Music to slow down by
March 30, 2015 1:29 PM Subscribe
I am the kind of person who taps their foot impatiently for 28 of the 30 seconds that the microwave is running. Help me find music to slow down/calm down by.
Of late, I have had "Don't rush me" in my head. It's okay, but a bit judgey and accusatory. I would prefer it be replaced with something more like "You can't hurry love" which is less judgey and more "this is how it works -- so keep calm and carry on."
These do not need to be love songs. They can be on any topic. They don't have to have lyrics either. My son likes to play certain instrumental pieces when I am on edge and he wants me to be calmer, like "One girl in all the world."
Thanks!
Of late, I have had "Don't rush me" in my head. It's okay, but a bit judgey and accusatory. I would prefer it be replaced with something more like "You can't hurry love" which is less judgey and more "this is how it works -- so keep calm and carry on."
These do not need to be love songs. They can be on any topic. They don't have to have lyrics either. My son likes to play certain instrumental pieces when I am on edge and he wants me to be calmer, like "One girl in all the world."
Thanks!
Best answer: How about "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay"? A positive, mellow view of wasting time.
posted by chocotaco at 1:50 PM on March 30, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by chocotaco at 1:50 PM on March 30, 2015 [3 favorites]
Best answer: "Slow Ride" by Foghat, if you're into super repetitive classic rock.
posted by blueberrypuffin at 1:59 PM on March 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by blueberrypuffin at 1:59 PM on March 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Oh man, this is a huge category.
If you feel okay about long, droney pieces of music, the Resting Bell net label is for you, though it's mostly defunct. I've particularly loved the work of Saito Koji.
If you'd like something mellow, refreshing, and synthy, try Mort Garson's Plantasia. (Indeed, you should probably just browse the "New Age" section of your local record website.
If you think instrumental guitar might work, check out most anything by James Blackshaw. The Glass Bead Game is a fine beginning, and John Fahey and Peter Walker are classics.
In the realm of folk rock, Sufjan Stevens and early Belle & Sebastian and Nick Drake will all do ya.
Also, let me point you to the question I asked ages ago about sad bastard music, since sad stuff is generally always slow stuff.
(But honestly, the most, bestest, utmostest mellow-out music I can suggest is Kind of Blue by Miles Davis.)
posted by Going To Maine at 2:21 PM on March 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
If you feel okay about long, droney pieces of music, the Resting Bell net label is for you, though it's mostly defunct. I've particularly loved the work of Saito Koji.
If you'd like something mellow, refreshing, and synthy, try Mort Garson's Plantasia. (Indeed, you should probably just browse the "New Age" section of your local record website.
If you think instrumental guitar might work, check out most anything by James Blackshaw. The Glass Bead Game is a fine beginning, and John Fahey and Peter Walker are classics.
In the realm of folk rock, Sufjan Stevens and early Belle & Sebastian and Nick Drake will all do ya.
Also, let me point you to the question I asked ages ago about sad bastard music, since sad stuff is generally always slow stuff.
(But honestly, the most, bestest, utmostest mellow-out music I can suggest is Kind of Blue by Miles Davis.)
posted by Going To Maine at 2:21 PM on March 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Step 1. Get a copy of Van Morrison's Astral Weeks.
Step 2. Listen to it.
Step 3. There is no step 3.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:57 PM on March 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Step 2. Listen to it.
Step 3. There is no step 3.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:57 PM on March 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Get the free download from jacobzachary.com. He's very chill and melodic.
posted by myselfasme at 3:44 PM on March 30, 2015
posted by myselfasme at 3:44 PM on March 30, 2015
Best answer: Nah Ina It- Paul St. Hilaire. This really helps me out when I'm driving. As I understand him, the song says something like 'the fussing and the fighting- no, that ain't the way.' Plus, he sounds like a human didgeridoo!
posted by JulesER at 4:21 PM on March 30, 2015
posted by JulesER at 4:21 PM on March 30, 2015
Best answer: If you're ok with instrumentals to slow down with, Brian Eno's 'Ambient' Series (especially Music for Airports and The Plateaux of Mirror) are very relaxing. Also the last 4 songs of Bowie's "Low". A Silver Mt. Zion (not as discordant/loud as Godspeed You! Black Emperor).
