I have never been a musician. I have never learned how to play any musical instrument and although I sang in a choir as a freshman in high school, my singing barely passes as anything good. My ears were late at getting into the game of liking music. I shrugged off music while my friends walked the halls of our school singing Green Day, Avril Lavigne, and Sum 41. I just didn't get it. But then I fell in love, mostly with soundtracks, some classic rock, and a couple of U2 songs.
We all know that when we watch a movie, the music is informing the scene. It has the ability to set the mood, the tone. Basically if it is effective is rips right into us and forces us to feel like the characters really are going on a heroic and dangerous journey or that a place really is magical or that a situation really is very tragic. When I was in high school and wanted to feel a certain way I knew exactly what song from a movie to choose. When I had a tough day at school, I'd put in my ear buds and stare out the window as the music flooded into my being. Everything I looked at had this background music and the meaning I attributed to everything I saw was informed by the type of music it was.
I still do this. We all do. We have all watched movies. They are a big part of our culture and we have learned how to create a soundtrack to our lives. We all now have portable music players that can store thousands of songs. We walk through life impacted by the music we choose to blast in our minds. This is our generation.
I thought very little about whether or not I'd like to bring music with me on the Appalachian Trail. I thought about how we didn't have music at boot camp and how I often would try to sing the lyrics to good songs so I could remember. Some of them would haunt me because I couldn't remember them all and I didn't have any way of looking them up. I wrote the ones I could remember down on a small notebook and carried it in my pocket just in case I forgot them again. Funny, I thought I knew them. I could always remember them when singing along with them at home, but trying to conjure the words completely out of thin air was nearly impossible. Once boot camp was over I lovingly listened to all my old music and it enthralled me like I was listening to it for the first time again.
Music is very magical to me. Since I have a critically analytic personality and a degree in English I have learned how to analyze a lot. Whenever I enjoy a book, a poem, a movie and to lesser degrees a physical work of art like a painting or a sculpture, I approach them with a critic's eye. It helps me to enjoy them, to know how they evoked a certain mood or message. But I do not understand music. I don't know how musicians make a certain sound feel sad or happy or any other way. And while I can analyze and enjoy the lyrics, music is one of the few things left in today's world that can completely enrapture me in its mystery.
We will be bringing a Smartphone to use for listening to music, taking photos, and using wifi in towns/hostels. We are bringing no backup battery so we will not count on it to always be workable. We are bringing a Tracfone solely for making calls and the battery on it works like a champ. Once the Smartphone dies, we won't use it until the next time we can charge it. In this way, we won't be using it constantly. We will have to pick and choose when to use it. We won't instantly have it within arm's reach. We won't constantly be plugged in. But with five-to-seven months on the Trail, I'm sure we'll find numerous occasions where it will be nice to listen to a little music and some occasions where we will enjoy silence or the music of the woods. And since we are only bringing one Smartphone, only one of us can use it at any given time anyhow.
So what music have I chosen to be a part of the soundtrack of this journey? I mostly just collected all of my favorites music, but I did specifically buy some songs/albums because they seemed like good hiking music. I'm already excited about listening to come of the songs while I climb up a mountainside. Originally, I was just going to list the musical artists here, but after listening to them in an attempt to categorize them, I decided to share my I've chosen to bring these along. Music is a beautiful thing to share so maybe you'll find something you can enjoy here too.
Artist: America
Album: America's Greatest Hits - History
Sometimes it is easy to pick out only one or two really good songs from a band, but America truly has several amazing songs and they're all here in this album. You can tell this 70s band really tried to live up to their name, as their folksy rock tunes somehow sound like America, making it an essential piece to a collection created to accompany a 2,184 mile journey through the forests and mountains of the unmistakably American Appalachians.
Artist: Arcade Fire
Albums: Funeral, Neon Bible, The Suburbs
This famous, spirited indie rock band does not sound outdoorsy nor do they specifically write about nature or any kind of journey. They do, however, like to write about the state of our world today, the ill effects of our modern culture, and fear for our future if we continue living the way we do. And as much as they critique today's world, they don't sound overly preachy and certainly reveal that they are not somehow above, but very much created by and a part of it all. Many of their songs could be the anthem for my AT trek, reminding me what I have escaped for a few months, anyhow.
