Music is good for your health and well-being
What songs reach deep inside each and every cell of your being? What music gets your feet tapping and makes you feel like getting up and dancing even when you’re out in public?
With some music it’s all I can do to stop myself from dancing down the street. Instead, I settle for a little more shaking of the booty; especially if there’s some KC and the Sunshine Band playing.
On those days when my energy or mood is low, I have managed to flip the switch simply by listening to some favourite songs. Even better than listening? Dancing or singing along.
Obviously, the dancing will get your blood pumping and invigorate you. But with singing, just the simple vibration of it is relaxing and physically therapeutic. It encourages you to take deeper breaths, plus it’s harder to slouch when you are singing. For me personally, singing is euphoric… not because I’m a good singer either, because I surely am not.
Some of my favourite songs
These songs connect me with my mysterious, dreamy, creative, sensual and playful spirit. If I am working I DON’T listen to this type of music. I’d never get anything done. In those cases it’s either classical, jazz or no music at all.
My favourite videos from this list are from the Little River Band where you can watch dolphins and whales doing acrobatics in slow motion (out of this world!); Supertramp, because I just love Roger Hodgson’s stage presence and his beautiful smile; and the Atlanta Rhythm Section with amazing psychedelic graphics.
The last video is an add-on just for some good humour. You’ll know what I mean if you choose to watch it.
Harvest Moon Neil Young
Where Evil Grows The Poppy Family
Don’t Stop Fleetwood Mac
Cool Change Little River Band
You Can Leave Your Hat On Tom Jones
Don’t Bring Me Down Electric Light Orchestra
Clocks Coldplay
Get Together The Youngbloods
The Logical Song Supertramp
Bubbly Colbie Caillat
Imaginary Lover Atlanta Rhythm Section
Pale Shelter Tears for Fears
Don’t Stop Believing Journey
Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign Five Man Electrical Band**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in this video are not necessarily those of this blogger. Viewer discretion is advised. Seriously!
Music is uplifting and inspiring
This post was inspired by Dani at Positively Present who also compiled a musical soundtrack for her blog. I enjoyed this exercise because it reunited me with so many long-forgotten favourites.
You’ll notice that most of these are from years gone by. They connect with memories that may have been forgotten, but interestingly, on another level they evoke an energy that brings me back when I’m feeling off track.
Whether it’s the lyrics, the artist, the performance, the rhythm or the melody, these songs all inspire me.
What role does music play in your life?
What songs would you choose for your soundtrack?
Photo credit: Raeart
patricia
Hilary
Tony Single
Linda
Barbara Swafford
Deb Dorchak
Chris Edgar
{ 28 comments }
hey davina, i have found like you that “on those days when my energy or mood is low” all i have to do is turn on some music to get me going and i do feel much better. i love to dance, even though i don’t know how, i still do it. :)
before the kid was born, i would listen to music all the time, but after her, she took the place of some of the things that i used to do and i’m like what a minute, i’m a person, i used to enjoy this stuff, what happened. so now i make sure to fire up some music to get me moving and in a good mood.
what would be on my list, well i love jazz, but i usually put on dance music when i’m cleaning as the day dawns, i end it with something mellow and slow.
i need music. i love to sing as well.
.-= Natural´s last blog ..Why I Miss The Rotary Phone =-.
My favorites? You’ll be surprised
The Moor Soldaten (Swamp Soldiers) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEDBkK_BthA
Se dejaba llevar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5Kjx3lzVWM
August Rush http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQTsW6TGAUE
Komm wir malen eine sonne (go get some sunshine) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR5tj3FBcfM
The White Cliffs of Dover http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdGX_FcvVoE
Lighthouse Family http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=FD7975B96D43A243&search_query=lighthouse+family
Sin Miedo (Without Fear) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuOciTdYCl4
and hundreds of others :)
.-= Miguel de Luis´s last blog ..Thursday Haiku: Fear breeds monsters =-.
