I've always loved music. It's one of my favorite ways to engage with the media I consume. So, with the semester starting back up it was time to give my writing playlist a bit of a refresh and I though I would share a bit of it with you, as long as you don't judge my music taste (because let's be real, it's a bit all over the place lol). Here are some of my favorite songs to listen to while writing-- or hyping myself up to write.
I don't always listen to music while I write. Generally, I'll listen to a few songs before I sit down to get myself in the headspace to write. What I listen to changes a lot because of this. Sometimes, it's a group of songs with the same vibes as whatever project I'm working on. Other times, it's songs I would consider pump up songs. Think music they would play during a sporting event. But, whatever mood I'm in, there's a few songs that almost always make the cut.
Gasoline by Halsey
I've become aware of this song about 6 years late, but I don't care. When I listen to it, I feel like I can do anything. It always seems to get my blood pumping and my adrenaline running.
Favorite Lyrics:
"My heart is gold but my hands are cold"
"low on self esteem so you run on gasoline"
Remember the Name by Fort Minor
Here's another song that I am fashionably late to. The lyrics "This is 10% luck, 20% skill, 15% concentrated power of will, 5% pleasure, and 50% pain" just seem to completely sum up how I feel about the writing process most days.
Eleanor Rigby by Cody Fry
Listen, I'm not usually one for covers, I almost always prefer the original. But this cover of The Beetles' Elenor Rigby may be even better the its source material. I mean, just listen to that orchestra. Nothing beats that rush of adrenaline and serotonin when the lyrics come in for me.
Don't Lose Sight by Lawrence
This song makes me feel like I can take on the world, to be honest. And it's such a good reminder to keep sight of what I'm doing everything for. It never fails to make me want to roll my windows down and scream the lyrics at the top of my lungs.
Favorite Lyrics:
"I tell myself when I sleep at night, don't lose sight"
"I am I good enough? Does that even matter or is it luck?"
"This s**** gonna kill me but I won't let it"
Breadwinner by Kacey Musgraves
I love bopping along to this song with the knowledge that I will probably never be a breadwinner, but that's okay. I think it's such an interesting commentary on how men say they want to be in relationships with strong women but then when they get what they want it makes them insecure.
Favorite Lyric:
"he wants your shimmer to make him feel bigger until he starts feeling insecure"
Is You Ready by Migos
I think we can all agree that this song is a classic pump up song. I listen to this and I'm ready to run through walls, metaphorically of course. (It also helps that this song always makes me think of Bucky Barnes my OG comfort character.)
Favorite Lyric:
"They don't want us to make it, so it's time for us to take it"
Glitter and Gold by Barnes Courtney
This song makes me feel like I'm getting ready to go to war with my favorite fantasy book heroes. It reminds me that I can do anything if I put my mind to it and don't give up.
Favorite Lyric:
"I've got fire in my soul, rise up ting ting like glitter"
The Tradition
Another song that makes me feel like I'm in a fantasy novel. To be fair, Halsey's newest album feels like it should be paired with a fantasy story but this particular song is one of my favorites.
Favorite Lyrics:
"Take what you want, take what you can, take what you please"
"She smiles back, but it's a fact that her fear will eat her alive"
Brutal by Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo has taken the world by storm with her debut album. This song is one of my favorites and I love listening to it when I'm writing. It reminds me that this industry is brutal and I can be angry about it, but I should keep going anyway.
Favorite Lyrics:
"I don't stick up for myself, I'm anxious and nothing can help"
"It's brutal out here"
SUPERBLOOM by MisterWives
This song is all about not giving up, a reminder I find myself needing a lot when I'm in the midst of a writing project. It always reminds me that Mama didn't raise a quitter and that even when the odds seem against me I can be free to keep trying.
Favorite Lyrics:
"Resilient little thing just like mama made you no one needs to save you"
"I deserve congratulations because I came out the other side"
Like a Girl
Here's another song that gets my blood pumping. It makes me feel like I can do absolutely anything.
Favorite Lyrics:
"bet on me, bet I will"
"got nothing to prove but I'ma show you how I do"
Look What You Made Me Do by Taylor Swift
This post would absolutely not be complete without a song from Taylor Swift. Taylor's Reputation era was filled with great songs that make me ready fight. Or write rather. It also reminds me that I am free to change, evolve, and grow.
Favorite Lyric:
"The old Taylor can't come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, cause she dead"
What's your favorite song to listen to while writing? Let me know in the comments!
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