When it seems the universe has yanked life from your control and turned it against you, music reminds you to keep going and push back
There are so many people we know who are having difficulty finding ways to process the degree to which their reality changed this week. Political decisions made this week generate fear for many, making others severely anxious, and outright depressing for some. Trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces and continue on is a real challenge for many.
We don’t have any answers. We looked for some and came up empty. We cannot unify behind hatred. We cannot continue on with our lives as though nothing happened. We cannot forgive those whose sole reason for voting was to dominate and suppress the civil rights of others. We just can’t.
This is when we look to music to get us through the day. The powers of music to alter our emotions, to subdue the anxiety and depression and worry and pull them all down to manageable levels is extremely well documented. We listen, we feel better, we stay alive.
Music won’t make the situation at hand go away. Neither does protesting in the streets, by the way. We’re all better off, for now, staying in, hugging and comforting each other, and carefully watching what happens next. If action is required, we will take it. Until then, we have our music to get us through. We’ve chosen 25 songs we think can help keep us moving forward. At the end, I’ll give you a link to the whole playlist. Be of hope and good cheer.
Songs 1-5
Imagine – 2010 – Remaster
Imagine – 2010 – Remaster, a song by John Lennon on Spotify
Hallelujah
Hallelujah, a song by Pentatonix on Spotify
I Am Woman
I Am Woman, a song by Helen Reddy on Spotify
We Are Family
We Are Family, a song by Sister Sledge on Spotify
I Will Survive
I Will Survive, a song by Gloria Gaynor on Spotify
Songs 6-10
Thank You For Being A Friend
Thank You For Being A Friend, a song by Andrew Gold on Spotify
What A Wonderful World – Single Version
What A Wonderful World – Single Version, a song by Louis Armstrong on Spotify
Stand By Me
Stand By Me, a song by Ben E. King on Spotify
Let It Be – Remastered
Let It Be – Remastered, a song by The Beatles on Spotify
Come Away With Me
Come Away With Me, a song by Norah Jones on Spotify
Song 11-15
Unwritten
Unwritten, a song by Natasha Bedingfield on Spotify
Right Now
Right Now, a song by Van Halen on Spotify
I Won’t Back Down
I Won’t Back Down, a song by Tom Petty on Spotify
Invincible
Invincible, a song by Pat Benatar on Spotify
Fighter
Fighter, a song by Christina Aguilera on Spotify
Songs 16-25
Don’t Stop Believin’
Don’t Stop Believin’, a song by Journey on Spotify
Breathe
Breathe, a song by U2 on Spotify
Redemption Song
Redemption Song, a song by Bob Marley & The Wailers on Spotify
We’re Not Gonna Take It (Live)
We’re Not Gonna Take It (Live), a song by Twisted Sister on Spotify
New Day
New Day, a song by Alicia Keys on Spotify
Don’t Stop – Remastered
Don’t Stop – Remastered, a song by Fleetwood Mac on Spotify
Ooh Child
Ooh Child, a song by Valerie Carter on Spotify
Hold On, Hold On
Hold On, Hold On, a song by Neko Case on Spotify
Everyday People – Single Version
Everyday People – Single Version, a song by Sly & The Family Stone on Spotify
Put a Little Love in Your Heart
Put a Little Love in Your Heart, a song by The Isley Brothers on Spotify
That’s what we’ve got for you. Total play time is right around an hour and 28 minutes. If you want the full playlist, I’m adding that link below. We hope this helps.
Music For Troubled Times, a playlist by Charles I. Letbetter on Spotify
We didn't ask for this reality. These songs help us deal with it.
Credit for pictures in this article:
Models: Rebekkah Perrigrin & Emily Comstock
Makeup: Danelle French
Hair: Kelly Walsh
Styling: Lila Palomares & Allyson Brooks
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