Playing It By Earbuds

Music has always been very important to me, even though my own musical skills are rather limited.  When I was in college studying theatre I would often use music to get in the right mood for acting scenes, and when working on plays I would make a cassette (remember those?) of music suitable to the project I was working.  I also used to put together preshow and intermission music for shows that I was working on. In short, I enjoy making play lists.

After college I went on creating tapes for special occasions, like the one that played at our wedding, and as remembrances for people I had lost.  Often when I am parted from friends I would like to be with I will play songs I associate with them, and feel closer to them.

Recently I acquired an MP3 player that allowed me to created play lists.The one I used to have I just had to skip around looking for what I wanted.   I have created a favorites list, and a Celtic music play list so I am ready for next weekend, but the most important ones I have set up so far are my wake up and mellow out  play lists.

The Wake up is what I listen to on the bus going to work in the morning.  It helps me get my energy up for the day, and also puts me in a positive frame of mind.  Its also good for brisk walking.

Wake up Play list:
Revolution--The Beatles (the guitar riff alone can make you jump 10 feet)
Roll Over Beethoven/Rock and Roll/Johnny B Good--Chuck Berry
Mack the Knife--Bobby Darrin
Help/A Hard Days Night--The Beatles
If I had a Hammer--Peter, Paul and Mary
Perfect--Pink
Twist and Shout--The Beatles (actually most early Beatles music is energizing, but Twist and Shout may be the very best. By the time Mr Lennon gets done shredding his vocal cords, I'm ready for the days work.)

The Mellow out play list is what I listen to on the way home from work.  One of the benefits of commuting by bus it that I have a 20 minute break between the workday stress and the home front.  The Mellow out ritual is what allows me to arrive home a mostly normal and attentive mom.

Mellow Out Play list:
Imagine--John Lennon (I don't listen to the same things every night of course, but this is almost always where I start, No other song brings me such a sense of peace and well being.)
Wasted on the Way--Crosby, Stills and Nash (When I need to be reminded that its never too late to make things right)
Let it Be--The Beatles
Into the West--Annie Lennox
Old Friend (Bookends)--Simon and Garfunkel
Circles (Harry Chapin)
Bridge over Troubled Water--Simon and Garfunkel
In My Life-- The Beatles (This is actually my all rime favorite song)
For My Lady--The Moody Blues
Stand By Me--John Lennon (I know, Ben E King, but I like John's version)

And here's one more, Meg's Super Moody Wallow in Your Depression and
Regrets Play list. For when you need to get down so you can get back up.

Piece of my Heart--Janis Joplin (It doesn't get more simultaneously down and out and empowering at the same time than this)
500 Miles--Peter, Paul and Mary
Empty Chairs--Don McLean
Mother--John Lennon (Primal scream therapy, anyone?)
At Seventeen--Janis Ian (Return to those thrilling days of high school depression and abuse, and survival)
Empty Chairs at Empty Tables--Les Miserables
The Sound of Silence--Simon and Garfunkel
The Parting Glass--The Clancy Bros and Tommy Makem

I got a bunch more of these, but it should be enough to give you an idea.

So how about you? Do you make special purpose play lists?  Do you have certain songs for when you want to achieve certain moods? What songs pick you up when you are down?



I'm hanging out this weekend on yeah write's Moonshine Grid with a lot of other great bloggers.  You should join us.