Writing Music

8/30/2007

Posted by BJ
When you’re writing, do you prefer to have it quiet or do you listen to music?

When I’m writing I prefer to have music playing. As I write this I’m listening to some old Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ (via headphones from iTunes on my computers as I ride the train into New York City). I actually have playlists on my iTunes that I’ve put together just for writing. My choice of music varies from heavy metal (Iron Maiden) and rock (AC/DC) to bluegrass (Alison Krauss) and folk (Cheryl Wheeler) and everything in between (Reggae, classical, soul, etc.) And I can see my pal Jon cringing as he reads this list).

I know others who find it difficult, if not impossible, to write if music is playing. I think Jon falls into this category (though interestingly, after all our years of working together, and sharing lots of music with each other, I don’t know for sure.)

So, do you listen to music while you write? And if you do, what kinds of music do you prefer while writing?

10 Comments

Jon

3/26/2016 04:56:33 am

You’re spot on – I can’t concentrate at all if there’s music on while I’m working. And then I can’t exist for the remainder of the day without music on around the house! And spot on about my cringing about your musical tastes, too :-)

JAT

3/26/2016 04:56:42 am

I often listen to music while I write, but nothing with lyrics, instrumentals only. (This is in itself limiting of my selections. I like classical and big band) However, when I’m editing or reviewing my copy, lyrics are o.k. then. (In these cases I like some classic 80s rock like talking heads or david Bowie). Weird.

Nancy Brady

3/26/2016 04:56:53 am

This was very interesting to read today. I was just speaking with my assistant about how when I’m in the middle of writing or answering a proposal I need to be listening to music in the background. I cannot stand the silence, I think it stresses me out more. When I’m listening to the music, I can just tun everything else out and do my work…. Glad to see that there are others who work this way as well.

Barbara Esmedina

3/26/2016 04:57:01 am

Hmmm, hesitate to mention my musical tastes for fear of giving Jon a brain spasm, but I have been known to have classic Sex Pistols blasting and watching a Quentin Tarantino movie at the same time while writing (only when working from home).

Connie Sanford

3/26/2016 04:57:16 am

As I read this, I have Lenny Kravitz on my iTunes. I live/work (are they different?) in a cube farm with a sales person directly in front of me, so music is crucial to block out the other noises. My entire team works in headsets and we have a lexicon of hand gestures to accommodate. My only criteria is that it has to be familiar. I find that I can tune out the lyrics if they are familiar, but if I haven’t heard the music frequently, I find myself listening to the words and becoming distracted. Now, one thing you didn’t mention is dancing/moving. I conquered the singing thing long ago; but, frequently my staff comes upon me swaying/head bobbing – even an frequent air guitar or air drum.

Fran Ford

3/26/2016 04:57:30 am

I used to be in the music lovers’ category. There tends to be so much inescapable noise in my life, though, that over the last couple of years I’ve come to enjoy complete silence (except for keyboard noise, which is comforting because it tells me I’m making progress). I do crank the volume up on the way home, though – top down when possible – and enjoy pretty much anything short of heavy metal.

3/26/2016 04:57:50 am

So, if I’ve got the count correct, that makes it 5:2, those who prefer tunes to those prefer silence, when it comes to writing. And a most interesting an eclectic mix of music for all involved (Listening to the Dixie Chicks – “I’m Not Ready To Make Nice” -as I write this.

And I’m disappointed that our dear friends Robin (manager and one of the singers [I think at last count the group had 17!] of Strat 5 – chosen to compete for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Corporate Band. You guys rock – literally!), haven’t replied and given us the country western music lovers’ view on this topic. And where’s our pal Jeff, bassist for Strat 5? What’s coming through your headphones when you’re writing guy?

Jeff Elkins

3/26/2016 04:58:01 am

Sorry for the two week delay – I’ve been investing some time gearing up for my daughter’s wedding which was last Saturday (Talk about eclectic music! The party entered on the Beatles, Danielle and I walked up the aisle to a Brian Wilson tune, and the processional was Howlin’ Wolf doing “Boom Boom Boom”!), and have just now plugged back in.

When I listen to music, I have an annoying (to me AND others, I suspect ;) tendency to dissect songs into component parts – lyrics, cellos, drums, theremins, guitars, horns, bgvs (background vocals), etc. So I’ve found that, like Connie, I need to listen to something familiar, or I am too easily distracted. There are a few bands that turn into a comfortable drone in the back of my head and allow me to focus on the task at hand: Boston, REO Speedwagon, old Van Halen – pretty much anything that’s been totally overplayed on the radio works for me, mostly pre-nineties – although Bare Naked Ladies works too.

Lately, though, I’ve spun through some discs to the point where I don’t dissect any more, and they actually inspire me (I also sing along while I’m typing). Live albums seem to be best – Old Blind Dogs (”Old Blind Dogs Play Live”), The Frames (”Set List – Live in Dublin”), Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder (”Live at the Charleston Music Hall”), and everything by The Polyphonic Spree. There’s also this short-lived group from San Diego that I saw in the Gas Light District several years ago called Planet 7 (or S.S. Bumblebee). That stuff lifts me up too!

I could go on. I’ll stop there. And I’ll ask Robin to respond (sometimes we all end up listening to whatever Robin’s listening to… :)!

Robin

3/26/2016 04:58:11 am

Well, since you asked…..STOP THE MUSIC!! No, I cannot listen to music when I write or when I sleep or when I’m trying to do much of anything that requires intense mental attention. I have a tendancy to break out into song at the drop of a hat and then things get all confusing – my writing turns into song lyrics and the song lyrics turn into my writing. Too many wires crossing! Yanni in the background I can handle, but that’s about it.

Most importantly, you should never listen to country music when writing a proposal. For me, it might end up looking like this:

“We understand your need for some HONKY TONK BADONKADONK. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to your request for A LITTLE LESS TALK AND A LOT MORE ACTION. Please contact us if you THINK MY TRACTOR’S SEXY.”

See how dangerous that can be? I agree with Jeff on one point, Bare Naked Ladies work for me too :)

Rock on,
Robin

3/26/2016 04:58:23 am

Please note that hence force all comments will be word count limited. This is not directed at anyone in particular (see above) but SOME people seem to think this is their PERSONAL blog rather than my, uh, I mean, our, (yeah. our. That’s what I menat Jon) blog. If anyone is going to write an overly long, self indulgent, belabored and boorish blog, rest assured, I’ll be the one doing so! (Hmm. That didn’t come out quite like I had hoped.)

So, with Robin and Jeff chiming in (note them usical reference there) and each of them taking one side or the other, the ratio remains unchanged.

(And thanks for some cool recommends there guys.)

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Writing Music

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