A Simple Playlist for Tranquil Exercise, Productivity and Calm Living

Thomas Riggs Says:

June 27th, 2007, 6:31 am

A very nice list!
My library is mostly jumpy happy-clappy stuff, so this kind of thing helps out. :P
However, that also means I can’t recommend too much in this department. I’ll be watching for replies!

Ryan Says:

June 27th, 2007, 6:48 am

Fantastic list and, thanks to my wife for sharing her taste in music with me, I have most of of these artists on my iPod already.

I’d add Robinella, Norah Jones, John Denver, and, maybe, Michael Buble to the list (but definitely Robinella). Sorry for the double links, she’s a local girl and a friend who can sing like a bird - she’s also on itunes.

Thanks for another good one. You’ve got a serious gift for coming up with quality content.

lucky8 Says:

June 27th, 2007, 6:48 am

Try anything by Jamie Cullum and Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly. Both very chilled out.

Sam Says:

June 27th, 2007, 6:54 am

Post-rock such as Explosions in the Sky, Sigur Ros, and Godspeed You! Black Emperor are all good for this sort of thing.

Indie artists Death Cab For Cutie, Iron & Wine, The Shins, Owen, All-Time Quarterback, The Appleseed Cast, Mae and Copeland are all also good.

April Says:

June 27th, 2007, 7:51 am

Pinback - any album (new one coming out in Sept!!!!)

Nelchael Says:

June 27th, 2007, 7:53 am

Some very nice choices;

I was recently introduced to a band from the UK, Zero 7, and their style aids greatly when I need a calming moment during the day. I would specifically recommend their album, Simple Things.

Keith Says:

June 27th, 2007, 8:05 am

I listen to a lot of talk radio (yes, I’m one of those). It does introduce outside thoughts and concepts that distract when I really need to concentrate. However, when I am trying to concentrate on business finances or critical writing tasks I turn to Internet radio. My favorite are the Soma stations; Groove Salad, Secret Agent, Illinois Street Lounge. A lot of the music is chill oriented beats with often unidentifiable tunes or things I listened to as a kid or jazz my parents listened to, remixed. Few words, if any, to distract. Really helps me zone in on my work.

I dearly hope they are allowed to continue broadcasting past July. US residents should call or write their Senators and Representatives and asking them to support the Internet Radio Equality Act.

April Says:

June 27th, 2007, 8:08 am

Yes… Zero 7! They are another good band to listen to. I first heard them from their song in the movie “Garden State”. Definitely check them out too. Frou Frou is another one from the Garden State soundtrack. Imogen Heap from Frou Frou has some solo albums too so…. you have a lot of listening to do people!

Matte+ Says:

June 27th, 2007, 8:25 am

I suggests icelandic “Sigur Ros”, they are great! Almost everything from them is good, but my favourite are albums “()” and “Takk..”.

Just to add some internationality to an all-english playlist!;)

Oddex Says:

June 27th, 2007, 8:26 am

I really dig listening to Cake in the mornings during my rituals and wake up. It is calm enough to feel pushy but uplifting and bouncy in a way that makes me want to get up and do my stuff.

andrew Says:

June 27th, 2007, 8:26 am

Like Keith, I find lyric-based music distracting for a lot of productivity stuff. The Soma FM streams are fantastic. For individual artists in that same vein, I’ve found The Orb and much of Boards of Canada’s stuff good.

Old jazz also works well. My personal favorites for this are Miles Davis’s Kind of Blue, Vince Guaraldi’s Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus, and Stan Getz/Charlie Byrd’s Jazz Samba.

I remember reading something about David Allen recommending baroque classical music like Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons.” I haven’t tried it yet, but I can see how it would also work well.

Dani @ Living Behind the Curve Says:

June 27th, 2007, 8:57 am

I love ambient music for this sort of thing. Our local college radio station runs it late at night, but for on-demand purposes, I really enjoy the Ultima Thule podcast.

Klint Says:

June 27th, 2007, 9:33 am

for calming music i would definately add boards of canada. its near perfect for sunrise or sunset, but its use is questionable when operating machinery. http://www.boardsofcanada.com. always puts a smile on my face. good list, great site.

AL Says:

June 27th, 2007, 9:47 am

Nice list. I was surprised to know just few of them. Gotta check out the rest!

I’d also recommend:

* Brian Eno (father of Ambient music)
* Secret Garden (sample)
* Bliss (sample)
* Karunesh
* DJ River’s Ambient and Chillout mixes (simply amazing, free from DJRiver.com)
* Ambient Nights mixes by Alex (freely available via torrents)

Dennis Says:

June 27th, 2007, 9:49 am

@Klint I love BoC

Calming music for me is always ambient.

