Like many students of English and History, I write a lot of papers. But whether it’s crafting that last thesis or studying for those final exams, it is crucial that I have a good instrumental playlist to keep me focused. Here are some instrumentals you should add to your playlist this finals season.
“Love Story” – The Newton Brothers
“Love Story,” written by The Newton Brothers for the hit television show The Haunting of Bly Manor is a gorgeous, swelling ballad. Listed as one of Apple Music’s “Horror Score Essentials,” “Love Story” has made a home amongst the best of the best. While “Love Story” is by far one of my favourites, anything from the sister scores written for The Haunting of Hill House or The Haunting of Bly Manor will be perfect on your studying playlist this year.
“Dawn” – Jean-Yves Thibaudet
Written for the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice, “Dawn” is the perfect track to listen to when you are writing a paper on a classic novel or need to find a way to romanticize your life. Delicate and twinkling, “Dawn” waltzes through the headphones of its listener, awakening a sense of beauty and delight, something that is sorely needed in the lives of all university students at the end of a term.
“Somewhere in Between” – August Wilhelmsson
Hopeful and starry-eyed, “Somewhere in Between” was released in 2016. Perfect for when you need a little musical pick-me-up, this track, much like all of August Wilhelmsson’s work, is magnificent. Undeniably a fan favourite, “Somewhere in Between” is the composer’s top track on Apple Music, suggesting that it is likely to fit well into your paper writing playlist.
“Enjoy Every Minute” – Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
From the wonderful 2020 Pixar film Soul, “Enjoy Every Minute” is relatively short yet still incredibly powerful. This track is an essential for those of us who need a musical pick-me-up during long and gruelling study sessions. Meaningful and thought-provoking, “Enjoy Every Minute” nudges you forward on your path to doing great things.
“Burying the Dead” – Kevin Kiner
Icy and empty, the musical composition of “Burying the Dead” suits its name perfectly. Attached to the soundtrack of the final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, this track has made it onto many of my individualized study playlists due to its droning nature. Sonically, “Burying the Dead” feels like staring out into a vast empty plane and wondering where to go next. Sometimes, starting to write a paper can feel like that too, making it perfect for this time of year.
“Jacob and the Stone” – Emile Mosseri
The perpetrator of many tears, “Jacob and the Stone” is best known for being attached to all of those TikTok slide carnivals full of horrifyingly depressing pieces of poetry. But if you are looking for something to push you towards producing the most profound piece of work you have ever written, this track, which I have listened to over 530 times, is the perfect song for you.
“Nemo Egg (Main Title)” – Thomas Newman
A Pixar classic, Nemo and its beautiful soundtrack could not be avoided on this list. “Nemo Egg (Main Title)” is one of the most beautiful songs from a score I have ever encountered, and I listen to a lot of scores. On top of that, this track is a pretty blank slate: it is perfect for whatever you need it to be. Whether that be a quick break to cry between studying cue cards or locking in to write a killer essay, “Nemo Egg (Main Title)” has your back.
“Opening Titles” – Michael Brook
From the 2015 film Brooklyn, “Opening Titles” is romantic and sweeping, much like the movie it was written for. “Opening Titles” – unlike some openings to scores – doesn’t stay in one place for long, evoking emotion while keeping the ear occupied. This song is perfect for someone hoping to stay away from “boring” soundtrack instrumentals while on their quest towards finishing the term on top.
A good instrumental can be instrumental in making sure that essay gets written, or those cue cards get studied. But if movie and television soundtracks don’t do the trick, video game music is also an unlikely yet versatile study tool as well.
