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.
Die Trying – Art of Dying
For those days that don’t seem to be going your way…is THAT going to stop ya?
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.
Live Like You Were Dying – Tim McGraw
Woof. This one resurrects some specific sadness. Sadness is poetic and we might be lucky to have sad moments, as much as they suck.
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 All Bleed The Same – Alex Boye
The video says it all.
Caustic Cathartisizer: Angry And Aggressive…But Only For Catharsis I.e., Meant To Process Anger Not To Build On It.
I Just Started Hating Some People Today – Beck
What? Wait!? This is BECK?!? Yup. And while I’ve never managed this intensity in a single day, humanity might have earned this song.
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.
Bad To The Bone – George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers
The veritable anthem of the wonderfully unapologetically dirty bluesman. The crew had some great tunes and covers but this will forever be their sound in a single choice.
Cool Groove: Just On The List Cause It’s Something To Which You Can Mentally Recline And Tap Your Feets.
He’s A Pirate – Klaus Badelt
If you want to feel like a Pirate of the Caribbean…Komposer Klaus knows just how to get you there…and in Toe-Tappin’ Style.
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.
Live Solo – Rick Wakeman
This category has felt pretty guitar heavy, cause guitars are more awesome than other instruments. HA!!! This member of YES plays the 88 X4 like a masterful technician, and live!
Cultural Compositions: A Chance To Experience The Music Of Peoples Different From My Own Peoples, Even Though We Are All The Same Peoples.
This Is Mongol – The Hu
Been groovin’ to these Mongolian folk rockers for some time now…due to their actual groove. They were just in town opening for Five Finger Death Punch…not sure how that happened…but the timing seems right to throw them up here.
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.
Oh Yeah – Yello
If you have enough days to remember Ferris Beuhler’s Day Off, at some point in your life, you heard this song and were probably like “Yeah, this makes sense” in your own head. Watch the video and tell me you still feel the same way. Funny, how we’ll all ignore insanity collectively.
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!
