Erin Wooddell
Growing up, I felt like an outsider. As each day began, I found myself surrounded by chipper morning people who sang, chatted happily and rose with the sun (a la Cinderella). I was not one of them.
I firmly believe I could spend 24 hours asleep and still not feel ready to get out of bed. Even if I have something exciting to look forward to, there's a brief moment of anger as my alarm sounds. After I get up, it takes awhile to become fully awake. Once I reach that point, I'm fine, but it's a slow process for me, compared with others in my family.
October was a difficult month for waking. It seemed like Daylight Savings time took forever to end, and when it was pitch-black outside until 7:30 every morning, I had to really fight the urge to burrow under my covers for "5 more minutes."
To battle the grumpiness that my alarm clock awakens within me each morning, I made a new playlist with songs to lull me out of sleep and prepare me for the day. These songs are also fitting with my usual music for the fall and winter
months—songs that are quieter and less peppy than what I prefer in the summer.
Growing up, I felt like an outsider. As each day began, I found myself surrounded by chipper morning people who sang, chatted happily and rose with the sun (a la Cinderella). I was not one of them.
I firmly believe I could spend 24 hours asleep and still not feel ready to get out of bed. Even if I have something exciting to look forward to, there's a brief moment of anger as my alarm sounds. After I get up, it takes awhile to become fully awake. Once I reach that point, I'm fine, but it's a slow process for me, compared with others in my family.
October was a difficult month for waking. It seemed like Daylight Savings time took forever to end, and when it was pitch-black outside until 7:30 every morning, I had to really fight the urge to burrow under my covers for "5 more minutes."
To battle the grumpiness that my alarm clock awakens within me each morning, I made a new playlist with songs to lull me out of sleep and prepare me for the day. These songs are also fitting with my usual music for the fall and winter
months—songs that are quieter and less peppy than what I prefer in the summer.
(Scroll down to listen to all 11 songs.) | 1. "Tradition" by The Belle Game This song is haunting, but I love it. It makes me think of the musical genre that can be found on soundtracks for movies like Twilight or Harry Potter; beautiful, with an edge. "Tradition" is recorded to sound like she's singing at the end of a tunnel, her voice bouncing off the walls and curves as it makes its way to you. 2. "No Obstacles" by Ben Ottewell This song was on a summer playlist of mine, but due to its quieter sound, I didn't listen to it much. Lately, it's been on repeat. I love a good acoustic guitar riff, and the one found in this song is catchy and happy. When I hear it, I think of driving down a country road on a sunny autumn day, with beautiful colors all around, a crisp feel to the air and the promise of positive things. 3. "Million Miles" by Josh Garrels Another song from the summer that still gets frequent play on my iPod. All I can say about this tune: Josh's voice? Oh my! It gives me goosebumps every time. (Especially when he slides from note to note.) About 2:10 minutes in, the song picks up tempo, completing the bluesy sound. It's like I'm in the south, listening to him sing in a club, feeling each word pulse from the speakers. |
4. "Fangs" by Little Red Lung
Little Red Lung's vocals sound a lot like Florence + The Machine, but more laid back. About 50 seconds in, pay attention to the "Ooh" section; it'll make your toes tap. Also take note of the echoing vocals sounding off in the background, and the trickling of the acoustic guitar.
5. "The Loved Ones" by Sanders Bohlke
Any Bon Iver fans reading this column? If so, you'll love Sanders. His eerie and haunting sound is similar to Bon Iver, but with his own twist of cool. I read a review of one of his concerts, where they said he "lulled the crowd into a state of trance." That's the perfect way to describe this song.
6. "Tessallate" by alt-J
I discovered this over the summer and it's yet to get old. There's something about the catchy beat and weird tone of the singer's voice that gets me. When I listen to music, I often think of how songs would fit into the soundtrack of my life, or a movie. "Tessallate" would be perfect in scenes of intrigue. I think you'll enjoy.
7. "Heal" by Tom Odell
Songs with good piano parts have a special place in my heart. They calm me, and "Heal" is no exception. While the lyrics are a little sad, I feel moved when he croons the chorus. It'll make you want to give yourself a hug.
8. "Save Room" by John Legend
This is not a new song, by any means, but I've been on a John Legend kick lately, and this is one of my favorites. "Save Room" is one of those tunes I've always liked, but never actually downloaded. I finally got around to it a couple months ago, and now it's on repeat. No one does it like John.
