I’m not sure about you, but where I live it has been pretty rainy and gray lately, which is the perfect weather for a game night inside! Instead of letting the next rainy night get you down, why don’t you call up your friends, grab some chips and salsa, maybe a few beers and cozy in for a night of cards and board games? My favorite games are Bananagrams, Taboo and Monopoly. What are your favorites? Oh, and don’t forget–you’re going to be needing some music! Here are some tunes, hand selected by Night is Alive, to brighten your next game night:

Harry Allen Trio – Seems To Me I’ve Heard That Song Before

This snazzy tune, from Night is Alive’s newest album It Takes 3 is sure to set the right tone for the evening. Just picture it now: your friends are arriving, shaking off their umbrellas on the front porch, shrugging off their raincoats and Harry Allen is welcoming them in with his jazzy saxophone! Then maybe you pour each guest a glass of chardonnay and show them the array of games displayed on your kitchen table. Boggle, pinochle, charades–who knows where the night will take you!?

Lorca Hart Trio – Blues on the Corner

Despite the name of this song, which comes from Night is Alive’s album Inspiration and Gratitude, it is actually not very bluesy and is more upbeat and jivey, which pairs well with the adrenaline and jitters of a competitive game night! Are you the type of person to talk smack around the table? Gloat if you win? Are you a sore loser? I’ve heard stories of people throwing game boards across the table at each other! But I’m sure you and your friends would never do that, right?

John Di Martino – Call Me Irresponsible

As alluded to with the previous song, sometimes game nights can really bring out the inner child inside us all, which is okay! Let’s embrace our inner child and have some fun tonight–maybe, dare I say it, even be a little bit irresponsible? This song, from Night is Alive’s album of the same name, encourages a little bit of recklessness. Call me unpredictable / Tell me I’m impractical / Rainbows I’m inclined to pursue . . .

Lorca Hart Trio – MoJoe

By this point in the night you’re probably starting to feel pretty good–hopefully you’ve won a few games, or if you’re playing a longer game, like Settlers of Catan, maybe you’re neck and neck with someone to win! Like this exciting tune from one of Night is Alive’s beloved older albums, Colors of Jazz, you might be getting your mojo on! Make sure to shake up those dice good and even give them a blow for good luck!

WJ3 All-Stars – I’m an Old Cow Hand

This fun jazz song, from Night is Alive’s sweet and soulful album Lovers and Love Songs, ends your game night on a nice playful note. No matter the outcome of your game night–whether you won a prize or lost big–make sure to smile, laugh it off and give your friends a hearty handshake or big hug! No matter how competitive, no game night is worth getting upset about. Plus, there’s always next time…

Check out some of this music and more on Night is Alive’s albums page!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Samantha Gades on Unsplash