Music & Movies

The best song has got to be Lighthouse Family's cover of Ain't No Sunshine.

Since my favorites vary wildly, I'm going to rephrase your question and ask myself 'What songs am I most in the mood to hear LATELY?'

Mercury in Retrograde--Red Wire (aka Skysaw). I dug really sad songs as a kid, and the feel of this one takes me back.
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun--Cyndi Lauper. No explanation needed.
Come Sail Away--Styx. Intoxicating.
Joy--Harry Nilsson. Extremely funny!
Everybody Loves Me Baby--Don McLean. Also funny. One that everyone can relate to.

I'll also go for the representative rather than definite favorites.

Beethoven's 9th Symphony
God Will Provide A Lamb -- Michael Card
Return To Pooh Corner -- Kenny Loggins
In The End -- Linkin Park
The Music of the Night -- Andrew Lloyd Webber

I like your last two, eugene, I'll go with those, throw in Moonlight Sonata, Our Lady Peace - Innocent, and Nickelback - Hero

Pretty representative, I could go on for pages on all my real favorites though

Okay then, new question: What is it you look for most in music? Inspiration? Rhythm? Good Lyrics? Easy to sing along with? Relaxation? To get fired up? To change your mood? Melody? Complexity? Good to dance to?

I realise that most of us could easily put most if not all of these down, but when you feel the need to put some music on, which of these are you most likely to want the music to give you?

For me personally, it's usually to sing along, followed closely by choosing an appropriate music for whatever mood I'm in.

Mental well being.

I use music to try and balance mind sets. For example, when depressed, I may listen to a bass filled techno song because the lack of words doesn't bring me into a "hindsight" mood and the general techno beat gets me going again while the deep bass kind of comforts. DJ Shadow is great for this.

I view the brain working just like the body. Feed with junk, and it gets sluggish, slow, and unhealthy.

For study background, Mozart is best for algebra but Beethoven is best for calculus.

I go for emotion where music is concerned. Music is the one thing that cuts right through the fog that is sometimes in my brain. Unfortunately my brain is usually full of the oldies Muzak they play at work. I really like some of the old songs but have gotten way burned out on a few that used to be my favorites.

When I'm home I try to listen to music that never gets played on the radio. Around here all they play is country and 'mix.' As for classical, I like Debussy but wish he'd written more light stuff. Most of his work reminds me of a rowdy little boy, and you really have to be in the right mood for that.

Is it just the Muzak or is it the smell of riblets?

Interesting. I find Mozart best for programming and Beethoven best for essays. What do essays and calculus have in common, I wonder?

Essays have something in common with calc proofs; both require creativity and the ability to clearly express thoughts. Furthermore, the similarities between programming and algebra are obvious. This is interesting...

right. programming and algebra both require 'debugging' (programming infinitely more :-P )

also, trance is great for just general speed-reading.
@ meltzner
Yeah he is not in odyssey; i have the last album if you want to borrow it