How Music Can Enhance Your Safety & Security Mindset

It’s funny how you can spend years thinking about locks, alarms, and cameras—and never once consider your own state of mind.

That was me, right up until the moment I realized my so-called "security routine" was just frantic double-checking and a playlist of generic background noise.

Not exactly inspiring.

Last winter, I hit a wall. It was 2am, the wind was howling, and I was lying in bed, wide-eyed, convinced I’d heard someone outside. My security lights flickered. My heart raced. I fumbled for my phone, but all I got was a blast of EDM from my random playlist.

Did it help? Nope. I just felt jumpy and annoyed—like I was living inside an offbeat music video with no plot.

Then came my first embarrassing fail: I tried to "scare off" whatever was out there by blasting my speaker out the window. Instead, my neighbor texted me: "Nice taste in 80s synths. Next time, try a flashlight."

Mortifying.

The second disaster happened the next week. I set my phone’s alarm to a punk anthem as a "security boost"—except it went off during a Zoom call. Cue the confused faces and the slow clap from my boss. The soundtrack of rebellion, right? Not exactly the confidence-builder I was hoping for.

"I've been doing some research into rock & roll recently for a blog post, and one of the first things that come to mind about the style is that it was the focal point for the rebellious attitude of its youth."

That stuck with me. Maybe there was something to this idea of music shaping mindset—not just filling silence.

Why Mindset Matters for Security (And What the Data Shows)

So I started digging. Turns out, the connection between music and personal safety isn’t just wishful thinking.

A 2021 survey from the American Psychological Association found that 68% of respondents used music to manage stress and boost focus in high-pressure situations. Another study from the Journal of Environmental Psychology showed that certain genres—especially those with strong, rhythmic beats—can increase alertness and perceived control in unfamiliar settings.

Makes sense. Security isn’t just about gear—it’s about feeling prepared, aware, and a little bit defiant.

Here’s what surprised me:

People who intentionally curated their music reported 27% higher feelings of safety in unfamiliar environments
Playlists with "rebellious" or empowering music (think punk, hip hop, protest rock) correlated with more decisive action during simulated emergencies
Even background music in public spaces affected how secure people felt—upbeat tracks made people more likely to challenge suspicious behavior

I started to notice a pattern. Every major "rebellious" music movement—from punk to hip hop to Latin American cumbia villera—had roots in communities seeking control, voice, and, yes, safety from the chaos outside.

"In Argentina, in the late 90s a cumbia subgenre called 'cumbia villera' emerged, its heyday was around 1999-2005. Musically it's rooted in Latin American tradition, with lyrics about drugs, violence and sex."

Not exactly bedtime listening, but it’s proof that music shapes how people respond to threats, both real and imagined.

What Actually Works: Building a Safety-First Playlist

Armed with this data—and a little less embarrassment—I decided to build a playlist that made me feel alert, not anxious. No more random EDM. No more accidental Zoom concerts.

Turns out, the classics still hit hardest. I picked up THE CLASH - Combat Rock (remastered) Deluxe CD ~ Original Recording. New Sealed for about $11, partly out of nostalgia, partly out of curiosity.

Not a magic bullet, but a serious upgrade. There’s something about those driving guitars and anti-authoritarian lyrics that makes you want to get up, check the locks, and stand a little straighter. It’s not just background noise—it’s a call to action.

But it’s not the only option. Here’s what worked for me (and what didn’t):

Punk and protest rock: Great for boosting confidence, not so great for sleep
Cinematic soundtracks: Surprisingly effective for staying focused while checking security systems
Reggae, Afrobeats, cumbia villera: Good for community vibes and situational awareness, less useful for solo night shifts
Generic pop: Fine as filler, useless for mindset shifts

The key isn’t the genre—it’s the feeling. You want music that makes you feel in control, not overwhelmed.

The Pushback: Is "Rebellious" Music Just Another Gimmick?

Of course, there’s a catch. As soon as I started talking about my "security playlist," someone hit me with this:

"Mark Fisher wrote about this in his book 'Capitalist Realism': even protest music gets absorbed into the capitalist system, turning rebellion into spectacle and commodification."

Ouch. The idea that even the most defiant soundtrack can be packaged, sold, and neutered—that’s hard to argue with.

It’s easy to feel cynical. If every "empowering" song is just another product, what’s the point?

Here’s where I landed: yes, music gets commodified. But that doesn’t erase its power to shift your mood or mindset in the moment. The Clash might be on a shiny remastered CD now, but those tracks still make my pulse quicken when I need a jolt of courage.

Sometimes, the effect matters more than the origin story.

Takeaways: Building Your Own Security Mindset

Want to upgrade your sense of safety? Skip the random playlists. Curate music that actually changes how you feel—whether that’s The Clash, a movie soundtrack, or a genre from halfway around the world.

Here’s what I’d recommend:

Try a classic like this Combat Rock CD if you want to tap into that rebellious energy
Experiment with soundtracks or global genres for a different vibe
Mix it up until you find what makes you feel alert, not anxious

If you’re tired of feeling helpless—or just bored with your usual routine—take action. Curate a playlist that puts you in charge, whether it’s this album or something totally different. Just don’t leave your mindset on autopilot—your sense of security deserves better.

How Music Can Enhance Your Safety & Security Mindset