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.
Things Are Looking Up – Blues Traveler
Always liked the groove of Popper and the boys and the lyrics of this one fit the category as well.
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.
Place to Start – Mike Shinoda
In a lot of ways, it’s hard to reconcile watching or listening to One More Light by Linkin Park (that video here) knowing that the guy singing would complete an act of self directed violence. One of his collaborators would come back some time later with a tune that sounded like he was to reconcile just that, not easily or well but in the progress.
Soul Satisfier: A Little Blast Of Positive Energy. I’m Always Opposed To Ignoring The Negative Or Unpleasant But No One Should Live There.
Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That – Robert Randolph & The Family Band
IT DON’T MATTER!
Caustic Cathartisizer: Angry And Aggressive…But Only For Catharsis I.e., Meant To Process Anger Not To Build On It.
Hate (I Really Don’t Like You) – Plain White Ts
Just comes across really honest…and kinda funny at the same time. I’ve had a growing appreciation for this jam, so I posted it again.
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 A Little Help From My Friends – Joe Cocker
We’ve had a lot of transitions and you really do find out who your friends are. We get by thanks to ours and are weightily grateful.
Cool Groove: Just On The List Cause It’s Something To Which You Can Mentally Recline And Tap Your Feets.
Pencil Full Of Lead – Paolo Nutini
Uhhh, nuthin’s gonna bring me down!!!
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.
Short Tales of the Black Forest – Al Dimeola & John McLaughlin
Not all shred artists have blown-out doos (is that how you spell that?), wide open shirts, leopard skin pants, and wildly angular electric guitars. Don’t need em.
Cultural Compositions: A Chance To Experience The Music Of Peoples Different From My Own Peoples, Even Though We Are All The Same Peoples.
We Could Be Kings – A.R. Rahman & KT Tunstall
This jam stood out in the film Million Dollar Arm, enough to go looking for it.
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.
I Believe In A Thing Called Love – The Darkness
Watched the Taylor Hawkins memorial concert highlights from Wembly, and aside from watching his kiddo hammer out Hero on the kit…I remember wondering…who is the dude in the nutty onesie? We looked it up. Should have known, really should have known.
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!
