trouble Waters – Johnny Cash
Video – Click Here
Something about tunes being recorded by someone who knows they likely won’t be around for most of the reviews. There might be better or more classic versions but this one has weight.
Soul Satisfier: A Little Blast Of Positive Energy. I’m Always Opposed To Ignoring The Negative Or Unpleasant But No One Should Live There.
We Made It – Busta Rhymes
Video – Click Here
Lots of struggle going on in the world nowadays, maybe even more than usual. This one echoes some of The Fighter in The Monday Motivator.
Caustic Cathartisizer: Angry And Aggressive…But Only For Catharsis I.e., Meant To Process Anger Not To Build On It.
Riot – Three Days Grace
Video – Click Here
Yeah, sometimes a riot for the right idea sounds like a great idea, sue me.
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.
We Will Rock You – Queen
Video – Click Here
Finding Balance. It’s WAY more than someone listening and nodding.
Cool Groove: Just On The List Cause It’s Something To Which You Can Mentally Recline And Tap Your Feets.
How You Like ME Now? – The Heavy
Video – Click Here
This one has been in the movies so much, there’s no way you haven’t heard it before. There’s a reason the clear answer is just fine, actually.
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.
Empire In The Sky/Chopin Prelude 16 Opus 28 – Tony MacAlpine
Videos – Click Here or Here
Another multiple instrument virtuoso. If Jeff Healy seemed a peculiar mix of blues guitar and jazz trumpet, try metal guitar and concert piano. Crazy, crazy fingers.
Cultural Compositions: A Chance To Experience The Music Of Peoples Different From My Own Peoples, Even Though We Are All The Same Peoples.
Chase The Sun – Planet Funk
Video – Click Here
Not as different as some of the other cultures I have enjoyed the music of…but watching a stadium of loonies prance about to this and other tunes in the drunken throes of passion at a dart match was something to behold. That’s right. Darts. Not soccer. Darts. If you haven’t seen it you wouldn’t believe it. It’s amazing. Now I watch darts. One Hunnert en’ AAAAtaaaay! Oi, Oi, Oi!
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.
World Wide Choppers – Tech N9ne
Video – Click Here
Yes, I have to pull up the lyrics nearly every time I listen to this tune and want to understand all of it. Tommy’s mind is slow, slower than this crew spits, by miles and miles. This and others to follow. I guess I don’t mind being slow, Whadid he say?
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!