There's Trojan Records for dancehall and rocksteady, and Island Records (pre-sale to Polygram) for even more reggae and dancehall.
posted by Zack_Replica at 4:59 PM on March 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
There's Trojan Records for dancehall and rocksteady, and Island Records (pre-sale to Polygram) for even more reggae and dancehall.
posted by Zack_Replica at 4:59 PM on March 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Radio Citizen/The Hop
Also check out their song La Cielo...
posted by Sublimity at 5:49 PM on March 30, 2015
Also check out their song La Cielo...
posted by Sublimity at 5:49 PM on March 30, 2015
Best answer: Let's Be Still by The Head and The Heart
posted by dawkins_7 at 5:54 PM on March 30, 2015
posted by dawkins_7 at 5:54 PM on March 30, 2015
Best answer: Oops! Double-pasted the John Fahey. Here's Peter Walker. And let's not forget Robbie Basho.
posted by Going To Maine at 6:32 PM on March 30, 2015
posted by Going To Maine at 6:32 PM on March 30, 2015
Best answer: A lot of Bach has a feeling of calm, orderly playfulness to it. (It can also help calm down your dog.)
Do Make Say Think is also good for calmly getting work done.
posted by clawsoon at 6:34 PM on March 30, 2015
Do Make Say Think is also good for calmly getting work done.
posted by clawsoon at 6:34 PM on March 30, 2015
Best answer: I hum the Jeopardy theme song whenever I am waiting on something. Supposedly if you hum it in full, it's a minute long, so it helps for timing things.
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:49 PM on March 30, 2015
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:49 PM on March 30, 2015
Best answer: A couple of years after my daughter was born, I put together a sleep playlist of two albums that shuffle well together. It still works perfectly on her and her little brother. And both albums are pay-what-you-want:
Geotic - Mend - This is ambient music that is soothing and sweeping, made mostly from manipulated guitar loops. Geotic is Will Wiesenfeld, he also releases music as Baths.
Lullatone - Little Songs about Raindrops - This is a hushed, twinkly sort of album. It's adorable and wonderfully calming.
posted by sleeping bear at 11:08 PM on March 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Geotic - Mend - This is ambient music that is soothing and sweeping, made mostly from manipulated guitar loops. Geotic is Will Wiesenfeld, he also releases music as Baths.
Lullatone - Little Songs about Raindrops - This is a hushed, twinkly sort of album. It's adorable and wonderfully calming.
posted by sleeping bear at 11:08 PM on March 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Paul Simon - Peace Like a River is my go-to when I'm trying to slow my mind. It has a catchy lyric that sticks in my head.
On rethink, Paul Simon in general. Graceland is wonderful but so is his early solo work.
posted by irisclara at 12:22 AM on March 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
On rethink, Paul Simon in general. Graceland is wonderful but so is his early solo work.
posted by irisclara at 12:22 AM on March 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: 2nd Belle and Sebastian and Nick Drake.
Also - Tycho, Boards of Canada and Thievery Corporation. These are more on the instrumental side.
posted by onecircleaday at 10:59 AM on March 31, 2015
Also - Tycho, Boards of Canada and Thievery Corporation. These are more on the instrumental side.
posted by onecircleaday at 10:59 AM on March 31, 2015
Best answer: I have tons of anxiety and don't chill out easily. But Brian Eno's Ambient 1: Music for Airports is my go-to relaxation album. "Riceboy Sleeps" by Jonsi & Alex is also great.
posted by mermaidcafe at 12:24 PM on March 31, 2015
posted by mermaidcafe at 12:24 PM on March 31, 2015
Response by poster: I am still trying to go through the answers and I don't know what will end up working out for me. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to respond. I apologize for the delay in replying. Everyone have a Best Answer for your patience and all that good stuff.
posted by Michele in California at 2:31 PM on April 1, 2015
posted by Michele in California at 2:31 PM on April 1, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Melismata at 1:39 PM on March 30, 2015 [3 favorites]