9. "Simple Desire" by All Mankind
"Simple Desire" is a pretty new addition to my playlist. I found it to have a very mellow sound, from the instruments to the calming vocals. The tempo and feel of the song really pick up about 2 minutes in.
10. "Navigate" by Band of Skulls
I first discovered this band on the New Moon soundtrack, with the weird and catchy song, "Sweet Sour." "Navigate" is perfect for fall, with a sound that seems to be in the minor chord. (I could be wrong, but that's how it sounds.) I think you'll like the guitar section at about 1:45.
11. "You Know You Like It" by AlunaGeorge
This was a wonderful free download from the summer. The first time you listen to it, you'll find it a little weird and twisty, but the beat by this duo from London is infectious. Just wait until you get to the chorus—it'll make you wish you had her British accent.
Side note: I can't preach enough about the free iTunes free downloads. Other than the free aspect, another perk is being ahead of the times. For example: Back in May, I downloaded a song for free called "Pompeii" by Bastille. I played it over and over. The intro has an island/primitive sound, and the rest of the song will get stuck in your head for days. This past weekend, as I sat through previews before watching Ender's Game, I heard the song in a preview for a new children's movie. Earlier this week, I heard it in another commercial. I felt cool as I caught it in the background of each preview, knowing I didn't need to look up the catchy tune, because I already had it.
Little Red Lung's vocals sound a lot like Florence + The Machine, but more laid back. About 50 seconds in, pay attention to the "Ooh" section; it'll make your toes tap. Also take note of the echoing vocals sounding off in the background, and the trickling of the acoustic guitar.
5. "The Loved Ones" by Sanders Bohlke
Any Bon Iver fans reading this column? If so, you'll love Sanders. His eerie and haunting sound is similar to Bon Iver, but with his own twist of cool. I read a review of one of his concerts, where they said he "lulled the crowd into a state of trance." That's the perfect way to describe this song.
6. "Tessallate" by alt-J
I discovered this over the summer and it's yet to get old. There's something about the catchy beat and weird tone of the singer's voice that gets me. When I listen to music, I often think of how songs would fit into the soundtrack of my life, or a movie. "Tessallate" would be perfect in scenes of intrigue. I think you'll enjoy.
7. "Heal" by Tom Odell
Songs with good piano parts have a special place in my heart. They calm me, and "Heal" is no exception. While the lyrics are a little sad, I feel moved when he croons the chorus. It'll make you want to give yourself a hug.
8. "Save Room" by John Legend
This is not a new song, by any means, but I've been on a John Legend kick lately, and this is one of my favorites. "Save Room" is one of those tunes I've always liked, but never actually downloaded. I finally got around to it a couple months ago, and now it's on repeat. No one does it like John.
9. "Simple Desire" by All Mankind
"Simple Desire" is a pretty new addition to my playlist. I found it to have a very mellow sound, from the instruments to the calming vocals. The tempo and feel of the song really pick up about 2 minutes in.
10. "Navigate" by Band of Skulls
I first discovered this band on the New Moon soundtrack, with the weird and catchy song, "Sweet Sour." "Navigate" is perfect for fall, with a sound that seems to be in the minor chord. (I could be wrong, but that's how it sounds.) I think you'll like the guitar section at about 1:45.
11. "You Know You Like It" by AlunaGeorge
This was a wonderful free download from the summer. The first time you listen to it, you'll find it a little weird and twisty, but the beat by this duo from London is infectious. Just wait until you get to the chorus—it'll make you wish you had her British accent.
Side note: I can't preach enough about the free iTunes free downloads. Other than the free aspect, another perk is being ahead of the times. For example: Back in May, I downloaded a song for free called "Pompeii" by Bastille. I played it over and over. The intro has an island/primitive sound, and the rest of the song will get stuck in your head for days. This past weekend, as I sat through previews before watching Ender's Game, I heard the song in a preview for a new children's movie. Earlier this week, I heard it in another commercial. I felt cool as I caught it in the background of each preview, knowing I didn't need to look up the catchy tune, because I already had it.
What are some of your current favorite tunes? Comment below or tweet me @adventuringMISS using hashtag #eargasmswitherin.