The Most Hypnotic Music Ever. . .
As every true music lover knows, our favorite songs can put us in a blissful mini-trance at the drop of a hat. Good music is both hypnotic and healing. Great music can be subtly powerful, even life-changing to some. Music can be a powerful medium for soothing the spirit, healing the body and calming the mind. Music has been called the universal language--along with love, fear, pain, mathematics, and about a million other things. But today, we'll just stick with music.
John Lennon said that, "Music is everyone's possession, not just those who want to publish it." Lennon also philosophized, "Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, then it's not the end." David Bowie once prophetically stated, "Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming." Another wise snippet from Bowie: "There is no journey. We are always arriving and departing all at the same time." Bob Marley was quoted as saying quite notably, "The good thing about music, once it hits you, you feel no pain . . ." Well, at least for a minute. As we all know, music can inspire both bliss and pain, depending on the music, of course.
Just for fun, but mostly to kill time during the seemingly endless plandemic, today I have just off the top of my head compiled a Top Twenty list of my personal favorite most hypnotic songs. As always, this list is subject to change and inevitable expansion. Just what the Internet needs, another freaking Top 20 list or virtual mix tape . . . So what, I'm rollin' with it.
NUMBER 20: SIMON AND GARFUNKEL "SOUND OF SILENCE"
Here's one pleasantly implanted in my brain from childhood. Sure, this one could have been ranked much higher on the list. But honestly it's the first one that came to mind. And anyways, this is not a competition.
NUMBER 19: GEORGE HARRISON. "WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS"
How could we not include at least one sweet tune from the great George Harrison?
NUMBER 18: "THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN"
A profound powerhouse performed by the Band, originally by Joan Baez. From the 1978 film, "The Last Waltz," many consider this the finest version of the song ever recorded.
NUMBER 17: RICHARD WAGNER. "RIDE OF THE VALKYRIES"
Here's the iconic scene from "Apocalypse Now."
NUMBER 16: LEONARD COHEN. "THE FUTURE"
This catchy murder ballad from the gravelly voiced crooner will definitely take you somewhere. Probably some place you don't want to go . . .
Repent? I wonder what they meant?
NUMBER 15: ROY ORBISON. "BLUE BAYOU"
Just about any song from sweet, dark-shaded Roy Orbison renders one pleasantly hypnotized. Here is my personal favorite. I actually bumped Elvis' "Love Me Tender" for this one. I probably just should have expanded the list.
NUMBER 14: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN. "ATLANTIC CITY"
A dark, gritty and haunting urban tale from The Boss which first appeared on Springsteen's 1982 solo album, "Nebraska." I could have easily picked "The River," another sublime and haunting love ballad gone bad.
NUMBER 13: NEKO CASE AND HER BOYFRIENDS. "FURNACE ROOM LULLABY" FROM "THE GIFT."
Another delightful murder ballad. Is there a theme running here? Genius lyrics.
NUMBER 12. MAZZY STAR. FADE INTO YOU.
MAZZY STAR. Just because Mazzy Star belongs on every mix tape ever, virtual or otherwise.
NUMBER 11. FLEETWOOD MAC. "RHIANNON."
NUMBER 10. THE POLICE. "TEA IN THE SAHARA"
This is an intriguingly dark tune from Sting, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers and their magnum opus, Synchronicity album. Sting and The Police have written so many songs which could have made the list. Message in a Bottle. King of Pain. Walking on the Moon. Every Breath and so on . . .
NUMBER 9: DAVID BOWIE. "SPACE ODDITY."
Riding on Bowie's coattails and deserving of an honorable mention is Peter Schilling's "Major Tom."
NUMBER 8: RIHANNA. "STAY."
NUMBER 7: JOHN LEE HOOKER. "I COVER THE WATERFRONT"
Just listen. His voice will go with you . . . This version also features Van Morrison.
NUMBER 6: U2. "STILL HAVEN'T FOUND WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR."
NUMBER 5: BOB MARLEY. "REDEMPTION SONG."
Of course many songs by Bob Marley could have made the list.
Here's another version performed by Eddie Vedder and Beyonce.
NUMBER 4: SINEAD O'CONNOR. "NOTHING COMPARES TO YOU."
Written by Prince. Just the greatest saddest song ever.
NUMBER 3: THE BEATLES. "GOLDEN SLUMBERS/CARRY THAT WEIGHT/THE END."
NUMBER 2: PRINCE. "PURPLE RAIN"
NUMBER 1: JEFFERSON AIRPLANE. "GO ASK ALICE"
The original Down the Rabbit Hole song performed by the captivating Grace Slick.
REMEMBER WHAT THAT DORMOUSE SAID. FEED YOUR HEAD! FEED YOU HEEEEEEAAADD!!!!
Here's a more recent version by Pink.
Co-Number 1: Jimi Hendrix. "All Along the Watchtower." Written by Bob Dylan.
Two Number Ones?! Isn't that cheating? What an outrage! Trying to live alternate realities simultaneously. Preposterous! Yes, I suppose it is, but there you have it. The devil made me do it. I saw it in a dream.
Obviously, so many more could have made the list. The Doors. Pink Floyd. Black Magic Woman by Santana. The Eagles' Hotel California. Fly Like an Eagle, Steve Miller. Dave Matthews' "Crash into You" was an obvious choice just slightly edged out. And if I were to expand it this would include Cowboy Junkies' "Sweet Jane." Just about anything by that sad-eyed pixie, Fiona Apple. Many Elvis songs, including "Love Me Tender" I feel remiss not to have included. "Wild Horses" instantly came to mind, both the Stones' original and The Sundays' remake. Not to mention any number by Nirvana, the Rolling Stones and Zeppelin. We could do this all day, entrancing ourselves coming up with new songs to add to this list or that list. And that's the point, more or less. Lists are very hypnotizing.
So, there you have it, again. Think you can't be hypnotized? Just listen to a minute of any one of these songs and see if you don't prove yourself wrong.
Such great storytelling which will render you almost instantly entranced . . .
Peace, and may you live in interesting times . . .
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