Let’s face it, there’s nothing like a good soundtrack for making our life experiences that much more enjoyable. Whatever it is we’re doing, add some music into the mix and everything is transformed.
If you’re one of those people who appreciates a soundtrack to keep you inspired, motivated or in the groove, here’s our guide to crafting the perfect playlist for any occasion.
Step 1 – Choosing Music
There are various ways in which you can begin choosing music for your ideal playlist.
Genre – starting with a genre can often be the simplest, especially if you’re only interested in listening to one style of music. Say you need a motivational soundtrack to get you through a gruelling gym session, then hard rock would be a great choice.
Theme – Alternatively, another effective way to choose the best music for your occasion is to give it a theme. Themed music can really help to set the mood, whether you’re planning to party till dawn or knuckle down to get some work done.
Occasion – You could get even more creative by thinking of the different music that your specific occasion needs to make it go off with a bang. While this can feel a bit over-involved for putting together an everyday playlist, if you’re putting together music for a party or wedding it’s worth the effort.
Nostalgia – There’s something to be said for taking a trip down memory lane now and again, and music is quite possibly the most powerful tool you can use to achieve that. Creating playlists that are filled with nostalgic tunes can be a fun way to reconnect with forgotten classics, or just remind you of a particularly brilliant time in your life.
Step 2 – Unforgettable Songs
Whilst it may not be totally true, it seems like some songs were composed with playlists in mind. These songs never go out of fashion, no matter what era they happen to heark back to. If you’re looking for inspiration around what to fill your playlist with, here are some unforgettable gems.
Motorhead – Ace of Spades
This chugging metal anthem is an absolute must to add to any playlist for games night. Thanks to the poker references contained throughout – “pushing up the ante” and “read ‘em and weep, the dead man’s hand again” – this is one song that you have to have on in the background when challenging your friends in a home game like poker.
Survivor – Eye of the Tiger
Need we say more? There’s simply no endeavour that can’t be made easier with this iconic song. Survivor specifically wrote this track for the Rocky III soundtrack, so you couldn’t ask for a more motivational tune to help you beat your personal best.
Dolly Parton – 9 to 5
Has the work piled up but you can’t face getting started with it? Dolly Parton’s here with a helping hand. This ol’ track may be an earworm, but there’s plenty of depth to be found in its lyrics. Yes, working 9 to 5 is a heck of a way to make a living, but when you’ve got Dolly signing in your ear there’s simply no excuse not to get the job done.
Step 3 – Putting It All Together
Now that you’ve decided on what kinds of songs you want to fill your playlist with, you can start to put them all together to bring your perfect soundtrack to life.
Firstly, open up whichever app or music player that you’ll be using and dump all of your songs into one single playlist. Don’t worry about the order initially, just get them all in so you don’t miss any favourites.
The ideal way to order your playlist is to always start off with a hook –a song that grabs attention and keeps whoever’s listening engaged from the outset. From there, play with levels and vary the tone and tempo to keep things interesting. If your playlist is for a party or celebratory occasion, however, you should aim to keep the tempo building until your peak song. Once you’ve decided on the order of your playlist, it’s time to test it out by giving it a listen. Keep an ear out for abrupt transitions – some songs end sharply while others fade out, so it’s important to keep things flowing.