Apple Music's "For You" music discovery section is filled with dozens of playlists based on your personal listening preferences. After six months with the service, I've generated a great selection of playlists that fit just about every mood I'm in. Whether you're working out, feeling lonely, or want a bit of nostalgia, here are some of my favorite Apple Music Playlists.
Love Will Tear Us Apart
"Love Will Tear Us Apart" is a reference to Joy Division's hit single from 1980, though oddly enough, this playlist doesn't feature Joy Division. But it does have songs from the band's post-punk contemporaries, including The Smiths, Bauhaus, and The Cure. If you're feeling melancholy, this playlist will sooth your heavy heart.
R.E.M.: Live
R.E.M.'s unique vocal pop arrangements and melodic guitar style changed the musical landscape of indie rock in the 1980s. They remained active for 30 years and still rock themselves into relevance today. This playlist covers the best of the band's live career, with hit songs from some of their seminal concerts over the past three decades. You've never heard "Orange Crush" like this before.
Waking Up: A Morning Mix
This playlist is designed to make you smile: It's filled with relaxing, upbeat tunes that put a spring in your step without overdosing on sweetness. Snap your fingers to tracks from cross-genre bands like Talking Heads, Curtis Mayfield, and Vampire Weekend. If you woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, let this music put things right.
A College Rock Pre-Party
In the 1980s and early 1990s, college rock represented artistic pop rock that bucked tradition. Rebellious music fans embraced it with open arms. This playlist is filled with hits from college rock greats, like The Replacements, Pixies, and The Breeders. Anyone over the age of 30 will appreciate this trip down memory lane.
Motivational Workout Songs
Talk about a training montage soundtrack! This playlist starts you off with Rocky's famous "Gonna Fly Now" by Bill Conti, and every song that follows is a heart-bursting inspiration. Whether it's Eminem's "Lose Yourself" or "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor, you'll be rocking your workout like the underdog who rises from the bottom to win it all.
Best of UK Fringe Rock
The British Invasion may have taken place in the mid-1960s, but the UK music scene has been an influence on rock 'n' roll ever since. This playlist spans four decades and a variety of genres, and includes some of the stranger shades of the UK scene. If you want to get experimental, this is a good place to start.
Best of John Hughes Soundtracks
Writer and director John Hughes made life-changing movies in the 1980s, but he also paired them with some of the best pop music of the ages. Songs like Oingo Boingo's "Weird Science" and OMD's "If You Leave" are the background tunes that bring tears to our eyes when the boy finally gets the girl, or the girl finally finds her voice. Listen to this playlist to remember the John Hughes moment that changed your life.
Music Nerd's Guide to Electronica
In the late 1970s, bands like Kraftwerk were experimenting with bending sound into new music with a familiar rhythm. The Music Nerd's Guide to Electronica delves deep into the history of the dance genre — from classic tracks by Daft Punk to new beats from Tessio. Pick this playlist if you want to dance all night.
Best of The John Peel Sessions
The Peel Sessions was a BBC Radio 1 series that existed from the late 1960s until the mid-2000s, hosted by DJ John Peel. Thousands of bands recorded songs exclusively for the show, and this playlist is the best of the best, spanning Peel's entire career. Listen to it to take a walk down pop rock's historical path.
Metal for Yoga
You may not think that metal and yoga belong in the same title, but you'd be surprised at how relaxing those rock virtuosos can be. While you won't hear Metallica's Master of Puppets blasting while you perfect your Downward Dog, this playlist has slow-burning tunes that hit the spot when you're sick of nature sounds and pan flutes.
Your favorite?
What are some of the playlists that Apple Music has curated for you? Which ones make you groove out? Let us know in the comments.
