For me good Chill Out music is the kind that sometimes makes your hair stand on end at the back of your neck. The tracks are very individual one persons list can be totaly different both in tempo and genre to another person.

I like to think I have a wide and varied taste in music. I was one of those people who bought Rhinestone Cowboy by Rikki and Daz. Seventies and eighties disco are also among my favourites.

Chill out or Relaxation music though is very different. For starters it is very important to me as I need to relax at least once a day, the kind of music I listen to relates to how well I can relax.

So here it is, my top ten, may not be everyones cup of tea but it works for me.

~~~

1. Yeha Noha - Sacred spirit.

This has to be my favourite, it is Native American in origin although it has been commercialised to a point. The meaning of the song itself is Blessings of Happiness and Prosperity. The whole album Sacred Spirit is one that I would recommend to anyone looking for Relaxation and Chill Out music.

2. Carribbean Blue - Enya

This is a wonderful song to drift along with, Enya's voice and the wonderful melody mean that it has been used a lot commercialy and to good effect. You can imagine yourself away from the cold winter with this one for certain.

3. Return to Innocence - Enigma.

Although Enigma take credit for this any Enya lovers out there will recognise her voice. One part in particular means a lot to me.

Love, Devotion,
Feelings Emotion,
Dont be afraid to do it,
Be proud to be strong,
Just looking into your eyes my friend,
You will see a return to yourself,
A return to innocence.

Wonderful song filled with meaning and with a great Native American influence which I fell in love with. The Enigma album Cross of Changes has more than its fair share of Chill Out tracks. A strong backing beat realy make Enigma's music addictive.

4. Cross of Changes - Enigma.

This is a thought provoking track and deals with the struggle of the Native People to keep thier traditions and beliefs alive. It tells the story of the settlers who tried to turn the Native People to Christianity in its most forceful form. One part of the lyrics say it all.

No God has ever tried,
To change the world in this way,
To those who abuse his name,
There will be no chance to escape,
Come Judgement Day.

This is another track from Enigma's Cross of Changes Album and as with most of thier music is compulsive listening.

5. Something Inside so Strong - Labie Siffrie

First of all I hope I have spelt the artists name correctly, I have seen it spelt so many ways its gets confusing. Anyway it the song thats important.

This was written at the time of the great struggle in South Africa for equal rights whatever the colour of your skin and it puts this across so well. So much could be read into this and it could apply to so many situations and that is how it became one of my favourites. One part of the lyrics again for me sums it up.

Brothers and Sisters,
When they insist we're just not good enough,
Well we know better,
Just look them in the eyes and say,
We're going to do it anyway.

A song to inspire a little strength inside you when you need it.

6. Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion

This is a song which makes me think about my husband Richard and all he has done to help me. I class it as a Chill Out song as its such a beautiful song and has great meaning to me personaly so I had to include it.

You were my strength when I was was weak,
You were my voice when I could not speak,
You were my eyes when I could not see,
You saw the best and worst in me,

These are just a few lines from this song about the power of Love and what it can accomplish.

7. MMM MMM MMM MMM - Crash Test Dummies.

The Vocalist of this group Brad Roberts has an amazing voice, very deep and full of bass, perfect for this song.

To me it is a song of acceptance, it shows that sometimes people can be different through no fault of thier own and also that no matter how bad things are for you there is always someone who is worse off and puts your own problems into perspective.

Just a few lines from the lyrics help explain what I mean.

Once there was this kid who,
Got into an accident and couldn't come to school,
But when he finaly came back,
His hair had turned from black into bright white,
He said that it was from when,
The cars had smashed so hard,

MMM MMM MMM MMM.

This song is taken from the album God Shuffled His Feet by the Crash Test Dummies.

8. Will You Be There - Michael Jackson

The man may be questionable at times but his music is wonderful, this song in particular is uplifting and realy makes you feel good. It was used in one of the Free Willy movies I heard it and got hooked. I am sure a lot of you will have heard this one so I wont go on about too much, I love the choir featured they make the song all the more memorable. This track is featured on the History Album.

9. Tell Me There's A Heaven - Chris Rea.

This is a very special song, I love Chris Rea's Voice and it fits this song so well. At some point in our lives I think we have all asked this, as children or as adults.

The song is very orchestral and dramatic but it fits the bill and I would say if you have not heard this song please find it, its on the Road to Hell album and you will not be dissapointed. Here are the opening lyrics to give you an idea of the kind of feeling this song evokes.

My little girl she said to me,
What are these things that I can see,
Each night when I come home from school,
When Momma calls me in for tea,
For everynight a baby dies,
And everynight a mother cries,
Why do those men do what they do,
To make that person black and Blue.

Its one song that can cause tears, I will let you be the judge.

10. Colours Of The Wind - Vanessa Williams

My last choice has to be this one, it featured in the Disney film Pocahontas. You may have noticed that some of my choices have been influenced by a Native American connection, I feel that thier traditional beliefs if adopted by the world could have stopped the eco disater which we have now. They respect the earth and everthing on it, each plant, animal everything has its uses and thanks are given for each of them.

A few lyrics are in order I think.

You seem to own whatever land you land on,
The earth is just a dead thing you cant see,
But I know every rock and tree and creature,
Has a life has a spirit has a name.

~~~

I know that a lot of what I call Chill Out music may not be everyones cup of tea but variety is the spice of life and its good to see things from a different point of view sometimes.

That is something I have learned through life and especialy here at Ciao, here I have the confidence and freedom to express myself and my opinions without being feeling embarrased or afraid of offending someone.

Best wishes to one and all for the encouragement and comments that make me feel so happy.

Gill