A List of Songs That Help Me Write...

In case you hadn't noticed already, I'm really into music, books and film. I especially like combos of two or three, so when I'm writing, music really helps inspire me.

I'm a no-lifer and I like to have playlists that I can listen to in different moods. I literally have Peaceful, Relaxing, Happy, Sad, SAD, Party, ... It helps when you're trying to write certain scenes.

Listening to James Blunt while trying to write about an exciting day in a theme park probably won't work out well.

Here's some great recommendations for your own playlists...

Sad/Serious:

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Scar Tissue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzJj5-lubeM
(my absolute favourite song at the moment, constantly on repeat)

The Secret Handshake - Coastal Cities
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQIx8Y9IzRo
(always makes me want to move away from home)

Broken Social Scene - Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSzXbBRHJrM
(from Scott Pilgrim vs The World film, absolute legendary film & song)

Bon Iver - Blood Bank
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-BZ0D92mtU
(generally just any of Bon Iver's songs, they're all lovely, peaceful, amazing, relaxing)

Evanescence - My Immortal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5anLPw0Efmo

Happy/Hopeful: 

Semi Sonic - Closing Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGytDsqkQY8
(uplifting song from a great band)

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHEOF_rcND8
(and if you're in the need for a cheer up, listen to this cute cover from a dad and his little daughter singing it...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L64c5vT3NBw

Switchfoot - Learning to Breathe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVlnHT8OkQQ
(even if you just listen to the first ten seconds, amazing guitar sounds)

Fun. - We Are Young
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv6dMFF_yts
(judging by the band's name, and the title, it was never going to be a sad song, was it? Catchy!)

Carly Rae Jepson - Call Me Maybe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWNaR-rxAic
(Come on, of course this was going to be on the list!)

Energetic

Avicii - Levels
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ovdm2yX4MA
(always makes me want to dance! Also really funny video for it.)

Skrillex - Bangarang
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJVmu6yttiw
(it's only recently I've started liking Skrillex's music. I still don't like his hair.)

The Strokes - Last Night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXaHy814cEA
(classic, you know all the words, don't you?)


The Vaccines - If You Wanna
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQKjI6395iU
(short and really catchy.)



Labrinth - Climb on Board
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbRbUcM3ZCY
(this was amaaaaazing when we saw him live at Mallorca Rocks!)

Piano/Instrumental:

Craig Armstrong - World Trade Centre Piano Theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebiSYwFbtvk
(I think it was in a movie with Nicholas Cage. This song is better than his acting.)

Yiruma - River Flows In You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-4wUfZD6oc
(*sigh* yes I first heard this from the first Twilight film and yes I am ashamed.)

Erik Satie - Gymnopedie No. 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-Xm7s9eGxU
(b-e-a-uuuutiful.)


What do you think? Any more I could add? My favourites are those tear jerkers, I'm such a girl.

Thanks for reading!

Jess