Top 10 Songs to Listen to When You Need to Relax

It's the end of another long, hard day and you can't think of anything else but unwinding. Why not draw yourself a hot bath and take a nice long soak? Throw in some lavender bath salts, complemented by lavender scented candles surrounding your tub. Don't forget to dim the lights, and make sure you add a chilled glass of Piesporter Riesling or maybe a vitamin water, depending on your pleasure. For the ultimate in comfort, assemble the suggested playlist below. The music of Enya, Jewel, Coldplay, Sarah McLaughlan, Mazzy Star, Adele, Natalie Merchant, Jack Johnson, Norah Jones and Paramore will have you feeling better in no time!

Enya's "Caribbean Blue" is not only beautiful, it exudes relaxation. If you close your eyes for too long and drink in the melody, you might not want to open them back up. Enya is an Irish singer, instrumentalist and songwriter with the voice of an angel. Her music is the perfect remedy for a long, stressful day.

Caribbean Blue Lyrics
... Eurus ...
... Afer Ventus ...
... so the world goes round and round
with all you ever knew -
They say the sky high above
is Caribbean blue ...
... if every man says all he can,
if every man is true,
do I believe the sky above
is Caribbean blue ...
... Boreas ...
... Zephryus ...
... if all you told was turned to gold,
if all you dreamed was new,
imagine sky high above
in Caribbean blue ...
... Eurus ...
Afer Ventus ...
... Boreas
Zephryus ...
... Africus ...

Jewel's "Hands" is a beautifully soothing song, as well as quite inspirational. Hands was a hit for Jewel before she embarked on her country career. This is a great choice when you need a little motivation behind your relaxation!

Hands Lyrics

If I could tell the world just one thing
It would be that we're all OK
And not to worry 'cause worry is wasteful
And useless in times like these
I won't be made useless
I won't be idle with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
For light does the darkness most fear
My hands are small, I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken
Poverty stole your golden shoes
It didn't steal your laughter
And heartache came to visit me
But I knew it wasn't ever after
We'll fight, not out of spite
For someone must stand up for what's right
'Cause where there's a man who has no voice
There ours shall go singing
My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
I am never broken
In the end only kindness matters
In the end only kindness matters
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken
My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken
We are never broken
We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's mind
We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's heart
We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's eyes
We are God's hands
We are God's hands

Coldplay's "Yellow" provides a nice contrast to the female voices. The music is a little less relaxing than some of the female vocalists, but soothing nonetheless. We don't want you to fall asleep and miss all of the candles and music!

Yellow Lyrics

Look at the stars,
Look how they shine for you,
And everything you do,
Yeah, they were all yellow.
I came along,
I wrote a song for you,
And all the things you do,
And it was called "Yellow".
So then I took my turn,
Oh what a thing to have done,
And it was all "Yellow."
Your skin,
Oh yeah your skin and bones,
Turn into something beautiful,
You know, you know I love you so,
You know I love you so.
I swam across,
I jumped across for you,
Oh what a thing to do.
Cos you were all "Yellow",
I drew a line,
I drew a line for you,
Oh what a thing to do,
And it was all "Yellow."
Your skin,
Oh yeah your skin and bones,
Turn into something beautiful,
And you know,
For you I'd bleed myself dry,
For you I'd bleed myself dry.
It's true,
Look how they shine for you,
Look how they shine for you,
Look how they shine for,
Look how they shine for you,
Look how they shine for you,
Look how they shine.
Look at the stars,
Look how they shine for you,
And all the things that you do.

Mazzy Star's "Fade Into You" is the epitome of calm. For those of you who've not heard of Mazzy Star, they were a 90's pop dream/alternative band that really never made the mainstream. Listen to the band once, though, and you'll always remember the dreamy instrumentals and beautiful voice.

Fade Into You Lyrics

I want to hold the hand inside you
I want to take a breath that's true
I look to you and I see nothing
I look to you to see the truth
You live your life
You go in shadows
You'll come apart and you'll go blind
Some kind of light into your darkness
Colors your eyes with what's not there.

Fade into you
Strange you never knew
Fade into you
I think it's strange you never knew

A stranger's light comes on slowly
A stranger's heart without a home
You put your hands into your head
And then smiles cover your heart

Fade into you
Strange you never knew
Fade into you
I think it's strange you never knew

Fade into you
Strange you never knew
Fade into you
I think it's strange you never knew
I think it's strange you never knew

Adele's "Now and Then" was only released as a B-side on the 7" 'Cold Shoulder' single and the Japanese version of the album '19'. Adele could sing anything and make it a hit. Her voice is so powerful and melodic. It's no wonder she's a hit in so many countries.

Now and Then Lyrics

Sometimes the hole you left hurts my heart so bad
It cuts through the deepest parts of me
And fills up my mouth with the words that cry
How I'm still trying to stay inside

Hearts break and hearts wait
To make us grow from dust
Then our eyes cry and souls sigh
So that we know that it hurts

Our hearts break and hearts wait
To make us grow from dust
Then our eyes cry and souls sigh
So that we know that it hurts

Every now and then my memories ache
With the empty ideas of the ones we'd made
But as time goes on and my age gets older
I love the ones I know, they're enough to picture the rain

'Cause heart break and hearts wait
To make us grow from dust
Then our eyes cry and souls sigh
So that we know that it hurts

Our hearts break and hearts wait
To make us grow from dust
Then our eyes cry and souls sigh
So that we know that it hurts

You know when to make me imagine you're here
You know when to make me imagine you're here
You know when to make me imagine you're here
You know when to make me imagine you're here

Jack Johnson's "Cocoon" is relaxing, calming, and above all, his voice is so sexy! If you close your eyes and listen to this song, your heart can't help but skip a beat. He has to be the only man in the world who can use the words "blah, blah, blah" in a song and it totally works!

