Sometimes music is simple. Energy on the dance floor, in the car, at the gym, moving through me like metabolism. Pure, uncomplicated entertainment. Lyrics? Secondary. It’s all about the groove.
Have you noticed though that if you listen to a song in the rain, it sounds and feels different? It’s heavier. More meaningful. And the lyrics begin to sink in. Certain songs were meant to be played in the rain. Or at night. Or in the city. Or in the Summer. Or in transition. Sometimes to forget. Sometimes to hold on. Songs for beginnings, or ends. For sad, or angry, or beautiful.
All good songs are better songs in the right mood.
And then, like magic, that’s when a stranger’s poetry becomes my story, for me. And your story, for you. And then music is simple no longer – because our stories are never simple.
So that’s how I organize what I listen to: by mood. My life is a movie and every scene requires the perfect background music: the soundtrack of my life.
Everyone needs one. It makes you feel special, from black & white to technicolor. Your soundtrack makes even the most mundane tasks an academy award winning performance. Your movie is an epic drama, sci-fi thriller (if you have children) and music video all in one. You’ll never unload the dishwasher the same again :-).
So, here are some excerpts from my soundtrack that you may consider for the soundtrack of YOUR life. Some are older, some newer. They can all mean different things to different people. But however you use them, I promise they will make your movie more colorful.
BRANDI CARLILE – The Story
She sings unpretentious poetry. Perfect for a road trip. Or a slideshow.
Brandi was first featured in Grey’s Anatomy…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUzOANgWzUA]
Think infectious happiness. This is my 2007 summer song. Windows down, singing along, happy-to-be-alive song.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-vs78wRQd0]
First used in this Sony Bravia advert below. He has become one of my favorites since.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Bb8P7dfjVw]
You don’t have to speak French to understand this song. It has a way of turning into anything you want it to be. A slow-motion every day moment with your favorite person in the sound track of your life. Keren Ann is singing with Vincent (check her out as well, she has mastered melancholy French to a perfection).
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SizRYGwxXkM]
My two favorite films of all time are both from Brasil: The City of God & Central do Brasil (Central Station). The first is too violent for any nice normal person reading Gabby’s blog. But the second is perfect for anyone any age. If you haven’t seen it, you shouldn’t live a day longer without it. You can find it at Netflix or in any Blockbuster Foreign Film section. Brasilian music is just as beautiful. Ana Carolina & Seu Jorge are two of the best, here singing together my favorite song of last year.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjmLI0VyLmM]
One of the greatest French artists of all time. That’s a bold statement, I realize. Any Gainsbourg song can take you to Paris if you close your eyes. And not the slurpy tourist Paris, but the eccentric we’re-the-center-of-fashion-and-art-and-the-world Paris. This particular song kills me. Listen closely to hear the background tears. Perfect for any break-up scenes in your movie.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1z76owmSfc]
For any romantic, this is the perfect love song for your soundtrack.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upa6A8CzgkY]
My father played this record for us over and over when we were young. It has become the most nostalgic song of my past, and one of my all time favorites.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB5JRM-OPro]
Yes, this is the same ‘Justin Timberlake’ Timbaland. He’s a genius writer/producer. This is one of his newest…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17qWxYhzS9g]
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{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
After reading this post I realize that I am so uncool to have every one of these songs be new to me. But I am off to find them all and make a mix. So, thank you? Yes…thank you.
ryan: you have a lot of french songs there. i haven’t listened to all of them, but i’m wondering if there is a reason that you have so many french songs in your favorites? one of my favorite french singers is francis cabrel. ok so actually anyone that sings in french i’ll listen to because i miss being there. thanks for all the good songs. i’ll have to spend more time today listening to them while i do the dishes and the laundry!!
That Sony Bravia advert is mesmerizing! The music really makes it. I can see why he’s one of your faves now.
That HelloGoodbye song used to annoy the crap out of me, but it’s grown on me. I think maybe it was because it came out when it was cold and rainy and I needed to hear it when it was warm and sunny.
Nice list. It’s interesting to actually hear about music from someone so close to the music industry!
Beautiful. I am going to work on collecting a life soundtrack. :)
i don’t speak french. but i’m a sucker for french music. it just makes you feel surreal. plus, i love use the word “frenchie.” so underused.
and i pretty much guarantee you’ll be making some money for iTunes today. hope that’s not a conflict of interest.
merci!
