Work Jams: Spotify Playlists for Your Writing
by Shelly Romero
If you're like me, you need to have the perfect desk set-up to be able to write. Your desk's clutter needs to be tucked away out of sight and out of mind. Your desktop's screen can't be too bright, the coloring can't be too blue or else your eyes will hurt an hour or two into your writing session. Most importantly, you need music. I can't write without my favorite music playing in my ear. For me, having the perfect background soundtrack is essential to getting the creative juices pumping. So, if you're in the market for some new playlists to listen to, you're in luck because I've got some Spotify playlists for you.
#NaNoWriMo
This playlist is for, as its cover states, novel inspiration and is curated by Spotify, itself. While you may not be participating in the annual writing event, this playlist is filled with gems referencing well-known authors/poets and their works. A few sample songs in this playlist include: "Sylvia Plath" by Ryan Adams, "Wuthering Heights" by Kate Bush, "Oxford Comma" by Vampire Weekend, and the classic "Tom Sawyer" by Rush. If you want to know what else is on the playlist, queue it up.
Southern Gothic
With the full moon out, partially obscured by heavy, threatening clouds, you find yourself needing a playlist to set the dark mood. Look no further because the Southern Gothic playlist is for you. Filled with foot-tapping beats and powerful vocals strong enough to run the devil out of town, you'll be sure to get inspired by the songs inspired by the deep south.
Gentle Rains
If listening to music with lyrics while you work isn't for you and you just need background noise to fill the silence, then the "Gentle Rains" playlist is for you. The playlist mimics the sounds of rain pattering on plastic roofs, or the ambient sounds of a woodland sanctuary getting refreshed by a cool rain. Listen to this playlist with earphones in to block out the outside world or listen to it aloud to fill the air with the rain you wish would fall.
Epic Classical
Many say that you can never go wrong with the classics and they're right. Epic Classical is filled with familiar composers like Beethoven, Bach, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, and many more. Put this playlist on whenever you want some epic background music to accompany you as your write your way of your creative block into glory.
Film Soundtracks or Original Scores
Not a playlist, but you can find more than enough on Spotify are films' soundtracks or original scores. If you're a movie buff like I am, you like to listen to the music that pulls you straight into the action of the film over and over again to relieve your experience of that first viewing in that darkened theater. Because what's better than writing to Hans Zimmer's amazing original score Inception (2010)?
Spotify does require you to have an account, but they're free. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead, listen to some tunes, and get to writing.