I have to admit something.
I’ve been an entrepreneur the better part of my life. Which has made the few times I’ve worked for someone else…interesting. Especially, my stint as a federal-government enforcement attorney. Try going from calling all the shots to having to bribe a guy named Fish to get new pens.
I like to be in control and when I’m ordered to do things in a way that doesn’t resonate with me, let’s say, it can cause a little stress.
Which can lead to an urgent need to blow off some steam…before you blow something up!
For me, music has always been a huge refuge. And, over the past 7 years, as the owner of a NYC yoga studio and a yoga teacher who emphasizes a “soundtrack,” I’ve had the luxury of getting paid to spend a big-chunk of my time finding some of the most transporting music on the planet.
The genre really doesn’t matter all that much…
It’s about the music’s ability to profoundly change your state-of-mind in a matter of minutes.
And, now, I’m sharing my list of the top 108 with you. Here they are…
108 Killer State-Changing Songs Or Musical Performances (in no particular order):
- Riviera Paradise | Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Gravity | John Mayer Trio
- Out Of My Mind | John Mayer Trio
- Walking In Memphis | Marc Cohn
- Have A Little Faith In Me | John Hiatt
- Hard Sun | Eddie Vedder
- My My, Hey Hey (out of the blue) | Neil Young
- Lightning Crashes (acoustic version) | Live
- While My Guitar Gently Weeps | Beatles
- Don’t Stop Believin’ | Journey
- Colorful | Rocco Deluca and the Burden
- Summertime | Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
- God Bless The Child (1956 version) | Billie Holiday
- Chan Chan | Buena Vista Social Club
- Cheek to Cheek | Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
- So What | Miles Davis
- At Last | Etta James
- Caramel | Suzanne Vega
- Take Five | Dave Brubeck
- Don’t Know Why | Norah Jones
- Embrace You (1954) | Sarah Vaughan & Clifford Brown
- This Masquerade | George Benson
- I Want Some Sugar In My Bowl | Nina Simone
- Skating | Vince Guaraldi Trio
- Take The Money & Run | Steve Miller Band
- Fly Like An Eagle | Les Paul & Steve Miller Version
- Sexual Healing | Marvin Gaye
- Let’s Get It On | Marvin Gaye
- What’s Going On | Marvin Gaye
- Bring Me To Life | Evanescence
- Avalon | Roxy Music
- Dante’s Prayer | Loreena McKennitt
- Waiting On The World To Change | John Mayer
- Serpentine Fire | Earth, Wind & Fire
- One | U2
- The Way It Is | Bruce Hornsby
- Higher Love | Steve Winwood
- Wonderful Tonight | Eric Clapton
- Suddently I See | KT Tunsall
- Thunder Road | Bruce Sprinsteen (Hammersmith Odeon)
- Jungleland | Bruce Springsteen (Live in NYC)
- The Boys Of Summer | Don Henley
- Who Are You | The Who
- Clocks | Coldplay
- Drops Of Jupiter | Train
- She Will Be Loved (acoustic) | Maroon 5
- Angel (Live at Lilith Fair) | Sarah McLaughlan & Emmylou Harris
- Home | Sheryl Crow
- Boulevard Of Broken Dreams | Green Day
- I’ll Cover You (reprise) | Rent
- Moments In Love | Art Of Noise (6:59 version)
- Blues At Sunrise | Albert King & Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Going To California | Led Zeppelin
- Hallelujah | Rufus Wainwright
- Little Wing | Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughan (both amazing)
- Forever Young | Alphaville
- Frontin’ | Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge)
- Feeling Alright | Joe Cocker
- One Love/People Get Ready | Bob Marley & The Wailers
- The Great Gig In The Sky | Pink Floyd
- Dream On (live) | Aerosmith
- Up On Cripple Creek | The Band
- Most Of The Time | Bob Dylan
- Dear Mr. Fantasy | Traffic
- Can’t Find My Way Home | Blind Faith version
- Orange Sky | Alexi Murdoch
- Move On | Jet
- Imagine | Keb Mo’
- Bennie And The Jets (live) | Elton John
- Don’t Let The Sun Go Down | Elton John
- Landslide (acoustic) | Fleetwood Mac
- Fall To Pieces | Velvet Revolver
- Nutshell (unplugged) | Alice In Chains
- Ramble On | Led Zeppelin
- Can’t You See | Marshal Tucker Band
- Alive | Pearl Jam
- Son Of A Preacher Man | Dusty Springfield
- Waiting On A Friend | Rolling Stones
- Alive & Kicking | Simple Minds
- Interstate Love Song | Stone Temple Pilots
- Take The Long Way Home | Supertramp
- Shout | Tears For Fears
- Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic | Police
- Curbside Prophet | Jason Mraz
- Sweet Child O’ Mine | Guns N’ Roses
- Bohemian Rhapsody | Queen
- Tiny Dancer | Elton John
- You Can’t Always Get What You Want | Rolling Stones
- Sympathy For The Devil | Rolling Stones
- Bad | U2
- Walk On | U2
- Drift Away | Dobie Gray
- Flake | Jack Johnson
- Hurt | Johnny Cash
- All Along The Watchtower | Dave Matthews VH1 version
- Heaven (acoustic version) | Live
- Crazy | Seal
- Deep Water (acoustic) | Seal
- Svefn-G-Englar | Sigur Ros
- Return To Innocence | Enigma
- Oooh Child | Marvin Gaye
- The Sky Is Crying | Stevie Ray Vaughan with Albert & BB King
- Praise You | Fatboy Slim
- Three Little Birds | Bob Marley
- Don’t Worry, Be Happy | Bobby McFerrin
- Freedom 90 | George Michael
- Do You Feel Like We Do | Peter Frampton
- I Alone (unplugged) | Live
So…there you have it! Why 108?