I just saw Brandi Carlile in concert a couple of weeks ago. It was a fantastic show in a fairly small theater here is Seattle. Her voice is even more rich and strong in person. I would highly recommend going when she comes to town.
i just finished my annual “late night summer listening” mix. i LOVE putting together playlists to certain moods. And it’s cool when a song can make you feel 10 different things depending on where/when you listen to it.
Wow. Thanks for the great post and your insight.
Great post! I love all the music recommendations. Thanks for sharing!!
These songs are awesome! I love hearing about new music. Thansk for posting it!
Terina, the more I travel the more I find that the French do all of the 5 senses better than everyone else. I don’t like to generalize, but here it is simply a universal truth. It must be a combination of genes, culture & history. A very unfair distribution of good looks & good taste if you ask me.
Glad you all like the music. It was difficult choosing which ones to post. Erin made me take out all of the harder/edgy stuff, considering the “moms” audience. Maybe I’ll post a “music for guys” list later.
In fact, that is going to be the great balance in posting this week – trying to keep it relavent for women without losing my own voice as a man. Don’t worry, I’m not going to blog about football this week. But I’m also not going to give great ideas for new earings or make-up. I’m comfortable enough with my metro-sexuality to blog about design, etc. but the real girly stuff is foreign to me. Hopefully I’ll find the right in-betweens. Music is a good start today, which works for everyone.
I have started this project of a life soundtrack before and never completed it…I guess you really don’t complete it, ever. Thanks so much for this beautiful music. I am also a fan of French music and this is just all encompassing and such a delight.
Take care.
Can’t wait to listen to all these when my kids get up…I’ve got to wait b/c I just might want to crank it up :) I too have “mood” playlists on our Ipod. “Cleaning”, “Chilling”, “PreDinner Music”, “Dinner Music”, “Sunday”, etc. This post inspires me to add more. I think I’ll do that…we’ve got a few bucks on our Itunes account and I’d love to discover some new artists. My husband speaks French (he teaches it to our kids too) and I know he’ll appreciate the recommendations in that dept. especially. Thanks again Ryan!
awesome! i have been needing some new music picks. thanks!
I used to listen to Nana Mouskouri with my mom when I was little. I can see the record cover now. I haven’t thought about that in a long time. Thanks. French music just feels so beautiful.
I also loved the Blowers Daughter cover. I saw Damien Rice a few weeks ago and I had a hard time choking back the tears when he sang this song. So much passion…or maybe I get choked up about everything:)
Oh my goodness, you have a couple of my favorite people here, especially Nana Mouskouri, I just love her!
i love seu jorge ~ and i really like the rest of your picks too! thanks for sharing some fab music to lift up my monday!
I am so lovin’ HelloGoodbye’s song! I love it when you can call a song a “summer song” and have it become somewhat of a family anthem! Our family’s “summer song” two years ago was played while we drove our suv up Mt. Washington. Now each time I hear the song, I can see the mountainous view in my mind. =)
BRAVO Ryan! However, I think the song you wrote to your grandmother from your grandfather (mississippi girl was it?) is better than all of these – i’m waiting for that post.
love this post ryan. as always, you’ve got stuff i’ve never heard of that i can’t believe i’ve lived without.
isn’t it about time for you to make me a new running mix? now that i can run again?
awesome post Ryan- looking forward to what else you have up your sleeve this week.
liz
Wow Ryan, before now I would have guessed that you and I have nothing in common (except a few friends) – but Brandi Carlile, Jose Gonzales AND Nana Mouskouri; who would have thought we have a few of the same favorites? Excited to see what else you post this week.
I have always believed that in a perfect world our lives would automatically be piped with incredible music corresponding to the drama or lack of, without wires or cables. But since it isn’t a perfect world, a soundtrack will have to do. Thank you for the recommended additions, and I too love having a summer song.
i’m coming to new york for work this summer and we need to see la vie en rose
I still like heartbeats by the knife.
Ryan, wow you are sure popular with the moms. I would love the cd. Keri, your big sis
Thank you. I have been craving some new music.
Having already lavished over your entry, I entered your dad’s office, sat by him as he strolled through each of your selected songs. Of course, you know he enjoyed each one, but as he came to Nana M.’s , he wept. Memories of your childhood filled the room. You have always been blessed with a father who shared his love, self & time with you.
Thanks a million, Ryan! I remember seeing that Sony ad, thinking I MUST find out whose music it was. Then I completely forgot about it. Very cool.
wow. such a great variety of music – and your writing is truly inspiring…thank you!