As someone who is very musical – I play the piano, I have sung professionally onstage and off – I sometimes find myself missing music. Since I seem to like quiet more and more as I get older, I often work in a fairly silent atmosphere (save for the sound of traffic outside my window and Scout breathing heavily as she sleeps.) The sound on my laptop is muted. I don’t like being greeted by music when I click on a blog because it is usually not my taste and I find the sudden intrusion of someone else’s choice of music jarring. All this is to say I like quiet.
But I love music. And sometimes, in the midst of stress and worry and things to do and errands to run and bills to pay, I realize that I haven’t been listening to my favorite music lately. And that ain’t good. So I get out my earbuds and listen to my playlist, either on my iPhone or laptop.
And I feel better.
Music Hath Charms to Soothe the Savage Breast – William Congreve
It does, indeed. Why do I forget to treat myself to music’s restorative powers? Does that ever happen to you, my friends?
iTunes has a category that lists the “Top 25 Most Played.” I thought I’d share 20 of them with you.
Some of these you may be familiar with, others may be new to you. At the very least, it shows that I like a bit of everything.
A few notes: (1) the version of Both Sides Now I am referencing is the newest version, which you can find on YouTube. It is simply breathtaking. An older, wiser Mitchell who has lived a long life since she first recorded this song, sings from her gut in her now husky, cigarette-smoky voice. I cannot listen to this without crying. (2) Nancy LaMott was a cabaret singer who had one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard – crystal clear, beautifully nuanced. She died much too young from cancer at the age of 43. This particular version of Out of This World by Harold Arlen and So in Love by Cole Porter is stunningly beautiful. Here is a live version of her singing this at the Algonquin. (3) Yes, that Don Sparks. My husband. This is my favorite of all the wonderful songs he’s written. Here’s his ReverbNation website and if you scroll down the list of songs (all worth listening to) you’ll see I’d Sing You. It makes me swoon. While you’re there, check out Dreams (written about my parents), I’ve Got a Love, Don’t Tell Me Heart and Say It Twice.
What music is on your ‘playlist’ – whether it is online, on your CD player, or your iPod? What changes your mood, what gives you peace or joy? What do you find yourself playing most often?
One other note: Singer Fiona Apple just wrote a letter to her fans explaining her reason for postponing the South American part of her tour. She wants to stay home with her beloved dog, who is dying. This is one beautiful letter.
Happy Wednesday.
Claudia, my taste in music varies with my mood. My fav artists are ZZTop, Luciano Pavarotti, Cher, Willie Nelson, and Etta James. I resisted buying an iPod for a long time, but was thrilled when I finally broke down and made the purchase. Quickly found I couldn’t live without it. I haven’t put any music on the iPhone yet, how quickly does it zap the batteries? By the way, today I’m listening to the new Rod Stewart holiday album and loving’ it!
I’m not sure how quickly it zaps batteries, Nola. I usually listen on my laptop and use the phone for music when I’m traveling to NYC on the bus. I just make sure I’ve charged the phone ahead of time!
Claudia, it is wonderful that you are so blessed with musical talent. I love, love, love music–of many kinds. If I had been blessed with a talent, I would have loved to have the gift of song. Alas, I have zero musical talent. I have two pianos in my home, formerly belonging to my two youngest daughters, who play beautifully. (they now have baby grands in their own homes) In spite of my taking lessons, they sit unused, I can’t even play chopsticks well!
I checked out your husband’s site, and he has an awesome voice! He reminds me of my very favorite singer, Charlie Landsborough, (minus the accent, smile). And his writing is wonderful. I listened to several of his songs and loved them all. Couldn’t listen to Riley’s song, it would break my heart. Subscribed, and shared on Facebook. Thanks for telling me about his music, it will bring many hours of pleasure.
Thank you for your kind words, Sandra. I will pass them on to Don.
I don’t listen to music enough…. and would love to have more than a moment to check out your list. I did have a quick listen to Don’s and loved it. I hope Miss Scout is up to joining in on a song or two at the cottage… you two are blessed to have music in your lives and so much talent. xo
Scout barks along with us!
As much as I love music, I would be hard pressed to make a list of my favorites…It would change depending on my mood..Since my husband died,I can’t go to Church..The music makes me cry…
Oh Missy, I understand. Several months after my brother died, I visited my friend who is a church organist. Naturally, I went to the Sunday service. The moment I heard the organ music, I started crying and I didn’t stop for the whole service. xo
I am quite convinced we are cut from the same cloth. But, you must have been cut from the section with musical skills. I love to sing, but only God loves my joyful noise.
A joyful noise is a joyful noise, dear Beverly!
I listen to music constantly. My I pad is always with me and my playlist is almost always running. I switch up my playlists and right now my Christmas music is the list of choice.
Pretty impressive, your husband. I had no idea that’s who he was.
Thank you, Kim. That reminds me, I have to get a Christmas music playlist going!
I know exactly what you mean when you say sometimes in the midst of stress and worry, etc., you realize that you haven’t been listening to your favorite music lately. Me, too — and then I wonder why, because hearing my favorite music is so healing. With the iPod right on the kitchen counter, it seems strange that I don’t have it on more often! There is definitely something to be said for silence, but maybe not for so much of the time!
