Music can be a great source of comfort and inspiration when you’re feeling down.
Today’s song is: “Keep Holding On” by Avril Lavigne
Listen to the song here:
Lyrics:
“You’re not alone
Together we stand
I’ll be by your side
You know I’ll take your hand
When it gets cold
And it feels like the end
There’s no place to go
You know I won’t give in
No, I won’t give in
Keep holding on
‘Cause you know we’ll make it through
We’ll make it through
Just stay strong
‘Cause you know I’m here for you
I’m here for you
There’s nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There’s no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
‘Cause you know we’ll make it through
We’ll make it through
So far away
I wish you were here
Before it’s too late
This could all disappear
Before the doors close
And it comes to an end
With you by my side, I will fight and defend
I’ll fight and defend
Yeah, yeah
Keep holding on
‘Cause you know we’ll make it through
We’ll make it through
Just stay strong
‘Cause you know I’m here for you
I’m here for you
There’s nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There’s no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
‘Cause you know we’ll make it through
We’ll make it through
Hear me when I say, when I say I believe
Nothing’s gonna change
Nothing’s gonna change destiny
Whatever’s meant to be will work out perfectly
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
La da da da
La da da da
La da da da da da da da da
Keep holding on
‘Cause you know we’ll make it through
We’ll make it through
Just stay strong
‘Cause you know I’m here for you
I’m here for you
There’s nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There’s no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
‘Cause you know we’ll make it through
We’ll make it through
Keep holding on
Keep holding on
There’s nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There’s no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
‘Cause you know we’ll make it through
We’ll make it through”
Why this song’s so cool: Say what you will about Avril Lavigne, this song is dang catchy. It’s inspirational without being trite or hokey – it plays as truth – just what someone might actually say. Plus, the chorus is great for belting out all that frustration or aggression, while still having a hopeful message – so you can start singing it feeling sad, and end it feeling happy!
Why this song’s helpful:Keep holding on. If there was any message that depressed or struggling people need to understand, it’s that. Well, that and You’re not alone, the words that start the frikkin’ song! Yes, it’s repetitive, but it needs repeating. Often, when people are upset, they just need to know that they are not alone, that you love and support them – that they’re there for you, there for you. That’s it. You literally have to be there for them. Of course, it also helps if you make them a cup of tea, say comforting things, massage their back, and give them a million dollars, but if you don’t know how to do any of that, just being there for them – as in just being physically present and paying attention – how simple is that? – goes a helluva long way.
Music can be a great source of comfort and inspiration when you’re feeling down.
Today’s song is: “Home” by Phillip Phillips (what a silly name)
Listen to the song here:
Lyrics:
“Hold on to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave, wave is stringing us along
Just know you’re not alone
‘Cause I’m gonna make this place your home
Settle down, it’ll all be clear
Don’t pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble—it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you’re not alone
‘Cause I’m gonna make this place your home
Settle down, it’ll all be clear
Don’t pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble—it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you’re not alone
‘Cause I’m gonna make this place your home”
Why this song’s so cool: Catchy and pleasantly upbeat. Not to mention extremely fun to harmonize along to.
Why this song’s helpful: THIS: “Just know you’re not alone, ‘Cause I’m gonna make this place your home.” It’s repeated many times, and I’m glad. It’s an important thing to remember, and it can be especially difficult to remember when you are suffering or in pain, such as the pain and suffering accompanying depression.
“If you get lost, you can always be found.” This is a particularly affirming quote that is helpful for those feeling especially lost and alone. When in crisis, dealing with loss, feeling lost, confused, and alone, suffering from depression, or all of the above, you tend to suffer an influx of increasingly negative and hopeless thoughts. You’re mind becomes confused and irrational, making the truth difficult to accept or even see at all. That’s why it is so important to have a strong support system to tell you those truths over and over again – for them to believe, even if you can’t. Music can be a part of your support system, and the lyrics of this song can be a resource for having those positive and affirming messages repeated over and over to you – the more you hear positive messages that you are not alone, the more likely you will be to believe them.
“For there is nothing lost, that may be found, if sought.”
Music can be a great source of comfort and inspiration when you’re feeling down.
Today’s song is: “Stars” by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Listen to the song here:
Or if you like lyric videos, this one is pretty …. STELLAR!!!
Lyrics:
“I lit a fire with the love you left behind
And it burned wild and crept up the mountainside
I followed your ashes into outer space
I can’t look out the window, I can’t look at this place
I can’t look at the stars
They make me wonder where you are
Stars, up on Heaven’s boulevard
And if I know you at all,
I know you’ve gone too far
So I, I can’t look at the stars
All those times we looked up at the sky
Looking out so far, we felt like we could fly
And now I’m all alone in the dark of night
The moon is shining but I can’t see the light
And I can’t look at the stars
They make me wonder where you are
Stars, up on Heaven’s boulevard
And if I know you at all,
I know you’ve gone too far
So I, I can’t look at the stars
Stars
Stars, they make me wonder where you are
Stars up on Heaven’s boulevard
And if I know you at all,
I know you’ve gone too far
So I can’t look at the stars”
Why this song’s so cool: It is SO beautiful. And it’s a good wailer/belter to get really into. I have definitely karaoked this more than once. Vocal-wise, it has a nice range of mood variety and dynamic options, so lots of potential to expressing a broad emotional range.
