Top Ten Chill-out Songs

Recently I compiled the perfect post-clubbing listening tape, and it has been the best thing to soothe me off to sleep and drown out the ringing ears. I am so happy with it that I thought I’d share it with everyone!
Okay most hardcore clubbers will share the problem that I have when I get home: the inability to sleep. When I get home I’m usually buzzing, the transition from club to boring bedroom can be difficult so a little music helps a lot. It’s also essential to distract you from your unrelenting ringing ears.

Well if your aim is to go to sleep then listening to the Prodigy isn’t going help. However if you’re like me Celine Dion isn’t going to cut it either as it’ll make me want to break things or jump out the window. So cheesy music is a no-no. The key to creating a good post-clubbing compilation is choosing tracks which have a relaxing beat, and soulful lyrics (if there are any lyrics). I have 12 tracks on the compilation, and it’s important to have the order of the tracks right. For the compilation to actually help you sleep it’s essential to have the volume quite low. Also the neighbours probably don’t appreciate loud music at 3 in the morning. The most tranquil and calming song should be the last track on the compilation- by which you should be blissfully asleep. Anyway here is my personal post-clubbing compilation:

12~ Chicane feat. Maire Brennan of Clannad ~ ‘Saltwater’
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This is probably the most memorable Trance tune of 1999, and I think it is brilliant. There’s a haunting feel in the beat and the vocals, Maire Brennan has done an excellent job. The song is produced by Chicane and Ray Madman Hedges (who?!), and it’s done perfectly. This track is first on the compilation because I’m still in the mood to dance around when I first get home and this’ll calm me down. It automatically makes me close my eyes and listen quietly.

11~ Wamdue Project ~ ‘King Of My Castle’ astro heavenly remix
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Many will be aware of this from the Ministry Of Sound Chillout Session Album (which has led to a million ‘Chillout’ albums being made, but none of them being quite right for me). Anyway I think this is one of the best tracks by Wamdue Project, with a catchy beat, and excellent female vocals.

10~ BT ~ ‘Dreaming’ monsoon edit
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I love this track and this mix is a mellower, more chilled version. I really like the lyrics:
‘ …catch my hand and come with me,
close your eyes and dreeaaamm’

The music on this track is faultless but the vocals just make it stand out enough to be included.

9~ Robert Miles ~ ‘Children’ dream version
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This is another one of those tunes that you don’t forget easily, it’s got a catchy beat and sometimes it’s stuck it my head for hours. Probably not as mellow as the rest of the songs, and that’s why it’s early on in the listing.

8~ York ~ ‘The Awakening’ mellow mix
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Another Chillout classic, this song is so versatile it’s been an hundreds of Dance compilations. I prefer the Quake radio edit version of the song, but for the purpose of going to sleep- this 6 minute mellow mix is perfect!

7~ Faithless ~ ‘Salva Mea’ epic mix
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‘Salva Mea’ begins with Dido’s haunting backing vocals, and then Maxi Jazz takes over:

‘I wanna take a look at the world behind these eyes…’

This is an excellent track and the one which really brought my attention to Faithless. It just has to be on the compilation.

6~ Delerium feat. Rani ~ ‘Underwater’ album version
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Only the most hardcore Delerium fan will be aware of this track. I really love it, Rani’s vocals are amazing, and the music is typical of anything by Delerium; very slickly produced.

‘Shed your armour, spin your web,
Hypnotise me, with the longest stare.
Make your promise, maybe it’s a threat?
When you look, you look right through me’

This is one of those haunting tracks that are perfect for making me lie back and relax.

5~ William Orbit ~ ‘Barber’s Adagio For Strings’
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This is a masterpiece by William Orbit, also on the ‘Laidback House CD2’ on the Ministry of Sound Chillout album. It is a beautiful track.

4~ Jose Padilla ~ ‘Who Do You Love’ chicane remix
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Many will recognise this tune from the Danni Minogue number of the same name. I think the vocals were put over this track, but I’m not sure. It’s a nice instrumental to soothe you off into your own world.

3~ Ultra X ~ ‘Tip’
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A Trance track which is quite calming, has no vocals- but a very rhythmic beat. I do like this track a lot.

2~ Silicone Soul ~ ‘Right On!’ original instrumental version
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This instrumental of the popular dance number, is surprisingly calm yet refreshing. It’s also different to the usual trance-based chilled tracks on the numerous Chillout albums available.

1~ Faithless ~ ‘Drifting Away’
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This is the last track and it’s a perfect one to end with. The title says it all really, it’s a nice and easy to listen to track. The production is faultless, the lyrics are just right and the music is outstanding. What else can I ask for?!

Here are the tracks that just missed out from being included:

~ Rob D ~ ‘Clubbed To Death’
~ Chicane ~ ‘Offshore’
~ Acetate ~ ‘Substance’
~ Energy 52 ~ ‘Café Del Mer’ Michael Woods Remix
~ Global Communication ~ ‘The Groove’ extended skit