Don't wanna hear the noises on TV
Don't want the salesmen coming after me
Don't wanna live in my father's house no more
Don't want it faster, I don't want it free
Don't wanna show you what they done to me
Artist: The Avett Brothers
Album: I and Love and You
I hadn't listened to this band much, but my favorite professor from college really liked them so I was interested. Since their music is folk rock and they hail from North Carolina I thought they might be a nice addition to the AT soundtrack. Boy was that an understatement. They are a perfect blend of folk, country, bluegrass, and rock, making for great Trail music. What I have heard from this album I have absolutely loved, but I almost want to stop listening to it until I'm out in the woods so I can enjoy it in an entirely different way. I also only purchased one album, but they have many. I may have to buy some more.
Load the car and write the note
Grab your bag and grab your coat
Tell the ones that need to know
We are headed north
One foot in and one foot back
But it don't pay to live like that
So I cut the ties and I jumped the tracks
For never to return
Artist: Band of Horses
Song: No One's Gonna Love You
This love song from the Seattle-based rock band really has nothing to do with anything thru-hiking related. It is just a great song!
It's looking like a limb torn off
Or altogether just taken apart
We're reeling through an endless fall
We are the ever-living ghost of what once was
Artist: The Beatles
Album: Love
The Beatles don't really need any introduction and this compilation album has most of their greatest and most recognizable songs. I haven't really analyzed all of these songs, but I haven't noticed anything that overtly relates to long-distance hiking. But "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" was one of the first songs I ever really fell in love with and everyone can use a little Beatles in their life every now and again!
Artist: The Black Keys
Album: El Camino
Songs: Tighten Up, Howlin' for You
This indie rock band also doesn't really write about anything about the thru-hiking lifestyle, but the music really makes me happy. It is the kind of music that can make you dance, while avoided trite lyrics and simplified melodies/choruses so common to the music leading in the sales market right now. Although, I guess they're not really writing for teenage girls anyway. Every song on El Camino is enjoyable, and I also snatched up a couple of their other biggest singles.
Artist: Broken Bells
Song: The High Road
It seems to me that this song is about a few characters who have made poor decisions and found themselves in unsavory circumstances. The chorus then calls you and me and the characters to change our lifestyles before it is too late and we lose something before it can be reclaimed. It reminds me of our normal cultural life that tempts us in so many ways to not be the best selves that we can be and perhaps the Appalachian Trail is that 'high road' that can help people out of certain situations/lifestyles.
Artist: Cage the Elephant
Song: Come a Little Closer
I don't think I understand this song completely, but I think it has to do with becoming close to other people and even becoming closer to understanding oneself, what ones' dreams are, and how to not let them simply burn away with time. These are great things to contemplate while making a long introspective journey!
Artist: Canned Heat
Song: Going Up the Country
This song from the blues and boogie band from the 70s is a quintessential song for anyone escaping the city life! Pretty simple, straight-forward, and applicable to thru-hiking.
I'm gonna leave this city, got to get away.
I'm gonna leave this city, got to get away.All this fussing and fighting, man, you know I sure can't stay.
Artist: The Cinematic Orchestra
Album: Ma Fleur
This album is an excellent collaboration of several talented artists that really know how to create powerful stuff. Where many musicians sing too much, the Cinematic Orchestra knows how to sing as little as necessary, making each word dig deep into your soul. The voices are powerful and the songs that do contain lyrics are often made up of small repeated phrases that allow us, as listeners to become transported to some other time or place in our minds. It seriously is real easy to get lost in this music and use it as a way to think of everything and nothing at the same time. These songs were really created for the kind of contemplative lifestyle one hopes for in Trail life.
In joy and pain
Each born will grow.
For wisdom is so much more
than what we know.
And every child
will find their way
of living their own life story
day by day.
