I’m fascinated by what writers listen to (or don’t listen to) when they are writing. Truth be told, most of the time I write in silence. Sometimes I put on the TV for background noise (perhaps my go-to background TV selections should be another blog post!). But if I really need to buckle down and crank something out, I turn to the chill side of 70s classic rock for music to write by. You heard me. Which is wild because that’s not even my childhood music. I’m an 80s girl. But as much as I love me some (OK a lot of) Duran Duran, Def Leppard, Journey, George Michael, Bon Jovi, GNR, AC/DC, Depeche Mode, Scorpions, Heart, INXS…I rarely listen to them when I write. I wind up singing or my brain starts reminiscing or suddenly I’m jumping off the couch… Yeah, not conducive to keeping my fingers on home row. But chill 70s classic rock? Now that puts me in a smooth groove where my fingers can fly. I’m listening to it right now. What’s my playlist for music to write by? I’m glad you asked.
Comfortably Numb (Pink Floyd)
Gold Dust Woman (Fleetwood Mac)
Ventura Highway (America)
Seven Bridges Road (The Eagles)
Long Train Running (Doobie Brothers)
Oye Como Va (Santana)
How Deep is Your Love (Bee Gees)
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood (Santa Esmeralda)
Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd)
Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits)
America (Neil Diamond)
Edge of Seventeen (Stevie Nicks)
Band on the Run (Paul McCartney & Wings)
Cat’s In the Cradle (Harry Chapin)
Superstition (Stevie Wonder)
Sunshine on My Shoulders (John Denver)
Lady (Styx)
Mercy Mercy Me (Marvin Gaye)
It’s Too Late (Carole King)
Don’t Fear the Reaper (Blue Öyster Cult)
Take the Long Way Home (Supertramp)
Leader of the Band (Dan Fogelberg)
Waiting for a Girl Like You (Foreigner)
She’s Always A Woman (Billy Joel)
Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad (Meat Loaf)
Hotel California, Live Version (The Eagles)
Dust in the Wind (Kansas)
I Just Want to Be Your Everything (Andy Gibb)
The Chain (Fleetwood Mac)
Sloop John B (The Kingston Trio)…that one’s for you, Daddy.
Honestly, sometimes I just say, “Alexa, play The Eagles,” because they can carry me for a good hour. Take It Easy, The Best of My Love, Wasted Time, Desperado, I Can’t Tell You Why, Take It to The Limit…aaaaaannnndddd suddenly I’ve pumped out 2500 words.
And how do I musically celebrate when I finish a big project? There’s only one guy for me…