Cocoon Lyrics

Well based on your smile
I'm betting all of this
Might be over soon
But your bound to win
Cause if I'm betting against you
I think I'd rather lose
But this is all that I have

So please
Take what's left of this heart and use
Please use only what you really need
You know I only have so little
So please
Mend your broken heart and leave

I know it's not your style
I can tell by the way that you move
It's real, real soon
But I'm on your side
And I don't want to be your regret
I'd rather be your cocoon
But this is all that you have

So please
Let me take what's left of your heart and I will use
I swear I'll use only what I need
I know you only have so little
So please
Let me mend my broken heart and

You said this was all you had
And it's all I need
But blah blah blah
Because it fell apart and
I guess it's all you knew
And all I have
But now we have
Only confused hearts and
I guess all we have
Is really all we need

So please
Let's take these broken hearts and use
Let's use only what we really need
You know we only have so little
So please
Take these broken hearts and leave

Natalie Merchants "My Skin" is extremely powerful. The words, though, are kind of depressing, so you have to take this one on melody and voice alone. Very relaxing and pure.

My Skin Lyrics

Take a look at my body
Look at my hands
There's so much here
That I don't understand

Your face saving promises
Whispered like prayers
I don't need them

I've been treated so wrong
I've been treated so long
As if I'm becoming untouchable

Contempt loves the silence
It thrives in the dark
With fine winding tendrils
That strangle the heart

They say that promises
Sweeten the blow
But I don't need them
No, I don't need them

I've been treated so wrong
I've been treated so long
As if I'm becoming untouchable

I'm a slow dying flower
Frost killing hour
The sweet turning sour
And untouchable

Oh, I need
The darkness
The sweetness
The sadness
The weakness
Oh, I need this

I need
A lullaby
A kiss goodnight
Angel sweet
Love of my life
Oh, I need this

I'm a slow dying flower
Frost killing hour
The sweet turning sour
And untouchable

Do you remember the way
That you touched me before
All the trembling sweetness
I loved and adored?

Your face saving promises
Whispered like prayers
I don't need them
No, I don't need them

I need
The darkness
The sweetness
The sadness
The weakness
I need this

I need
A lullaby
A kiss goodnight
The angel sweet
Love of my life
Oh, I need this

Well, is it dark enough?
Can you see me?
Do you want me?
Can you reach me?
Or I'm leaving

You better shut your mouth
Hold your breath
Kiss me now you'll catch your death
Oh, I mean it
Oh, I need this.

Paramore's "The Only Exception" combines great melody with rhythmic lyrics. Very relaxing and easy to listen to.

The Only Exception Lyrics

When I was younger I saw my daddy cry
and curse at the wind.
He broke his own heart and I watched
as he tried to reassemble it.

And my momma swore
that she would never let herself forget.
And that was the day that I promised
I'd never sing of love if it does not exist.

But darling,
You are the only exception.
You are the only exception.
You are the only exception.
You are the only exception.

Maybe I know somewhere
deep in my soul
that love never lasts.
And we've got to find other ways
to make it alone.
Or keep a straight face.
And I've always lived like this
keeping a comfortable distance.
And up until now I've sworn to myself
that I'm content with loneliness.

Because none of it was ever worth the risk.

Well you are the only exception.
You are the only exception.
You are the only exception.
You are the only exception.
You are the only exception.

I've got a tight grip on reality,
but I can't let go of what's in front of me here.
I know you're leaving in the morning
when you wake up.
Leave me with some kind of proof it's not a dream.

You are the only exception. [x4]

You are the only exception. [x4]

And I'm on my way to believing.
Oh, and I'm on my way to believing.

Sarah McLachlan's "Angel". I don't think Sarah McLachlan really needs any intro, but what a talented, absolutely gifted woman. Her heart and soul come through her in song. Her voice is amazing, and her music the same.

Angel Lyrics

Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance
For a break that would make it okay
There's always some reason
To feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day

I need some distraction
Oh beautiful release
Memories seep from my veins
Let me be empty
Oh and weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight

In the arms of the angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear

You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here

So tired of the straight line
And everywhere you turn
There's vultures and thieves at your back
The storm keeps on twisting
Keep on building the lies
That you make up for all that you lack

It don't make no difference
Escaping one last time
It's easier to believe
In this sweet madness
Oh this glorious sadness
That brings me to my knees

In the arms of the angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear

You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here

You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here

Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me" can't be outdone. Smooth, sultry, exotic and more. An absolute sensory delight!

Come Away With Me lyrics

Come away with me in the night
Come away with me
And I will write you a song

Come away with me on a bus
Come away where they can't tempt us
With their lies

And I want to walk with you
On a cloudy day
In fields where the yellow grass grows knee-high
So won't you try to come?

Come away with me and we'll kiss
On a mountaintop
Come away with me
And I'll never stop loving you

And I want to wake up with the rain
Falling on a tin roof
While I'm safe there in your arms
So all I ask is for you
To come away with me in the night
Come away with me