Hacking yourself with music

(This could also be in my posterous blog, mmh. Maybe I’ll cross-post…)

Listening to music as a pick-me-upper is nothing new. I can remember doing this for example prior to taking my driver’s license exam, blasting “Feeling Alright” from the Heights soundtrack and certainly some Lynch Mob which I was into big back then. So this article from Chris Penn certainly had me listening: He put some structure to the Art of Hacking Yourself with Music by opening categories for situations of life. Earth, Water, Fire, Wind. I suggest you read his article, it’s fun. As a result,  you’ll have the key tunes ready when you need them. I had some trouble with the Wind-selection, but with Chris’ help I have a selection for now. I also have the feeling that this is going to evolve heavily so I will revisit this post in a couple of months. My lists as of today are…

Earth:
3000 Miles to Graceland – Kenny Wayne Sheppard
Jet City Woman – Queensryche
Cochise – Audioslave
I’m a Believer – T.M. Stevens

Fire:
Alive and Kickin’ – Mr. Big
Lose Yourself – Eminem
Dance Little Sister – Terence Trent D’Arby
Don’t Stop Me now – Queen

Water:
Learning to Live – Dream Theater
My Hero – Foo Fighters
Cool #9 – Joe Satriani
Blue Powder – Steve Vai

Wind:
Such Great Heights – Iron & Wine
Sweet Baby James – James Taylor
Soulshine – Gov’t Mule live acoustic
With a little Help from My Friends – Bon Jovi live ’92

And of course, if you know me, if all that fails I’ll put on A Change of Seasons and Metropolis from Dream Theater the first as pick-me-upper the second for inspiration. What are your tracks?