Why this song’s helpful: Perfect song for dealing with a loss. And I don’t necessarily mean a death. A loss of any kind. Also a nice jam for just feeling sad and/or lonely. Or if you’re looking at the stars.
Music can be a great source of comfort and inspiration when you’re feeling down.
Today’s song is: “the Call” by Regina Spektor
Listen to the song here (OR just watch Prince Caspian):
Oh… you prefer LIVE. Well, here ya go then:
Lyrics:
“It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word
And then that word grew louder and louder
‘Til it was a battle cry
I’ll come back when you call me
No need to say goodbye
Just because everything’s changing
Doesn’t mean it’s never been this way before
All you can do is try to know who your friends are
As you head off to the war
Pick a star on the dark horizon and follow the light
You’ll come back when it’s over
No need to say goodbye
You’ll come back when it’s over
No need to say goodbye
Now we’re back to the beginning
It’s just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can’t feel it too
Doesn’t mean that you have to forget
Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
‘Til they’re before your eyes
You’ll come back when they call you
No need to say goodbye
You’ll come back when they call you
No need to say goodbye”
Why this song’s so cool: It’s soooooo pwetty!
Why this song’s helpful: It’s chock-a-block FULL of inspirey messages and allusions.
Those who leave you never really leave you.
“Just because everything’s changing doesn’t mean it’s never been this way before.” YOU CAN DO IT! You will get through this. This too shall pass.
The war is your challenges and obstacles. And you’ll come back to yourself and who you truly are once you’ve weathered the storm.
Follow the light.
A reminder that what is important to you may not be important to everyone but that’s okay.
“Home is where the heart is.”
“Home is wherever I’m with you.”
“There’s no place like home.”
“I need you in my house, ‘cause you’re my home.”
“Home sweet home.”
“I wish I was homeward bound.”
Home is a term that is often used without really having a consistently agreed on or recognized definition – While there is no universal definition, the concept of home is still a universal theme – the idea of ‘home’ may be different for every person, but it is always important. A home SHOULD be a safe and nurturing environment, both physically and emotionally, but it is unfortunately not always so. Even people lucky enough to have four walls and a roof may not feel safe, secure, or nurtured there – sure safe from rain probably, but that isn’t the only thing that makes a home. And I don’t think a home needs to be a house, necessarily, although physical safety and protection are still a contributing component.
The idea of home and one’s role there is extremely prevalent in children’s literature. I recently read Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting, a children’s picture book that is about a boy and his father who are homeless and live in an airport. While it seems that they have a pretty nurturing and safe environment both physically (with the exception of the danger of being caught and thrown out) and emotionally (they have a good relationship, friends, a support system), they are still saving up for a ‘real’ home. At first glance it seems like it is communicating a positive message about overcoming obstacles and making a better life, but it places value on only one definition of ‘home,’ and portrays an exclusionary perspective about the homeless.
For me, I believe that a significant factor in the concept of home is the ability to be at home with oneself, within oneself, at peace and comfortable and safe. That is a big part of my definition or interpretation of the word home. But everyone has their own interpretation and definition, and those are constantly changing and evolving as the associated ideas and terms grow and develop.
The term ‘relationship’ isn’t often connected to a physical place. However, relationships with places can have a significant impact on people. People usually feel the strongest relationship with the place they call home. The home can play an essential role in an individual’s growth and development, and it is through a safe and nurturing relationship with your home you can build safe and nurturing relationships with yourself and others.
“Just know you’re not alone
‘Cause I’m going to make this place your home”
Music can be a great source of comfort and inspiration when you’re feeling down.
Today’s song is: “Good Old Girl” by Marian Call
Listen to the song here:
Lyrics:
“She’s a good old girl
A good old girl
She’s lived too long and seen too much
All over scabs and scars and such
But she’s a pretty girl
Kinda pretty girl
If you cock your head and squint
If you recognize the prints of space and time
Doing what they do
Shepherding her through
Space will slow her stride
Time will turn her tide
It’s far too much to take
But my girl don’t know when to break
So she’ll make, she’ll make her way
She’s a good old girl
She’ll fly true
Her structure’s sound
Her clock is wound
Through mistreatment and neglect
She’ll give whatever she’s got left
And she’s run aground
She’s run aground
But on the weakest breath of wind
She’ll up and navigate the din of love and lies
Doing what they do
Shepherding her through
Truth will stem her pride
And time will turn her tide
It’s far too much to take
But my girl don’t know how to break
So she’ll make, she’ll make her way
She’s a good old girl
She’ll fly true
She’s a good old girl
My good old girl
She’s lived too long and seen too much
But still responds to the right touch
And she’s a pretty girl
Such a pretty girl
In the presence of her pain
You can’t hear nothin’ but the rain of space and time
Doing what they do
Shepherding her through
Space will slow her stride
And time will tell she’s tried
It’s far too much to take
But my girl don’t know when to break
So she’ll make, she’ll make her way
She’ll make her way
She’s good”
Why this song’s so cool: 1. It’s part of an entire album (Got to Fly) Marian Call did in honor of Firefly and Battlestar Galactica… so that’s awesome! 2. It’s just lovely. 3. That’s really it. 4. Move along.
