We played "Somewhere over the rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole in the delivery room when our baby "KT" was born last year.

I also listed Paul Simon's "Maybe I think Too Much" in another thread (the fast version).

Lots of James Taylor stuff--

-Everybody Has the Blues
-Lighthouse
-Frozen Man
-How Sweet it Is (to be Loved By You).

And lots of other folky songs that others find, well, disgustingly sacharin. :smxB:

Julia Fordham's "Porcelain" album is magical, as is Beth Nielson Chapman's "Sand and Water"

I'm a nut for singer-songwriters.

-Russ H.

PS Livingston Taylor's "I've Got My Pajamas On" is a great visit back to your childhood.

 

Lyrics are my lifeblood. I run marathons. The last few miles are hell on earth. I basically pop a song in my head and repeat the words over and over until the finish line is within my mental ability to grasp.

 

Any and everything by Wes Montgomery. Once I discovered his music, I was hooked. Sadly, he died young (in 1968, 2 years before I was born) but his music still has a strong following.

Here's one of my favorites, "Round Midnight." For me, it doesn't get much better than this..

[ame="http://youtube.com/watch?v=pAtNJdnaEGY"]YouTube - Wes Montgomery - 'Round Midnight - (Thelonious Monk)[/ame]

 

I'm guessing Barry Manilow's "Mandy" (about his dog, BTW) is not one of 'em?

Curious-- do you pick specific songs, or are they just what's stuck in your head?

-Russ H.

 

A popular song from my running times...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxNX_PRqhCQ"]YouTube - The Smashing Pumpkins - Bullet With Butterfly Wings[/ame]

 

For "pump up" motivation, nothing beats Carl Orff

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xCB6-h3wbs"]YouTube - 300 Music Video - Carmina Burana O Fortuna - Carl Orff[/ame]


The best of all is "Ecstacy of Gold" by Ennio Morricone. Most will know this as the "Good, Bad and the Ugly" song.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdNh9f2Wwm0"]YouTube - The Ecstasy of Gold[/ame]


A nd a little Imperial March never hurt either...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5wZk3RI3yw"]YouTube - Imperial March Music Video[/ame]

 

Hmm...when I'm running it is Rob Zombie, Danzig, Rolling Stones (quite possibly my favorite band) to name a few. Anything that makes my adreneline go up- my litmus test is if the music makes me want to either pick up a car or get in a fight it's good runnin' music!
...Russ- great Paul Simon song- "Maybe I think too much" is now on my ipod. Big Hawaiian dude (can't spell his name) is also wonderful. Listened to him during my whole trip to Hawaii...camping on the beach, eating pineapple and drinking beer with my best friend. Life doesn't get much better than that.

Relaxing music is anything Paul Simon, Sting/the Police, some Stones, anything that sounds tropical always puts me in a good mood. ...And of course classic jazz/r&b- can't go wrong. Duke Ellington, Dizzy, Ella, etc. Again, good (wine) drinking music.

 

Most people on the mainland know him for that song but don't know any of his other songs. You should listen to his song "Hawaii 78" or Sandy Beach of Hawaii. Those are good too.

 

Wow, thought I might get knocked around for liking Yanni, but now someone else is out of the closet before me.

Need inspiration- Yanni- in my time. and yes, I am a straight man.

Anytime: Norah Jones first CD, second sucked.
Five for Fighting.