The Dallas police shootings took place on the street right outside my office building. Our building was closed for a few days and we were supposed to work from home. I was too numb to attempt work the next day, so I found a yoga class to attend. Driving there, I turned on the classical radio station and they were playing the In Paradisum from the Faure Requiem. It was the perfect music for the moment.
I feel so unsettled of late…politics, violence. What music do you listen to when you want to feel calm or serene? It certainly doesn’t have to be classical or religious, as in my example. What music is just mindlessly happy, with no message, no angst?
I’ve been playing it over and over in the car (instead of listening to any news radio) and hum it to myself all the rest of the time and it helps me cope with current events. I find the lyrics pretty reassuring.
What works for me is happy stuff. Quiet songs make me maudlin when something’s going on. After 9-11 every time Sarah Mclaughlin’s “I Will Remember You” came on the radio I’d find myself sobbing. I need good car rocking songs to bring me back to the world.
Happy, mindless, quirky, on the calm side: Beta Band, Dry the Rain, REM, Belong
Energizing, for when I need a kick in the pants: Indigo Girls, Hammer and Nail; Des’ree, You Gotta Be
Car singing throwbacks: Elton John, Benny and the Jets; Little Feat, Dixie Chicken; Aretha Franklin, Respect
Happy Energizing: New Radicals, You Get What You Give; Natasha Bedingfield, Unwritten
Take me back to my childhood bedroom when everything was simple- almost anything from Carol King’s Tapestry Album or James Taylor’s Greatest Hits (how’s that for dating myself!)
In the 1990s, Tom Schnaubel of KRCW (local NPR station) put together a series of compilation albums called “Trance Planet, Vols. 1 to 5.” They are not Techno Trance, but are compilations of the most wonderful World Music, with an emphasis on highly spiritual, beautiful songs. Here’s a little sample of the kind of stuff on the albums:
These compilation albums are some of my favorite albums of all time, especially for “chill” music. They instantly calm me down. I highly highly recommend them.
I know this is an odd answer. But as much as I love Marvin Gaye and Pharrell’s “Happy,” I get into the zone, am distracted from real concerns, by club dance music.
For just smooth instrumental background music, I like Native American flute/drumming. I first heard it when I was getting a massage and really, it couldn’t have been a better choice. I think the Enya albums in the 90’s (?) work well too.
For soft vocals, I like Harry Belafonte and Simon and Garfunkel. When I want to sing along, Peter, Paul and Mary. When I want to turn up the volume and be loud, Heart.
Enya’s How Can I keep from singing if you are going for quiet.
or
Simon and Garfunkel’s For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her
But I kind of agree with Sue22 if I really want to smile I want something upbeat.
Rock Around the Clock always makes me want to dance
Bobby McFerrin’s Don’t Worry be Happy always brings a smile to my face
The Lumineers - Ho, Hey makes me want to tap my toes
Crayola doesn’t make a color for your eyes - I like the original by Kristin Andreassen, but also the bluegrassy cover by The Blue Eyed Bettys
If you want to talk about whole albums I’d put Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors on the list.
I turn to the classical music station when I feel the need to zone out from too much NPR and the news of the day.
Daydream by the Lovin’ Spoonful always makes me smile and feel hopeful. I was a freshman in high school (back in the dark ages) when this song came out and I listened to it constantly. Also feel the same way about James Taylor’s Sweet Baby James album. I wore it out.
Oops, I missed the part of OP’s brief where she wanted “angst-free.” My list above is super-angsty, whuch paradoxically is the music I prefer when I’m in a sad mood. Well, apparently I’m not the only one, because someone else mentioned Bridge Over Troubled Water. Love that song, too.