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Underground > Radio & Music >

Music For Hangovers

00:18 / 19.10.04

Taking a tangent from the Music To Sleep To thread, I thought I'd ask: what's your preferred musical hangover cure? For the times when there's absolutely nothing you can do but lie in bed until it's all over...

Dr Meem writes:

Beats, singing and structural progression can hinder the sleep process, but a moderate dosage can aid the recently innebriated. The popular sleeping choice (Nick Drake®) comes highly recommended, but other effective treatments include:
Boards of Canada - Music Has The Right To Children
Stereolab - Sound Dust
Boom Bip - Seed To Sun
Joanna Newsom - The Milk-Eyed Mender
Jazz...

In rare cases, administering heavy rock, particularly Led Zeppelin, will re-energise and prepare you for what little of the day remains.

When you're lying helpless and weak, tired but unable to sleep, then you're forced to listen to the music properly. And if you happen to float off, semi-conscious, into a strange and soothing sound-world, then it's almost fun being hungover... Just be sure to put on a long album, so movement is kept to a minimum.

Helps me, anyway.

So, what about you...?

07:35 / 19.10.04

The 'Stones "Exile on Mainstreet" is always a good one.

The musical equivalent of hair of the dog I suppose, and all the musicians on that album sound so basically fucked up and exhausted that the hungover brain can't help but empathise.

lord nuneaton savage

10:29 / 19.10.04

Ash Ra Tempel's self titled debut album.

Kill or cure, man.

Regrettable Juvenilia

10:41 / 19.10.04

One of the things I dislike most about hangovers is that they rob me of the ability to listen to much of my favourite music: my favourite hip hop suddenly starts to sound really fucking oppressive, in a bad way (I remember being on the tube home from somewhere and listening to the Wu-Tang Clan's 'Chrome Wheels' and feeling as if I was in hell), anything upbeat suddenly seems unbearably annoying...

So I have to agree with Rizla, because the exception to this is always that kind of greasy rock'n'roll which is in itself reminiscent of hangovers, but in a good way. I used to listen to 'Sway' by the Stones almost as a ritual every morning/afternoon after the night before. Royal Trux are also good for this. The first time I ever heard 'Sunshine & Grease' I was on a train from Brighton to London, on my birthday, on my way from one night of debauchery to the pub, on a Saturday afternoon. The sun was streaming through dirty windows. It was great.

12:09 / 19.10.04

I used to listen to 'Sway' by the Stones almost as a ritual every morning/afternoon after the night before.

That is SO right! That's just the best hangover song ever..

Regrettable Juvenilia

12:23 / 19.10.04

I suppose the lyrics have a lot to do with that:

"Did you ever wake up to find
A day that broke up your mind?
Destroyed your notion of circular time?
It's just that demon life that's got you in its sway..."

Haus of Mystery

15:03 / 19.10.04

Curtis Mayfield usually makes me feel better about everything.

15:11 / 19.10.04

***Threadrot***

ok Rizla/ Fly Boy- which one of you is Steve and which one is Benfox?
- cos there is definitely some wingman action going on here...

"That is SO right"

"I suppose the lyrics have a lot to do with that:"

***Threadrot Ends***

15:39 / 19.10.04

Nonsense - there's a difference between a conversation involving people who agree with each other, and one of them being a wingman for the other. Tssk.

I always found that 'You Love Us' was a good song for mild hangovers - but no good for thumping ones, as attempting to jump around to it does tend to detach the tender brain from the skull. Maudlin songs just make me cry when I am in poor form.

15:44 / 19.10.04

i think the way rizla and the inhuman fly 'relate to' each other in the music forumd efinitely has some wingmannerisms to it.

Haus of Mystery

15:51 / 19.10.04

Don't you mean 'wingmannerismnessness', Gamb?

16:38 / 19.10.04

Erm... Well here's another vote for Exile On Main St, so I suppose I must be James.