Hi Davina – I won’t repeat the list I posted at Friar’s blog, but I just had to compliment you on the art you chose for this post. Outstanding!
This is probably going to sound very very strange, Davina, but I’d include every single one of those songs you mention on my soundtrack too. All amazing! And I think some BTO and Stampeders would be on my list too. Oh. and that K.C. & the Sunshine Band.
I think without music we’d be dead.
.-= Jannie Funster´s last blog ..Why I Usually Grocery Shop Alone =-.
What a great post on one of my favorite topics — music! :) Thanks so much for mentioning that you were inspired by my post. It made me feel great to know that I inspired such a great post. I love your playlist and I’m so glad you shared it with us! :)
.-= Positively Present´s last blog ..because i knew you i am changed for good =-.
Hi Natural.
Dancing is great! Is there a right way? When we absolutely have to clean there is no better way to pass the time than to dance with the vacuum cleaner, and fling the dust around :-)
Hi Miguel.
The Lighthouse Family — another favourite! I have their “Postcards from Heaven” CD.
Hi Betsy.
Isn’t it gorgeous! I’d hang that on my wall. Heck, if I found it in a colouring book, I’d colour it too.
Hi Jannie.
Oh I forgot about BTO — love them too. I can’t imagine the world without music.
Hi Dani.
No, thank you! I had a great time sourcing the music and videos. Probably spent more time than I should have, but what the heck.
Hi Davina,
Music…something I’m listening to right now! Thanks for sharing your list, some great choices in there (and a few new ones to me!).
A few of my favorites (the ones I love to crank the volume on!):
Todd Rundgren – Bang on the Drum All Day
AC/DC – MoneyTalks
Slade – Run Run Away
U2 – Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
CCR – Bad Moon Rising
Garth Brooks – Friends in Low Places
Kenny Rogers – The Gambler
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – Cadillac Ranch
So – this would be the soundtrack of “getting myself revved up, and forgetting any problems I have” soundtrack…
Fun post Davina!!
.-= Lance´s last blog ..Sunday Thought For The Day =-.
Funny thing how different music types work for different folks. I also like classical in the background when I’m trying to get some thinking done, but my son gets so taken away with that music that he can’t do anything but listen when it plays. Big bonus of a home office is the ability to turn it up loud and jam every now and then.
.-= Fred H Schlegel´s last blog ..Are You A Business Uncertainty Explorer? =-.
Music is a big part of my life… Piano, guitar, flute… are some of instruments I play for pleasure. So play some songs of these songs myself.
Songs definitely have the power to swing the mood. For me, music has the power to “shutout” everything else.. even for a while. ;-)
.-= Shamelle- EnhanceLife´s last blog ..18 Personal Development Bloggers & Their Head Turning Remarks =-.
I like your selection of music very much. I listen to jazz a lot but I also like these.
Smooth Operator- Sada
Natural Woman and Respect by Aretha Franklin
Stronger – Mary J.Blige
Soak Up The Sun – Sheryl Crow
Vertigo – U2
Brand New Day – Sting
Hi Lance.
CCR! Yes, I’d forgotten them — a HUGE favourite. The Gambler has a groovy rhythm too.
Hi Fred.
You’ve got that right about the home office. Being able to turn it up loud and jam is a real perk.
Hi Shamelle.
There are so many ways to experience music. Playing an instrument can really carry you off to another space — it’s so relaxing — meditative, especially the flute. I hear you about the “shutout factor”; good way to recharge your batteries.
Hi Bunny.
Thanks for popping in and leaving a comment. You’ve added some more good choices here: Soak Up The Sun and Smooth Operator. Molly Johnson and Stan Getz are some great jazz listening too.
Hi there Davina,
I smiled at the synchronicity that connects us all when I got your comment and saw what your post was about!
