There’s just something visceral about music. Hearing a particular song can bring back memories & nostalgic feelings. Play some early Pearl Jam (Yellow Ledbetter) and I’m back in High School. It’s even more amazing what it does for video. If I take a video clip, set it to slow motion & black & white……okay. But, if I also play the right song behind the video, it creates an amazing emotional experience. Editing video has changed the way I listen to music. It seems like every other day, I’ll be driving along with my ipod on shuffle when a song causes me to edit a movie in my mind. I can picture specific content & camera angles. There are some songs that I would love to work with, that are just perfect for the right sequence or product. But enough with my issues. Here’s a short list of songs that lately have been making movies in my head.

Tuolumne,  Eddie Vedder (short acoustic instrumental perfect for credits)

Hard Sun,  Eddie Vedder

Forever, Ben Harper (I used this song once & unlike other songs I’ve edited with, I still love hearing it again & again)

Catapult, Counting Crows (Live w/out a Net version)

Smoothie Song,  Nickel Creek (another instrumental perfect for intros & credits, high energy)

Time after Time, Eva Cassidy (Another one I’d love to use again)

Nightswimming, R.E.M.

Landslide, Smashing Pumpkins

Jack Johnson, Do You Remember? (although I’m not a Jack Johnson fan, his songs have a calm fun mood)

These are just songs that have an effect in my mind. They may not be right or appropriate for your video, which is perfectly understandable. The bottom line is, I tell clients they should choose songs that resonate within their minds the same way.

Grant