Music can change how we feel about the spaces we’re in. You can use this to your advantage when you go into labor – and turn an otherwise sterile and anonymous hospital room into something a little more like home. And if you’re home, of course, music can help put you in that zone of comfort and contentedness that’s a great way to begin your journey to birth.
Below we’ve shared a few labor playlists (with links to buy the tracks if you’d like) that are popular with couples that we have worked with. If you have any favorites that have worked, or you’re sure will work, for you, let us know.
The Classic Comfort Playlist:
This set is made up of songs that are like cultural comfort foods. They make us feel safe, calm, and peaceful – and that can really help progress labor:
Let it Be: The Beatles
Tiny Dancer: Elton John – MP3
She’s Got A Way: Billy Joel – MP3
When a Man Loves a Woman: Percy Sledge – MP3
Blackbird: The Beatles –
Have You Ever Seen the Rain: Creedence Clearwater Revival – MP3
Lean on Me: Bill Withers – MP3
Landslide: Fleetwood Mac – MP3
One Love: Bob Marley – MP3
Shower the People: James Taylor – MP3
Imagine: John Lennon – MP3
Rocket Man: Elton John – MP3
Call Out My Name: Carly Simon
The Weight: The Band – MP3
What a Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong – MP3
Danny’s Song: Loggins and Messina – MP3
Sweet Caroline: Neil Diamond – MP3
Peaceful Easy Feeling: The Eagles – MP3
Here Comes the Sun: The Beatles –
Signed Sealed Delivered: Stevie Wonder – MP3
Georgia on my Mind: Ray Charles – MP3
How Sweet it Is: Marvin Gaye – MP3
Three Little Birds: Bob Marley – MP3
Unchained Melody: Righteous Brothers – MP3
Levon: Elton John – MP3
Hey Jude: The Beatles –
Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters: Elton John – MP3
Everyday People: Sly and the Family Stone – MP3
In My Life: The Beatles –
Ain’t no Mountain High Enough: Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell – MP3
You’ve got a friend: James Taylor – MP3
Is This Love: Bob Marley – MP3
The Classical Play List
This is a set of classical pieces that have worked for laboring moms:
Ravel – Piano Concerto in G Major, 2nd Movement – MP3
De Falla – Nana (from Siete Conciones Populares Espanolas) – MP3
Dario Marianelli – title sequence from Pride & Prejudice – MP3
Brahms – Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 3 in D Minor, 2nd Movement – MP3
Schumann – Piano Quartet in E Flat Major, Op. 47, 3rd Movement – MP3
Brahms – Piano Quartet No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 60, 3rd Movement – MP3
Schumann – Romance in F-sharp, Op 28, no. 2 – MP3
Rachmaninoff – Sonata in G Minor for Cello and Piano, 3rd Movement – MP3
(Coming soon) The Trance Play List
(Coming soon) The World Music Play List