good homework music playlist

College Info Geek

The Ultimate Study Music Playlist

This is a playlist of my favorite study music. It’s great for homework, studying for exams, reading, and generally getting crap crossed off my many checklists.

I’ve been working on this playlist for several years, and it contains music (all non-lyrical) from a wide variety of genres and sources, including video game/anime/movie soundtracks. At the moment, it’s got about 240 songs for you to choose from.

Listening on another app? I’ve worked to mirror this study playlist to other services. Check them out below:

• Spotify Study Music Playlist
• Apple Music Study Playlist

If you’d like, you can study with me in another tab while this plays. You can also listen to the playlist on YouTube instead of on this page.

By the way – I create my own study music as well! If you’d like to give it a listen, here’s a playlist:

You can also follow me on Spotify or on YouTube if you want to be notified when new tracks are released.

Need even more study music?

Here are a few options.

Brain.fm – Music designed specifically to help you focus more effectively. It works really well for me, and I use it for around 50% of my research, writing, and reading sessions – the other half are mostly done with the playlist above.

Piano Study Playlist – If you’re in the mood for a more consistent playlist, check out this one full of solo piano tracks.

Coffitivity – Sometimes I’m in the mood for ambient noise instead of music, and the sounds of a bustling coffee shop are my personal favorite type.

Noisli – An ambient noise generator that lets you create your own mix using sounds like rain, thunder, fan, and white/brown/pink noise.

More Playlists

Work Vibes – My personal playlist of “getting-stuff-done” music. Most of the tracks here have vocals, so I wouldn’t read or study intently with them. But they’re great for crushing emails, working on design projects, or doing other work where I simply need to execute quickly.

Tom’s Workout Playlist – A collection of the tracks that usually accompany me to the gym.

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13 Productivity Playlists to Center and Focus ADHD Brains

We asked additude readers what focus music helps them hit a productive groove while working or studying. they recommended these 13 playlists for channeling attention — and getting more done..

Got music? In a recent survey, most ADDitude readers said they focus best while listening to music — so we asked for specific song suggestions. Below are 13 productivity playlists by and for ADHD brains. Next time you need to buckle down and get things done, look here for the perfect ADHD focus music or just follow ADDitude’s Spotify channel.

Have more suggestions? Leave your song, artist and/or playlist recommendations in the comments below — we’re always adding new music to the ADDitude Spotify!

Playlist #1: Upbeat Songs to Kickstart ADHD Brains

Punchy, high-energy focus music to get your to-do list started, the playlist features Panic! At the Disco’s “High Hopes” and Yellowcard’s “Ocean Avenue.” First thing in the morning or during the afternoon slump, lean on these upbeat songs for an injection of pure focus.

“Sometimes while I’m working, I like to take a break and listen to something that makes me dance for two to five exhausting minutes to let my energy explode and then get back to focusing .” — Bay, New Jersey

“I need to occupy my brain and body simultaneously, so if I have to do mindless tasks like making dinner, washing dishes, or folding laundry, I need something that engages my brain. Up-tempo songs with lyrics I can sing along to work well. Without them I just can’t do anything.” — An ADDitude Reader

[ Download: Music for Healthy ADHD Brains ]

Playlist #2: Instrumentals for ADHD Focus

Many ADDitude readers reported that they find lyrics distracting, so we created this purely instrumental playlist to reap all the productive benefits of listening to music without any diverting drawbacks. Filled with punchier instrumental pop and slower ballads, this playlist is perfect for people with ADHD looking for a happy, productive groove.

“I listen to instrumental music — not too fast, not too slow. It has that constant beat that sets my pace for my tasks.” — Bert, Indiana

“I listen to instrumental, calming music that really relaxes me from inside out. It’s the first step to slowing my brain .” — An ADDitude Reader

Playlist #3: ADHD Brain Food

Sometimes your ADHD brain just craves some good, fun music. In those moments, feed your brain with the easy, catchy songs on this playlist. Listen to these songs on your morning commute or while working for an extra dose of daily happiness.

