Music and my year of anti-lyrics (so far)
Does anyone else listen to soundtracks? No not the hit songs that were in the movies you love, but the Original Scores of these films. Think: John Williams, Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer. I ask because I’m doing a new thing for 2022. I swore off lyrics. Those words in songs that people sing. Ugh, I’m so tired of them. It’s a personal decision made from experiencing the burnout and exhaustion I feel from being on social media too long. I’ve reached this point where I’ve read so many tweets, Instagram posts, memes and graphics telling me how to think and feel about…everything. Now when I hear words in a song I often grow weary. “Just let the music play, please? Let’s just hear a nice melody today, shall we.”
So, I set a couple of rules. First, no lyrics. Which allows for all sorts of movie scores, orchestral pieces, symphonies, etc. I’ve made exceptions for two bands: Radiohead and Weezer. Don’t come at about Weezer either. Weezer for me is like, chicken soup for the soul. I’ve been a fan forever and know most of their songs by heart. Besides, after Pinkerton, Rivers stopped writing songs with any real meaning anyway which almost fits my no-lyrics criteria. I’ve also made concessions for jazz. Some jazz has lyrics, but I’m okay with it because jazz is so good.
The point of all of this is to share with you the discoveries one can make once you cancel lyrics! The deeper lesson here is also this: if you set parameters on any creative endeavor, it forces you to re-think how you see and do things. This will open doors you didn’t even know were there. You should try it…oh, look there I go, trying to tell you what to do, sorry. Anyway, let’s get to it, shall we? A list of things I’m listening to right now.
- The Planets, by Gustav Holst. Specifically the album arranged for brass ensemble and organ. Here’s the link. Holst is a new discovery for me and I get such Star Wars vibes from this album. Especially this arrangement. The opening track sounds so foreboding and ominous, I just love it!
- Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return Soundscapes Vol.1. This is a compilation album that accompanies the experience you get at Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Honestly, this album has been on my playlist for a while now. It’s great mood music. It’s got some artsy stuff, some of it is far out there-maybe a little creepy at times, but if you’re familiar with House of Eternal Return, you’ll get it.
- Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack for Dune has been ringing my ears ever since the film came out. Both the film and and soundtrack are such beautiful pieces of art, I can’t get enough. The soundtrack can get intense at times so it’s not for relaxing or the faint of heart.
- Spain by the Chick Corea Trio. Specifically this live performance on their album Trilogy is amazing. It’s 18 minutes of 29 seconds of the song Spain, but opened up with room to breath and riff and jam for a little bit. There’s even a magical moment near the end of the song where Chick Corea Trio do a call and response with the live audience which is so. Much. Fun. It makes you wish you were there and-sort of-makes you feel like you are.
- Last on this list (but I could go on) I want to mention Ludwig Goransson. He composed music for The Mandalorian Seasons 1 & 2 as well as The Book of Boba Fett. Concerning Boba Fett, the music was one of the best things about that show. His music can also be heard in Venom and Black Panther as well.
There you have it! A few instrumental soundscapes to get you started. I hope you enjoy these! And hey, if you have suggestions of your own, why not shoot me a message? You can email me directly at brandonhayman@outlook.com or even find me on Instagram @brandonhayman. Just remember, no lyrics.