Well, we’re on day 294 of winter in my neck of the woods. Yes, I know I live in Colorado. Yes, I know it’s early March. Yes, I know I’m exaggerating. But I haven’t seen the grass in my front yard in weeks and likely won’t see it for several more. So, I’m allowed to be a little dramatic.
The point here, people, is while March comes in like a lion in Colorado Springs, it usually goes out like one too. So yours truly is spending a whole lotta time inside. And as a way of helping me crawl toward the ever elusive spring, I am perusing a lot of new and familiar music. Like everyone else, my mood determines what I to listen to. But for activities like writing that require a bit o’ thinkin’, I like thoughtful music. And since I am often thinking about writing while doing other household chores, I find a similar style of music floating from the speakers while I’m cooking dinner or washing dishes.
Back in December I wrote a post about my favorite Christmas music, and today I’d like to offer some of my favorite year around music to write, cook, or just generally be productive by.
Instrumental Favorites
Pride and Prejudice soundtrack–This is an absolute favorite for several reasons, one being it reminds me of water flowing and wind rustling. It has a lot of movement to it and propels me forward in my activity.
Downton Abbey soundtrack–Every time I hear the driving opening notes of the Downton theme, I can’t help but exhale. Working to this soundtrack makes me do exactly what watching the show makes me do: settle in and smile. As a bonus, if you listen to the soundtrack, you’ll discover that the Downton theme actually has words! For real.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 soundtrack–This is a heavier selection than the others, but if I am trying to slay a writing dragon like fear or insecurity, I imagine it is Voldemort and I’m Harry. (Or Hermione.) And wonder of wonders, I push through. Side fact: it was composed by Alexandre Desplat who just won as Oscar for Best Original Score to The Grand Budapest Hotel.
David Nevue— If you ever visit Ms. Ann V’s blog, you might find David’s piano music familiar. All his albums are spectacular, but I enjoy Open Sky the most. His song titles are so descriptive–“The Sound of Sunshine,” “Forgotten Places,” and “Summer Rain” to name a few. I find they sound like what they are called, although in unpredictable ways.
Helen Jane Long–If the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack and Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata had a baby, it would sound like anything by Helen Jane Long. Her music is ethereal and sophisticated but warm and inviting, too. I have all three of her albums and enjoy each one equally.
In the Dreaming Hour by Ryan Stewart–Ryan’s melodies are hauntingly beautiful. Like the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack, his music has a motion and direction to it that fuels my creativity as it relaxes me heart and soul.
Vocal Favorites
Generally I write to instrumental music. But some artists have just the right combination of velvety voice and soul-stirring lyrics, and they inspire me to write even if I’m singing, too.
Ellie Holcomb–I’ve mentioned a couple times before that I’m a fangirl of Ellie’s. Her voice is so velvety smooth, it’s like dark chocolate for the soul. I could listen to her As Sure as the Sun album all day long.
Christa Wells–-Christa’s voice is one of my favorites of all time. It is whispery but rich and soulful. Combine that with her poetic lyrics, and you have yourself a breathtaking combination. Side note: Christa wrote the popular song “Held” sung by Natalie Grant.
Sara Groves–Sara’s music always brings me closer to Jesus. The combination of her melodies and lyrics pierce my heart in all the right ways. She is wildly talented, and this is reflected in every note she plays and sings. Her album Tell Me What You Know will always be a favorite of mine.
Bonus
Just because I can’t write a music post without mentioning a country music artist, I bring you fellow Oklahoma girl Carrie Underwood singing “Something in the Water.” You’re welcome.
I’d really love to know: what is some of your favorite music to work by?
The Pride and Prejudice soundtrack is my faaaaaaaavourite!
Isn’t it the BEST?! Love it so much. Love you too, pretty lady. xo
You’re stressing me out a little about the winter. I’m moving to the Springs from Hawaii in June. I’ll be fine, though. We lived in Ohio before and we did okay. March is the worst though! By then, I want to see flowers again. Susie Yadao says “Hi” by the way. Love her!
Naw Leigh Ann, I’m just a cold weather wimp. We moved here from Hawaii too, and while the cold was initially a shock, being able to enjoy seasons again was wonderful.
If you did fine in Ohio, you’ll do fine here. We were stationed there twice, and it’s missing something Colorado has in abundance: SUN. So while it may snow here in May, it may also be sunny and 60 in January–at least here and there. All that with a stunning mountain view. Yippee!
I’m up in Denver, so I totally understand. If it would just melt and not come back until the day after Thanksgiving. Puh-lease!
I always say that listening to the Downton Abbey theme makes anything epic — including washing dishes and especially walking downtown. Pride & Prejudice, too. The Holiday soundtrack (especially “Cry” and “Gumption”) is a fun motivating, I-can-do-anything one.
For calmer, stilling inspiration I turn on “Beyond This Moment” by Patrick O’Hearn and put it on repeat. It’s my choice for beginning and ending stretching music when I teach ballet and a piece I used for intermission music during one of my plays so there’s something about it that fuses my body and mind together and gives my writing movement. Love it.
Vocal music – check out Liz Vice. Anything Josh Garrels can play in the background and inspire, too. Anything old school jazz, too. And sometimes just for fun and to remind myself that we’re actually DOING this artist thing- I turn on my husband’s music (landontucker.com).
Thanks for a fun topic to think about!
P.S. Listening to Ryan Stewart now and you are so right. Beautiful.
Wow! Such a wealth of good recommends here, Naomi! Thank you, thank you!
Just listened to some of your husband’s music–so beautiful.
And I *love* old school jazz! I really should have included a little Louis and Ella in my list.
And this here: “I always say that listening to the Downton Abbey theme makes anything epic…” YES. Love it!
Just wanted to let you know that I love Jim Brickman, Piano Guys, Mannheim steamroller and Trans-Siberian railroad. Also George Winston. Love instrumental music. Thanks for your list. GOD bless.
I don’t live in CO, but in Upper E. TN. We’ve had a mild winter in January with temps in 40-60s. Then came the last 2 weeks. Tons of snow. So much that most of our city schools closed for most that time. We’re finally melted all the snow and have rain now. Perhaps by the end of March it will be a warm sunny 60-70s with flowers blooming.
Enough on the weather. I love listening to music no matter what I’m doing. I like old fashioned praise and worship. You can add some contemporary Christian and a little rock in there. Some groups I like are Selah, Diamond Rio, Mark Schultz. I love to exercise-nay run to Mortal Kombat sound track. Fast paced music!
Kristen,
As a fellow Oklahoman and also a former music major, I just want to thank you for this post especially. SOMETHING IN THE WATER by Carrie Underwood really spoke to me. God has placed me here at Jesus House in OKC , to share His love with those who are lost and broken. I receive inspiration from posts like yours. Thank you for sharing the words He gives you! Many Blessings! Robin
I very much liked your blog. It has so much meaningful stuff on a variety of subjects. Thank you.