Haus of Mystery

17:02 / 19.10.04

I have to say I'm mildly surprised about the amount of people who listen to the Stones on a hangover. I mean, they're a fairly discordant racket in their own sweet way, and I personally favour soothing music when hungover - something to pander to my sentimental side when the inevitable post-booze depression and guilt sets in. This is not a dig, or a challenge, so put down your broadswords.

(On a Stones tangent, has anyone seen the 'Gimme Shelter' movie? Pretty amazing stuff. That's one legendary concert I'm glad to have missed)

17:10 / 19.10.04

apologies for the threadrot- couldn't resist..

I favour Tindersticks - or maybe something like al green- mellow rather than mental for me i'm afraid

18:05 / 19.10.04

Not down with the Stones thing either. Hectic music ain't my idea of a hangover cure. Although how anyone can face boozeguilt whilst listening to the miserabilist Tindersticks is equally beyond me.

Nothing against either band under other circumstances, however.

I find that gentle, highly repetitive, hynotic electronica such as Basic Channel or The Other People Place negates the negative emotions and disassociates my mind from my ruined body.

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

18:59 / 19.10.04

I could easily go for a bit of Gimmie Shelter on a nice hungover day. In the summer though, I think. Works for me.

I often fancy a little sonic youth at their mellower moments, see: most of Murray St and the new album, seems to work well for me. Dirty, on the other hand, is a big no no.

The Velvet Underground also do a nice line in really soft soft chords...

The Fiery Furnaces (both albums) also lend themselves well for these purposes, whisk me right away from anything else... as long as I can stay in bed.

I guess it also depends on the category and class of hangover, as well. Are you revelling in the grass outside on a sunny day, safe in the knowledge you had a fun night and enjoying the fact you don't need to do anything? I go for some breezy pop, light chords and soft melodies... Or is the light of day an opressive force and all movement brings on lurching uncomfortable feelings? I'm not sure there's any music to remedy that.

A lot of these double up as albums to sleep to, as well.

00:58 / 20.10.04

Never really dug the Stones, so can't comment, but 'Exile...' shall be duly noted as potential hangover help. Mostly, I need something gentle. Mostly... Yet, I do like it quite loud. To reiterate, there's something special about being stuck in bed and focussing on the music, as you're unable to do anything else. I guess that's why I favour more spacey stuff. I think I had a moment of divine realisation listening to a Raster-Noton compilation once, when suffering a particularly intense hangover... But it's still interesting hearing about what does it for others.

Tindersticks, I find, work well at the boozy late night/early morning phase. Pre-hangover. Not sure if I've ever tried them in the morning.

Definitely agree about recent Sonic Youth. Could also add Goo to that, if it's a mild headache. Fiery Furnaces are best for me then, too.

Remembered some more favourites:
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - helps ride out the waves of nausea...
Tortoise - another crossover sleeping band, but my badhead does like a polyrhythm or three...
Cat Power - she will cure you...

lonely as a cloud...

06:53 / 20.10.04

I kinda like some of the mellower Chemical Brothers bits...'specially the tunes with Beth Orton (Where Do I Start off Dig Your Own Home in particular)...also Velvet Underground (Sunday Morning, Candy Says) and Badhead by Blur (off Parklife). I made a specific tape of hangover songs ages ago, but I can't remember what else I put on it.

Haus of Mystery

11:13 / 22.10.04

I also want to give props to De La Soul's 'Eye Know', a song guaranteed to remove the booze blues.

Regrettable Juvenilia

12:34 / 22.10.04

No way. The last thing I want when my head feels damaged and my guts are swirling is for some daisy age motherfuckers to come round with their positivity...

Haus of Mystery

12:55 / 22.10.04

You're right of course. Fuck those positive-ass motherfuckers.

Really...