Artist: Coconut Records
Album: Nighttiming
This indie pop music from actor Jason Schwartzman is impossible not to like! Again, it's not really wilderness trekking music, but it is an album that easily sets a breezy, happy mood. Enjoy!
Artist: Dave Matthews
Songs: Gravedigger (acoustic), Shake Me Like a Monkey, Funny the Way It Is
My two favorite songs from this famous musician couldn't be more different. "Gravedigger (acoustic)" was another one of the songs that began my first love affair with music and is definitely somber while "Shake Me Like a Monkey" couldn't be any more carefree and crazy. It just makes me want to dance! I'll just be bringing this small taste of Dave Matthews with me though, because there isn't much related to backpacking in his music.
Standing on a bridge, watch the water passing underneath
It must have been much harder when there was no bridge, just water
Now the world is small, compared to how it used to be
With mountains and oceans and winters and rivers and stars
It must have been much harder when there was no bridge, just water
Now the world is small, compared to how it used to be
With mountains and oceans and winters and rivers and stars
Artist: Eddie Vedder
Album: Music for the Motion Picture Into the Wild
Pearl Jam's vocals man created the music for Sean Penn's movie about a real-life young man who left his life behind to hitchhike around the country for two years and live in the Alaskan wilderness by himself. As you can imagine, all of the songs are about leaving society and embracing the natural world which makes it perfect for an Appalachian Trail soundtrack as well.
Subtle voices in the wind,
And the truth they're telling
The world begins where the road ends
Watch me leave it all behind
Far behind
And the truth they're telling
The world begins where the road ends
Watch me leave it all behind
Far behind
Artist: Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
Album: Up From Below
The sound of this indie folk band really seem to align with the mood of Trail life. In the lyrics you can hear a desire to escape the normal kind of modern life and realign with something more primeval. Their song "Home" is enough to get anyone excited and is a good anthem for my wife and I as we travel the world; our home will be with each other.
Artist: Explosions in the Sky
Albums: The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place; How Strange, Innocence; Take Care, Take Care, Take Care
This purely instrumental band is perfect when lyrics will be distracting, but you want to listen to something beautiful or set the mood in a certain way. Somehow their music makes me feel the sublime beauty of the natural world so I'm bringing it along to the place I hope will also provide some natural wonders.
Artist: Fleet Foxes
Album: Fleet Foxes
This folk indie band uses a lot of natural imagery in this album, and even have a song called "Blue Ridge Mountains," which is a large part of the southern part of the Appalachian Mountains. Mountains obviously have left a strong impression on these songwriters and each song sounds as soft as a small mountain stream flowing smoothly through the woods.
Artist: Gungor
Song: Beautiful Things, Ghosts Upon the Earth
If you are not are not a Christian, this music may not be for you. It is pretty loaded with biblical allusions and phraseology common among Christians. About half of their songs are a humble declaration of how messed up they are, along with a plea for a closeness to God. The other half exalt God for the beauty of the world, often referring to the natural world, which is great for any Christian thru-hiker. The music is much better than other music labeled Christian. Honestly, I don't care much for most of the overtly Christian music, with the exception of three bands who all made it on this list.This band is the most "worship-y" of the three so if you are looking for something different I'd try the others.
Standing up from crags and clay
The peaks of earth
In full display
They break the lines
That break the sky
That’s full of life
Full of life
The chaos of creation’s dance
A tapestry, a symphony
Of life himself
Of love herself
It’s written in our very skin
The peaks of earth
In full display
They break the lines
That break the sky
That’s full of life
Full of life
The chaos of creation’s dance
A tapestry, a symphony
Of life himself
Of love herself
It’s written in our very skin
Artist: Jack Johnson
Albums: Brushfire Fairytales, In Between Dreams, On and On, Sleep Through the Static
This Hawaiian indie pop musician's songs are probably better suited to the surfer's lifestyle, but I'm sure at some points during the arduous journey through the mountains I'll want to escape to the islands. A lot of his songs are catchy and fun to sing along with and since I listened to him a lot during high school, I still remember a lot of his lyrics. Also, between his fun rhymes and imagery are a lot of lyrics critiquing our modern, fast-paced, television worshipping culture. The album Sleep Through the Static is more somber, but in a good way.
