Spotify is a new way to enjoy music. It’s like your iTunes or record collection in that you can listen to whatever song you fancy. The difference is that you don’t own the songs, and they are not on your computer. Through the magic of the internet though you can listen to pretty much any song ever recorded, right now, for free. Pretty amazing! Try it out here.
One of the smart things about Spotify is that you can build playlists, you can share them with other users, and you can collaborate on them. This leads to some interesting ideas.
A couple of weeks ago I was invited to collaborate on a Spotify playlist by Tomo Thompson. Tomo has a really good blog, The Path Less Travelled which “promotes human powered endeavour”.
His Spotify idea was “a playlist full of songs that strike a note when you’re undertaking human powered endeavour, when you’re knackered, and you need a musical pick-me-up. It can be whatever gets you going. Ear caffeine.”
There are three things I like about this.
1. Yet another example of the collaborative possibilities of the internet.
2. It’s interesting to see people’s music choices and discover some new stuff.
3. I’mm fascinated by the power that music can exert on a flagging body and spirit. A good song picks you up and gives you a new lease of life. But that also is a reminder that the body is capable of so much and it is our minds that are weak, soft or lazy. If we acknowledge that we have taken the first steps to persuading ourselves that we are more capable than we believe of achieving extraordinary things, whether that is running till you puke (it sounds extra daft when actually written down!) or taking on your own personal Everest.
Tomo has made his playlist available to everyone, so please do have a listen here and feel free to add a couple of songs that really give you a boost when you most need them.
I’mve added a couple of awesome songs, Ben has submitted his dose of soft-rock. What would you add? Either add them to the playlist, or just share your ideas in the comments…
If you liked this, would you mind “re-tweeting” it on Twitter? (Stupid word, I know, but pretty helpful for me. Thanks!) Just click the logo:
This is a brilliant list. I’ve added my own inspiring song. Thank you for sharing this with us – very motivational.
Tom
Al!
I can’t open the link!!!
Is it just me??
E
This has become my current training playlist. I find alot of motivation from this one. I have put cool down songs in the middle to know when to walk so I dont burn out my leggs again.
Thanks Alaister for the thought to share the inspiring music we listen to.
Green Onions 2:54 Booker T. & The MG’s
Soul City 2:36 Southern Culture On The Skids
Peaches 2:52 The Presidents Of The United States Of America The Presidents Of The
Baba O’Riley 5:09 The Who Who’s Next (Remastered) Rock
Creep 3:03 Marty Casey The Best of Rock Star: INXS
Apologies 3:50 Nirvana In Utero Rock
Peace Frog 3:00 The Doors The Doors Box Set
Jeepster 4:12 T. Rex Grindhouse: Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof
One Way Out 4:59 The Allman Brothers Band Almost Famous
The Valkyrie: Ride of the Valkyries 5:35 Saint Petersburg Symphony Orchestra & Stanislav
Easy (Extended Version) 4:52 The Commodores Gold R&B/Soul
Train, Train 3:36 Blackfoot Strikes Rock
Canned Heat / On The Road Again 4:34
Little Green Bag 3:15 George Baker Selection The Tarantino Connection Soundtrack
People Get Ready 4:52 Jeff Beck Best of Jeff Beck Rock
Lust For Life 4:14 Iggy Pop
The Beautiful People 3:39 Marilyn Manson Antichrist Superstar
Folsom Prison Blues 2:45 Johnny Cash 20th Century Masters – Country
Leaving Las Vegas 5:10 Sheryl Crow Tuesday Night Music Club Rock
Immigrant Song 2:25 Led Zeppelin The Complete Led Zeppelin (Remastered)
Me And Bobby McGee 3:57 Janis Joplin 18 Essential Songs Blues
Down In A Hole 5:38 Alice In Chains Dirt Rock
Pick Up The Pieces 4:01 Average White Band Swingers Soundtrack
So Much to Say 4:07 Dave Matthews Band Crash Rock
Live and Let Die 3:02 Guns N’ Roses Greatest Hits
‘Ode to Joy’ from Symphony No. 9 in D Minor ‘Choral’, Op. 125 3:23 Westminster Choir
Paint It, Black 3:45 The Rolling Stones Singles Collection: The London Years
All I Wanna Do 4:34 Sheryl Crow Tuesday Night Music Club Rock
Sympathy For The Devil 8:49 The Rolling Stones Rolling Stones Rock And Roll Circus
Catch Us If You Can 1:54 The Dave Clark Five The Dave Clark Five:
Frankenstein 4:44 Edgar Winter They Only Come Out At Night Pop
Everybody Wants To Rule The World 4:11 Tears For Fears Songs From The Big
Run Like Hell 4:25 Pink Floyd The Wall Rock
Ohio Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Decade [Disc 2] Rock Baby Please Don’t Go 5:59 Ted Nugent Great Gonzos Rock
Graceland 3:24 Charlie Sexton The Tarantino Connection Soundtrack Anthology
Virtual Insanity 5:41 Jamiroquai Travelling Without Moving R&B
Runnin’ With The Devil 3:36 Van Halen The Best Of Van Halen, Vol. I Rock
Walk on the Wild Side 4:13 Lou Reed Lou Reed: The Definitive Collection
Breakdown 7:41 Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Pack Up the Plantation (Live)
Sweet Jane 3:34 Cowboy Junkies The Tarantino Connection Soundtrack Anthology
Strawberry Fields Forever 4:08 The Beatles Imagine Rock 2
Freedom 90 6:29 George Michael Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best Of George Michael
Eye In The Sky 3:59 The Alan Parsons Project Billboard Top Hits 1982 Pop
Get out and do something, Never look back and keep moving.
Can’t beat a bit of “Run Like Hell”. It’s a pretty good summary of how to train successfully!
There’s loads of teething problems with Spotify. Don’t take it personally!
TOOL – Ænema
The best when you’re stressed at the end of the day and feeling the strain of this culture..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCEeAn6_QJo
Anything by The Prodigy is currently working for me on my bike rides…
Especially this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-W53kDyDhI
Any chance you can send me invitation to Spotify Al so can see Tom’s list….need some new stuff badly on my Ipod!