I loved this post – and there are a lot of tracks we have in common. It doesn’t surprise me. I couldn’t do what you and Dani have, though; it would fry my brain. So much music that would make my soundtrack! After the review I did about a CD once – which was my top post for a long time and stunned me – I tried to add permanent music to the site, even got a wee widget that plays tracks in my sidebar, but I paralysed myself choosing what to put on it.
I’ll have a think about the ‘happy get up and dance’ ones. My mood’s lighter today, so it’ll be good for me, too. Thanks, Davina!
.-= janice´s last blog ..Alfonsina and the Sea =-.
Cool drawing! I couldn’t possibly come up with a list, because it’s constantly changing. I love music, singing and dancing. I used to sing in the car, and now that I’m not driving, there’s nowhere I can sing full blast. (The walls are thin in my building.)
Right now I’m listening to Santana’s Exodus (Black Magic Woman, Evil Ways, Oye Como Va). To get me moving, I like the Tractors (Baby Like to Rock It) or Brooks and Dunn’s Boot Scootin’ Boogie. For most of my life, I listened only to sad songs or the blues, because I never felt happy. Janis Joplin was a constant companion, along with Ray Charles, Roberta Flack, Phoebe Snow and Nina Simone. I stopped listening to current music in the 90′s, because I hated it, and still haven’t gone back, so I’ve missed out on a lot of the latest groups.
My favorite music is from the 60′s. The Beatles, John Lennon by himself, and all the stuff that was played at Woodstock. Billy Joel, Simon and Garfunkel, Paul Simon on his own, CSNY, Chicago, and on and on.
.-= Dot´s last blog ..Comment on by DavinaH =-.
Hi Janice.
You’re welcome. This list changed a few times and after reading everyone else’s suggestions, it could change yet again. So much great music — it IS hard to choose.
Hi Dot.
Lol, the walls are too thin… I take it you don’t consider yourself a good singer. I’d sing anyway. :-) Great list from you too: John Lennon, Billy Joel, Simon and Garfunkel, Chicago, Santana’s. The 80s are the decade I love for music and then there are a few favourites from the other years. But I always come back to the 80s — high school and college days.
For me, music is memories. When my kids and I traveled in the car, we’d always have the radio playing, so many of my fondest memories are brought back by the music we listened to together.
And if you ask my kids, I’m sure one of their memories would be me getting them to clean the house with music. I’d turn it up loud, which in turn would motivate them. Hey, it worked!!
As far as my own tastes, they run the gamut. Once, I remember when I had all of my children plus, a few nieces and nephews in the car, we were jamming to Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. :)
.-= LisaNewton´s last blog ..The Metro Gold Line Extension is coming to East Los Angeles =-.
Music that moves me:
Dire Straits, Sultan’s of Swing — the live, long-playing version on CD
Tom Cochrane’s Life Is a Highway
Entire album, Ozark Mountain Daredevils It’ll Shine When it Shines
Pink’s So What
Kenny Loggins’ House at Pooh Corner and I’m Alright
Pachelbel’s Canon
Kitaro’s music — nice videos here http://bit.ly/bGiao and here http://bit.ly/S2W2m
Thanks for motivating me to re-connect with the Kitaro music — it got me through the toughest adult years, realizing that such passion, beauty, and soul even existed.
.-= Lori Hoeck´s last blog ..21 self defense questions you (and your teenagers) may want to think about =-.
I play music all today. Peppy most of time unless I want to relax and fall asleep. I like to keep changing what I play else it starts getting monotonous. While most of what I listen are bollywood songs, I enjoy instrumentals as well.
.-= Avani Mehta´s last blog ..Get Unstuck … Let Go … =-.
Hi Lisa.
Jamming to Beethoven’s Fifth — yeah! I can so see that. And cleaning the house with music is the best way to get the job done — puts the pep in your polish :-)
Hi Lori.
Thank you! — Pachelbel’s Canon — I love this one but couldn’t remember who performed it, or what it was called. You can come to one of my parties any day. All great picks. I listened to Kitario’s music too and quite like it… the violin is something else!
