Exam Tunes

elmyra

I've decided to make a new playlist for driving to the exams to keep me calm, strictly happy happy feel good tunes.

Suggestions please!!

Incidentally, does anyone have a particular song they listen to at exam time? I listened to My Sharona non-stop though my LC and 1st year exams.

Blowfish

Why happy stuff? Theres nothing better than Metallica for all nighters.

Chinafoot

Anything by The Shins.

Its both mellow and uplifting all at the same time. Perfect for travelling into the RDS.

elmyra

Blowfish wrote:

Why happy stuff? Theres nothing better than Metallica for all nighters.

happy songs = happy elmyra = positive exam attitude.

Listening to Metallica after an all nighter is my idea of hell, my head would be hurty enough without rock music

Scraggs

Dance music ftw.
the harder the better!

really gets me psyched up...

It scares/worries some people though, when they hear it on my mp3 player:D

elmyra

peachypants wrote:

Anything by The Shins.

Its both mellow and uplifting all at the same time. Perfect for travelling into the RDS.

'We Built A Raft and We Floated'- that's them isn't it?

Would've been perfect for the NCAD dudes.

elmyra

Scraggs wrote:

Dance music ftw.
the harder the better!

really gets me psyched up...

It scares/worries some people though, when they hear it on my mp3 player:D

If I can have Dragonesta Din Tei, then I fully support dance-psych-up-music

Zulu

Happyness is a Marvin Gayne album. ...or the Beach Boys.

When I was doing exams it was always Led Zepplin though. Fantastic.


...you could try: Ulrich Schnauss - A Strangely Isolated Place

Basq

Either of the 'OK Go' albums or for something a little more mellow, try some Counting Crows ('August And..' / 'This Desert Life') or Elliott Smith ('Either / Or' / 'XO')

ShriekingSheet

I like different songs for their own merits rather than their genre when it comes to the drive to the RDS. Try...

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps

Chemical Brothers - Private Psychadelic Real

Waterboys - Whole of the Moon

Bloc Party - So Here We Are

Duke Special - Freewheel



That's what works for me. I like it mellow with poise and purpose. Getting overly psyched tires me out quickly in an exam.

elmyra

Already have Colourblind and Good Vibrations on it

Shamefully admit I don't know any Zepplin songs...or if I do, I don't know they're LZ.

And...checking Elliot Smith out now.

Thankies all, this is going well, and I can technically consider it 'doing something for my exams'

TheVan

Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen

....in fact anything on Born to Run!

rainbow kirby

I like upbeat music when I'm studying... so:
Sonata Arctica - The Cage
Blind Guardian - The Last Candle
Morcheeba - Rome Wasn't Built In A Day
Gackt - Black Stone
Dir en Grey - Machiavellism

elmyra

ShriekingSheet wrote:

I like different songs for their own merits rather than their genre when it comes to the drive to the RDS. Try...

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps

Chemical Brothers - Private Psychadelic Real

Waterboys - Whole of the Moon

Bloc Party - So Here We Are

Duke Special - Freewheel



That's what works for me. I like it mellow with poise and purpose. Getting overly psyched tires me out quickly in an exam.

It's not even about getting psyched up, just keeping calm. The trip to the RDS is my freak out time cos it's just sitting in traffic and you've lots of time to think when you're not physically doing anything, I tend to think about what I haven't covered...:eek:

elmyra

TheVan wrote:

Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen

....in fact anything on Born to Run!

Covered, so covered *loves Brucie*

elmyra

rainbow kirby wrote:

I like upbeat music when I'm studying... so:
Sonata Arctica - The Cage
Blind Guardian - The Last Candle
Morcheeba - Rome Wasn't Built In A Day
Gackt - Black Stone
Dir en Grey - Machiavellism

Can conclusively say....never heard of any of them

*goes off searching*

ShriekingSheet

elmyra wrote:

It's not even about getting psyched up, just keeping calm. The trip to the RDS is my freak out time cos it's just sitting in traffic and you've lots of time to think when you're not physically doing anything, I tend to think about what I haven't covered...:eek:

ah well then you'll definitely like the stuff I listen to!
Music you don't know that well might help - you might concentrate on it more because you don't know it that well rather then thinking over and over about the exam material you may not have covered.
As calm stuff goes try the song on the myspace page in my sig [/plug] it's a piece of music that calms me down anyhoo.