Vangelis’s Blade Runner soundtrack
http://www.amazon.com/Blade-Runner-Soundtrack-Vangelis/dp/B000LZ53JW

Brian Eno’s Ambient 1: Music for Airports and Apollo
http://www.amazon.com/Ambient-Music-Airports-Brian-Eno/dp/B0002PZVH0/
http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Atmospheres-Soundtracks-Brian-Eno/dp/B0007GFFUW/

The KLF’s seminal album Chill Out
http://www.amazon.com/Chill-Out-KLF/dp/B000003RFD/

Warp Records’ online music portal has great ambient and IDM music at higher quality than iTunes and DRM-free. You can find lots of great new music there too.
http://www.bleep.com

bushidozen Says:

June 27th, 2007, 9:52 am

Miles Davis: Kind of Blue

ken Says:

June 27th, 2007, 9:57 am

More instrumental stuff: Brian Eno’s ambient “Music for Airports” albums, several of Leo Kottke’s songs (excellent guitarist), and I like what I’ve heard of Lemon Jelly.

Zero 7 has been a favorite for a long time. If you like Simple Things, check out When It Falls.

Tee Says:

June 27th, 2007, 10:00 am

You forgot Jeff Buckley :-)

MacKash Says:

June 27th, 2007, 10:06 am

Zero 7! they’re my favorite to listen to when I’m falling asleep, When It Falls is awesome.. Seu Jorge has a Jack Johnson sound to him, he’s really good… Portishead is also another favorite of mine. Great suggestions, everyone!

Soham Says:

June 27th, 2007, 10:12 am

All of Jack Johnson’s Albums are pretty good.

For calming down, try Explosions in the sky.. they are purely instrumental , no techno stuff.. very good to get in the zone

zero 7 is also pretty good

David Says:

June 27th, 2007, 10:12 am

Very creative post! Lots excellent comments too. I’ll second Pinback and Sigur Ros, and also suggest checking out American Football and Lanterna.

Ben Says:

June 27th, 2007, 10:13 am

Clem Snide’s album Soft Spot is a great choice.

mikebdot Says:

June 27th, 2007, 10:21 am

I prefer more upbeat music that is kind of loud. I will listen to anything by Tool at anytime and instantly become more productive. But, my all time favorite GTD album is the Propellerheads album “Decksandrumsandrockandroll”. I could listen to that album on repeat ad infintum. The last track (”You Want it Back”)is especially fun. Also, anything by:

1. Barenaked Ladies - Gordon is one of the best debut album’s ever…possibly as good as Boston’s
2. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds is serene
3. NIN - You’ll think I’m nuts, but the ups and downs of his albums put me in a certain mood and it’s usually a good one
4. Fleetwood Mac (or Lindsey Buckingham’s solo albums) - Buckingham’s “Out of the Cradle” is especially amazing, Rumours is a great Fleetwood Mac album, also a good debut from the new cast of members (when Nicks and Buckingham entered the picture)
5. The White Stripes - Both Elephant and White Blood Cells are all time favorites of mine
6. The Cold Mountain Soundtrack - Really a great album
7. Collective Soul - Good memories come to mind when I listen to them, so it works out well
8. Cake - good memories again
9. Kings of Leon - They wail at times and get mellow at times, a perfect mixture. “California Waiting” and “Spiral Staircase” are great live…
10. Mr. Bungle’s “California” is pretty mellow, for him anyway
11. Iron & Wine’s “Woman King” - Very mellow, one that might actually fit on your list.
12. A Perfect Circle - Loud but mellow, usually
13. Queens of the Stone Age - Loud, fast, but awesome
14. The Strokes - Pretty mellow mostly
15. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Mixture
16. Victor Wooten/Bela Fleck and the Flecktones - interesting
17. Weezer - I look just like Buddy Holly…oh oh…”Hashpipe” is a great track as well. And “Holiday”…and “In the Garage”…and…
18. Wilco - Strange dude

These are all albums/bands who I put on while at work and I enter some other level of consciousness, not necessarily mellow, but not necessarily crazy, just a level of being that allows me to Get Things Done.

Corey Says:

June 27th, 2007, 10:25 am

I’ve always been a fan of David Arkenstone for listening while biking, etc. Sketches from an American Journey is a good album… Spirit Wind is one of those ones you can fall asleep to. Some good native american drum with a lot of good instrumentals.

greg p Says:

June 27th, 2007, 10:32 am

Try music from weblabels Thinner/Autoplate: http://www.thinner.cc/main.php

All chilled out, subtle, yet rhythmic electronic music. Sounds great at low volumes. And all free.

