Nonviolent Communication Playlist

Sometimes reading the book isn't enough. During this recurring blog segment, Book Interrupted members share songs that made their playlist and why.

This week on What's On Your Playlist, we look back at Season 1 and the group's playlist inspired by the book Nonviolent Communication by Marshall B. Rosenberg, PhD.

Listen to the full Spotify playlist here or watch it here on YouTube.

What's on your playlist?

Lean On Me by Bill Withers

Meredith:

This song captured the essence of offering up empathy for others and ourselves, and that recognizing each other’s needs is a first step to fulfilling them.

“For no one can fill

Those of your needs that you won't let show

You just call on me brother when you need a hand

We all need somebody to lean on

I just might have a problem that you'll understand

We all need somebody to lean on”

The Chain by Fleetwood Mac

Lia:

“So I’m sure this song makes everyone’s top 50 list. For good reason. It’s a Classic. You must never break the chain!!! COMMUNICATE EVERYBODY!!!”

Don’t Talk Just Kiss by Right Said Fred

Kim:

“Whenever it is time to pick our selections for whatever playlist we’re compiling I try to clear my mind so I can ask myself ‘what song (or songs) does this book remind me of?’ It was during this process for Non-Violent Communication that ‘Don’t Talk Just Kiss’ by RSF popped into my head!

It’s kind of counter intuitive seeing as the song prescribes no talking, just kissing, but I was feeling kind of silly, and I felt that the song deserved a comeback even if it only be a brief one for our Non-Violent Communication playlist.

Once a song presents itself to me, I often Google the lyrics to see how fitting my first instinct actually is. In the case of this song, it wasn’t that fitting to the message of Non-Violent Communication, although one could argue that kissing is traditionally Non-Violent (one would hope anyway). But one lyric did resonate with me:

“We’re beyond words and sounds”

I feel like Non-Violent Communication is intended to help people not find themselves beyond words and sounds – that statement says to me communication is over, we’re operating on pure emotion here! I believe the purpose of NVC is to both share your needs while understanding the needs of another, in a way that preserves or strengthens the relationship. But if all else fails and you find yourself ‘beyond words and sounds’, then don’t talk, just kiss. Let your tongue fool around!”

So Sorry by Feist

Sarah:

“I chose this song because it’s clearly about trying to communicate and the fear of talking about our emotions. Also, sincerely saying I’m sorry. Which we also spoke about during NVC. In addition, I also love this song because it’s in a movie I just love called “The Jane Austen Book club”. It’s one of those rare movies that are better than the book.”

Elastic Heart by Sia

Kara:

“I chose this song for the nonviolent communication playlist because I love it. The song and music video confuse me and yet make perfect sense; messy and beautiful; raw and poetic, just like love. I learned a lot from this book and it really helped me see how much vulnerability is beneath the surface of our communications with one another, especially if there is friction or conflict. Met and unmet needs - that's my biggest takeaway from this read, and this music video perfectly expresses that dance we do in relationships when tensions between two people are high and needs may not be met.”

Communication by The Cardigans

Lindsay:

“If this is communication

I disconnect

I've seen you, I know you

But I don't know

How to connect

So I disconnect”

“I put in a ton of time thinking about it (this is where I wish “NOT” was still a cool thing to say) and Googled “Communication songs” and picked a few that came up. (I also chose Communication by Janet Jackson and Communication Breakdown by Roy Orbison).”