I’m one of those people who can’t stand the sound of silence. Not even when I’m trying to fall asleep. Because silence, in an apartment building, usually means neighbors deciding to learn how to tap dance at 3 a.m., alarm cars going off in the middle of the night for no apparent reason or ambulances always rushing down my street.

That is why, if I don’t pass out in front of my laptop because of a boring movie or TV show, I choose music to help me relax and doze off. Mellow songs, not death metal, trance or violent rap. Although if these music genres make you fall asleep like a happy baby I truly envy you.

According to some studies, Coldplay was chosen as the number one band to put people to sleep, followed by Michael Buble and Snow Patrol. If you’re not a fan of their music, below you have a list of 15 mellow songs that should easily help you nod off. Just press play, close your eyes and go to your happy place.

Rachel Portman – Never Let Me Go

Rachel Portman is a British composer, best known for her film work. This particular song is taken from the soundtrack of the movie with the same name, released last year.

Metric – Love Is a Place

When I hear the soothing voice of Emily Haines, the lead singer of the band, I instantly relax. Metric is a Canadian Indie rock and New Wave band, and the song is from ‘Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?’, their first album, released in 2003.

Flotation Toy Warning – Popstar Researching Oblivion

Flotation Toy Warning is a band from London, UK, formed in 2001. If you like what you hear I recommend you listen to ‘Bluffer’s Guide To The Flight Deck’, their first and single album, immediately. It’s a truly unique auditory trip.

Angelo Badalamenti – Falling

Do you remember ‘Twin Peaks’? If so, you clearly recognize the song.

Elbow – Great Expectations

Amazing English band and amazing song. ‘Great Expectations’ is from their 2005 album ‘Leaders of the Free World’.

The Mamas & The Papas – Dream a Little Dream of Me

This song has tons of recordings by tons of artists and was composed in the early 1930. The Mamas & The Papas recorded it for their 1968 album.

The Smiths – Asleep

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CGIii_eTOk

Morrissey, sing me to sleep. You’re so good at it.

Ian Brown – Forever And A Day

Best known as the former lead singer of The Stone Roses, Ian Brown isn’t bad at all on his own. The song is from ‘Music of the Spheres’, released in 2001.

Morphine – The Night

‘The Night’ was the fifth and final studio album of the band, completed just before the sudden July 1999 death of bass player and lead singer Mark Sandman. Sad, sad tune.

Simon & Garfunkel- Sound of Silence

Although I mentioned earlier I don’t like the sound of silence, I was clearly not referring to the song. Because the song is so, so beautiful. It was written in February 1964 by Paul Simon in the aftermath of the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy.

Aqualung – Strange and Beautiful

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRh-sUbBHZs

This is Matthew Hales’, better known as Aqualung, most famous song. It was featured on his first US release, from 2005. In the UK it was used for a Volkswagen commercial in 2002 and soon became hugely popular.

Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan – The Raven

Two amazing voices and a hauntingly perfect song. She’s mostly known for her collaborations with Belle and Sebastian and The Gentle Waves, him from his ties to Queens of the Stone Age and Screaming Trees. The song is from ‘Sunday at Devil Dirt’, their second collaborative studio album, released in 2005.

Antony and the Johnsons – Man Is the Baby

Antony and the Johnsons is a music group presenting the work of Antony Hegarty and his collaborators. ‘Man Is the Baby’ is from the band’s second studio album, ‘I Am a Bird Now’, from 2005.

Ane Brun – To Let Myself Go

Ane is a talented Norvegian singer. Or another soothing voice to help you doze off in peace. The song is from her second studio album, ‘A Temporary Dive’.

The Engine Room – A Perfect Lie

I will always think about ‘Nip/Tuck’ when I hear this. It was the theme song of the show.

Ugh, actually got a little sleepy myself. Useful tip: if you’re listening to music using your computer and you’re worried about leaving it unattended, you can install TVLike Sleep, a free software that turns off your computer after a specific interval of time. I also made a playlist with all the songs from this list – you can find it here.

Do you have any other music suggestion for people who like to doze off to some mellow tunes? What other songs do you think should have made our list?

Featured photo by ???’s on Flickr.