Doug Says:

June 27th, 2007, 11:50 am

I think my favorite chill music is from David Crowder Band “A Collision”. Come Awake and Rescue is Coming both make me feel so peaceful while still feeling sort of “epic” with the rolling crescendos and the build up they have. Of course there is so much more amazing music out there, but those two songs came to mind after reading this.

SnarkParty Says:

June 27th, 2007, 12:05 pm

10. David Gray in your list is misspelled. You spelled Gray with an ‘e’.

Signed,
The Spelling Police

Mella DP Says:

June 27th, 2007, 12:28 pm

I’m on a major Keane kick lately. I know they drive some people nuts, and are occasionally depressing, but Tom Chaplin’s voice can be heavenly on some tracks. Lots to pick from on their first two albums in both the “chill” and “energize” categories - but they’ve also got some fabulous B-sides (Snowed Under, Fly To Me, To the End of the Earth, Something In Me Was Dying) that I’m sure you can download from Island Records if not iTunes.

Mella DP Says:

June 27th, 2007, 12:30 pm

Meant to add - brilliant post idea, Leo! Love seeing everyone’s lists.

Jason Says:

June 27th, 2007, 13:35 pm

I’m a big fan of Iron & Wine. You can check them out here:
http://www.ironandwine.com/

Marc Says:

June 27th, 2007, 14:02 pm

Good lists! I’ll have to check some of these out.

My list (no particular order):

•Vivaldi’s Four Seasons

•Light instrumental Jazz from various artists

•Ambient - although some tracks can sometimes be a bit annoying if you are trying to concentrate on something else or just relaxing.

•Enigma - Mea Culpa is one of my favourites. :)

•Gregorian chants - especially some of the modernized ones that are put to music.

• Nature sounds (birds, rain, ocean with or without accompanying instrumental music)

Mark V. Says:

June 27th, 2007, 14:03 pm

Robert Wade’s “Today” really puts things in perspective. While it has a religious theme, it can quickly help you de-stress.

Janna Says:

June 27th, 2007, 14:09 pm

For something relaxing, I like The Postal Service. They’re really great when you want to take it easy.

chelle Says:

June 27th, 2007, 14:20 pm

William Fitzsimmons - don’t let the big beard scare you.
Joshua Radin
Schuyler Fisk
Rosie Thomas
Rufus Wainwright - Poses or Want One are good places to start with him.

Henrik Edberg Says:

June 27th, 2007, 14:50 pm

I´d say:

- Just about anything by Cocteau Twins.
- Cantata no. 140 by Bach.

Crow Says:

June 27th, 2007, 14:52 pm

It’s the Dave Matthews BAND, actually. These songs are not solo recordings but involved several other contributing members to produce the tranquil results you are enjoying.

Debi Says:

June 27th, 2007, 14:59 pm

Great suggestions! The one that I’d recommend is Alison Krauss. The bluegrass music is fairly twangy, but her voice is so pure and serene. It’s truly soothing.

Mister Scratch Says:

June 27th, 2007, 15:59 pm

Brian Eno: Neroli (Music for Thinking)

Mark Says:

June 27th, 2007, 16:41 pm

Great suggestions above!

When I’m at work, I really like podcasts — I’m listening now to “1.FM - Otto’s Baroque Musick” on iTunes…great classical selection.

Girlwithapearlnecklace Says:

June 27th, 2007, 19:08 pm

I like
Cranes
Mojave 3
Cocteau Twins
Slowdive (Souvlaki is my favourite)
Ry Cooder (always fun)
EST (Esbjorn Svensson Trio -jazz band)
Chris Brown and Kate Fenner
This Mortal Coil
Dead Can Dance
Any Wim Wenders soundtrack is usually great
Peter Gabriel
Radiohead
Clannad (especially their best of albums)
Loreena McKennitt
Billie Holliday

Have fun!

jill Says:

June 27th, 2007, 19:10 pm

ryan adams is nice and mellow, also death cab for cutie and bright eyes, very relaxing.