Waltons

I used to listen to Chopin and Strauss, but that was back in the day when I ACTUALLY studied.
Still not a thousand miles from it: Godspeed You!, Mogwai, A Silver Mount Zion, Do Make Say Think, etc!

Zulu

elmyra wrote:

Shamefully admit I don't know any Zepplin songs...or if I do, I don't know they're LZ.

Nothing shamefull about it - you may be in for a big treat so!
May I recommend:
"The Rain Song" from the album "Houses of the Holy"
"The Battle of Evermore" from the album "IV"
"Going to California" from the album "IV"
"Ramble On" from the album "II"

I'm sure you'll be able to rustle them up somewhere and it'll give you a taste. (They're both mellow and uplifting.)

rainbow kirby

Zeppelin rule! \m/

Zulu

rainbow kirby wrote:

Zeppelin rule! \m/

Yes they do!

besty

A bit of Jack Johnson for when the sun's shining can get you in a great mood.
Look for;
Taylor
Times Like These
Do You Remember
Better Together

Chinafoot

Hehe, I'm probably going to get laughed at for this but I really like that Corrine Baily-Ray song, "Girl put your records on". Perfect for exam time when you listen to the words.

"3 little birds sat on my window and they told me I don't have to worry."

and of course the chorus

"Girl put your records on, tell me your favourite song. You go ahead let your hair down. Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams. Just go ahead, let your hair down."

Sad I know, but its cheered me up lately.

Apart from that I would recommend;

-anything by The Boss
-early Michael Jackson
-early Billy Joel
-anything by Queen
-Grace by Jeff Buckley
-"Love Cats" by The Cure
-"Mirror in the Bathroom" by The Beat
-"Tainted Love" by Soft Cell
-generally any 80's stuff

Blowfish

Zulu wrote:

Nothing shamefull about it - you may be in for a big treat so!
May I recommend:
"The Rain Song" from the album "Houses of the Holy"
"The Battle of Evermore" from the album "IV"
"Going to California" from the album "IV"
"Ramble On" from the album "II"

I'm sure you'll be able to rustle them up somewhere and it'll give you a taste. (They're both mellow and uplifting.)

Yes definitely, though I would add "Babe i'm leaving you" and "Dazed and confused". I'm with Rainbow Kirby, for some reason upbeat ones seem to work best for me, and Blind Guardian - definitely. In saying that though i'm actually listening to Katie Melua at the moment, and have about 200 albums of classical stuff.

[edit] just read peachy's and strangely I seem to have most of her stuff aswell.

Zulu

Blowfish wrote:

Yes definitely, though I would add "Babe i'm leaving you" and "Dazed and confused".

Well, I wanted to ease them into it.

I could keep listing Zepplin songs all day...

Blowfish

Yeah me too. Oh and if any of you have seen Top Of The Pops 2, the theme song is Zeppelin

singingstranger

Indeed, Whole Lotta Love by Zepplin.

Relaxing study time song: Glósóli by Sigur Rós from the album Takk. Amazing.

Hermione*

Would have to agree with a lot of Steph's recommendations, especially the Queen part. Am also loving the Corinne Bailey Ray, mostly cos it's nearly always on the radio when I get home!

Chinafoot

Hermione* wrote:

Would have to agree with a lot of Steph's recommendations, especially the Queen part. Am also loving the Corinne Bailey Ray, mostly cos it's nearly always on the radio when I get home!

Yay! I thought I was going to get slagged for that.

I tend to listen to a lot of what I'd listen to when getting ready to head out on the lash.

Hermione*

Maybe it just means we'll both be slagged Steph! I do have terribly mainstream taste in music, I can't help it that lots of people like the music I like :rolleyes:

Chinafoot

Hermione* wrote:

Maybe it just means we'll both be slagged Steph! I do have terribly mainstream taste in music, I can't help it that lots of people like the music I like :rolleyes:

Hehe, we can still be elitist....we just have more people in our exclusive club.

ShriekingSheet

ShriekingSheet wrote:

Chemical Brothers - Private Psychadelic Real

Definitely. Personally, I'd always go for a bit of Polyphonic Spree, it's very calming, fun and will get you into a good mood.

