If you're like me, music has the capacity to build you up or tear you down. I had to really pay attention to what music clicked with me at various moods and changed my attitude. I find thrash metal greatly empowering when I'm scared, for example. Here's a few of my favourite tracks for the darker times (and be careful -- I've ruined a lot of my favourite music for myself by obsessing in the hour of need). Hope you enjoy my 12 favourite pick me up tunes in no specific order!
On the Mend - Foo Fighters
A gentle and hopeful song from the acoustic disc of their In Your Honour record, the song simply declares 'I'm here and I'm on the mend' for its chorus.
Hate to See Your Heart Break - Paramore ft. Joy Williams
An acoustic piece rehashed from Paramore's self-titled album featuring a musical friend and role model of the lead singer's, Joy Williams. This song delves into the pain of troubled times and reaches out to the friend in need.
Reasons to be Cheerful Part 3 - Ian Dury & the Blockheads
Upbeat and old-school, Dury lists his various reasons to be cheerful. This is a definite mood lifter when you need to get on with things.
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life - Monty Python's Life of Brian
An optimistic outlook on life sung mid-crucifixion circa 33 A.D.. 'If life seems jolly rotten then there's something you've forgotten...', the Python's boppy, whistle-along tune can bring a smile to nearly any face!
Galaxy Song - Monty Python's Meaning of Life
It's hard not to go there at least twice with Eric Idle's lyrical genius when the Python's were dedicated to making people laugh and the music is uplifting and entertaining! 'So remember when you're feeling very small and insecure how amazingly unlikely is your birth...'.
Life is a Cabaret - Liza Minnelli in (Life is a) Cabaret
Cabaret-style musical theatre justifying a life of enjoyment. 'What good is sitting all alone in your room? Come hear the music play!'.
No Day but Today/ Finale B - Rent
This choral-style song from the modern musical Rent (this being the movie version containing the original Broadway cast) is a song that pulls me up from a dark place a lot. Being the finale, it is a mish-mash of harmonised reprisals. A previous version in the musical contains the lyrics 'The heart can freeze or it can burn, the pain will ease if I can learn.'. It's so hard for me not to put multiple Rent songs in this list but I'll just advise you to get the movie and tell you it meant so much to me that I have some lyrics tattooed on my hip.
Stars - Switchfoot
I debated whether it was Stars or Golden but I think Stars is a more gender-neutral hope. This soft-rock song takes a shot in the dark from the low place to find a bigger picture.
Revolution - Robbie Williams (Live)
A smooth jazzy feel to the song that earned lyrics above my bed: Oh, love lingers on, you're just feeling it wrong.
Losers - Robbie Williams
Sorry that I'm not sorry. A double dose of Robbie is far too necessary on a list like this. A slow song about giving up on being the best to be real. An amusing video of the main man on chat roulette, too.
Hold On - Wilson Philips
'Hold on for one more day, things will go your way'. Poppy and promising. This song is real and supportive simultaneously.
Furry Happy Monsters - R.E.M. on Sesame Street
Shiny Happy People has been revised to include the words 'You don't have to cry, we can be happy!' and it never ceases to inspire me.
Love & treble,
depressivedetails@gmail.com
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