Dee Says:

June 27th, 2007, 20:58 pm

First band I would recommend is Zero 7 .. Sigur Ros make the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard. Air, Late Night Alumni and The Cinematic Orchestra are great as well. I could go on and on really.. cause music is my thing.

steveb Says:

June 27th, 2007, 21:37 pm

When I really really need to concentrate or am doing something creative:

Yo-yo Ma: Bach, The Cello Suites
Hamza El Din: Eclipse
Ali Akbar Kahn
Brian Eno
Bela Fleck: Natural Bridge
Takashi Kohgo (a self publisher in Japan)

When I have a long slog ahead of me, positive vibe music that is too boring (to me) to actually listen to put keeps my subconscious mood bouncy:

Antar
Eric Tingstad & Nancy Rumbel

When doing mindless busywork, bouncing back from a deep drudgery, or getting pumped because I am finishing off a project:

Billy Bragg
Dinah Washington
Greg Brown
Iris Dement
Paul Kelly and the Messengers
Sourdough Slim
Appalachian Bluegrass
Tsugaru Jamisen

Bryan Says:

June 27th, 2007, 21:54 pm

You’re all missing the most tranquil, life and love affirming music there is:

Reggae.

Personal favorites include Toots and the Maytals, and Souljah Fyah.

Oh, and some not reggae:

John Wort Hannam, (Damn It Gwenivere, and Wrecking Ball)
Kate Rusby (it’s like someone slapped Loreena McKennitt, gave her Prozac and told her to start singing in English)
Great Big Sea

Grace Says:

June 27th, 2007, 22:04 pm

What a lovely post! I’ve loved reading all of the comments, too. I can’t wait to look up some of this music. The only artist I can think to add to your list is Chris Rice. I can usually find a song of his to fit any mood, but his music is especially good for chilling out or tapping into the creative juices. He’s even releasing a new CD in July — can’t wait!

Thanks for your *awesome* site, Leo!

Robert MacEwan Says:

June 27th, 2007, 22:09 pm

Dane Spott

Craig Says:

June 27th, 2007, 23:23 pm

Thanks all for the suggestions. Here are some from me:

Godspeed You Black Emperor
Mogwai
Four Tet
Pink Floyd’s Meddle

Craig Says:

June 28th, 2007, 0:49 am

Oh yeah, and Steve Reich

Alex Says:

June 28th, 2007, 0:51 am

A lot of the artists I’ve seen on here I know of and have heard, but being in my mid-20’s they aren’t really in my taste. I did see some Victor Wooten who is an awesome bass player. My father is one also and had the chance to meet him and exchange tips on bass playing when the Flecktones toured Australia.

I like mine a little more ambient, I like some of the composers from http://www.ultimae.com, especially Cell. He’s from France and does ambient drum and bass. Check out Floating Retention and you’ll see what I mean. Music with Binaural sounds help me relax.

Also my Internet Service Provider offers roughly 50 top radio streams for relay free of charge with my Internet plan. A get a lot of the Digitally Imported channels ranging from ambient, classical and chillout to hard trance and metal. I have any genre at the tips of my fingers basically.

While I listen to lots of House and Progressive Trance, I’m also into my hard metal and hard rock. But lately I’ve found that Justin Timberlake has been good music while I’m working too. :P

feldy Says:

June 28th, 2007, 2:31 am

prefuse 73 - “surrounded by silence” (album, just throw it on and i guarantee you will look at your cd player and say “wow.”)
zero 7
boards of canada
madlib’s - “shades of blue” (album)
yesterdays new quintet
allman brothers - mountain jam baby - works wonders for my homework
kaki king - “since we felt red” (album)
tristeza - “a colores” (album) - try the song “halo heads”
tosca - suzuki (album) - probably one of the most chilled out albums on the planet
air - moon safari

trust me. you will love at least one of these artists.

feldy Says:

June 28th, 2007, 2:34 am

oh yea and this will destroy you - “bear mountain” - some deep instrumental mind blowingness… will make you feel like you’re in a movie haha

feldy Says:

June 28th, 2007, 2:35 am

… i mean the bands name is “this will destroy you”…. okay bye haha

p. Says:

June 28th, 2007, 2:49 am

For fans of Zero 7.. Check the solo work by Sia…

This Mortal Coil - Tarantula

Nxqd3051990 Says:

June 28th, 2007, 3:08 am

Very nice lists :)
I’ll download all these songs and check out today. I’ve found that pop-rock, and rock which motivate me much.
My fav songs:
Live to win by Paul Stanley
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s songs are my fav too :)
nXqd

Jenny Says:

June 28th, 2007, 7:11 am

The chill tag@last.fm is a good starting point if you want to build a soothing playlist.

If you are running Mobster and Itunes you can click here to see if you already have some of the tunes in your library ;)

Mardee Says:

June 28th, 2007, 7:14 am

I think someone mentioned her already but I have to add Loreena McKennitt. Her music is haunting and evocative and well-suited for tranquil moments. http://www.quinlanroad.com

AL Says:

June 28th, 2007, 8:41 am

I’d second the Loreena McKennitt, especially the following songs:

Loreena McKennitt - Marco Polo
Loreena McKennitt - Night Rid
Loreena McKennitt - La Sereni

HopefulGirl Says:

June 28th, 2007, 10:55 am

Does anyone remember the Pure Moods collection? I had it and used to fall asleep to it regularly. Leo, you should look into licensing this music and making a Zen Habits collection!

airin Says:

June 28th, 2007, 13:28 pm

Great suggestions!

