"Drift Away" - Dobie Gray
Give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll
and drift away...
When a song is all about the soothing effects of music, it can't help but have a calming quality! Seriously, though, when I need a break from my troubles, this is the song I turn to most often. Like I said, that's primarily due to the message of the lyrics, all about music's power to touch and soothe and comfort. The lyric is also a reminder that, as difficult as sorrow, sadness, and stress can be, that we're not alone. That knowledge can be a great balm for any situation, and I love "Drift Away" for teaching that lesson.
"Get Together" - The Youngbloods
In "Drift Away," the soothing effect came from the lyric. Beyond the chorus and a few other lines, I don't even know what the lyrics to "Get Together" are. Obviously, therefore, it's the music that does the calming this time around. Ever since I was a kid, this '60s hippie anthem has been able to get me into a quiet, introspective mood, and I appreciate the tune for that!
"Touch The Hem Of His Garment" - Sam Cooke & The Soul Stirrers
I could slot almost any Sam Cooke song onto this list and have it fit. His voice is as smooth as a spoonful of chocolate ice cream, and it's as easy on the ears as ice cream is on the mouth. I love the guy!
So, why did I choose this particular song? Well... I don't want to get preachy, but I am a Christian. My faith and my religion have brought more peace and joy into my life than any other source. Sam Cooke obviously felt the same way; after all, he spent part of his career headlining with the gospel group The Soul Stirrers. "Touch The Hem Of His Garment" is one of my go-to get-ready-for-church songs. This song soothes me on two levels: on a "great song" level, but, more importantly, in a spiritual way.
"Cherish" - Madonna
There's just something about '80s music that soothes my frazzled soul. It's warm and comfortable, like a favorite recliner or a kitchen that smells like turkey on Christmas. It's broken-in, like that old pair of blue jeans or old shirt you can't bring yourself to throw out. This probably sounds corny, but it's all true.
Of all the pop artists that were making hits in the '80s, Madonna has to be my favorite. I just discovered "Cherish" only recently, but it quickly became my favorite of her tunes. Therefore, I am including it here!
"The Times They Are A-Changin" - The Beach Boys
The year: 1965). Brian Wilson, the L.A. studio musician group The Wrecking Crew, and the other Beach Boys are preparing to work on the album that would come to be considered their magnum opus: Pet Sounds. However, the executives at Capitol Records are getting anxious. They want a hit album, and they want one in time for the holiday season. Brian is less than excited to interrupt work on Pet Sounds, but he gives in to demand. The group settled on an album with a party theme, feeling that the vibe of togetherness would jibe with the holidays. In November 1965, Beach Boys' Party! hit record racks. The resulting album is okay, but nothing special.
However, last year, Capitol Records released a re-vamped version of the album, titled Beach Boys Party!: Uncovered and Unplugged. For this new release, Capitol's technical crew went through the album, stripping all the fake party sounds and any chatter not created by the group themselves. The crew also found a wealth of unreleased tracks and included them on the album. The resulting work is spectacular. With all the party accouterments gone, Beach Boys Party! becomes a beautifully simple album, full of loving covers of rock and roll standards. It's a must-listen!
Each of the stripped-down tracks is worth listening to, but "The Times They Are A-Changin" is my favorite. The Beach Boys take a classic Bob Dylan track and give it their own gentle, unplugged spin, even while paying tribute to the original artist. The no-frills style gives the tune a beautifully calming vibe. I love it!