Mr.Nice Guy

The way I see it you need five core exam songs. (2 Uplifting rock songs, 1 self-reflecting rock song, 1 uplifting melody and 1 cheesy song.

For me it's:

- Alter Bridge - Metalingus (Uplifting Rock)

- Creed - Stand Here With Me (Uplifting Rock)

- Foo Fighters - Best of You (Self-reflecting Rock)

- Gerry & the Pacemakers - You'll Never Walk Alone (Uplifting melody)

- Queen - We Are The Champions (Cheesy)


And if you need a song to coincide with finding out that you have passed your exams, listen to the song I listened to when I passed my first year exams:

Kool and the Gang - Celebration

Chinafoot

Mr.Nice Guy wrote:

Kool and the Gang - Celebration

If I manage to pass this year I'll be singing that one for a looooong time!

curious_george

elmyra wrote:

I've decided to make a new playlist for driving to the exams to keep me calm, strictly happy happy feel good tunes

"Happiness is a mediocre synod for a midlle class existence, I see through smiles and smell truth in the distance. Beyond one dimensional smiles and laughter lies the hereafter where tears echo laughter..."

That's Saul Williams, but he's probably not the right man for pre-exam listening.
Check out:

Blockhead - Music By Cavelight
Rainstick Orchestra - The Floating Glass Key in the Sky

They'll keep you calm.

JustCoz

Personally I love listening to the Muse song, Time is running out. It's really appropriate.

Also any Jack Johnson because it's nice and calming, or We Are Scientists

arbeitsscheuer

Strictly upbeat? *Sigh* Well alright then:

The Waterboys - This is the Sea
Alisha's Attic - Indestructible
Lighthouse Family - High
The Cure - Why Can't I Be You?
The Frank & Walters - After All
Journey - Don't Stop Believin'
Queen - We Will Rock You
Simple Minds - Alive and Kicking
The Who - Teenage Wasteland
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts - My Bad Reputation
Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule the World
Labi Siffre - Something Inside So Strong
Elmer Bernstein - The Great Escape
George Frederick Handel - Zadok The Priest
Lemon Demon - Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny
Wierd Al Yankovic - The Saga Begins
Dario G - Sunchyme
Enigma - Return To Innocence
M.A.R.R.S. - Pump Up The Volume

That enough?

Of course, my Exam Tunes will be much more depressing, but hey, that's just me...

Hermione*

I love that Labi Siffre song, so soothing imo.

Waltons

singingstranger wrote:

Relaxing study time song: Glósóli by Sigur Rós from the album Takk. Amazing.

Gooooooood choice

Basq

Seb.. some absolute feckin' blinders in there from you! Good show!

Especially agee with:

Lighthouse Family - High
The Cure - Why Can't I Be You?
Journey - Don't Stop Believin'
Queen - We Will Rock You
Simple Minds - Alive and Kicking
The Who - Teenage Wasteland
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts - My Bad Reputation
Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule the World
Dario G - Sunchyme
Enigma - Return To Innocence

But Lighthouse Family 'High' and Enigma 'Return To Innocence' would not be marked as 'upbeat' in my books. Probably the opposite side of the spectrum for me!

And i'd also like to add in another 5 more for a particularly sombre mood:

Imogen Heap - "Hide And Seek"
The The - "This Is The Day"
Travis - "Slide Show"
Elliott Smith - "Waltz #2"
The Postal Service - "This Place Is A Prison"

PS - and for a good ol' happy bop-your-head song, try The Monotypes "Dead Streets".. think it's on their MySpace... yep, there we go!

Scraggs

Heres what'll be goin' on mine on my power 'get in the zone' walk to the RDS:D

• Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Whats-her-face -It Ain't Me Babe
• Arctic Monkeys cover of Girls Aloud Love Machine
• Boulevard of Broken songs mash up of some good 'uns
• Paddy Casey -Saints and Sinners the version with the gospel choir in it from 'Even Better than the Real Thing 2'
• Beyonce/PussyCat Dolls mash -Check on it Boyfriend
• Too Many DJs - Danger High Voltage
• Ac/Dc -Shook Me All Night Long
• Don McLean -American Pie
• Patience and Prudence -Ribbon and a Smile <----this is the best song ever its on the lotto ad!
• Build me Up Buuttercup
• Van -Brown Eyed Girl [shallalalalala....]
• Undertones -Teenage Kicks
• Christy Moore -Lisdoonvarna
• Santanna and Rob Thomas -Smooth
• Bob Dylan -Hurricane
• Too Many DJ's -No Fun/Push It
• Orson -the new song I cant remember the name of!
• Elton John -The way you look tonight
• I'm Still Standing
• Interpol - Evil
• Mary J Blige and U2 -One

ahhhh and there'll be some Kanye, Zutons, Queen, Bell X1, Tim McGraw blah blah blah....... I know I'm leaving out loads but honestly couldnt be arsed typing it out...

