Music Matters

It’s Blue Monday, so of course I made a playlist.

There’s been talk amongst scientists about what makes a “happy” song - tempo above a certain BPM, steady four beats, major key, familiar structure. I’m not here to argue the science (or pretend taste isn’t personal), but if certain songs can lift your mood even a notch on (another) snowy January day, I’m open to the experiment, placebo or not.

This week’s pick came out tied for first in the study (alongside Good Vibrations), and when I put it on first thing this morning, it honestly helped. No irony or self-analysis, just momentum and joy that grabs you and keeps moving.

So this week’s SOW is Don’t Stop Me Now, with a Blue Monday playlist alongside it (that checks the scientists’ boxes) for anyone who wants, or needs, the extra push.

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Science aside, I’m always curious: what’s your go-to happy song? 🎶 Let me know in comments.
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Song of the Week:
Don’t Stop Me Now - Queen

Stream the playlist where you listen. Link is in bio and songs listed in comments. 🎶

Last SOW before Christmas.

Last night we had an early Christmas dinner with dear friends and the conversation turned to music and ‘what is your favourite Christmas song?’. It’s an impossible question, even after we broke it down to 5 or 6 categories (traditional vs pop vs original in the last 30 years lol…) but one I included without hesitation was O Holy Night.

There are a lot of great versions of O Holy Night out there but I have to share my all time favourite*. This is the one that stops me in my tracks every time. Mahalia Jackson knew exactly how to build a song. When to hold back, when to let it open, and when to give it everything. And she did it in way that made her uniquely her own. Her legendary build to that final ‘fall on your knees’ feels like you’re literally hearing the angels’ voices. It is pure, soulful, gut wrenching and uplifting all at once…pulling you to drop down even if you’re not the praying type.

*I’d also love to share ‘s version but until Roberta records it, do whatever you can to see her perform it live, on the rare occasion she does. It too is fall on your knees worthy.

Song of the Week:
O Holy Night, Mahalia Jackson

Link is in bio and story if you need it.

Top of my Christmas playlist year after year. No explanation needed.

Song of the Week:
Fairytale of New York - Pogues and Kirsty MacColl

Stream where you listen - link in story/bio 🎶