I got carried away...

I'm an active listener. I guess that could be because of my involvement in Band - I can't listen to something nowadays without thinking about it, about its progressions, about the relationships between the chords - and most of all, the emotional effect it creates.

My playlist - that is, my ideal playlist for the purpose of this assignment - is one that gets me thinking about the future, one that makes my mind rush at the speed of sound itself, full of sweet musings about nothing and everything. I listen to these songs when I'm feeling stressed or pensive*, I listen these songs when I want to forget about whatever's going on at the time, whenever I want to take a mental vacation from the bustle of everyday life.

*Music influences my mood more than almost anything else. I have entire artists dedicated to when I'm in a certain mood. It's weird.

"THOUGHT-PROVOKING" PLAYLIST.

1. "Beginnings" - Chicago

Besides the chorus of "Only the beginninggggg / Of what I want to feel forever," this song has some mellow chord progressions coupled with some of the sickest rhythms to be found in classic rock of the Chicago era. And those lyrics! I mean, damn. And it was difficult settling on one Chicago song. Check out their CD "Greatest Hits Vol. 1" for more superb listens.

2. "New World Man" - Rush

This ideal man, presented as the enigmatic and nameless "new world man" (possibly a new world everyman?), is bolstered by a smooth melody and flawless instrumentation, all combining to present a musical experience unrivalled by most modern songs.

3. "Black or White" - Michael Jackson

In what I consider one of the Prince of Pop's finest works, MJ combines an old favorite - bitching about racial equality - with his signature style and some of the finest rhymes I've heard in a godawful long time. This song has a bona fide heartbeat. The only drawback is Bill Bottrell's rap break in the middle...and even that can be overlooked with such a solid track as this one.

4. "Son of Man" - Phil Collins

I'll admit it, as one who grew up listening to the Tarzan soundtrack endlessly on a CASSETTE TAPE PLAYER (vintage!), I have a soft spot for songs from this motion picture, and on top of that, let's face it, Phil Collins is just one fresh sonuvagun. I particularly like this song for its fast beat and that freaking amazing melody. This song should be certified platinum, twice.

5. "Back in the High Life" - Steve Winwood

This is a pretty light song compared to the rest, but it has much the same general message. It's not quite as good as some of the others on this list, and probably not as good as others in my library, but I saw it and remembered how much I liked it. It's got what I can only describe as an inspiring style to it - if you haven't heard it, go ahead and listen to it.

Other playlists (without explanations) because this is slightly interesting:

ENTERTAINING MUSIC:

1. "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" - Monty Python

2. "I Threw It on the Ground" - The Lonely Island / Andy Samberg

3. "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist" - Avenue Q

4. "Chinese Food on Christmas" - Brandon Walker

5. "Another Irish Drinking Song" - Da Vinci's Notebook

JUST PLAIN EASY LISTENING

1. "Sugar Magnolia" - Grateful Dead

2. "Solsbury Hill" - Peter Gabriel

3. "Jessica" - Allman Brothers Band

4. "Make Me Smile" - Chicago

5. "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" - (the one, the only) WILLIAM JOEL

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

1. "Bugler's Holiday" - United States Air Force Band of the Golden West

2. "The Road to Rivendell" - David Arkenstone

3. "Linus and Lucy" - Vince Guaraldi Trio

4. "Hebrides Suite" - The Regimental Band, Pipes, And Drums Of The Black Watch

5. "Theme from the A-Team" - Daniel Caine Orchestra