I’m going to bring down the speakers we use for the computer and keep them here in the den. Then I have no excuse!
I have the very first iPod that ever came out and I LOVE it. There are all different kinds and types of songs on there. It’s been past from friend to cousin to whoever else – just letting people add music to my iPod. Every time I turn it on I just chose “random” and away we go.
Love random!
As I get older I like less music, and ambient noises around me also….after years of retail and those horrible overplayed Christmas carols, I can’t stand anything commercial.. Your playlist looks divine…I think I might have to get a little music in my life again.
Jen
I’m with you on the way too overplayed Christmas carols. I worked in retail a bit, too, and it starts in November and plays endlessly until Christmas. Too much.
It’s so much fun to find out more about bloggers one enjoys. Love reading that you and your husband are musicians. I’m sure I’m tone deaf – can’t sing my way out of a paper bag as my mom used to say.
Strangely, as I love music so much, I seldom find myself listening to any anymore. Like you, I long for quiet in the midst of the hubbub and goings on in my life – it’s a discordant soundtrack these days.
We do go to the occasional concert – saw David Byrne and St. Vincent recently and Richard Thompson. Oh and we saw Graham Nash recently too, at a benefit for whistle blower Bradley Manning.
I love that version of “Both Sides Now”, so melancholy and lovely. I was lucky enough to catch Joni Mitchell (with Dave van Ronk) at the Troubadour in West Hollywood in 1969 and as the opening act for CSNY (when they’d only just started out) at the Greek in 1969. Those were the days!
I love Fiona Apple and now even more. I’ve heard her new album has gotten really good reviews. Need to get it.
Loving reading through your list – adore “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore”! (Loved when I found they had included it in the movie “Truly Madly Deeply”.) Had forgotten all about Gino Vanelli!
I’ll look forward to visiting all of your links later today.
Thanks so much for sharing with us.
I saw Joni Mitchell in concert (it was an outdoor venue) the night that Nixon resigned. Concertgoers on the hill were clutching transistor radios to their ears and Joni announced his resignation from the stage to cheers. What a memory.
The Walker Brothers, who recorded The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore, weren’t really brothers, interestingly enough. They were a hugely popular group in England, right up there with the Beatles. But they were American born. I love the lead singer’s voice.
Gino’s voice is amazing.
Can you tell I don’t want to do anything I should be doing today?!
Wow! How great to be at the concert on such a momentous day and hear the news of Nixon’s resignation! (and so funny now to remember transistor radios – we found my first one up at my dad’s house last year, I loved it so much)
I can remember seeing The Walker Brothers on one of those TV dance/music shows – had no idea they were American all these years! For some reason that just reminded me of Gerry and the Pacemakers and “Ferry Across the Mersey”, oh and “Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying”. AHA! The “sun” must have been the trigger. ;)
Having fun going back in time today :)
Out of your 20 , I have 5 of those songs on my IPhone. I love my oldies. I can shut my eyes and listen and it always takes me back to a simpler time in my life. Alot of my music reminds me of my childhood and my parents. My dad always had music playing and back then the radio was always on in the kitchen with my mom while she worked. One of my favorite songs is by Nat King Cole, “Stardust”. I think the orchestration of that recording is so beautiful. I love the violins and the words to the song. Being so close in age to you, I can tell we have similiar tastes in music. I love that I can have my music with me at all times on my IPhone! ~Hugs, Patti
Oh, I love Nat King Cole anything, especially Stardust. Such a wonderfully smooth voice. I love that era of orchestrations. Lush and beautiful.
I still listen to music on CDs, would listen to them on LPs if I could, but I’m beginning to think I have to “get with it.” It would be nice to listen to just one favorite from an album and not the whole thing. I have a whole stack of CDs that true classical music lovers would probably scoff at. They’re called things like: Breakfast with Bach and Baroque and Bathtime, etc. I love them. I get to listen to the “pretty” parts of opera that way too. When I’m doing housework it’s anything from Pink Martini to Loretta Lynn with Jack White. And we are hooked on the soundtrack from Love Actually, my husband singing Billy Mack’s part. Now, of course, it is Christmas music, much of that from almost 20 years of old tapes off of NPR on Christmas Eve and Day, with an occasional weather report coming on from the old days that catches me unaware and makes me think I need to run to the grocery store for milk and eggs before the snow comes in. Then again, when I’m all alone, like you I just want a very quiet house.
We have a bunch of my LPs which I love, but they have been stored so long that they are warped. I used to own hundreds of them. I’ve never heard the soundtrack from Love Actually and, until today, had no idea that Joni Mitchell was on it!
We have a classical music station playing in the background most of the time. It is soothing. I do miss my favorites and usually listen in the car while traveling! I will have to take a listen to some of your favorites.
hugs, Linda
I love to listen to oldies in the car and sing along!
LOL! My niece had just posted on FB yesterday about listening to her old school cds ( She is 32 ) and I started running a list by her of my favorites from late grade school / early middle school …..and we agreed that I was really old :)
Like..Mony Mony
or…Sweet Cherry Wine
or Crimson In Clover
now there are some oldies…but I was trying to remember a few from 5th-7th grade or so………
Loved Crimson and Clover – I remember slow dancing to it with a boy I had a terrible crush on.
