For me, music is by far the most powerful tool to help me tap into the right headspace when I’m writing.  Here are a few songs that help me get there:

Cheers Darlin’ by Damien Rice always makes me think of grief and betrayal.  I picture a man sitting at a table with a lit cigarette while pouring himself a glass of whiskey.

Man In The Long Black Coat by Joan Osborne calls to mind misty hollows full of poverty and desperate women who fall for the wrong men.

Mirror Mirror On The Wolf  by Alice Russell is a song of strength.  I think of a woman who is standing up for herself and speaking from her own truth.  She’s telling her man to step up and be accountable because she’s learned to accept no less for herself.

Seconds Of Pleasure by Van Hunt is a sleepy morning in bed.  It’s a man who loves his woman and appreciates every moment he gets to spend with her.  

Blackout by Muse is about being fully present in the moment and appreciating the beauty in life.  It’s a walk amongst the trees, the smell of a flower, a breeze upon the skin.  It’s growing through insight and revelation.

Whether you’re religious or not there’s no doubt that the cover of All My Tears by Norwegian singer, Ane Brun, can elevate one’s spirit to new heights.  Her version inspires visions of a penitent old woman who’s suffered a lot of heartbreak and loss in her derelict town.

Stone Rollin’ by Raphael Saadiq is a celebration of life.  It’s physical attraction.  It’s going to a club with your friends in the 1960’s and hearing your favorite band play while having a few drinks and admiring the opposite sex.  It’s the smoke, the sweat, the heat of a hot summer night.

Prairie Lullaby by Diana Krall is the O.K. Corral as our hero saddles up and rides his sorrel into the sunset.  It’s a children’s song for little boys who wear cowboy pajamas and dream of coyotes and dusty trails under a full moon.

Sea Of Love by the Honeydrippers is a young couple slow dancing to the big band under a shimmering glitter ball while volunteers collect war bonds by the door.  It’s the last song of the night and the young soldier is shipping out for France in the morning.