I HAVE to write to music. I’ve never been very productive–writing, studying, working or anything at a desk–without noise, preferably my own soundtrack.
For writing, I’m EXTREMELY particular. It has to have a nice runtime and possess a pace that matches the tap of my keyboard. I start a little slow, crescendo and need a break within about an hour and 15 minutes. It can’t have too many words–if it does, I can’t know all the lyrics or else I’ll sing along. So here’s my round-up of must have artists when I want to focus and put in a few thousand words.
BON IVER Justin was wrong for this skit. However, it’s true, I really don’t know the words. I hope it’s nothing dirty or evil, lol. But this Bon Iver album is tops when I want to focus and churn it out. I really hit my stride around Track 11, Wash.
JOHN COLTRANE A Love Supreme not only has few words but it’s the PERFECT length for me to get in 32 minutes of writing. Usually I keep it on repeat and go through it twice. The pacing and tone of the songs match my fiction flow.
MARVIN GAYE Okay, so Marvin is the EXCEPTION to my ‘no words’ rule . He’s my favorite artist of all time! I prefer the vinyl version and even though I know the words, it’s not distracting. Mostly known for the title track What’s Going On, it’s when I get to Save the Children that I feel good about whatever I have going on with my story.
HANS ZIMMER This guy’s your favorite film director’s go-to composer. He’s been on pretty much everything you could ever imagine. When I’m in a blockbuster writing mood, I pull up Inception.
CANNONBALL ADDERLEY For quickies only. Gemini has lots of personality, quite a few twists, turns and transitions (sounds like a Gemini right?) that get me through a scene or two when I’m truly pressed for time.
BONUS: For some reason this Daughter EP gets me in the mood to write. All four tracks are pretty emotional and have a nice sound, but too many discernible words that I know. I usually like to take a quick walk to this, by the time I hit my desk, I’m READY :).
What’s on your productivity playlist?
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Charmai
Hanz Zimmer, Steve Wonder, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane and Tito Puente are always at the top of my writing playlist. Like you, I can not write to music that has lyrics that I know.
Lakeshia
CharmaiIt’s funny how words stunt your words, lol. I’m going to have to check out Tito! Stevie makes me so happy so I may have to add him to my pre-walk rotation.