To work with music, or to work with silence? This one may be nearly as divisive as the old N’Sync or Backstreet Boys debate (#BSB4Eva) but I’m all for Team Music. The right kind of music, that is – when I really need to hunker down and concentrate, I’ve always found lyrics strangely distracting. I think the lush, soothing melodies of soundtracks makes for some of the best music for productivity.
It probably dates back to those classic college days when I’d wait until the night before to start a 20-page sociology paper and then panic immensely until 3 AM, when I realized I really had to get it together. Back when I was a columnist for the California Aggie, I remember three of us columnists all unintentionally writing about procrastination the same week and the funniest one (not me) saying she would just “sit curled up in the shower and cry about how screwed I am.”
The dramatic self-pity has toned down a bit, but there are still many times when I need the right music to get work done, or do some writing, or just have some pretty background music that makes me want to throw in a pirouette here and there.
I’m also something of a film junkie and love the work of Hans Zimmer, James Horner, John Williams and all their colleagues – so I’m sharing my go-to film soundtracks!
1. Titanic
2. Pearl Harbor
3. Edward Scissorhands
4. The Theory of Everything
5. Bicentennial Man
6. Jurassic Park
7. The Harry Potter Series
8. Inception
9. Pirates of the Carribean
10. Legends of the Fall
11. Wall-E
12. Gladiator
13. The Lord of the Rings Series
14. The Island
15. Casper
This list is in no particular order, but all of these have some epic tracks that have really helped me power through various projects. I’ve found them to be the best music for productivity! You can also see some of my favorite tunes on my Audio Adderall playlist.
Robin Hood (the 1991 version) is my favourite!
OMG YES! Hans Zimmer is the best of all! I have to add the soundtrack of “The Holiday”; another piece of art from the talented Hans. It’s so inspiring that I use it as the soundtrack of my life. I love the OST of Inception. It’s a masterpiece <3 I'll have to download the rest.
The Social Network is my go-to soundtrack for working! The music gets me super focused!
Zoe x | http://www.zoelinda.co.uk
Wow, I can’t believe I haven’t thought to check that one out! I think I’d like it, I remember Trent Reznor being in charge of the music for that film. Thanks for the suggestion Zoe!
Wow neat concept! I think I’m going to listen to Inception’s soundtrack now!
I love that one! The track “Time” is amazing.
Funny story, the Jurassic Park theme song gets stuck in my head more than any other song. I don’t know why, but its been years and years, and I always get that epic theme stuck in my head!
Also Wall-e is by far (in my opinion) the best Pixar movie. I love how there is little to no dialogue, but it is still a compelling and beautiful story! Their use of music and sound is just amazing in that one.
I’ve got to say though, that my favorite use of music in a movie will always be how the remake of Dawn of the Dead used Richard Cheese’s cover of Down with the Sickness. It is hilarious, and so so perfectly done.
-Mackenzie
http://www.kenzywho.com
Yes, Jurassic Park is epic! Definitely one of my favorite scores. I’ll have to check out that Dawn of the Dead scene! Thanks for reading Mackenzie!
Man on Fire is a great soundtrack as well. Great list- thanks for sharing!
Thanks for checking it out, Carrie! I’ll definitely give that a listen – love adding new soundtracks to my rotation!