I’m a music lover (and grew up playing the piano and flute), but usually like the house quiet during the day. Depending on my mood, I might play some music from my iPod (set in a little docking station). I tend to listen mostly to classic rock and newer alternative, but I also like jazz, folk, and bluegrass. I’m only familiar with 7 out of the 20 musicians you listed. ;-)
I love folk and jazz, too. And Don loves bluegrass.
I share several of your favorite, too. I am just a couple years older and so we must have grown up with the same music. I, too, often find that I am working in total silence and I love it. I keep my sound off on the computer, too.
There are certain sounds that ALWAYS make me cry.
You must be VERY proud of Don- xo Diana
I am!
I really enjoyed hearing your husband sing “I’d Sing You”! Does he play for you often? That would be so cool to have a husband who played and sang! I have a really diverse taste in music, I have a Playlist called “My Favorites” – The Weight, by The Band, Evergreen by Barbra Streisand, Sloop John B. by the Beach Boys, Kokomo by the Beach Boys, Let it Be by the Beatles, How Deep is Your Love by the Bee Gees, The Rose by Bette Midler, Baby Grand and Just the Way You Are by Billy Joel, My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion, Sailing by Christopher Cross, White Room by Cream, Susie Q, Proud Mary & Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Southern Cross by Crosby, Stills & Nash.. but I better stop, I’m going on too much.. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
I love your playlist, Teresa – so many of those are my favorites, as well. Sailing – Ah, I love it. I bought that album back in the day just for that song. It transports me.
Your Don has a wonderful voice,and I see why that song makes you swoon! thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Renee!
Hmmm… lately anything by Tom Petty. :) Pat
Ah, Tom Petty…you know, I don’t know enough about his music. I’ll have to investigate!
Claudia, it seems many of us enjoy the silence…I used to always have music on and sing along but not so much anymore. Oldies are mostly on my playlist (60’s especially..anyone for Peter Paul and Mary ?) Love a LOT of different kinds of music, just find I don’t turn it on a lot.
I have to tell you that your Don’s song, “Woman Of A Certain Age” is fanTAStic! I enjoyed his songs/voice so much! He is a very talented man. Now, if we could just get a sampling of YOU singing!!
thanks for sharing!
Love Peter, Paul and Mary – and all the folk artists of the sixties.
I will pass your praise on to Don. I love that song, too. It’s so catchy and you better believe I love the lyrics!
I’ve always loved quiet. I’m not used to have a radio making noise in the background probabely because my brothers broke the family radio when they were little. My parents never replaced it. I love music but only listen to a cd when 1. I am alone at home
2. clean the house,
3. feel like it,
which is not even once a week. My current favourite for this purpose is Amy MacDonald. :-)
I like music on when I’m cleaning, too, Regula. It helps me stay motivated.
Oh, Claudia,
I was going to comment about your playlist, but came to the bottom of your post and read the letter. What a beautiful tribute to her dog. I could just feel the love while reading it. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Balisha
Isn’t that letter amazing? I am now a fan.
Hi Claudia
No ipod, playlist anywhere. Typically I listen to the radio or pandora. But I like the new country music which reminds me of rock really. On pandora I listen to Christmas music throughout the year when I need to de-stress. Odd I know but it’s true, So you know that I’m loving the season!
Enjoy!
LEann
I agree – I think the new country music is more and more like rock/pop. Don has issues with that because he thinks the roots of country are being lost because it’s now so commercial. It’s interesting how genres of music change over the years.
I can’t wait to get back to this when I have more time to listen. My son is a composition major (in his 3rd senior year, lol, but only one year behind on graduation) and just had several of his pieces put on a real music format (this has a name that I don’t remember) and bound for him to use in his grad school applications. Last year, he had one of his pieces performed by the Dekalb Choral Guild (ATL) for The Georgia Young Composer’s contest. He won top prize! :) All this business is new to me. I am not at all musical, but I think I am developing more of a critical ear for band performances.
Congratulations to your son, Tina! I am in awe.
Too kind, Claudia! All you artists are clever folk. I really admire anyone who can get up speak/perform in front of a crowd. I’m too introverted and lack the talent to do that.
I have found that I like quiet more and more now too, Claudia. I watch very little TV and I am like you in that I don’t like music on blogs. I mute it. I am heading off to listen to Both Sides Now. One of my favorites.
Hugs,
Laura
You’ll love it, Laura.
Don’s music is so lovely, Claudia! You’re both so lucky to have music in your lives together. Music does indeed have transformative and soothing powers and I think every life is better for it. My own play list is very eclectic!? Chamber Music (esp. Brahms), any and everything by J.S. Bach, Cajun Music, Appalachian Mountain Music, Motown, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Bluegrass, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, New Orleans Jazz, American Songbook Standards (Irving Berlin, Gershwin, Cole Porter), and tunes from the old Broadway musicals (Pajama Game, South Pacific, Guys and Dolls, etc.) I know , I know… musical indigestion!!