Because it’s a hugely important number in nearly every mystical, spiritual, state-changing philosophy and tradition in the world.
But, let’s not stop here.
There were actually a ton of other more “foofy” tunes I excluded (don’t wanna freak anyone out).
Jump in and share you own favorite state-changing tunes in the comments below. You know, the ones that, no matter what mood you’re in, immediately make you smile…the ones that’ll save your colleagues, life-partners and the occasional grocery bagger from getting to feel the wrath of your insta-snap dark-side.
What’d I miss? Bring it on…
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My most recent pick-me-up is “The Humans are Dead” by Flight of the Conchords.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=WGoi1MSGu64
It always puts a smile on my face.
“Walking In Memphis | Marc Cohn” is one of my favorite songs ever. “True Companion”, off the same album, is also really amazing.
@ Hayden – Hey brother! Yeah, I just smile every time I hear the first few bars.
The one hit wonder by Len “Steal My Sunshine” is super happy.
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=DELA,DELA:2006-05,DELA:en&q=len+don%27t+steal+my+sunshine
Whenever I’m bummed out I watch the Apache video and it makes me smile ever time!!
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=DELA%2CDELA%3A2006-05%2CDELA%3Aen&q=apache+you+tube
#9. i am listening to that right now, weird.
#28. my wedding song.
could help notice the lack of hip hop, so blackalicious – make you feel that way and anything off de la soul – 3 feet and rising.
@ Kelly – Totally forgot about LEN! Thanks!
@ Michael B – That IS weird, it’s not like the Beatles’ While my guitar gently weeps is so popular. Gotta love having Marvin Gaye as your wedding song, too. My walking down the aisle song was #51 Moments in love by Art of Noise…totally freaked out all the grandparents!
Along these lines, I love to scramble up my brainwaves with:
The Boxer – Simon & Garfunkel
Money – Pink Floyd
Sledgehammer – Peter Gabriel
Bad, Bad Leroy Brown – Jim Croce
California Dreamin’ – Mamas and the Papas
Californication – Red Hot Chili Peppers
and (perhaps strangely)…
Puff the Magic Dragon – Peter, Paul and Mary
You’ve given me a darn good idea for my next iTunes playlist, that’s for sure!
@ Mark – Wow…Puff eh?! Yeah, I tried to figure out how to set this up as a public playlist on iTunes, to no avail.
If anyone else knows how to do this, please chime in!
Anything by Radiohead, Snow Patrol, Bob Marley, John Lennon. 🙂
Your list has many of my all time favorite songs – wonderfully chosen! To add? Yes, it’s a Christmas song, but “Have yourself a merry little Christmas” by the Carpenters helps me relax, any time of year. So I like Christmas!
Just thought of almost everything played in “Sleepless in Seattle” – great stuff.
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”! So I like Christmas!
Great list! I’d have to add Appollo 440’s “Stop the Rock” or The Bodyrocker’s “I Like the Way” for whenever you really need to wake up and get moving. Whenever I hear either of those songs, I can barely supress the urge to dance around the room.
I also noticed Loreena McKennitt’s “Dante’s Prayer” on your list. That song was played at a memorial service I went to a few years ago and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room by the time the song ended. Her music is amazing. It transports you to a completely different time and place.
@ Leo – Yeah, with you on the Radiohead, my friend!
@ Jim – I actually snuck in a serious Christmas song in their. Skating | Vince Guaraldi Trio is actually off of the…Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack, which also happens to be a fabulous jazz CD.
@ Kris – Will have to check out Appollo 440, never listened. Thanks for sharing them! And, yes Loreena McKennitt really takes you away.
Barry Manilow….where’s Barry?
There are so many. Music moves the masses!
Here are some I listen to often:
Allegretto by Bond
Frozen by Dalain
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger by Daft Punk
Feel the Beat by DaRude
Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins
Scat Man by Scatman John
Just about anything by Moby
Thanks for the list. I am always looking for music to motivate.
Ben folds rocking the suburbs.
Michael franti – soulshine.
Two songs that make you glad to be here and now.
@ Sharon – Mmmmm, Barry! As long as you’re talking Barry, we should probably throw in some Barry White, too.
@ Christopher – Hmm, the only one I know on that list is Moby, looks like I have listening to do this weekend, thanks for sharing!
@ Jez – Yeah, gotta love, Ben folds and Michael Franti, nice addition!