Its still work in progress btw ..havent decided on what way/order I'll mix em its hard to get beat right esp with a variety*



*yes I will probably spend more time on this than actual study!!

Mr.Nice Guy

Scraggs wrote:

Heres what'll be goin' on mine on my power 'get in the zone' walk to the RDS:D

• Christy Moore -Lisdoonvarna

That's something you listen to when you're power walking to a Riverdance concert.

Scraggs

MNG I'll have to lend ya my Celtic Woman cd my mate Orla is in it... you'd love it:p

arbeitsscheuer

Mr.Nice Guy wrote:

That's something you listen to when you're power walking to a Riverdance concert.

rofl... Fcuking priceless mate...

Me, I wouldn't be caught dead within 5 yards of most if not all of the tracks Scraggs selected. But that's just me.

pretty*monster

Scraggs wrote:

• Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Whats-her-face -It Ain't Me Babe
  

Why, why, why would you listen to that when you could listen to Johnny Cash and June Carter give a much better rendition?


I won't be listening to anything because I dropped my mp3 played one too many times and it's completely banjaxed.

ferdi

reggae and ska usually -0 chills me out and puts a smile on my face

Hermione*

Ah now Seb, teenage kicks is a classic, you've GOT to love it! And the Artic Monkeys covering Girlks Aloud, I'll have to find that on the internet.

This thread is increasing my desire for an ipod, which I can't afford. Although I discovered you can get a 30GB one shipped from Apple for €250. If it makes my walk down the road to the RDS easier, I think I may have to increase my indebtedness and buy it :rolleyes:

mloc

Does anyone find listening to music while studying helps drown out distractions? I've a nice study playlist, mostly of Air, Royksopp that kind of thing. Basically background music to stop people talking to me or to stop me listening!

boneless

Combat Rock by The Clash.

Sandanista by The Clash.

London Calling by The Clash... in fact, any bloody thing by The Clash.

Chavez Ravine by Ry Cooder.

The Hard Way by Steve Earle.

The Black Rider by Tom Waits... especially the Russian Dance; thats a good one to clear the head... hang on, these are all albums!! Ah fook i', I don't care...

Lotus by Santana (live album... Check out the change of style in Toussaint le Overture...)

Beethovens 9th... that gives me hope to go on... so does Dvoraks 9th...

Chillin, Cooking, Steaming (3 Albums) with the Miles Davis Quintet.

Blues and Roots by Charles Mingus... will I go on?

elmyra

Ze final playlist all compiled up today....

Good Vibrations- The Beach Boys
My Sharona- The Knack
Come on Feel The Noise- Noddy Holder
Hotel Yorba- The White Stripes
Whole of the Moon- The Waterboys
Rome Wasn't Built in a Day- Morcheeba
Going to California- LZ
We Are The Champions- Queen
Tainted Love-Soft Cell
Don't Stop Believin'- Journey
Any Way You Want It- Journey
Amish Paradise- Weird Al Yankovich
One Week- Barenaked Ladies
Love Shack- B-52's
Come On Eileen- Dexy's Midnight Runners
Karma Chameleon- Culture Club
American Pie- Don McLean
Brown Eyed Girl- Van Morrison
Gimme Hope Joanna- Eddy Grant
Funky Town- Lipps Inc
Smells Like Teenspirit- Nirvana
Wired to the Moon- The Revs
Out of My Bed- The Revs
Footloose- Kenny Loggins

Thankies very much to everyone for the great suggestions, I was fantastically lucky I just 'found' all those songs you were suggesting in a box outside the front door this morning.

arbeitsscheuer

Not bad, elmyra... Not bad at all.

Glad we could be of some help (except Scraggs - she was rubbish:p)