For me, “Fools,” by the Dodos starts playing, and my brain feels like a Christmas tree that just got plugged in. My heart pounds a little faster, and I feel focused, and the ideas start flowing. I don’t know why … I’m sure a musician would have a better idea than I do. (Musicians? Any ideas?) But “Hong Kong Garden” by Siouxie & The Banshees has the same effect, along with a few others.
Do you have songs like that? You kick them on and your creativity kicks in? What are they?