Make A Soundtrack for Your Home

Photo of a Tivoli on a mantle, from Laure's house tour of her former constantly changing apartment.

Back in college, I took a course in film music and one of the most interesting assignments was to compile a soundtrack to a day in my life. It was a great exercise because it forced me to see even the most mundane things (like walking to and from class) cinematically: what was the mood? What did the scenery look like? It was from this that I really began to understand how influential background music really is, as well as a newfound appreciation for everyday surroundings that I took for granted. Inspired by this, I decided to compile a soundtrack for my home. Take a look at my tracklist after the jump, and feel free to share some of your choices....

Morning: I'm definitely NOT a morning person, so I pretty much start the day off easing slowly into a state of alertness. (I once tried to start the day with Katrina & The Waves' Walkin' on Sunshine and I was surly until mid-afternoon). For me, slower music is great to just enjoy the a.m.: have coffee, let the dogs out the backyard, open the curtains, and not feel rushed even when I'm checking email or reading the news online.
- "Digest" by Ben Taylor, Another Run Around the Sun
- "Quiet Houses" by Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes
- "Take Your Time" by Al Green featuring Corinne Bailey Rae, Lay it Down
- "I Don't Mind" by Marcus Foster
- "Dirty Work" by Steely Dan, Can't Buy A Thrill

Afternoon: After a few hours of slugging through a collection of slow songs, it's time to bust out the one-minute dance parties to Chamillionaire...or these:
- "Ain't No Half-Steppin'" by Big Daddy Kane, Long Live the Kane
- "Check the Technique" by Gangstarr, Step in the Arena
- "Whatever Lola Wants" by Sarah Vaughan & Gotan Project, Verve Remixed 2
- "Train in Vain" by The Clash, London Calling

Evening: Time to wind down from work, start cooking dinner, and relax...
- "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon , Only By the Night
- "Hand on Your Heart" by José Gonzales, Crossesl
- "Down To Zero" by Bettye Lavette, I've Got My Own Hell to Raise
- "Remember When" by Missy Elliott, The Cookbook
- "Hearts a Mess" by Gotye, Like Drawing Blood
- "Little Martha" by The Allman Brothers Band, Eat A Peach

Got your own favorites? Share your own musical suggestions in the comments...

Comments (17)

Is the Tivoli wireless?

I've been searching for a while for a small wireless radio/cd player/ipod dock and can't find a not ugly one.
This is all I've found so far: http://www.designpublic.com/designers/singgih-kartono

I like the Tivoli also though...

it's not wireless, unfortunately!

"Dreams" by Cranberries to start my day.

It's an uplifting warm and fuzzy song, I need that in the mornings.
I cant help but think about the Movie "You've Got Mail" everytime I hear it.
Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) is walking out of her fabulous nyc brownstone starting her day with a smile on her face, thinking back to the email that she had received from Joe Fox. (Tom Hanks)

That movie was so darn predictable, but still a really great NYC movie.
And another great thing about that movie (this is non song related) but I learned of "Cafe Lalo" because of it, I Highly suggest checking it out,
best alcoholic shakes...ice cream and alcohol mmm

Soundtrack right now:

"Electric Feel" MGMT
"Foundations" Kate Nash
"It's Alright" Leela James
"Gettin' Up" Q-Tip
"What's A Girl To Do?" Bat for Lashes
Anything Kanye West

I thought I was going to move and was kind of bored with my usual tunes so I sent out an email to all my pals asking what they were listening to lately even it was something old that I might have forgotten about. All the randomness was great!

When I'm cooking, I have to crank jazz. Sirius 72 all the way. That's about as formal as I get with a soundtrack.

yep, mgmt's 'electric feel' is perfect anytime of the day...

i play the bats for lashes cd at work and my co-workers look at me like i'm a bit odd. i don't care.

then it's on to the new tv on the radio, sea & cake and some brightblack morning light.

Right now my music consists of a little bit of old, a little bit of new, and of course the steady constant.

Old:
Guster, everything on all albums.

New:
"Skipalong" by Lenka (and the rest of her album)

The Constant:
"Gravity (Live from Austin City Limits)" by John Mayer

"Skinny Love" Bon Iver
"Love Always Remains" MGMT
"Two Headed Boy Pt. 1" Neutral Milk Hotel
"He Was a Friend of Mine" Willie Nelson
"Camp Out" Kaki King (An Horse cover)
"If You See a Light" The Mountain Goats

...all seem to be at the top of all my playlists right now

MGMT - Electric Feel
I just moved in Oct. 1 and this so far the only song I am singing at the top of my lungs from room to room, long after the song is over... but often I am doing this in my car so it may not be the soundtrack to my new home. I am so enthused to find the soundtrack to my new home now, thank you!!

Overcome- Carina Round
Djiribah- Mamadou Diabate
Soul and Onward- Do Make Say Think
Don't Save Us from the Flames- M83
Little Fishes- Brian Eno
Boung By Love- Gran Bel Fisher
Straight Lines- Dawn Landes

ani difranco
gossip girl soundtrack, grey's anatomy soundtrack

a lot of different stuff. i need something quirky and uplifting.

ahh, "electric feel" is SO my favorite drive-to-work song.

I also love to kick of my day with some Pinback, from the Summer in Abadon album. mmm... :)

I have that gold blossom wall hanging thing - mines are still white - I hang it at an angle as well - loves it

Fleet Foxes are awesome...great choice.

Sistersibling said Pinback which I second whole-heartedly!! A few others that have loose, positive vibes:

For a Latin flare, Calexico "Carried To Dust".
A fantastic old school soul album, East Of Underground "East Of Underground".
A gorgeous pop gem, in the vein of Death Cab, try The Uglysuit's self-titled album.
For an electronic pop selection, try the new one by The School Of The Seven Bells.

I have the exact same Tivoli radio (same color too) and love it! I got mine for about thirty dollars on sale at Target about a year ago. Have it in my kitchen so I can get my NPR fix every day.

Right now I am loving the Frankie Valli song "Beggin," a Pilooski edit, that I heard on a commercial. I love to start the day with anything New Order, especially "Ceremony."