A Creative Boost Through Music | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

A Creative Boost Through Music

The playlist to increase creativity flow for when you can't think "outside the box".

Miranda Rose
Sep 05, 2017
Montclair State University
42
A Creative Boost Through Music
Pexels.com/Burst

Flow, or the total immersion in a task through emotion and level of focus, is one of the biggest contributors to the world of creativity. Flow occurs when you start a project in the morning and soon realize it’s nightfall. When you’re left sitting in a chair thinking, “Where did the time go?” But it’s not always so simple. Even the most ambitious reach a point in their lives where the mind becomes blocked and flow is gone. A setting and atmosphere that once brought inspiration is left to produce nothing but boredom.

Baba O'Riley-The Who

Genre: Classic Rock


In The Shadows-Foreign Air

Genre: Alternative/Indie


High-Sir Sly

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Indie Pop, Alternative Rock


Break The Fall-Laura Welsh

Genre: Alternative/Indie, Pop

People like to think and think hard when they can’t remember. Ever had that moment when you forgot the name of a song or something you wanted to say? And no matter how hard you tried, the thought just wouldn’t come. Hours later you’re walking through the park or maybe driving home and a-ha there’s the answer. The explanation is a psychological phenomenon known as "Mind-Wandering", or granting the brain a break for it to open up to new memories. Mind-wandering is key to overcoming obstacles such as writer’s block with use of basic senses including the ability to hear.

Ultralife-Oh Wonder

Genre: Alternative/Indie

The Chain-Fleetwood Mac

Genre: Classic Rock

Sweet Nothing-Calvin Harris and Florence Welch

Genre: Dance, Electronic

The Stranger-Billy Joel

Genre: Rock, Pop, Pop Rock, Soft Rock

Coined in 1993, the “Mozart Effect” was a study done by researchers to show the impact of music on human emotions. The results being the way in which different sounds could make one happy, sad, empowered or relaxed within mere minutes. When we listen to music, the limbic areas in the brain awaken euphoric responses experienced such as in food consumption. The limbic system of the brain is primarily made up of the amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus and the basal ganglia. Where as the amygdala is the emotion center of the brain, the hippocampus alters the formation of new memories and past experiences. The system explains why when listening to a song, you may remember a memory and in turn experience said emotion.

I'll Meet You At Midnight-Smokie (Cover by Sam Kim)

Genre: Rock

Hard Times-Paramore

Genre: Alternative/Indie

Don't Stop Me Now-Queen

Genre: Classic Rock

I Wish I Knew You-The Revivalists

Genre: Alternative/Indie

Music has a significant impact on the flow of creative thought in the mind. It evokes a higher functioning that arouses the brain and inspires new thoughts. From Beethoven to AC/DC, music is ever changing to the human ear and therefore impossible to grow tired of. Exposing yourself to different forms of music is a great way to encourage the brain to think outside of the box and inspire creative thought.

Shake It Out-Florence and The Machine

Genre: Alternative/Indie, Pop

Pines-Roses and Revolutions

Genre: Indie-Pop

Hey Jude-The Beatles

Genre: Rock

Levels-Avicii

Genre: Dance, Electronic

The next time you can't seem to find your flow, ask what kind of music your friends or family like. Step away from the same old screen and listen to something different.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

AI music threatens creativity

The Soul of Sound: How AI Challenges Human Expression in Music

318173
Humans and robots face off in a rock band battle with guitars and drums, under dynamic lighting.
StableDiffusion

In an age where artificial intelligence can mimic the voice of Freddie Mercury or reimagine pop hits as synthwave ballads, a new frontier has emerged — one that blurs the line between innovation and erosion. While AI offers undeniable benefits in technical domains, its intrusion into creative arts, especially music, raises urgent questions. Not just about copyright, but about culture, education, and the very soul of artistic expression.


Keep Reading...Show less
ai generated music
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

Miami University
653089
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
music
Entertainment

Why Your Astrological Sign May Not Match Your Personality

We are all more than just one sign.

SUNY Plattsburgh
568086
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
astrology
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

UNC Greensboro
548878
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
spring
Relationships

The Importance Of Being A Good Person

An open letter to the good-hearted people.

Sacred Heart University
828158
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
good person

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments