Remember a time when you would sing few lines from a song then somebody starts singing along with you? It is because music communicates to other people not only the words but also the emotions that go with it. Music indeed is the universal language of humans’ souls.
Music plays a great part in making our life more meaningful: the graduation song that makes us miss those college moments, the song your crush played for you, a soundtrack from a movie that brought you to tears and more.
Unconsciously, music also affect how we deal with our daily life. If we start our day listening to a happy song, our body would release serotonin – the happiness hormones which helps us regulate our mood. But if we give our day a hefty start by listening to a depressing song, expect lying in your bed the whole day or walking to work with a heavy heart.
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That is why it is important we manage the music we listen to by arranging our playlist. Most of the times, I realize that I am in need of a particular kind of music at certain situations, so setting my playlist ahead of time is helpful as I don’t need to struggle in putting it together on the fly which is grueling.
Take an hour or two from your free time to arrange your desired playlists and name them whatever you want!
- “ Get Pumped Playlist” – This is what you need when you feel like partying with your friends, or even when you want to bump alone. Songs included are anything with thumping bass, remixes, mashups and pop songs that everyone can get along and make the crowd dance on their feet. Try artists like Pitbull, Macklemore, Jason Derulo, Snoop Dogg, Mika, Kodaline, Eminem, Lil Wayne, Maroon 5, Kesha, Iggy Azalea, Zedd, Calvin Harris, Lil Jon, Flo Rida, Sean Kingston, Kiesza, Fun, Becky G, Latch and more. Make sure it’s loud and fun!
- “On The Road Alone Playlist” – Just the best way to spend your time when on travel either to work, to school or anywhere. Songs that send relaxing vibes (but not much that you are lulled to sleep) are perfect while watching the street life unfold. Try songs that use ukulele and guitars as instruments. Songs from boy bands are also ideal. Try Jason Mraz, The Lumineers, Kolohe Kai, Taylor Swift, Colbie Cailat, The Vamps, One Direction, 5 Seconds of Summer, Boyce Avenue, Bob Marley, Ed Sheeran and etc. Just smooth and relaxing.
- “Group Road Trip Playlist” -This includes music that everyone can easily sing-along with. Songs in this playlist are the popular and socially-acceptable ones, mostly throwback songs from the ‘90s and popular songs up to now. Just search for the top 200 Billboards every year and you’ll do fine. Be mindful also about your group’s favorite songs – for sure there are songs that bind you as a team, right?
- “Pick Me Up Playlist” – Feeling bad about yourself? Put your headphones on and lounge to the hopeful beat and encouraging words from the songs on this playlist. Consider songs like Roar by Katy Perry, Today My Life Begins by Bruno Mars, Brave by Sara Bareilles, My Moment by Rebecca Black, Let It Go by Idina Menzel, Mean by Taylor Swift, Perfect by Pink, Skyscraper by Demi Lovato, Try by Pink, Burn by Ellie Goulding and more.
- “Sleep Doze Playlist” – Soft melodies help us easily doze off to sleep, but please do not put heart breaking songs in this playlist. Sometimes you’ll end up staying awake reminiscing those hurtful pasts instead of of giving your mind a rest. Why not try slow music clothed in sweet words so as to get sweet dreams also?
- “Concert in the Shower Playlist” – We all love belting out those songs that make us sing our hearts out while taking our morning showers. Try Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, Jessie J, Beyonce, Rihanna, Celine Dion and Christina Aguilera. Oops, be careful not to soak your phones in the water though!
- “Need Focus Playlist” – There are people who cannot work properly without music on the background. (I’m one of them so I’m actually listening to some now while writing this.) So if you’re one of us, put up a playlist with songs that are hard to understand, like those written in different languages – you won’t get enticed to sing along. Or come up with songs that have no words (instrumental). Actually, scientists discovered that Baroque instrumentals are very helpful in balancing your brainwaves so it could function more effectively while focusing at work.
- “Workout Playlist” – Just like the songs you hear on the club, try remixes and mashups. Do not put up songs that you know all too well. You’ll end up singing in front of the gym’s floor-to-ceiling mirror, instead of working out your biceps and toning your muscles. Believe me – been there, done that.
- “Coffeehouse Playlist” – It’s wonderful to have relaxing music around while hanging out on your own, sipping your own mix of coffee. Pick out acoustic covers of songs you love, and please just those that make you feel positive.
- “Heart-rending Playlist” – Of course you need this. You’re no clown to be happy at all times, so there will always be a moment that you have to go emotional rekindling those hopeless romances. But I hope you’ll just play it once a month. Stay positive!
The time will come that our memories will falter, in our old age we won’t be able to remember faces or names. But music can be very magical, it can help us remember the feelings we had with those people while listening to songs we shared during those moments in the past.
