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Hey @Pumpkin, great question.

I go one of two routes when I powercook (making lots of food over the weekend to last me the week). Either I listen to podcasts of This American Life, Russell Brand's BBC Radio Show and HamsterTime, or I go with Appetite For Destruction (GnR), A Grand Don't Come For Free (The Streets) and Dirt (Alice in Chains). The list is occasionally changed, but those are pretty much my standards.

I'm not a fan of classical or instrumental music when I'm cooking because part of the fun is singing along, loudly and badly, as I do so.

Good question. Actually, over in the "Danger in the Kitchen" thread, I recently revealed how I sliced off half of the nailbed on my left index finger while excessively enjoying some kitchen music, i.e. I was singing. Quite a bloody cost for being inattentive to the onion I diced.

While prepping and cooking in the evening, I often tune into the Philly-based "World Cafe" program on 91.3 / WYEP, here in the 'burgh.

Otherwise, I'll turn on the TV and put on the "Retroactive" music channel. It's quite a mix, with songs from The Smiths, Bauhaus, The Velvet Underground, Black Flag, The The, Pixies, Prince, The Beastie Boys, Kate Bush, X, Richard Hell, The Clash . . . .

There are two secret bits of knowledge I have to share at this time:

1. Certain dishes are positively affected by loud application of The Average White Band's "Pick up the Pieces" during the cooking process.

2. If you have children waiting at your table to eat (dine, chow down, shovel the food in their faces, any or all of these actions) a connecting door between the kitchen and dining area is useful along with a CD of Aretha's "Respect" that you can hit the play button as you exit the room bearing the food towards them.

Once I was backstage at a James Brown concert. The image of his exit from stage to backstage was one of the most incredible things I've ever seen and ever since then I've been trying to think of a way to incorporate it into my life. When he finished singing he turned sideways slightly and two huge guys that looked like a cross between Rocky and a bull terrier from Coney Island came swooping out towards him, wrapping a enormous flowing red satin cape around him then hustling him off-stage (the three of them almost knocked me over as they hit the edge of the curtain where I was standing . . . likely with my mouth hanging open in admiring awe). I would like to fit this action, along with a James Brown song, into the end of my dinners but I can not decide the best song. "Hot Pants"? "Get on the Good Foot"? I'm leaning towards "Get up Offa that Thang" which should signal to the children that they should clear the table.

As you see, the entire meal can be added to by music. Not just the cooking part.

@Karen: Holy crisis, you are hilarious. Go with "Get up Offa that Thang" ! Haaaaaaaa haaa ha.

I wish I had my own kitchen so I could listen to/blast music while cooking too. That sounds like so much fun!

Hillary
Chew on That

As a Christmas gift I recieved a ihome for my kitchen. Great gift because I never had music in my kitchen. I hit shuffle on my ipod and get to cooking. But what been playing lately is alot of Rodrigo y Gabriela and the new Raconteurs album and the Beastie Boys "The Mix Up" album.

I have to agree with Karen. As James Brown is the king of my kitchen. I find my self doing the super-sock-shuffle dance whenever he comes on.

What's wrong with classical?! Tchaikovsky makes cooking epic. Besides the traditional favorites, there are also a lot of wonderful contemporary composers that make music well-suited for culinary adventures.

What I'm listening depends on my mood. Sometimes I like a little jazz or blues, sometimes electronica, sometimes silly 80's hits, sometimes only a little earthy-femme music hits the spot, sometimes I want to belt out showtunes, and sometimes I just hit random on the iPod because I just want the sound.

I'm also with the group that thinks you shouldn't knock classical. Not only do I find it very calming at times--helped me cram for many a college exam, but can be exciting and invigorating as well. I'm also one for some showtunes now and again, right after Beastie Boys, Dave Matthews, and some good old Jackson 5!

If I'm making something that I've made a hundred times before and don't need to concentrate on the recipe, like baking pies for instance, I'll listen to books on cd.

If you were to look at my music library, you'd probably assumed it was shared by ten people. It's all over the board. Very schizophrenic. I like virtually all genres. Even among those genres I don't much like overall, I always find a handful of songs that I like.

Classical, progressive rock, ethnic, blues, big band, current adult alternative, jazz... the list goes on and on... I guarantee I have something to satisfy every possible mood. And, of course, every form of cookery!

Sadly, when I cook, it's mostly the TV that's playing. Hubby works from home and has CNBC on throughout the day. Or we watch my DVR'd episodes of Good Eats, etc. Or we're watching a movie.

But when I'm home alone and on a cleaning frenzy? Ooooh... watch out!

Gangsta rap. Or Chicago.

RE: "Why is it Beastie Boys makes for great cooking music?

Maybe because Sara Moulton's husband is their producer?

I believe she's even mentioned in one of their songs.

Not sure what's more surprising: the Sarah Moulton/Beastie Boys connection, or the strength of my reaction to this information.

SB, just for the record, I meant no comment in either way on whether or not being an American is something to be proud of. But he happens to be French, so the superiority streak is 10 kilometres wide.

Absolutely music in the kitchen. I crank it up real loud and sing along to whatever hits my fancy!

Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Eyed Peas, Vanilla Fudge, SaltnPeppa, Wild Cherry, Bananarama, Humble Pie, Blind Melon, Korn, Lemonheads, Phish, Moby Grape, Cracker, Green Jelly, Pearl Jam, Limp Bizkit, Bowling for Soup, The Dead Milkmen, Smashing Pumpkins,The String Cheese Incident, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Dingleberry Shortcake and my favorites: MeatLoaf, Bread and Cream! ;-D

Sing and eat along!

Renzata, you make me laugh. And to all of you who felt the need to vehemently defend your classical music tastes: Don't take things so seriously.

@Perky...

Ice-T and the Lovin Spoonful?

I never listen to music while cooking.

@ Perky LMAOO the sad part is I only recognised maybe three of those. OMG I Hate getting old :'(

Does Eminem melt in your mouth, not in your hand? If so, I could listen to him while cooking.

@huney_bumper.......ditto and ditto ;'(

@Loco.......glad to BE back! Nice to be missed.

Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker. Love classic jazz in the kitch for some reason.

Saturday afternoon Metropolitan Opera live radio broadcasts during powercooking stints.

i like to listen to alex jones' podcast. nothing like a little conspiracy theory to go with that spaghetti. creedence is great to cook to as well. i find it interesting that so many people like to listen to loud and fast music while cooking... i listen to that stuff constantly, but when i'm in the kitchen, i wanna get zen, not get amped.

as for classical: some of my fondest childhood memories are spending time with my mom while she cooked dinner listening to vivaldi. i used to dance around the kitchen to the four seasons.