SONGS | For Music Therapists

Songs to Know

Choosing music in the hospital and hospice settings can be daunting. With the amount of music in the world, music therapists are expected to have a knowledge and understanding of a wide variety of styles, artists and genres. We compiled this list from our own experiences with patients, and brought in the expertise of a few of our colleagues.

We hope that the playlists included in these tabs will help give you a starting point for your hospice and adult medical repertoire. Please note that all of the people who have contributed to this resource are located in the western region of the United States, and the musical selections will reflect that. When choosing music for your patients, keep in mind your region, environment, and the demographics of the populations you are working in/with.

This page contains a comprehensive list of songs we have often used with patients sorted by genre. This is just a sample of the music you can use with your patients. Please explore the options under the "Songs" tab at the top of your screen to gain access to songwriting templates, lyric analysis prompts, Spotify playlists and more.

We would love to continue to diversify our repertoire and resource. If you have any insight to share regarding your own "go to" musical selections in these settings, please utilize the Members Chat at the bottom of your screen. We would love to hear from you!

Listen to our Top 90 Recommendations Here:

Country: Listen to our Country Playlist!

Annie’s Song - John Denver
I Walk the Line - Johnny Cash
I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton
Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash
Sunrise - Norah Jones
Sunshine on My Shoulders - John Denver
Take Me Home Country Roads - John Denver
Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers

Folk: Listen to our Folk Playlist!

Blowin in the Wind - Bob Dylan
Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel
California Dreamin - The Mamas and the Papas
Danny Boy - The Irish Tenors
Edelweiss - Sound of Music Soundtrack
Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen
Puff, the Magic Dragon - Peter, Paul & Mary
The Sound of Silence - Simon and Garfunkel
You Are My Sunshine - Traditional

Jazz: Listen to our Jazz Playlist!

“A” You’re Adorable - The Bashful Blond
Autumn Leaves - Edith Piaf
Down By the Riverside - Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Dream a Little Dream of Me - The Mamas & The Papas
Fly Me to the Moon - Frank Sinatra
La Vie En Rose - Edith Piaf
L-O-V-E - Nat King Cole
My Way - Frank Sinatra
That’s Amore - Dean Martin
The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra
What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong

Pop: Listen to our Pop Playlist!

Best Day Ever - Sly and the Family Stallone
Beyond the Sea - Bobby Darin
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy - The Andrews Sisters
Don’t Know Why - Norah Jones
Fight Song - Rachel Platten
Hooked on a Feeling - B.J. Thomas
I’m a Believer - The Monkees
I’m Yours - Jason Mraz
La Vie En Rose - Edith Piaf
Let it Be - The Beatles
Moon River - Audrey Hepburn
My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
Pure Imagination - Gene Wilder
Que Sera, Sera - Doris Day
Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Judy Garland
Sugar Sugar - The Archies
Walking on Sunshine - Katrina & the Waves
Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
You Say - Lauren Daigle

R&B/Soul: Listen to our R&B/Soul Playlist!

I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash
Isn’t She Lovely - Stevie Wonder
My Girl - The Temptations
Respect - Aretha Franklin
Singing in My Soul - Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Stand By Me - Ben E. King

Reggae: Listen to our Reggae Playlist!

Don’t Worry Be Happy - Bobby McFerrin
I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash
Three Little Birds - Bob Marley

Rock: Listen to our Rock Playlist!

All You Need is Love - The Beatles
American Pie - Don McLean
Blue Suede Shoes - Elvis Presley
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
Can’t Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley
Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You - Frankie Valli
Carry on Wayword Son - Kansas
Cool Change - The Little River Band
Don’t Stop Believin - Journey
Dreams - Fleetwood Mac
Fire and Rain - James Taylor
Free Fallin’ - Tom Petty
Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen
Have You Ever Seen the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
Hey Jude - The Beatles
Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
I Won’t Back Down - Tom Petty
Imagine - The Beatles
Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
Landslide - Fleetwood Mac
Learning to Fly - Tom Petty
Peaceful Easy Feeling - The Eagles
Rocky Mountain High - John Denver
Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
(We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
Wildflowers - Tom Petty
Yellow Submarine - The Beatles
You’ve Got a Friend - James Taylor

Spanish: Listen to our Spanish Playlist!

Cielito Lindo - Traditional
De Colores - Traditional
Dios Está Aquí - Grupo Nuevo Vida

Spiritual: Listen to our Spiritual Playlist!

Amazing Grace - Traditional
Danny Boy - The Irish Tenors
Dios Está Aquí - Grupo Nuevo Vida
Down By the Riverside - Sister Rosetta Tharpe
How Great Thou Art - Traditional
I Can Only Imagine - MercyMe
It Is Well With My Soul - Traditional
Oceans - Hillsong United
Waymaker - Leeland
You Say - Lauren Daigle