To quiet us down
The world has its ways
To quiet us down comes the rain
Down comes our spirits again
But Down comes the strength
To lift us up and then...
Artist: Johnny Cash
Songs: Hurt, God's Gonna Cut You Down
Johnny Cash is another musician who needs no introduction from me. Although he is a prolific singer, I am only taking two of his songs with me. I know he has many great songs that I'm not bringing along. I chose these two because they speak the most to me. One is about regret and the meaninglessness of the things we, as a society, deem valuable and the other is about the inevitable repercussions of running away from God.
Artist: mewithoutYou
Albums: Brother, Sister; Catch For Us the Foxes; It's All Crazy! It's All False! It's All a Dream! It's Alright; Ten Stories
This is my favorite band, although I hated them about the first twenty times I listened to them. These musicians very personally sing about their struggles as Christians, everything from depression and suicidal feelings to guilt and lust. They often take jabs at mainstream Western Christians, calling us to get closer to God and further away from wealth and vanity. They pretty much sing about what I think about a lot so I am quite personally attached to them. It's great soul-searching music which must mean it'll make great AT music!
the material world seems to me like a newspaper headline-
it explicitly demands your attention
and it may even contain some truth
and what's really going on here?
one day the water's gonna wash it away
and on that day, nothing clever to say.
it explicitly demands your attention
and it may even contain some truth
and what's really going on here?
one day the water's gonna wash it away
and on that day, nothing clever to say.
Artist: Modest Mouse
Albums: Good News for People Who Love Bad News, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
This indie rock band puts a ton of energy into their songs. Their songs seem to me to reek of dissatisfaction with the self and at the world around us. You can be as contemplative as you wish with their music or just enjoy their different, yet catchy tunes. I think though, that they understand growth and actual improvement of the self and the world around us is a difficult and slow process that takes a lot of time. In our instant gratification culture that is hard to take, and we usually give up because it seems so impossible.
For every invention made how much time did we save?
We're not much farther than we were in the cave.
As life gets longer, awful feels softer,
and it feels pretty soft to me.
And if it takes shit to make bliss,
well I feel pretty blissfully.
We're not much farther than we were in the cave.
As life gets longer, awful feels softer,
and it feels pretty soft to me.
And if it takes shit to make bliss,
well I feel pretty blissfully.
Artist: The National
Albums: Alligator, Boxer, Cherry Tree, High Violet, Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers
Turn the light out say goodnight, no thinking for a little while
Let's not try to figure out everything at once
It's hard to keep track of you falling through the sky
We're half awake in a fake empire
Artist: Nick Cave & Warren Ellis
Album: Music from the Motion Picture the Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
This is one of my absolute favorite movies due in part to the spectacular soundtrack. The songs are simply spellbinding and really give this raw, historic, American feel. A lot of weight is carried in each song creating a sense of place and story, as if a lot is to come of what we do and say now. This soundtrack is great at making each moment feel vital which will be great on such a long walk.
Headed down south to the land of the pines
I'm thumbin' my way into North Caroline
Starin' up the road
Artist: Patrick Watson
Albums: Adventures In Your Own Backyard, Close to Paradise, Wooden Arms
The best word to describe Patrick Watson's music is soothing. His pleasant sound is anything but boring though, especially because of his memorable, beautiful voice. When I want to feel at peace, this is the music I put on. Patrick Watson definitely seems to feel at peace in this music, content with his station in life and in no hurry to be anywhere else like most of us. I can learn to be a little more content where I am in life instead of always looking to the future. On the Appalachian Trail I want to try to be fully present in my mind and soul with wherever I am at the moment.
Summer sleeps beside you now
It whispers in your thirsty ears
The warm wind blows on by
Takes you by surprise
Into the gentle skies
Artist: Phoenix
Album: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
This is another album that is just fun to listen to, but not quite as void of meaning or musical ability as the pop songs on the radio. Although, it is purely enjoyable to listen to and doesn't really make me think or feel anything. I guess we all might need some music like this.
