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Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory

Music has an extremely powerful grip on our emotions. If you didn’t realize that, take a look at any one of these documentaries and it will become very apparent.

There are some really great docs on Netflix now for any and all music fans. From the recording of some of the biggest classic rock and roll hits, to the software that came in and made them shareable within seconds, these films will leave you in awe, in tears, and in the mood to dance.

See some of the biggest artists to ever exist in quieter times off stage and watch the sound of music light up the faces and memories of strangers you’ll immediate relate to. Each of these documentaries will knock on your ear drums, pull at your heart strings and teach you something beautiful about music along the way. Rock on!

'Muscle Shoals'

Be sure to have plenty of free space around you when you press play on Muscle Shoals, as you’ll want to jump up and dance almost immediately. This film takes you inside FAME recording studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where an inordinate amount of fantastic, legendary music has been created. The documentary combines old school footage and new interviews and is so, so well done.

'Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me'

This 2014 documentary takes you inside country star Glen Campbell’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, final tour and farewell to fans. Simultaneously heart-warming and heart-wrenching, the parts that are hard to watch are balanced with performance footage, interviews and most importantly, Campbell’s charisma and courage.

'Madonna: Truth or Dare'

Madonna, vulnerable? It’s true! You’ll feel like you’re tagging along on her “Blond Ambition” tour with this behind the scenes look at her life on the road. Madonna faces her family, her personal life, her haters, of course, and her thousands of fans head on at each stop along the way.

'Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin' Down a Dream'

Don’t let the length (4 hours!) of this movie turn you off — instead, let it get you excited. As one of the most comprehensive music documentaries, even diehard Petty fans will learn something new about the band’s journey through tours, friendships, and adventures in the music industry.

'Keith Richards: Under the Influence'

This doc feels like you’re hanging out with Keith himself for an hour and a half. It’s an inside look at how the musical genius just keeps going. He reveals the musicians that inspired him, and has a story for every wrinkle on his face.

'Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory'

This is not just a documentary. It is a full body experience. It will leave you with goosebumps on your arms, tears in your eyes, a smile on your face, a crack in your heart, and your mind completely blown to pieces. Dan Cohen, a social worker, was volunteering at a nursing home and wanted to show his discovery that elderly people with dementia were able to recall certain memories from their lives when listening to music. It’s a truly touching and beautiful display of the connection between music and emotions.

'The Art of Organized Noise'

You’ve heard Organized Noize whether you’ve heard OF them or not. The producers are responsible for the Dirty South sound, some of the biggest R&B and hip hop jams to come out of Atlanta. A bunch of their pals including Outkast, Puff Daddy and CeeLo got together in this doc to explain how they came to be and their legacy on the music industry.

'Downloaded'

Nothing ever quite rocked the music industry as hard as Napster’s appearance in 1999. It changed the way we share, listen and distribute music forever. This doc takes you through it all, from the way it started to the way it impacted filesharing and the music industry. No matter what side of the argument you come down on, it will make you miss the good ol’ days of mp3’s before we had to spend hours trying to figure out the latest update to iTunes.

'What Happened, Miss Simone?'

Oh, the talent! What Happened, Miss Simone? is a super personal look at what was going on in Nina Simone’s life both on and off the stage. Her daughter serves as executive producer on the Academy Award nominated film that features interviews and archival footage that only cements her legendary status.

'Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train A Comin''

This documentary touts “previously unseen performance footage”, but the real catch is that once you see it, you never want to stop seeing it. There’s something so soothing about watching Hendrix jam away on his guitar, it just puts you in a trance. Paul McCartney and Steve Winwood to stop by to talk about their pal in this fun film about a tragic artist.