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Gracie Gregory (she/her)
Gracie Gregory (she/her)

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What are your top 3 focus songs?

At the risk of sounding like a Martian that got plopped into Williamsburg, Brooklyn in 2004 and is trying to blend in... I'm getting back into playlists.

A lot of my job involves writing, and it can be hard to focus on creating NEW words if I'm hearing ones sung by someone else (— my brain kinda prioritizes Kate Bush's voice over my own thoughts as it should). I do love certain instrumental artists/styles but generally, I'm a bigger fan of songs with lyrics. Because of this, I often forget to even seek out music for tasks wherein melodic sounds would actually help with the task at hand.

But recently, a good friend of mine went through a breakup and I did what any good friend would do... I made a ton of playlists for her to get through it! I remembered how obsessively I used to curate playlists, and how amazing they are for focusing on a feeling, daydream, or goal. Now that I'm a working lady with words to sling, this experience got me back in the mood to make some great work playlists for my non-writing tasks.

So I'm curious... what are your top 3 favorite songs to work to? Coding or otherwise? Fill my playlist!

Here are my picks

1. Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush

Yep, I'm a huge K.B. fan. I think of her as a glorious 80s witch that belongs in the terrifying dark fantasy world of Return to Oz (anyone? anyone? Don't watch that movie alone if you've never seen it. It's supposed to be a kids movie but it's pure terror but visually pretty awesome).

Why it helps me focus: There's something about the electronics in this song that are really conducive to focusing on more repetitive tasks. And there's enough vague, cool imagery in there that allows certain types of work to fly by. Kate's a queen — and a surprisingly good work-companion. Can I also just say that I am PRAYING for that collab between Kate and Big Boi?!
Kate Bush
All hail the other royal Kate! Image courtesy of Stephen Luff.

2. Time by Jungle

Jungle rules and if you haven't checked out their eponymous debut album and INCREDIBLE music videos (when you don't have a ton of work to crank out)... walk, don't run.

Why it helps me focus: It's cheerful and upbeat (pun neither intended or not intended) but also has the refrain of "time" in it which it motivating on a subconscious level when you have to get stuff done.

Jungle
I both highly agree and highly disagree with this YouTube comment.

3. Walkaway Blues by M83

It's weird that I can multitask while listening to M83 because I have some great memories from a few of their live shows and I'd think it would send me into a Scrubs-style flashback. Instead, I have finished many an assignment listening to their 2016 album, Junk.

Why it helps me focus: Lots of '80s-elements in here, too. It makes sense that synth/electronic music helps me (and many other people) do work related to tech, I guess! There are some crazy electric guitar solos in here (emphasis on electric ⚡)

M83
M83 @ Electric Factory, Philadelphia, 08/01/2012 — Image courtesy of Vladimir on Flickr at philadelphia_live


What else should I add to my focus playlist? And why?

P.S. Yes, I fully get the irony of spending precious time writing about songs that help me focus. Let me live.

Latest comments (52)

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ruannawrites profile image
Ruanna

I am all about playlists too! I still listen to ones I made 10+ years ago 😆. I made a couple different writing playlists that have a collection of downtempo and instrumental songs (Tycho, Explosions in the Sky, M83, The Album Leaf, etc.) and also instrumental songs from movies (like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). Those playlists help me get in the writing zone. :)

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Hussein Al Hammad

I normally prefer instrumental progressive metal. I find many albums flow nicely so I have favourite focus albums rather than specific tracks. My most read post on here is about this:

If I have to pick 3 tracks, they'd be:
1- Seven Insignia by Sunset in the 12th House
2- Station by Russian Circles
3- (II) by Toundra (the full album 😅)

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felipperegazio profile image
Felippe Regazio

I like to listen to lo-fi trip hop when needing to focus on something : )

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graciegregory profile image
Gracie Gregory (she/her)

Yep, the best.

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felipperegazio profile image
Felippe Regazio

oh! also... ive been listen to it all day long :P

youtube.com/watch?v=lZ-pFRiZGQY

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Galuh Utama • Edited

I’ve been listening to RATM while working lately. Work has been incredibly long and tiring and endless lately and so I need more adrenaline.

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James Bubb

Oooh, it's been Metallica recently (Death Magnetic) but also some Photek or Squarepusher I find is good for focusing.

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Matteo Vignoli • Edited

Uhm, what about:
1) Complete silence;
2) If unattainable, white noise
3) If no silence and no white noise, scream "shut up!!" and recurse

BTW Hans Zimmer rocks! But I would lose myself in the music, I cannot listen to it while coding

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Gracie Gregory (she/her)

Complete silence is a true bop!

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kamil_k7k profile image
Kamil A. Kaczmarek

Hey,
You may want to try functional music like brain.fm -> it works really good for focusing.

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stereoplegic profile image
Mike Bybee • Edited

For me, lyrics aren't a problem as long as the music is intricate enough to keep them from taking over. On that note, below is my recent post about the new Haken release. It feels like an instant 50 point IQ boost for me. They're at the top of my list of "flow" state music.

dev.to/stereoplegic/tunes-for-brai...

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graciegregory profile image
Gracie Gregory (she/her)

Thank you!

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sowamy profile image
Gino

Don't have specific songs, but Cyberpunk 2077 music is great. Also anything by Rammstein (I don't even try to understand the lyrics). Finally, the new Doom soundtrack is great for some metal in the background.

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rakeshsagar64 profile image
Rakesh Sagar • Edited

Ignoring the rule of three coz
I AM REBEL

Default case:- Stuff by the red hot chili peppers
Good bye angel
Rain dance Maggie
Look around
Other side

When deadline is far away and work is chill:-childish Gambino's
red bone
feels like summer

When I need an evil plan to conquer the world:-
Rammenstien's Engel, Deutschland, feur feil
Metallica's king nothing,
Slipknot's psyco social (banjo cover)

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abhayamaskey profile image
AbhayaMaskey
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jwp profile image
John Peters • Edited

Claude Debussy

Emerson Lake and Palmer

Primus

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graciegregory profile image
Gracie Gregory (she/her)

Debussy <3

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samuelorobosa profile image
Samuel Amagbakhen

Dej Loaf - Desire
Era - Ameno
Dej Loaf - Liberated

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Helder Burato Berto

Normally, I listen Lofi, Blues or Hip-Hop classics from 80-90y

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Nick Taylor

I’ve been listening to a lot of Survive this year. I also love Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ collabs.

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graciegregory profile image
Gracie Gregory (she/her)

Trent Reznor is a genius.

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stereoplegic profile image
Mike Bybee

Both discs of The Fragile together (still my fav album of all time). Great for getting a large chunk of work done. That album is such a journey.