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Favorite Songs, Albums, & Movie Soundtracks to Get My Creative Mojo Going!
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items Music sets the mood for me. It can lift my spirits, make me anticipate the next scene, and nuance the subtleties of humor, epiphany, and sacrifice in so many evocative, yet sometimes wordless ways. Here are some personal favorites with which I can de...
Note: This list may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission (at no extra charge to you) if you make a purchase using these links.
Note: This list may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission (at no extra charge to you) if you make a purchase using these links.
Sections
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Albums & Songs
Movie Soundtracks
Albums & Songs
Standouts that take me to a specific decade, event, or feeling.
My favorite symphonies from this contemporary American composer are Fanfare for the Common Man (played at the start of the Olympics) and Hoedown (a lively, fast-paced piece that has a country western feel to it). You'll recognize both when you hear t...
Aaron Copland: Greatest Hits
Anything ABBA, because this band's repertoire is so upbeat. Even the more introspective pieces like “Fernando” and “The Winner Takes It All” can't get me down!
ABBA Gold Collection - Greatest Hits
British tenor Russell Watson delivers a thrilling opening to the theme song of the Star Trek: Enterprise TV series.
Faith of the Heart (Russell Watson)
Beauties and the Beat: throw four fashionable and gorgeous women into that European-Australian string quartet and girl group known as Bond. Crossover is their forte – listen as they fuse classical music with rock!
Explosive: The Best of Bond
When I need to get myself psyched for a personal or professional challenge, this is my go-to song.
Fight Song (Rachel Platten)
When the chips are down, this song makes me feel like someone is looking out for me.
Footprints in the Sand (Leona Lewis)
Coca Cola may have popularized this theme (which should be an anthem for today, especially given the state of the world), but this version stands well on its own merits with its eternal message of friendship.
I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (The Hillside Singers)
Oh man. Oh Armani. The international quartet (with the late great baritone Carlos Marin) that sings in many different languages of love.
Il Divo - The Greatest Hits
From numbers like “Don't Walk Away” and “Speechless” and “You Are My Life”, Invincible represents Michael Jackson at his most vocally beautiful and emotionally naked – and that makes this one of my favorite MJJ albums.
Invincible (Michael Jackson)
This song outshone the movie in which it was used (Mannequin with Andrew McCarthy and Kim Cattrall).
Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now (Starship)
The message of this powerful, anti-war counterculture tune is especially poignant in today's world.
One Tin Soldier (The Original Caste)
A great song for sports teams who like to celebrate their hard-fought wins!
We Are the Champions (Queen)
Kenny Loggins justly earned the title of King of the Movie Soundtrack with singles like “Danger Zone”, “Footloose”, and "I'm Alright", but I love his softer tunes as well, including “Meet Me Halfway”, “Forever”, “Return to Pooh Corner”, and “For the ...
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow - Kenny Loggins Hits
Movie Soundtracks
Because every track is eminently listenable. It gets me in the right mood to be creative!
Who could forget Robin Williams as the voice of the Genie? He's as mentally nimble and funny, even when he's singing “Friend Like Me”. Jasmine and Aladdin's duet on “A Whole New World” is the exciting start of their journey, with sweeping new vistas ...
Aladdin Special Edition Soundtrack
Get lost in James Horner's lush compositions, which take you to the exotic and deadly world of Pandora. Leona Lewis does a fantastic job of turning the Na'vi greeting into a hauntingly unforgettable love song.
Avatar From The Motion Picture Music Soundtrack
One of my absolute favorites. Angela Lansbury, Paige O'Hara, and Robbie Benson all take turns with wonderful musical and spoken parts in this enchanting French tale that's as old as time.
Beauty and the Beast Soundtrack (2006)
I suppose you could also title the live-action remake of the 1991 blockbuster a tale of two Emmas!
Beauty and the Beast Soundtrack (2017)
Yes, I know that Disney's version of Hercules was a complete deviation from the traditional mythos of Heracles … but the songs and scoring of this underdog movie are simply irresistible.
Disney's Hercules Original Soundtrack
It's The House of Mouse's animated take on the timeless Hans Christensen classic, put to some amazing musical pieces like “Under the Sea” and “Part of Your World.”
Disney's The Little Mermaid Soundtrack
The Glee of the 1980s! Who knew that the search and struggle for recognition by students in the fine performing arts could become one of the defining movies and songs of that decade?
Fame-Music from the Hit Movie Original Soundtrack (1980)
Even in the future, the protagonist has got to have his favorite list of tunes with which to do battle with the big bads, and save the lives of billions in the galaxy. Awesome, indeed.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 Soundtrack
Girl from ancient China steals her father's sword, dresses up like a man, and rides off to enlist in the Chinese army to do battle against the Huns. The soundtrack is also pretty awesome (Donny Osmond nails it in “I'll Make a Man Out of You” as the s...
Mulan Movie Soundtrack (1998)
Things happen in a decidedly un-fairytale-like manner, in this first of four animated movies about a grumpy green monster and his companions, which does sendups of countless movies and TV shows. So many more songs joined my song hitlist after I saw S...
Shrek - Music from the Movie
Wonderfully scored by Hans Zimmer, and Bryan Adams's vocal contributions add the touches of rawness and wildness that this animated movie demands. Worth a listen, even when you're not watching the movie!
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron Soundtrack
John Williams' musical compositions make the Star Wars saga a truly epic one, hitting all the highs and lows with the right notes.
Star Wars: A New Hope Motion Picture Soundtrack
Elton John and Hans Zimmer team up to deliver the dramatic songs that chronicle the story of a young, prince, from his carefree days growing up a scion and heir apparent of Pride Rock, to his evolving realization that he must do battle to reclaim his...
The Lion King: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1994)
Survivor and Bill Conti deliver the anthemic one-two punch in this historic tale of a poor kid from the Bronx who wanted to make his mark in the world of boxing. How can one listen to “Gonna Fly Now” and “Eye of the Tiger” without getting motivated t...
Imagine if Freddie Mercury had not denied Stallone's offer to use “Another One Bites the Dust” in the movie. Well, the rest, as they say, is cinematic and soundtrack history.
Imagine if Freddie Mercury had not denied Stallone's offer to use “Another One Bites the Dust” in the movie. Well, the rest, as they say, is cinematic and soundtrack history.
The Rocky Story The Original Soundtrack Songs