“I need playful, interesting music to jolt me into productivity. I also love to sing along/harmonize with music, so this helps while cooking and cleaning, too.” — Kelsey, Minnesota

“I don’t have just one type of music or song that helps me focus and so I end up changing playlists and artists to whatever helps me at that moment. Sometimes I just need to listen to a band I enjoy.” — An ADDitude Reader

[ Read: Study Music to Focus the ADHD Brain ]

Playlist #4: First Day of Summer

“First Day of Summer is my go-to for an upbeat shot in the arm when I have the 2 o’clock sleepies — lots of electronic funkiness, world music, fun song remixes, and jazz.” — Molly Durham – Texas

Playlist #5: Lush Lo-Fi

“When I discovered lo-fi music, it changed everything! It’s the perfect background music for me to keep my brain happy and engaged while I work or just relax. It seems to regulate me, keep me on track, and it keeps me from getting overwhelmed with what I’m doing.” — An ADDitude Reader

Playlist #6: Sem Letra Nem Baleias

“I work better with background music, but lyrics distract me and I hate New Age-y music with whale sounds, etc., so I made my own, which contains neither lyrics nor whales (hence the title of the playlist in Portuguese). It’s mostly acoustic versions of Brazilian samba and rap/hip-hop songs.” — An ADDitude Reader

Playlist #7: Classical Focus

“If I need to focus on anything intellectual, I play some calm instrumental music. It can’t have lyrics or I’ll pay more attention to the lyrics than my own thoughts . These soundtracks are heavily vetted before I use them for something important!” — Colleen, North Dakota

Playlist #8: Lo-Fi Workday

“I find songs that I know and/or are lyric-heavy that can split my attention. When I need to focus — at work or around the house — instrumental tracks are my ‘secret sauce!’” — Gate, Seattle

Playlist #9: Do You Have MySpace?

“I prefer songs I know as they are less distracting. I made a playlist called Do You Have MySpace? because it’s mostly songs from my high school period (2004-2009). It has been very useful lately as I tackled a big task that still required some brain power at work.” — Catherine, Quebec

Playlist #10: Moneyball

“I had a professor who told me that he writes all his papers while listening to the Moneyball soundtrack. I gave it a try and haven’t looked back since. I hope this helps other people with ADHD !” — Spencer, British Columbia

Playlist #11: Bass House

“Bass House is just a great jump-around list that is exciting without being frenetic.” — Molly Durham, Texas

Playlist #12: Repetitive Needs

“I have a playlist of songs that I could listen to on infinite repeat and then I pick a song from that list before I start whatever task I need to do.” — Cameron, Australia

Playlist #13: Road Trip to Tokyo

“Combining instrumental music with posh hotel vibes, this music keeps you moving without distraction .” — Aria, California

Music for ADHD Focus: Next Steps

• Read: Mozart Helped Me Focus My ADHD Brain
• Read: “I Have a Verbal Fidget That Keeps Me Humming”
• Download: Music For Healthy ADHD Brains

SUPPORT ADDITUDE Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing . Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.

How to Focus: Read These Next

10 Books Every Woman Should Read After Her ADHD Diagnosis

I’m an ADHD Expert — and I Still Struggle With ADHD

You Can’t Train Away ADHD Executive Dysfunction

Using a Dopamine Menu to Stimulate Your ADHD Brain

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Getting Things Done with Adult ADHD

The Music to Listen To While You're Working from Home

If the noise of your full house or the silence of your apartment is driving you insane, tune in to our playlist.

During long periods of working remotely, sometimes all it takes is the right song or album to get into the zone. Perhaps it’s an ethereal Tame Impala track to boost your mood or a shiny Tinashe hit to lend you a dose of afternoon energy.

Victoria Sines, Content Strategy Manager

Miguel is my go-to forever and always, but I can’t stop listening to Tame Impala’s new album, The Slow Rush . Their music always puts me in a good mood, and the song “Breathe Deeper” (pun intended) has really been getting me going in the morning or when that midafternoon slump hits.

Barry Samaha, Freelance Market Editor

For the past three years, Spotify’s year-end review has decreed that Aretha Live at Fillmore West is the album I listen to most. Apple Music also backs this data. Still, I’ve never really analyzed why it is in constant rotation on all my audible devices. Perhaps it’s the verve in Franklin’s voice, the musical arrangement of each song, her chats with the crowd in between sets, or a combination of everything. But what I do know for certain is that it makes me happy and keeps me focused. And when I am at home by my lonesome, and not panicking from headlines on CNN (I know! I know!) or stuffing my face with brownies, singing along to this gem keeps me sane.

Kerry Pieri, Fashion & Features Director

I find that any Motown Spotify list that has anything to do with Marvin Gaye keeps me in a good mood, motivated, and gives my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter something to jam to.