Hi Avani.
I agree, peppy music is great for during the day but at night it just revs you up and HOW can you sleep then? :-)
I love what Jannie Funster said. “I think without music we’d be dead” I certainly feel that way too. Music does more than play a role in my life, I simply cannot fathom living without it! I love so many different kinds of music it would be long process to write even a few down! I love everything from the hardest heavy metal to bluegrass…classical to blues etc. I also love music that seems to really touch me in a spiritual way such as music using the Native American Flute ( I own one !) I play guitar so I love music driven by great guitar also.
Great post!
.-= Keith´s last blog ..Be The Difference! =-.
Wow.. music is such an important part of my life! I think I lean on it most when I want to get away… when I want to relax… when I want inspiration… and when silence is irritating! Music makes me feel alive….
Hi Keith.
It’s great when we have a wide variety of musical preference isn’t it? So many options and less chance of tiring from our favourites. I LOVE the Native American Flute! And… the pan flute too.
Hi Ross!
How are you? We are more versatile than we realize sometimes :-) I agree… music makes us come alive, and we celebrate even more when we are feeling that way. Just gets better and better.
Davina,
Thanks for sharing so much of yourself here. I’ve learned to live in silence whenever I can, so I’ve given most of my music CDs away. That said, I kept a few favourites – Billy Joel gives me energy for housework, and Abba makes me so happy I want to dance!
I’m going to listen to your playlist now… thanks for introducing so many songs that are new to me.
.-= Daphne @ Joyful Days´s last blog ..3 Key Steps If You Want To Be Happy =-.
Hi Daphne.
Abba… Waterloo is one of their greats. You’re not the first one to partner music with housework :-) We almost don’t need CDs now with YouTube right at our fingertips.
Hi Davina,
What a great playlist. I’ve never thought of making a playlist for my blog, but that’s actually a great idea.
I love to listen to music, but ironically, when I’m working I love the quiet. It seems to help me stay focused. But….when I’m cleaning house or decorating the house for Christmas, look out, the tunes are blasting.
Favorites include Jewel, Alan Jackson, Shania Twain, and Celine Dion.
.-= Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..Passing The Torch =-.
Davina,
I like nearly everything you’ve mentioned. When I was raising my 4 daughters I listened to their music believing it was another way to connect with them especially when they were teens. Not only do I still do that but now I listen to what my granddaughter likes as well. She’s 15 and I had her put 25 songs she liked on my Ipod. Crazy eh? Losing my religion was one of their favorites and anything by U2.
I do love new age music and often allow it to put me to sleep at night.
.-= Tess The Bold Life´s last blog ..Meet Caity! A Bold Blogging Buddy =-.
Hi Davina,
Oh you are so right, music is so powerful in our lives! I personally love it too sooo much and feel amazing in the presence of music. Of course the music that resonates with me. I generally like happy music, it could be latin, pop or dance, but something with a lively and upbeat tune.
But I also like some still and calm music – I love nature sounds for example too. I find it doesn’t matter what time of year it is or where one is, I play that and it takes me away to be reunited with nature…ahh so calming!
Anyway it is great to be back from vacation (although I could have stayed there forever as it was in the middle of nature) and catching up on your writing!
.-= Evita´s last blog ..Real vs. Fake =-.
Hi Barbara. Same here — I prefer quiet while working… especially when it involves proofreading. Doing housework is way better with some good tunes playing. I enjoy Shania Twain and Jewel. Partial to Shania cause she’s a Canadian :-)
Hi Tess.
Nope, not crazy at all. You are a special mother Tess :-) Some excellent New Age music is by Deva Premal and then there’s Hilary Stagg if you like the flute and the harp.
Hi Evita.
“Something with a lively and upbeat tune.” Me too! Welcome back from vacation Evita. Sounds like you had a great time in the middle of nature. I can just imagine the photos you have collected for your blog. :-)
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