Artist: Regina Spektor
Album: Far
In a male-dominated playlist, this female musician is a welcome edition to the repertoire. While most of her songs on this album are a mix of anecdotes rather than some kind of personal expression she manages to create a sound that holds enough weight to carry them. Although the album is an eclectic mix she manages to effectively be serious and sad in some songs and fun and happy in others. Some of the songs may be very strange, but none could be called boring nor bad. When enjoying music sometimes hearing something completely different is exactly what's needed.
Artist: Roger Miller
Song: King of the Road
This is just about the best anthem out there for a vagabond lifestyle. It expresses the absolute freedom one has when not weighed down by possessions or a home to take care of. There is great excitement when it is just you in the fresh air with a stretch of road before you, relying on nothing but your brain and your feet. Ahhhh!
I'm a man of means by no means
King of the road.
Artist: Of Monsters and Men
Album: My Head Is An Animal
Where Mumford & Sons and the Lumineers bore me, Of Monsters and Men is a popular indie folk band that I think best captures the sound of the spirit our generation is seeking. There's a lot of fantastic imagery in this album, involving a lot of animals, and a lot of it is abstract, but I get the feeling they are on this grand adventure which is a great thing to listen to while on a grand adventure yourself. I think more than any other album, the sound of this one best represents the way I envision the Trail.
I heard them calling in the distance
So I packed my things and ran
Far away from all the trouble
I had caused with my two hands
So I packed my things and ran
Far away from all the trouble
I had caused with my two hands
Artist: Old Crow Medicine Show
Song: Wagon Wheel
This song might be about hitch-hiking, but it accurately portrays the sense of excitement for traveling, discovering new places, especially in the South which is where the Appalachian Trail starts for us Northbounders. This country song is alternative enough as sung by this Tennessee band for non-country fans to enjoy. It's great to sing along with as well.
I'm thumbin' my way into North Caroline
Starin' up the road
And pray to God I see headlights
Artist: Patrick Watson
Albums: Adventures In Your Own Backyard, Close to Paradise, Wooden Arms
The best word to describe Patrick Watson's music is soothing. His pleasant sound is anything but boring though, especially because of his memorable, beautiful voice. When I want to feel at peace, this is the music I put on. Patrick Watson definitely seems to feel at peace in this music, content with his station in life and in no hurry to be anywhere else like most of us. I can learn to be a little more content where I am in life instead of always looking to the future. On the Appalachian Trail I want to try to be fully present in my mind and soul with wherever I am at the moment.
Summer sleeps beside you now
It whispers in your thirsty ears
The warm wind blows on by
Takes you by surprise
Into the gentle skies
Artist: Phoenix
Album: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
This is another album that is just fun to listen to, but not quite as void of meaning or musical ability as the pop songs on the radio. Although, it is purely enjoyable to listen to and doesn't really make me think or feel anything. I guess we all might need some music like this.
Artist: Regina Spektor
Album: Far
In a male-dominated playlist, this female musician is a welcome edition to the repertoire. While most of her songs on this album are a mix of anecdotes rather than some kind of personal expression she manages to create a sound that holds enough weight to carry them. Although the album is an eclectic mix she manages to effectively be serious and sad in some songs and fun and happy in others. Some of the songs may be very strange, but none could be called boring nor bad. When enjoying music sometimes hearing something completely different is exactly what's needed.
Artist: Roger Miller
Song: King of the Road
This is just about the best anthem out there for a vagabond lifestyle. It expresses the absolute freedom one has when not weighed down by possessions or a home to take care of. There is great excitement when it is just you in the fresh air with a stretch of road before you, relying on nothing but your brain and your feet. Ahhhh!
I'm a man of means by no means
King of the road.
Artist: The Rosebuds
Song: Shake Our Tree
Here's a love song for the Trail! It's about watching birds who are falling in love. It's fun and catchy and might just inspire me to look around me at what's going on in nature around me.