I am always looking for mellow, relaxing music and mostly rely on word of mouth for recommendations as I don’t listen to radio at all.

There are so many good tunes here; it will take me ages to check all this music out. Summer fun!

handygirl Says:

June 28th, 2007, 15:34 pm

Love all the suggestions, especially Jamie Cullum and Lorenna McKennitt. I would also add anything by the band Hem, Vienna Teng, Solace or the flutist Suzanne Teng (no relation to Vienna). Magnatune.com has a large collection of artists in this vein, great downloading practices and a you-set-the-price fee structure. Love magnatune!

Dustin McLaughlin Says:

June 28th, 2007, 15:36 pm

Nice post Leo! I have been a fan of your work for a long time now and this is my first comment! Thanks for all the life-changing articles!

I wish more people would post their workout playlists.

I haven’t really heard of any of these bands except for a few here and their. I would like to suggest some very calming bands and those that will get you pumped up:

The Postal Service
Cascada
PlayRadioPlay!
Deep Dish - Awake Enough
Phil Collings - In The Air Tonight
Sufjan Stevens - Chicago
DJ Encore - I See Right Through To You

dayatthebeach Says:

June 28th, 2007, 15:54 pm

The band Live always works for me. It’s just beautiful, deep music all around and his voice is soo soothing. Dance with Me is maybe the best song ever.

James Says:

June 28th, 2007, 16:47 pm

Moby’s Hotel (disc 2) is great for a early morning (sunrise) run.

Carmen Says:

June 28th, 2007, 21:31 pm

I like instrumental and choral music best for just chilling out and feeling peaceful.

Some performers I like:
Riley Lee (shakuhachi)
Amsterdam Loeki Stardust Quartet (recorder ensemble)
The Tallis Scholars (a capella Renaissance singers)

My favourite composers:
J.S. Bach
Arvo Part
William Byrd
Thomas Tallis

orangutan Says:

June 30th, 2007, 3:22 am

For some more leftfield, really soothing downtempo electronica, check out Fiona Soe Paing”s “No Man’s Land” album. Mellow, other-worldly and hypnotic. Like a mix of Sigur Ros, Bjork and Massive Attack.

peachiekeen Says:

July 1st, 2007, 18:13 pm

I would add Ryan Farish and of course Enya to the list.

Austin Says:

July 1st, 2007, 21:39 pm

Also “Island in the sun” by weezer is pretty chill so is “Speed of Sound” by Coldplay.

Shelby Says:

July 3rd, 2007, 8:07 am

My favs this morning - Pete Droge, Jack Johnson, Jars of Clay, Sara McLachlin . . .

mel Says:

July 9th, 2007, 19:20 pm

I’m late to the party (as usual), but the list would be incomplete without the addition of The Six Parts Seven and The Album Leaf. Both bands deal in chilled-out, lyric-free melodies that let me get some headspace without putting me to sleep.

reb Says:

August 1st, 2007, 0:30 am

i highly recommend Spiritualized (a project of jason pierce of spacemen 3)…very beautiful and meditative. my faves are “ladies and gentlemen we are floating in space,” “any way you want me,” and “stop your crying”

Arc Says:

August 14th, 2007, 8:29 am

I didn’t see 311 - “Amber” et al

Thanks for the list and the suggestions - I have put a couple doen on my GTD (Make mellow playlist)

Arc Says:

August 14th, 2007, 8:29 am

Sorry spelling police “dozen” :)

Steve Johnston Says:

September 1st, 2007, 11:01 am

When I was studying I always found that some background music was critical to blocking out the noise of daily life. This is how I discovered classical and instrumental music.

Be careful what you choose, however. Some classical and instrumental music isn’t as mellow as you may think. Movie sound tracks are quite often a very good starting point:

The Shawshank Redemption
Lord of the Rings

Misty Says:

September 2nd, 2007, 0:41 am

Ken Stringfellow’s Any Love (Cassandra Et Lune) is one song I can listen to on repeat for hours and still find it new and amazing each time. It never fails to calm me down.

adamfleagle Says:

September 27th, 2007, 10:18 am

Sleeping at Last, Cat Power, Norah Jones, Iron & Wine, Over the Rhine, Rosie Thomas…

jericho Says:

April 4th, 2008, 16:11 pm

Sara Bareilles!