Different kinds of rock can serve different kinds of purposes. Fast, aggressive heavy rock can help pump you up and energize you. Sentimental power ballads can help you tap into your vulnerable side. Soft rock is the perfect happy medium between in-your-face rock ‘n’ roll and mellow mood relaxers, giving you the right amount of consistent motivation and groove to get you through a workweek.
“Carefree Highway” by Gordon Lightfoot
Gordon Lightfoot released “Carefree Highway” on his 1974 hit album, Sundown. The song served as the second single from the album and peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite the romantic connotations of the track, “Carefree Highway” still helps you get through the workweek by reminding you of less stressful times. A soundtrack to your mid-morning daydreaming, if you will. “Carefree highway, let me slip away on you.”
Videos by American Songwriter
“A Horse With No Name” by America
Similarly to Gordon Lightfoot’s track, “A Horse With No Name” by America transports you to a different time and place. (One that doesn’t look like your work desk.) As the verses describe all of the sights and sounds and smells of the desert, you can almost imagine that you took your vacation early and are exploring somewhere dry and arid out West. Sure, it might make getting back to the grind more difficult. But at least your brain got to take a breather for four minutes.
“Dirty Work” by Steely Dan
Doing things you don’t feel like doing is an average part of everyday life. Most of us have someone we’re answering to in our day jobs, even if it’s technically ourselves. However, as inevitable as it may be, that doesn’t make it any less satisfying to complain about it every now and then. When you’re in the mood to lament over your jam-packed calendar, Steely Dan’s “Dirty Work” is the perfect song to play. “I’m a fool to do your dirty work, oh yeah / I don’t wanna do your dirty work.”
“Don’t Stop” by Fleetwood Mac
Generally speaking, a job is an investment in our future. It helps ensure we can pay for the basics and the extras, like hobbies, travel, and other recreational costs. “Don’t Stop” by Fleetwood Mac is the ultimate soft rock pep talk, encouraging us to keep pushing to the weekend because a silver lining (read: paycheck) is on the horizon. “Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow, don’t stop, it’ll soon be here / It’ll be better than before / Yesterday’s gone, yesterday’s gone.”
Photo by Getty Images
More The List
-
Photo by Bettmann/Getty Images -
2nd July 1964: The Beatles, John Lennon, George Harrison (1943 – 2001), Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, pictured on their arrival in London following a tour of Australia. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images) -
July 1967, California Beach Boys L-R: Wilson, Al Jardine, Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Dennis Wilson -
UNITED STATES – JANUARY 01: USA Photo of Paul RODGERS and BAD COMPANY and Boz BURRELL and Mick RALPHS, Boz Burrell, Simon Kirke (back), Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs (Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns) -
John Lennon, Beatles associate Alexis Mardas (aka Magic Alex), Paul McCartney, and John's driver Les Anthony at London Airport, 11 May 1968. John and Paul were bound for New York to launch the Beatles company Apple. (Photo by Mirrorpix via Getty Images) -
George Strait recorded one of the best dad country songs -
LONDON, ENGLAND – CIRCA 1965: British Rock Group "The Rolling Stones" perform on a TV Show in London, England circa 1965. Left to right: : Bill Wyman, Brian Jones, Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, Keith Richards. (Photo by Cyrus Andrews/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
