Music holds energy. It can evoke and reinforce memory, it can help to set or change the mood. Pandora released my “What You Loved” Playlist of 2020 and listening to it elicited a wide array of thoughts, memories and emotions. So, I thought I would share a few of my favorites. Happy listening.

Peace: A Dream of Breathing by John Danley

There’s something peaceful and watery about this song. I often use it during warm up or gentle segments of my yoga practice. It’s also played frequently when I need to settle and focus at my desk. I notice that I breathe a little fuller and a little more patiently when I hear it. It’s created a very pleasant and needed pavlovian response.

Pump Up: My Body by Young the Giant

Whenever we get into the car to head to a kid’s game or competition, my husband will ask them what “pump up” song they would like to hear. If I had one, this would be it. The lively tempo and affirming message always gets me going and puts a little pep in my step. This song helped me along with my half marathon training (for the half marathon that never happened). It also had a spot on my upbeat playlist for golf and other activities. “My body tells me no!/Because I won’t quit/’Cuz I want more…”

Resilience: Rise Up by Audra Day

It’s been a rough year all around. From COVID to contentious politics and everything in between it’s been tempting to crawl into a cave and just stay there for a very long time. This song embodies the energy of the strength, wisdom and resilience of women. There is hope, we will come through this and will be asked for conquer bigger challenges in the future. “And I’ll rise up/I’ll rise like the day/I’ll rise up/I’ll rise unafraid/I’ll rise up/And I’ll do it a thousand times again…”

Groove: This Feeling by Alabama Shakes

They’ve been around for a bit, but this year I stumbled upon Alabama Shakes. They’ve got a funky, soulful sound that I enjoy. This song was my introduction and I love it, this is probably the song I’ve overplayed the most this year. “So I just kept going, I just kept going/And hoping I’m growing near/Well this good and fine, I spent all this time/Tryna find my way here/And I’ve been having me a real fun time/And it feels so nice to know I’m gonna be alright…”

Affirmation: I Am Here by P!nk

I think this song showed up for a couple of reasons. It’s a really fun upbeat song (often jump/dance inducing). It also reminds of pre-pandemic times. I don’t go to a lot of concerts, but in 2019 I did see P!nk when she came through the midwest. It was a really fun night with my sister. So, this song is a reminder that we’ll have those times and memories again. Soon I hope! “I am here/All of this wrong, but I’m still right here/I don’t have the answers/but the question is clear…”

Essence: She’s Only Happy In The Sun by Ben Harper

I’m a summer girl, I thrive in the light and the outdoors, so this song speaks to my soul. It is also a reminder of the people I love who know me the best. I’m blessed and thankful to have them in my life. “Did you find what you were after?/The pain and the laughter brought you to your knees/But the sun sets you free…”

Community: Times Like These by the Foo Fighters

Okay, so this song has been around for a while. But early in the year the Foo Fighters recorded a remote compilation of this song and I remembered how much I liked it. There have been amazing examples of community throughout the year which will make us stronger on the other side and in the new year. “It’s times like these you learn to live again/It’s times like these you give and give again/It’s times like these you learn to love again/It’s times like these time and time again.”

Slow Down: Wonderful by Lianne La Havas

New routines were created in 2020. One of mine that I won’t be relinquishing any time soon is Sunday Morning Selfcare. I’m usually the first one up at our house and on Sundays I put on some mellow music enjoy a gentle or restorative practice, make a yummy veggie omelet, enjoy coffee, read the paper and really ease into the day. A frequent artist joining me on those morning is Lianne La Havas, one of my favorite musical discoveries this year. Her sound is soothing and just divine. “You can trip, flick a switch negative/Break the circuit between us/But electricity lingers/In our fingers…”

If you want to hear any of these selections, pull up my Soundtrack of 2020 Playlist on Pandora. What does your year in review of music look like? What old favorites or new discoveries did you have on repeat? I’m always interesting in something new to me, so feel free to share your favorites.