Bianca Betancourt, Assistant Digital News Editor

As of late while working from home, I’ve been listening to Kaytranada’s latest album, Bubba . The album’s tracks are upbeat enough to wake me up but still simultaneously chill enough to be a proper soundtrack to the start of the morning. My favorite track is the sassy “10%,” a funky collab with burgeoning Colombian pop star Kali Uchis. Around lunchtime, I usually begin to blast Bad Bunny—“Si Veo a Tu Mamá” is my favorite track off his flawless sophomore effort YHLQMDLG, which stands for “Yo Hago Lo Que Me Da La Gana” and translates to “I Do What I Want.” Then as the day winds down, I’ll put on Tinashe’s Songs for You —a very underrated and well-produced curation of cool girl, modern-pop bops that usually results in me shimmying at my desk, naturally.

Chelsey Sanchez, Editorial Fellow

I feel something akin to religious fervor each time Mitski graces my speakers. Her eclectic discography matches me at every stage of my work-from-home process: cathartic, grating vocals for initial rage; decadent and romantic pop songs for when I hit my groove; and skeletal instrumental arrangements for my inevitable surrender to Slack notifications and email pings. It’s always easier to bow down to the workload when Mitski is prodding me along.

Anna Aiello, Motion Designer

A few songs I’ve been listening to that I’d recommend: “Lost in Yesterday” by Tame Impala. Being locked in my childhood home might actually be the ideal place to listen to Tame Impala’s latest album, The Slow Rush . I’ve been particularly enjoying the song “Lost in Yesterday,” which has a fantastic chorus that may warrant a dance break for me and my dog.

“In My Room” by Frank Ocean. The name of this track has a whole new meaning in these times. Frank Ocean is famous for being a homebody, and I’ve been listening to this single on repeat to bask in the glory of staying home.

“Home” by CARIBOU. The perfect song to make pancakes to. Quiet but upbeat.

Roberto Dume, Director of Photography

I go for tone and mood to sort of map out the day. Think of your eight-hour workday as an album, and your music lineup as your track listing. Some of the records can weave in and out of each other and work just fine on shuffle, but usually I take albums and connect them to create a mood for an extended period, so nothing gets stuck.

If I’m working, I like music that’s not overly distracting, but I can still feel underfoot. It’s always about mood and shifting so that the day is both energized for work without taking you away from the focus.

Some records that have been circulating in rotation while working from home: Frank Ocean’s Blonde , Sade’s Diamond Life , Mac Miller’s Swimming , Khruangbin & Leon Bridges’s Texas Sun EP, Harry Styles’s Fine Line , Japanese Breakfast’s Soft Sounds from Another Planet , Blood Orange’s Negro Swan , Jeff Buckley’s Grace , Radiohead’s In Rainbows , Mac Demarco’s Salad Days , The Velvet Underground’s self-titled album, Erykah Badu’s Baduizm , Little Dragon’s Ritual Union , Washed Out’s Life of Leisure EP, Childish Gambino’s Kauai EP, Billie Eilish’s When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? and Rosalía’s El Mal Querer .

Lee Manansala, Senior Video Editor

WFH for me means waking up at 9:45 to be at my computer at 10, so I’m not fully awake. I put on something light, not too challenging. This morning, I put on “Rip It Up” by Orange Juice—if you like Vampire Weekend’s first album, you’ll like Orange Juice.

Once I find my stride, I need something that I can put on and forget, something that can reasonably take the place of the office din, which, if I’m being honest, I miss. Today, I put on Selected Ambient Works 85-9 2 by Aphex Twin. I know it by heart, so it’s not distracting, but I would miss it if it wasn’t on.

I ended today with The Wild Hunt by The Tallest Man on Earth, because when you’re trying to stave off atrophy and cabin fever, what you need is the perfect road trip album.

Erica Gonzales, Culture & Content Strategy Editor

My work soundtrack depends entirely on my mood (I have gone from Ariana Grande to Creedence Clearwater Revival in a day—I don’t understand myself), but lately, I’ve been finding comfort in mellow soul classics. I love “Superwoman (Where You Were You When I Needed You)” by Stevie Wonder; he’s one of my all-time favorites, and this deep cut is a perfect mix of calming and melancholy. I’ve also been constantly listening to “I Can’t Stand the Rain” by Ann Peebles; I can’t get that tingly timbales intro out of my head, and the song is such a cool gem apropos of New York’s recent dreary weather.

Other more modern artists and tunes on rotation: Dijon, Soccer Mommy, Clairo, the new Moses Sumney album grae , Niia, Snoh Aalegra, Outkast, Tom Misch, Boygenius, Rex Orange County, and Solange’s A Seat at the Table and When I Get Home.

Listen to all our picks and more in the playlist below and follow Harper’s BAZAAR on Spotify.

Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There is a 75 percent chance she's listening to Lorde right now. 

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“Hey Siri, play the Homework playlist.”

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