Upgrade your background music

Enjoy life more by listening with intention

Every year (at least for the past few years) I’ve undertaken some big, year-long project. In 2024 I’ve been listening to all the works of J.S. Bach.

The year is half over, and I’m now about half way through. I’ve certainly enjoyed getting to know Bach’s work better at the pace of about 30 minutes of listening a day, but one of the biggest upsides has been a general upgrading of the background music of my life.

I’m driving to go pick a kid up at the middle school? I’m listening to a grand choral fugue. Going to the grocery store? Nothing like a harpsichord concerto to keep me company!

In modern life, we often have a certain amount of time that’s suitable for listening, but not much else. This can be car time, exercise time, or housework time — but generally we’re doing something with our hands and eyes. This is one of the reasons that podcasts and audiobooks have become so popular. And as someone with two podcasts and several audiobooks available for sale, I’m happy to have people listen to those.

But the point is that we’re going to listen to something. That something can be what’s readily available, or it can be a bit more intentional.

So today’s tip is to lean a bit more to the intentional side. Listening to all the works of Bach has been very doable, as there are a few groups that have recorded most of his works (including the more obscure stuff) and these works have been posted on YouTube. I just search for, say, “BWV 184” and I get a few recordings to choose from. I strongly suspect this is the case for works from most of the major composers: Beethoven, Mozart, Verdi, etc. One could listen to all of Wagner’s operas for a while. If you’re not so into classical music, you could listen to Gershwin or to Stephen Sondheim’s musicals. Listening to the collected works of a performer like Duke Ellington would transform your commute.

Pop music can be intentional too! You could study the evolution of the Beatles, or maybe you’re going to a Taylor Swift concert and want to brush up on her slightly more obscure songs before that.

You might explore a genre you’ve heard of but know little about, like traditional Chinese music. Whatever it is, I can guarantee you can find it on the internet, which is really cool. When I was growing up I remember needing to go to the library to check out CDs on, say, traditional Brazilian music as I was going through a world music kick.

I think all time is valuable. We have a lot of time that we spend in transition, or not really doing much. Upgrading your background music is one way to make this time feel more rich and full. I have really enjoyed listening to, say, an alto aria from Bach rather than what’s randomly on the radio. I bet you’d enjoy this life upgrade too.