Regrettable Juvenilia

13:23 / 22.10.04

When I have a hangover, music that upbeat and chirpy sounds like 'The Birdy Song' - obviously it's all a matter of opinion, but I was still taken aback...

at the scarwash

13:34 / 22.10.04

Second the Velvets. "Sunday Morning" is the national anthem of Hangoverania, although I doubt that alcohol was the inspiring drug for that track. But truth be told, I prefer something more spiky and agressive, something that impales the brain and pins it back to reality. Melt Banana is good, or maybe Turbo Negro. Or, to go back to the Velvet Underground, anything off of White Light/White Heat.

Haus of Mystery

14:03 / 22.10.04

See, I don't find 'Eye know' to be that chirpy - more soothing. The soft boom-bap of Prince Paul's beats, and the hazy flow of the rhymes...aaaah. My hangover's better already.

Although having said that 'Supreme Clientele' has been mostly helping me through the pain today.

14:26 / 22.10.04

hen I have a hangover, music that upbeat and chirpy sounds like 'The Birdy Song'

I know exactly what you mean.

14:58 / 22.10.04

Second the Velvets. "Sunday Morning" is the national anthem of Hangoverania,

hmm.. I dunno, I'd be rather put off sticking VU & Nico on in such circumstances due to all the minimalist bashing and crazed skronk that follows..

Which sounds a bit weird considering that I advocate the 'Stones as hungover listening.. I think basically it's cos the Velvets (first two albums anyway) sound COLD when they rock out - clanging and headache inducing and uncomfortable (in the best possible way I hasten to add), whereas the Stones are all warm and comfortable and lazy sounding.. er, if that makes any sense..

And god, I couldn't even concieve listening to something like Melt Banana on the morning after - rather you than me, as much as I love them..

Goodness Gracious Meme

14:02 / 25.10.04

crikey. Don't think I want to hungover with you lot. Stones?

Except Meem, maybe.

Boards of Canada - Music Has The Right To Children *and* Geogaddi - feel in hungover state like being wrapped in a cashmere blanket and rocked gently. ahhhhhh, it's all better now...

Dot Allison - Afterglow. Warm, beautiful melodies, wonderful voice.

If I'm desperate, Radiohead - This Is A Low, which paradoxically, feels utterly warm and comforting to me.

Massive Attack - Blue Lines and/or Protection. Lush, really heavy slow basslines.

Alot of Viktor Duplaix/Jazzanova does this too.

Regrettable Juvenilia

14:27 / 25.10.04

Radiohead did a cover of 'This Is A Low'?

Porn Star Justice

16:07 / 25.10.04

I tied on a major drunk on Saturday night. I was still on anti-biotics and I think that had something to do with it. I remember coming home, but I have no memory of going to bed.

Anyway, I woke up around 3pm on Sunday and could barely get out of bed to walk the dog. I climbed back in for the next three hours and playing music wasn't ever an option.

I found the best thing to "listen" to when I'm hungover is one of those VH-1/E! shows where they count something down (100 Awesomely Bad Songs) or talk about a subject (I Love the 80s). I think I "watched" two of them yesterday (basically, me lying in bed with my eyes closed and just listening to the commentary).

Can't tell you a goddamn thing about the shows that were, just that it was soothing to my pounding head.

07:08 / 26.10.04

My god, you're insane.

VH1 gives me a hangover when I haven't been drinking.

foot long subbacultcha

07:30 / 26.10.04

At first I thought the new Elliott Smith album was rescuing me, then I realised it's just another addiction. Help!

I'm Rick Jones, bitch

08:04 / 26.10.04

I tend to sleep it off and not listen to music. Basement Jaxx's "Remedy" is great for jetlag so I guess I could manage that one. And I could probably whack some early Devo, because I love their songs on the first two albums more than anything.

13:01 / 28.10.04

The Pixies- Wave of Mutilation
The Ramones- Baby You're Out Of Time
Blue Öyster Cult- Don't Fear the Reaper

This is a worthy tape project- like a driving tape, party tape, arting tape...

19:32 / 28.10.04

Ok, following on from that, LM;

The Birthday Party - Jennifer's Veil
Led Zeppelin - The Rover
Spiritualized - I Think I'm In Love