Best Background Music for Meetings and Facilitating Workshops
What does the BBC, WW2 and a radio show have in common with background music for workshop facilitation?
A brief history of radio programming highlights the significant role played by the BBC during WW2 with the launch of Music While You Work – a daytime radio programme of continuous live popular music with a steady tempo broadcast in the United Kingdom twice daily on workdays. This program which was the brainchild of the UK Government aimed to enhance morale and productivity among factory workers producing ammunition for the British troops.
The programs were designed to be generally cheerful, allowing factory workers to whistle or sing along while they worked. Music featuring excessively loud drumming was prohibited, as it could evoke the sound of gunfire. The BBC later reported that the radio show was a huge success, based on feedback from factory managers nationwide who claimed that since its inception, output at the ammunition factories had increased by as much as 12.5 to 15%!
Fast-forward to the present-day, you may not have war-time production to consider, but there are still many benefits and good reasons to incorporate music into your team’s meetings.
Decades of cognitive and social research show that background music is a tool you can use intentionally to shape mood, arousal, group cohesion, and the very kind of outcome your session produces.
Why Use Music For Meetings & Workshops
- Music listening positively affects cognition.
- Listening to music can put you in a positive mood for creative thinking.
- Music is a great cue and timer.
- It can set the tempo or change it at various junctures.
- Music can be a good reward at the end of intense segments.
- It can help build a strong group culture.
Our Favourite Playlist of Music For Meetings
This is Jonathan’s go-to playlist when he conducts team building, creative problem solving and innovation workshops and training sessions.
Music sets the tone for the room and, for me, it’s also a practical tool. I often use songs to help me judge time, so I keep a long list of tracks that run around 3’30” to 4’00”—the perfect length for a LEGO® Serious Play® build.
A lot of these songs simply make me happy, which keeps me focused and energised as a facilitator. Some carry private jokes that help me stay grounded in the session. I’ve also noticed that many of my favourites come from African artists—I’m drawn to the beat and to lyrics in non-English languages, which create energy without distracting participants.
1. Liquid Lunch – Caro Emerald – The Shocking Miss Emerald
The perfect groove, tempo and beats to wake participants up after a lunch break. The musical equivalent of an espresso.
2. Love’s Unkind – Donna Summer – Remember Yesterday
When groups need energizing, Donna comes to the rescue!
3. Homeless – Paul Simon – Graceland
If you want to play one album straight through the sessions, Graceland is ideal! What an outstanding album! Again the lyrics don’t get in the way of thinking as most people won’t understand them.
4. Elizabethan Reggae – Boris Gardner & The Love People – Ska Anthems
Does it get much better than this? An upbeat ska tempo, no lyrics – one of our time favourites!
5. Beautiful Baby – William Onyeabor – Atomic Bomb
At 8’26”, this is the perfect for background music in long workshops and sessions.
6. When the going is smooth & good – William Onyeabor – Who is
At almost 13 minutes long, this song is best played before the workshop starts so you know exactly when you need to start. Also the lyrics are a perfect backdrop for people coming together to collaborate rather than fight.
7. Nice Weather for Ducks – Lemon Jelly
The best music when participants are building LEGO duck models.
8. Tiers Monde – Francis Bebey – African Electronic Music
A gentle uplifting tune without lyrics, so it doesn’t get in the way of thinking.
9. Tamiditine – Bombino – Nomad
Best track for setting an atmosphere and mood – lyrical and rich.
10. Werewolves of London – Warren Zevon – Excitable Boy
Perfect for whenever we conduct workshops in and around London.
11. Disco Stomp – Bohannon – Insides Out
Our go-to music for workshops in the USA.
12. Tire Swing – Kimya Dawson – Remember That I Love You
The ideal song for introspection and personal reflection – sweet and uplifting!
13. Happiness – Ken Dodd – His Greatest Hits
This as people leave. The unofficial MH theme song!
If you would like to attend one of our workshops, even if just to listen to some fabulous music, check out what we do.
