"Sometimes words muddy the water."
I love all kinds of music and in this post, I will share some of my favorite instrumentals from a variety of genres. I want to start putting together diverse and unique lists that can shine light on music for people of all different backgrounds. In this blog post, I will share some of my favorite songs that have no words. Instrumentals can take you on a journey within your own imagination. They can be powerful enough to lift you up in the tough times in life and pull at your heart strings in the emotional moments. They can give you the strength and confidence to help you achieve things you didn't know were possible. Okay, maybe I look at music in a different way then you might, but give these a chance! Put on some nice over-the-ear headphones, close your eyes, and let the music take you on a journey. Music is my form of meditation and instrumental music hits in a different way. I hope you enjoy and thank you for taking the time to stop by Birdman's Blog! I love you guys :)
The inspiration for this post is an album by one of my favorite bands:
Album Name: The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place - Explosions In The Sky.
Track 1: First Breath After Coma (My 2nd favorite track on the album)
Track 2: The Only Moment We Were Alone
Track 3: Six Days At The Bottom Of The Ocean
Track 4: Memorial
Track 5: Your Hand In Mine (My favorite song by them & 1 of my favorite songs ever)
Explosions In The Sky is a band from West Texas that doesn't have any singing involved in ANY of their music. You may recognize them from the Movie and TV Show "Friday Night Lights" as well as the movie "Lone Survivor" where they were tasked to create the soundtracks for all 3 projects. I have seen them perform live twice in Minneapolis with my friends, Max/Eric/Matt, and boy do they put on a hell of a show. Their music has the ability to draw you in and take you on an emotional journey that is difficult to explain. Their songs are like rollercoasters and when they are at their peaks you find yourself basically holding your breath until they bring it back down and let you breathe again. That is my best attempt. Listen to this album to see for yourself. Let the music send you into the abyssssssss.
Sports themed instrumentals:
Sonho Durado - Daniel Lanois
You may recognize this, again, from the movie "Friday Night Lights." This song is a beautiful, emotional, uplifting, and conclusive instrumental all wrapped into one. If you haven't seen the movie, I would love to hear your thoughts on it.
The Mighty Rio Grande - This Will Destroy You
"How can you not be romantic about baseball?" This song is sad yet happy; full of defeat yet victorious. It's a hauntingly beautiful tune that can be interpreted differently by everyone, in every way, all at once. Thank you, Moneyball.
Peace - Paul Kelly
If you have seen the football movie "Any Given Sunday," you will recognize this song immediately. It is the instrumental that is playing in Al Pacino's famous halftime speech to his team in the locker room. "We're in hell right now, gentlemen, believe me." Hearing this tune immediately gives me chills.
Walk, Don't Run - The Ventures
California surf rock. This was featured in the movie 61* about Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.
Green Onions & Time Is Tight (2 songs) - Booker T. & The MG's
You will likely recognize Green Onions as it is featured in many movies including The Sandlot, Happy Gilmore, and American Graffiti. If you like that song, you should also listen to Time Is Tight. I enjoy the latter equally as much.
Classical Music:
String Serenade No. 13 in G Major, The Marriage of Figaro, The Magic Flute Overture, Symphony No. 40, & Symphony No. 41 "Jupiter" (5 songs)- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
It's Mozart...what else is there to say?
Symphony No. 3, Symphony No. 5, Moonlight Sonata, Fidelio Overture, Fur Elise, Symphony No. 7, Piano Concerto No. 3, Piano Concerto No. 4 (8 songs) - Ludwig van Beethoven
Beethoven was deaf for the majority of his life (a sad story)...truly remarkable.
1812 Overture, Symphony No. 6, & The Nutcracker (3 songs) - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The final 5 minutes of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture is the definition of letting the beat build...climaxing with 16 Siege Mortar Cannons being fired.
Canon in D Major - Johann Pachelbel
Do you know this one? I do.
Four Seasons - Antonio Vivaldi
Spring. Summer. Autumn. Winter.
Tropical House instrumentals:
Waikiki, Summerbreeze, and Parrot Cay (3 songs) - Deep Chills
Deep Chills is one of my favorite artists and his music makes me smile. Waikiki is one of my favorite songs.
Island & Summer Time (2 songs) - Jarico
Press play, close your eyes, and enjoy with a Modelo.
Other instrumentals:
Eruption - Van Halen
This is one of the greatest guitar/rock songs ever performed...and it was accidentally recorded while Eddie Van Halen was just "warming up." I highly recommend you don't listen to this song while you're driving, unless you want a ticket.
Jessica - The Allman Brothers Band
"Jessica" became to most popular girl's name for the next 2-3 decades thanks to The Allman Brothers Band.
Songbird - Kenny G
My brother, Justin, put this recommendation in. The music video made me laugh.
Starwaves - M83
M83 has so many songs that are so close to not having any words. Their music takes you to outer space. M83 stands for Messier 83, a spiral galaxy in the constellation Hydra.
Soulful Strut - Young-Holt Unlimited
Classic soul. Good luck sitting completely still during this one.
Concerning Hobbits & The Shire (2 songs) - Howard Shore
The entire Lord of the Rings soundtrack is amazing, these are my 2 favorites.
Sandstorm - Darude
Sandstorm is Finland's unofficial National Anthem.
Astronomia - Vicetone & Tony Igy
Guys carrying the coffin meme. Banger.
Thanks again for stopping by. I don't expect too many of you to listen to every song during your first visit. Feel free to stop on by as many times as you want. If you can't find some of these songs on Spotify or Apple Music, try looking them up on YouTube. I plan to continue on with a part 2 of this post, so don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any recommendations. I still have a big list of instrumentals, but there are always more that I am not remembering or just have yet to experience. I LOVE MUSIC <3
