Do you listen to music when you’re writing?

I’m both a writer and a musician. Because of this, music plays a big part in my life and I’ll often be found with headphones on, listening to the latest releases from my favourite artists. But should I be listening to music while I’m doing my day job and writing?

Opinion and academic research is divided on whether listening to music is a help or a hindrance when trying to concentrate on a task.

• Some researchers believe that listening to your favourite music will help you work or study better, because you’re enjoying the music and will be in a better mood as a result. Music can be soothing, relaxing or enlivening, depending on the genre and style of music.
• Other researchers believe that listening to some kinds of music (specifically, music with lyrics) can distract us from the task in hand. The proposition is that listening to music with lyrics actually disturbs our cognitive ability – a side effect that’s clearly not helpful when attempting to write your next magnus opus.
• There are also some people who use music to blot out extraneous noises while attempting to focus on work – something that can be very helpful for introverts or those people living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Click here to take part in my music survey below.\

Is music a positive or negative influence for writers?

So, the big question is this: ‘Is it a good idea to listen to music when writing or studying?’ 

In short, it’s down to what works best for you as a writer. I know many writers who absolutely CANNOT listen to songs with lyrical content when writing. I certainly fall into this camp!

If I attempt to listen to a song with lyrical content, the words will start to ‘bleed through’ into what I’m writing on the page. Or, worst of all, I’ll just stop writing completely and my attention will be wholly focused on the song.

This disruption of cognitive ability and concentration only happens with music that contains lyrics, though – at least for me, personally. 

I’ve always found that listening to instrumental music can be a massive help when trying to focus and concentrate. This was especially true in the pre-pandemic days when I spent a LOT of time writing and working in local cafes. 

Cafes and coffee shops are rarely the quietest places, so noise-cancelling headphones were an absolute must for me when working in the middle of the hustle and bustle. 

I also found that instrumental music was the best thing for me to listen to. Anything that was fairly soothing and not too frenetic. Artists like Brian Eno, Orbital, Plaid, Black Dog Productions, The Orb, Mogwai etc. Bands and artists that deal in making soundscapes and musical worlds, rather than more traditional songs.

I love Depeche Mode, but I couldn’t sit down and listen to Violator when writing. That would end up with me singing ‘Enjoy The Silence’, while creating a godawful din that was anything but silent…and also doing no writing at all!

Do you listen to music when writing?

That’s my story, when it comes to listening to music and writing. But each person’s experienced and preferences are entirely subjective. 

So, let’s find out what the consensus is. 

Take part in the poll below and tell me what you listen to when writing:

I’d love for you to take part in the poll, so please do click your preference and share this blog post through your social channels to widen the reach.

Ultra Communication: music to listen to when working

As it happens, I’ve just released an album of instrumental electronica on Bandcamp. And the feedback from some listeners is that it’s exactly the kind of instrumental, laidback music they’d choose to listen to when working, studying or writing.

Have a listen to ‘Ultra Communication’ below and let me know if it helps you get more focused on your work. While you’re there, please do follow my Bandcamp page to be notified about all my latest musical projects and releases.

Want to share your own personal experiences of listening to music when writing?

Drop me a comment below and let me know what music works for you!

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