99 Red Balloons – Goldfinger version
Has a very rally-the-troops vibe
Time To Say Goodbye – Andrea Bocelli
I love this song so much my husband offered to take vocal lessons to sing it to me at our wedding reception.
Tiny Teddy – The Headstones
Because it uses the phrase, “Some say they’ve seen him running smokes on Lake Ontario.”
Cherry Pie – Warrant
Just because, y’all.
These are my personal favorites from the list
Don’t Stop Believin’ | Journey
Boulevard Of Broken Dreams | Green Day
One Love/People Get Ready | Bob Marley & The Wailers
The Great Gig In The Sky | Pink Floyd
Dream On (live) | Aerosmith
Three Little Birds | Bob Marley
GREAT LIST!
Have to say for me…I like a good Bob Dylan “Story of the Hurricane” or a “Steal my kisses” Ben Harper. Both work for me. I just like ’em.
I happened upon this site going from link to link and I agree- I have a few songs to add to my iPod now. One song that always puts me in a giddy mood, despite the fact it was overplayed is “Hey Ya”-Outkast.
Jon, here’s the 40 Motivational Songs That’ll Keep Me Refreshed!. 🙂
Cheers,
Ellesse
from their CD Four, Blues Traveler:
Just Wait
The Mountains Win Again
Look Around
And Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World
I LOVE Barry White! Go Barry!
Lake of Tears – Nathalie and the Fireflies (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnfLAEYJq7w)
Nightwish – Sleeping Sun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmDWvGKLzBE)
@ Naomi – Boccelli’s Time to say goodbye literally makes me cry. nice call!
@ Mike Smith – thanks for the props!
@ Clint – yeah, Ben Harper’s got some great chill tunes, too!
@ Beth – I was going to put Hey Ya on and totally forgot, thanks for the reminder!
@ Ellesse – wow, another 40, great! (man, this is gonna cost me!)
@ Stephanie – I’ll take pretty much anything from Louis Armstrong
@ Sharon – Hmmm, since we’re on the Barry thing, how about…Barry Gibb? heeheehee! 😉
@ Blama – Never hear either, will definitely check them out, thanks for adding them in!
All good songs but here are the two I listen to whenever I need to calm down.
1. Flying in a Blue Dream-Joe Satriani
2. Lotus Feet-Steve Vai
Those songs can always calm me down no matter how crazy life gets.
Have to agree with Leo on Bob Marley; anything reggae actually, wonderful for cleaning house and decluttering. Also, western swing, Bob Wills, Alseep at the Wheel. But for work, I am increasingly using Yo Yo Ma’s Vivaldi’s Cello.
Great idea!
My list of such tracks:
Germany to Germany – Ratatat
Porcelain – Moby
1979 – Smashing Pumpkins
Behind the Sun 0 Red Hot Chili Peppers
I could go on but those are good happy gems 🙂
You have some great songs on the list.
There are two songs from Switchfoot that keep me going: Meant To Live, and Burn Out Bright. They both share the message that we got to take the most out of our lives (“You were meant to live for so much more…” / “Before I die, I want to burn out bright”). So, when I listen to the songs, I keep thinking about the day I will get out and work on my own.
And funnily enough, that actually helps get through the day – not that my days were bad… but still 🙂
“africa”- toto
i hear the drums echoing tonight… i’m smiling just thinking about it.
oh my God. I am soooo excited about this list. I am SUCH A DUNCE when it comes to music. I mean, seriously! Stuck back in the 70’s and 80s. Two days ago I was thinking of writing my 18-year old niece and asking her to send me a list of what she is listening to these days!!! But then I felt like a total idiot (and old!) and now i find this post. THANK YOU!!!! I am going to download all these songs on my iPod. This list is a total gift. Thank you.
Santeria- Sublime
Riviera Paradise is the rightful first place song!!!
http://www.oysterloversparadise.blogspot.com
Gee, unfortunately, I saw this posting rather late. (I’m new to the Life Remix blogs.)
Always, anything by The Eagles.
As for Manilow. Mandy is a must.
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Jonathan,
Thanks for linking back to this great post! Musically we have a lot in common. Actually kinda scary how many I was singing a bit from, then reading the next one, singing a bit from that…
State-changing tunes:
Supersonic by Oasis is one of my favorites. Actually most of their music will change your state in some way.
I agree with Josephine, anything by the Eagles, but if you’re looking to forget the rat race, how about Already Gone.
Also: The Chain, Fleetwood Mac; Roadhouse Blues, The Doors; Singin’ in the Rain, Gene Kelly; Get Happy, Judy Garland; Beast of Burden, Rolling Stones; Downstairs at Danny’s All-Star Joint, Rickie Lee Jones; That Don’t Impress Me Much, Shania Twain; & depending on how altered you want the mood—how about The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys.
Better a late comment than never?
Regards,
Kelly
That’s awesome that you included Simple Minds, one of my all time favorite uplifting songs in “Dont You Forget About Me”!
Gosh, this list is terrible. Most of the songs on here are why I hate going to work every day. 85% of these songs are awful and 15% are amazing.