Music has always been an important part of my life. There are certain melodies and lyrics that paint a picture of times past, both good and bad, each time I hear them.
I think we all have a soundtrack that illustrates our life. That soundtrack is a constant work in progress, but it’s there. Sometimes it’s upbeat and sometimes it’s blue. It might make you dance one day and cry your eyes out on another.
I’ve been listening to a certain playlist lately. I put it together during a week that had some interesting events occur. While I can’t go into detail, there were some extreme high notes and some deeply disturbing low notes, though I didn’t know it at the time.
Mostly, I was pretty content when I put this collection of music together. I needed music that inspired me and made me happy. Music that moved me, physically and emotionally. Some of the songs were requested by my son, G. Some Biz screams at the top of his lungs to. Some I just liked. Most of them make me want to sing or dance. All of them have a story attached to them that is unique to me.
I called this playlist, Goodness. It seemed appropriate at the time. Now almost two and a half months later, it’s a playlist I go back to over and over again. It makes me feel happy and strong and hopeful for the future. With everything that’s going on in my life right now, music (along with my support system) helps keep me grounded.
Today, I thought I’d share with you my Goodness playlist. I think it’s time to add some additional songs to it and wonder if you might have some suggestions for me. What songs inspire you? What songs make you dance? I’d love to hear what you are listening to!
Goodness Playlist
- Invisible (RED) ~ U2
- Lights ~ Ellie Goulding
- Happy ~ Pharrell Williams
- Wake Me Up ~ Avicii
- It’s Nice to Be Alive ~ Ball Park Music
- My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up) ~ Fall Out Boy
- Some Nights (intro) ~ Fun.
- Some Nights ~ Fun.
- Somebody That I Used to Know ~ Gotye
- On Top of the World ~ Imagine Dragons
- Royals ~ Lorde
- Can’t Hold Us (featuring Ray Dalton) ~ Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
- Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare ~ Matt & Kim
- Sweater Weather ~ The Neighbourhood
- This Too Shall Pass ~ OK Go
- Ride to California ~ Paper Tongues
- Trinity ~ Paper Tongues
- Little Lover’s So Polite ~ Silversun Pickups
- Panic Switch ~ Silversun Pickups
- Dynamite ~ Taio Cruz
- Up in the Air ~ Thirty Seconds to Mars
- Stars (Hold On) ~ Youngblood Hawke
What songs make up the soundtrack of your life right now?
Great list and love the U2 is right there on the top. For me anything pretty much by The Beatles, Billy Joel or even Bruce Springsteen is up there lately in making me feel good 🙂
Billy Joel is always a good go to for me too!
I have songs that remind me of certain times of my life, usually sadder times though, strangely enough (though of course some times as well!) For some reason, when I hear Katy Perry’s Eye of the Tiger I have to stop what I’m doing and listen to it. I think because it came out shorter before Eve was born and for some reason it makes me think of giving birth to her. I will have to check out your list as I do work later!
There are a couple songs that remind me of my sons’ births as well. Funny how I remember what was playing while in active labor and delivery!
Well, my list is certainly different than yours. Stuck between swing, Broadway, Rat Pack, jazz and rock my list goes between “Fiddler on the Roof”, George Gershwin, Frank and Sting. It’s what makes me tick!
Those all great choices, Cathy! Depending on my mood, I listen to a lot of different types of music. All except country. i was never able to get into country. Sting is one of my faves.
That is a GREAT list. I was definitely going to suggest “Happy.” Might I also suggest “Stupid Girl” by Pink and “Blow” by Kesha. I love Kesha!
Good suggestions! Thanks, Alexa.
Our soundtracks look very much a like! Silversun Pickups are my go-to for feeling good. I discovered them during the spring of my freshman year of college and their songs always bring me back to wandering around campus in the sunshine! Currently though I’m really into Phantogram….daily office dance parties to almost all of their songs!
I went to see Silversun Pickups at the State Theatre. They were great! I’m going to have to check out Phantogram. Thanks!
I love that you have music as such a powerful source of strength for you during this time, Jen. Being a music therapist for so many years, THAT is why music’s power can be such an integral facet to healing. Songs inspire feelings and evoke memories… songs can be a powerful medium in processing life, especially when we don’t really have the words to do that- or can’t find the words to express what’s going on deep within.
Yeah. Music.
Keep playing your playlist hun.
One of my faves-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOufqWodFNo
I seriously don’t know what I’d do without music. I can’t drive or do anything in the house without having it on in the background at least! Thanks for sharing your fave!
I’ve always loved U2. I am terrible about music though…I listen to whatever is on the radio, usually whatever the kids are listening to. So I have NO idea what would be on my soundtrack! Kind of pathetic, I know!
Michelle, I’m the same way! I really have no idea what would be on my soundtrack, but Jennifer, your list seems like a great one!
Well, I think you two need to pay more attention to the tunes in your life! 🙂
I can’t get through the “Wake Me Up” video without begging to know the plot. Why is everyone in that town throwing judgmental looks at the girls??
Anyway. Sorry. I think I like that other song by Lorde right now – “Team” I think. And “Don’t Cry” by Seal.
Wake Me Up is one of the songs requested by G. It’s been speaking to me lately. The video totally threw me off though. Not what I expected!
Music does have such an impact on us. I’m glad that you have it to help you during this difficult time. I like lots of the songs on your list, but there are some I’m not familiar with.
I put it together while doing some great things, so I think it brings me back to that. Music is just so powerful for me.
Macklemore’s older music hits the spot for me. To hear him overcome so much struggle and hear someone so proud of themselves is amazing. I highly recommend “The Town”! It’s about how music truly does save lives!