Artist: Simon & Garfunkel
Album: The Best of Simon & Garfunkel
This album from the famous 60s folk rock duo showcases all of their most beloved songs. I never get tired of these guys' sound and they offer sound wisdom by reminding us to slow down in our hectic lives, to truly listen in the midst of the overwhelming noise of the world, and to make the most of the time we have because in the future we'll wonder where it all went. These musicians really seem to pay attention to the simple world around them, showing us through their songs how much we are missing, all the wonder and understanding we could have if we really looked at and listened to the people and settings around us.
You got to make the morning last.
Just kicking down the cobble stones.
Looking for fun and feelin' groovy.
Artist: Bedrich Smetana- Performed by City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
Song: Ma Vlast: Vltava (Maldau)
This orchestral work from the 1870s is only one part of a series of symphonic poems written about his homeland. This song beautifully describes the river Vltava as it flows through the countryside, woods and past castles and ruins. I first heard the song in Terrence Malick's Tree of Life and used the song as the processional in my wedding. Hopefully at some point during our hike we'll walk along a river or at least a stream and I can listen to this as we do.
Artist: Sufjan Stevens
Albums: The Age of Adz, All Delighted People EP, Come On Feel the Illinoise!, Greetings from Michigan: The Great Lake State, Seven Swans
If there's anyone who seems to obsess over every single detail of his music, this musician would be him. And that's a good thing. From exploring deeply philosophical concepts to chronicling interesting, historical tidbits to pouring out his personal shortcomings, Stevens carefully layers his lyrics around fascinating music from large orchestras with an incredible array of uncommon instruments to solo banjos to electronica. It may seem like this would be a complete mess, but it's not. Stevens just really likes to explore and grow as a musician, diving deep into each song to create something intricately wonderful. This musician's music is great to listen to anytime and could be included on any soundtrack.
Or shall we stand strong?
I tried to save the things I made
Oh! But the world is a mess, Oh! But the world is a mess
And what difference does it make if the world is a mess?
If the world is a mess!
I tried my best I tried in vain
Oh! But the world is a mess! Oh! But the world is a mess!
Artist: Two Door Cinema Club
Album: Tourist History
This indie rock band from Ireland creates songs that are pretty dance-y and listening to them is sure to put anyone in a better mood. I imagine when I'm cold and wet waiting out a storm in a shelter or my tent I might put this music on to lift my spirits. Also, the following lyrics are pretty good to listen to a few weeks out from beginning the adventure of a lifetime!
In a few weeks I will get time
To realise it's right before my eyes
And I can take it if it's what I want to do
I am leaving, this is starting to feel like
It's right before my eyes
And I can taste it, it's my sweet beginning
To realise it's right before my eyes
And I can take it if it's what I want to do
I am leaving, this is starting to feel like
It's right before my eyes
And I can taste it, it's my sweet beginning
Artist: The Welcome Wagon
Albums: Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices, Purity of Heart Is to Will One thing EP, Welcome to the Welcome Wagon
This indie gospel husband/wife duo is the band to listen to if you're a Christian and find comfort in who the Bible says God is. A lot of the songs could be sung as prayers, humbly asking God to help us in our weakness to become better than we could ever reach on our own. I look forward to spending significantly more time in prayer on the Trail than I do now and this band will help me evoke the right kind of spirit.
Myself as I would wish to be;
What I desire I can't attain,
From what I hate, I can't refrain.
Artist: Wilco
Album: Yankee, Hotel, Foxtrot
This alternative band might seem a bit breezy at first, but a closer look would reveal that the songwriters are doing quite a bit of self-analysis throughout the album. This is a good album to listen to when being reflective. The story goes that when these guys shared this album with their record label they rejected it because they didn't hear the kind of song that would be a big-hit single. In a world chock full of musicians who sell out or compromise true art for something that will sell, I'm glad these guys found another way to release this for us to enjoy and reflect on.
I'm bound by these choices so hard to make
I'm bound by the feeling so easy to fake
None of this is real enough to take me from you
I'm bound by the feeling so easy to fake
None of this is real enough to take me from you
