It is so true that music really does soothe the savage beast. It can also help you to be more productive at work. It doesn’t matter what type of music you listen to. As long as it is something you enjoy, listening to music can make the work day go a lot faster. A good beat can get you into a rhythm, and popular lyrics you can sing along to help to keep you in a great mood all day long. Just remember to sing under your breath so you don’t bother your co-workers.
There are many different genres of music, and everyone likes something different. Some of the most popular styles of music you will hear in many workplaces include disco, rock and roll, classical, country/western, and jazz. Here are some of the most popular albums within those genres:
Rock & Roll
There are many different sub-genres within the rock and roll genre, and any of them are great to listen to while working, as long as they are what you like listening to. If you work at a job that requires you to be on your feet and moving around, you can add a few fun dance moves while listening to your favorite rock albums. Here are some excellent options:
1 (The Beatles)
This album is nothing but number one hits from the Beatles. These songs stand the test of time, and are easy to get down to while you are working.
Glass Houses (Billy Joel)
Listen to some excellent toe tappers, including It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me and You May be Right. This album is great for the middle of the day when you need a bit of a pick me up.
The Wall (Pink Floyd)
Who doesn’t love to sing along to Another Brick in the Wall (We Don’t Need No Education)? This album is a genuine classic, and a great album to listen to when you are just starting your work day. It’s not too heavy, but just rocking enough to get you going for the day.
The Cars (The Cars)
This self-titled album is the first from the band, and has some hits that are still popular today, including Just What I Needed and My Best Friend’s Girl. These are songs are great to work to.
Appetite for Destruction (Guns & Roses)
If you are a fan of heavy metal, this is one album you need to have in your playlist. The songs are all danceable, but have an awesome hard rock edge.
Rap
Today, many people like the hip hop beat, and there are many great artists to listen to. This is a good type of music to listen to if you have a job that is really boring. If you can listen to music at work, rap can get you more excited, because it gets the blood racing. Some albums you may want to check out include:
The World Is Yourz (DDS)
This rap album deals with a lot of the issues that many people struggle with every day. You can really relate to the lyrics. If you’re doing repetitive work, there are some great beats to work to so you can really get into a rhythm. Darick Spears self-produced, mixed, mastered and wrote the album himself. Songs on this album include Risen (We Comin Up) and The Rebel of tha Church.
When Disaster Strikes (Busta Rhymes)
This is the second, and undoubtedly the best, Busta Rhymes album. It has some pretty memorable hits, including Dangerous. This album may be old school, but it stands the test of time, and is a great album to get you in the mood to work.
All Eyez On Me (2Pac)
This album from Tupac Shakur is definitely a personal piece of work. It was released almost as soon as he was released from jail. This is a good album to listen to while you are on a break and want to have something that really pumps.
Ready to Die (The Notorious B.I.G.)
This rapper only made two albums, and this may just be one of the best rap albums of all time. Get into the beat and start working up a storm.
Get Rich or Die Tryin (50 Cent)
Every song on this album is awesome, and will really get you into the mood to get moving.
Disco
Everyone makes fun of disco, but secretly, most people really do like it. After all, it is great music to dance to, and there were some pretty fantastic albums from the disco era. This is a great type of music to listen to at work when you need a good energy boost. Some great disco albums to download into your playlist include:
YMCA (The Village People)
This album is going to put you into a happy mood, and you can work to a really great beat.
Parallel Lines (Blondie)
This is a good album to listen to near the end of the workday when your energy is waning.
Saturday Night Fever
Listen to songs from one of the most popular musical movies ever produced. Enjoy your favorites, and use this album to relieve stress, with a mix of fast and slow songs.
Dynasty (KISS)
While KISS is best known for being a hard rock band, they broke into the disco scene in 1979 with this album. Hits like I was Made for Loving You will really get you into a great mood, and you will want to get up and dance.
Disco’s Greatest Hits (Various Artists)
The best disco songs can be found on this album, from Disco Inferno to Ring My Bell to The Hustle and many more. These songs will make you want to tap your feet and move around.
Classical
Many people don’t want to listen to music that is going to get their adrenaline pumping. For instance, someone who really needs to concentrate doesn’t need lyrics that will distract them. Classical music provides the sounds they need to relax them, but no lyrics. Early in the day, you may want one of the more quiet albums, and you may like something powerful like Beethoven’s 5th later in the day. You will also find great lyrical classical music in some amazing operas. Check out such composers and albums as:
- Mozart: Piano Concertos 20, 21 – Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
- Schubert: “Death and the Maiden” String Quartet – Performed by the Amadeus String Quartet
- Brahms: Piano Trio No. 1 – Performed by Eroica Trio
- Beethoven: “Pathetique” and “Moonlight” Piano Sonatas – Performed by Alfred Brendel
- Bizet: Carmen – Performed by Teresa Berganza, Placido Domingo, and Claudio Abbado
Jazz
There are many different types of jazz, and much of it is really upbeat and fun to listen to. A great example of fun jazz is the Dixieland sound. There are some great songs within this jazz sub-genre, and you can enjoy vocal and instrumental albums. A word of warning, some of the vocal tunes are so catchy you won’t be able to keep from singing along. Here are some of the best jazz albums to listen to while you are working:
Kind of Blue (Miles Davis)
This is one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time, and for good reason. The album showcases some legendary jazz musicians, the songs are simple and easy to listen to.
The Essential Charlie Parker (Charlie Parker)
This artist was one of the creators of bebop, and was an instrumental virtuoso. You can really get into these instrumental hits that highlight the best of jazz.
Incredible Jazz Guitar (Wes Montgomery)
Guitar lovers will enjoy this album, which obviously features pretty much nothing but guitars. You’ll be tapping your toes, and before you know it the day will have flown by.
Head Hunters (Herbie Hancock)
While maybe best known for his electronic music in the 1980’s, Hancock was a huge influence in jazz, introducing the synthesizer to the genre. Enjoy a steady, rhythmic beat and electronic sounds that will keep you in a perky mood.
Playlist: The Very Best of Louis Armstrong (Louis Armstrong)
If you love Dixieland jazz, you will adore anything from this artist. This album will having you bopping around the office to tunes like Mack the Knife and other great jazz hits.
Featured photo credit: Spry via flickr.com
