Music to Walk To: My Camino de Santiago Playlist
I love music. Music is a huge part of my life. When I am home from traveling, I try to go to as many concerts as my wallet will allow. Last year, in an effort to simplify my walk across Spain on the Camino de Santiago, I didn't bring my iPod. I missed it so much! I realized how important it was to have a little tune in my ear to put a kick in my step. Before I returned to Spain recently to volunteer on the Camino de Santiago, I put together a "Camino Walking" mix to play for the pilgrims as they were leaving the albergue in the morning. Here are the top ten songs, in no particular order, I put on the mix with an explanation of why it was included.
1. The Belle Brigade "Where Not To Look For Freedom": I love this band! This song is one I can envision listening to as I head out on a road trip. Either way, it has a catchy tune and is one of those motivational songs to get the blood pumping and keep my spirits up as I walk.
2. The Material "What Happens Next": This song was featured as a TV show theme song in Australia. I really like The Material. Their music is uplifting and positive, something lacking in today's music. They are also a standup group of musicians.
3. Indigo Girls "Closer To Fine": An oldie but a goodie...The Indigo Girls have been a longtime favorite band of mine. I've seen them more times than I can count and never tire of hearing this song. It always puts a smile on my face and a swing in my step.
4. Brandi Carlile "Dreams": This woman can sing. My friends know I have a slight obsession with her music and there are many songs of hers I could have chosen. I just love this song. It has a catchy tune and fun lyrics to listen to.
5. Joshua Radin "Brand New Day": Aside from the fact this video is hilarious, I love the lyrics in this song. I know when I walked the Camino last year, I had to remind myself that each day was a new day and it would be a good one. This song serves as a reminder of that.
6. Joni Mitchell "Both Sides Now": When you walk 800km across Spain, you tend to get a little bit of perspective on life. Truly, you can see from both sides. I have always loved Joni Mitchell and this song kind of spoke to me when I was thinking about my time walking.
7. U2 "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For": Many who walk the Camino are searching for something. This song is for those people. It is one of my all time favorite U2 tunes and everyone, no matter where they are from in the world has heard of it.
8. Chris Pureka "Wagon Wheel": My friend Jenn Levo shot this video of Chris Pureka covering this Old Crow Medicine Show song at my favorite venue in Portland, Mississippi Studios. I love Chris's version of this song. This is another one of those tunes that brings a smile to my face every time I hear it.
9. Dixie Chicks "Wide Open Spaces": There is a part of the Camino de Santiago called "the Meseta". It's about 150km of nothingness (which I actually enjoyed!). It's the epitome of wide open spaces. I loved it. This song reminds me of the Meseta and it reminds me of the potential we all have in life.
10. The Head and The Heart "Lost In My Mind": I discovered this Seattle band about a year ago, and this song captures how I felt some days while walking on the Camino. I would be walking by myself and truly was lost in my mind. If you ever get a chance to see this band perform, go see them!
1. The Belle Brigade "Where Not To Look For Freedom": I love this band! This song is one I can envision listening to as I head out on a road trip. Either way, it has a catchy tune and is one of those motivational songs to get the blood pumping and keep my spirits up as I walk.
2. The Material "What Happens Next": This song was featured as a TV show theme song in Australia. I really like The Material. Their music is uplifting and positive, something lacking in today's music. They are also a standup group of musicians.
3. Indigo Girls "Closer To Fine": An oldie but a goodie...The Indigo Girls have been a longtime favorite band of mine. I've seen them more times than I can count and never tire of hearing this song. It always puts a smile on my face and a swing in my step.
4. Brandi Carlile "Dreams": This woman can sing. My friends know I have a slight obsession with her music and there are many songs of hers I could have chosen. I just love this song. It has a catchy tune and fun lyrics to listen to.
5. Joshua Radin "Brand New Day": Aside from the fact this video is hilarious, I love the lyrics in this song. I know when I walked the Camino last year, I had to remind myself that each day was a new day and it would be a good one. This song serves as a reminder of that.
6. Joni Mitchell "Both Sides Now": When you walk 800km across Spain, you tend to get a little bit of perspective on life. Truly, you can see from both sides. I have always loved Joni Mitchell and this song kind of spoke to me when I was thinking about my time walking.
7. U2 "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For": Many who walk the Camino are searching for something. This song is for those people. It is one of my all time favorite U2 tunes and everyone, no matter where they are from in the world has heard of it.
8. Chris Pureka "Wagon Wheel": My friend Jenn Levo shot this video of Chris Pureka covering this Old Crow Medicine Show song at my favorite venue in Portland, Mississippi Studios. I love Chris's version of this song. This is another one of those tunes that brings a smile to my face every time I hear it.
9. Dixie Chicks "Wide Open Spaces": There is a part of the Camino de Santiago called "the Meseta". It's about 150km of nothingness (which I actually enjoyed!). It's the epitome of wide open spaces. I loved it. This song reminds me of the Meseta and it reminds me of the potential we all have in life.
10. The Head and The Heart "Lost In My Mind": I discovered this Seattle band about a year ago, and this song captures how I felt some days while walking on the Camino. I would be walking by myself and truly was lost in my mind. If you ever get a chance to see this band perform, go see them!