5. PERFECT for the TARDIS! <3
Why this song’s helpful: You know that part at the end of the movie Serenity where Cap’n Mal asks Zoe, “Think she’ll hold together?” and Zoe replies, “She’s tore up plenty. But she’ll fly true.” We aaaaalllllllllll knew she wasn’t only talking about Serenity. Even though Serenity and Zoe both went through a lot of painful and drastic transformations, experienced significant loss, and came out the other side with many physical and emotional scars, they DID come out. They’re both good ol’ girls – strong, sturdy, loyal, and ready to soldier on and be true to themselves even in the face of great adversity.
Music can be a great source of comfort and inspiration when you’re feeling down.
Today’s song is: “Start it All Over Again” by Heidi Talbot
Listen to the song here:
Lyrics:
“I’m the sea that surrounds you
The garden that grounds you
The sun and the wind and the rain
I am every season
You’re every reason
To start it all over again
Soon you’ll sail a wild river
We’ll set sail together
And oceans will call out your name
And by stars you will follow
Your hopes for tomorrow
And start it all over again
And if you stagger or stumble
If dreams start to crumble
I’ll pick up the pieces of pain
I will cradle you cry with you
Pray that you’ll try to just
Start it all over again
Who has eyes that can see
All the things you could be?
Who has ears for the sweetest refrain?
May your heart sing forever
Where the sea meets the river
And start it all over again”
Why this song’s so cool: Don’t think I could say it better than this guy in the comments: “Makes me feel like I’m in The Shire, smoking a pipe with Gandalf. In a good way.” – Dane Cobain
I guess I could only add that if I could marry someone’s voice, it might be Heidi Talbot’s.
Why this song’s helpful: Still don’t think I could say it better than this other guy in the comments: “With a little faith, this lovely song allows for hope beyond what at times feels as if there is only hopelessness.” – Legrand Bakker
Music can be a great source of comfort and inspiration when you’re feeling down.
Today’s song is: “Something to Sing About” from Once More With Feeling, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical episode.
Listen to the song here:
Lyrics:
“Life’s a show and we all play a part
And when the music starts,
We open up our hearts
It’s all right if some things come out wrong.
We’ll sing a happy song
And you can sing along.
Where’s there’s life,
There’s hope.
Everyday’s
A gift.
Wishes can
Come true.
Whistle while
You work.
So hard
All day.
To be like other girls
To fit in in this glittering world.
Don’t give me songs.
Don’t give me songs.
Give me something to sing about.
I need something to sing about.
Life’s a song
You don’t get to rehearse.
And every single verse
Can make it that much worse.
Still my friends
Don’t know why I ignore
The million things or more
I should be dancing for.
All the joy
Life sends.
Family
And friends.
All the twists
And bends
Knowing that
It ends.
Well that
Depends…
On if they let you go,
On if they know enough to know
That when you bow
You leave the crowd.
There was no pain,
No fear, no doubt
Till they pulled me out
Of heaven.
So that’s my refrain.
I live in hell
’Cause I’ve been expelled
From heaven.
I think I was in heaven.
So give me something to sing about.
Please give me something.
Life’s not a song.
Life isn’t bliss.
Life is just this.
It’s living.
You’ll get along.
The pain that you feel
Only can heal
By living.
You have to go on living.
So that one of us is living.”
Why this song’s so cool: Sure – let’s do another Buffy song. Because they’re great!
Everyone feels like they’re just faking their way through life, hoping nobody notices we’re all just big frauds with no clue what we’re doing. When this feeling gets to be too overwhelming, we can get a bit frantic and spin out of control as we try to grasp anything to hold on to. Buffy LITERALLY spins out of control and almost combusts. But she is saved from an unexpected source, Spike. Which is great because sometimes you can’t predict who or what is going to help you.
Plus I wouldn’t have wanted to see that SUPER CUTE shirt she was wearing to be destroyed.
Why this song’s helpful: Once again, Buffy expresses her struggle to fit in and be ‘normal.’ She is lost and directionless and frustrated about feeling that way when she didn’t used to feel that way. She doesn’t know how to communicate with her friends, she doesn’t feel like they understand. In addition, she feels extremely guilty for not feeling more happy and grateful that she’s alive. She is trying so hard to focus on the positive and to find something to be happy and sing about, but it is just not working. That’s not her fault. Sometimes you do everything right, and you still don’t succeed. Isn’t that a Star Trek quote…? Anyway, so Buffy is trying to fake her way through her life and just pretend that she is experiencing happiness, when the reality is that she constantly feels like she is in hell, that is what depression feels like.
Music can be a great source of comfort and inspiration when you’re feeling down.
Today’s song is: “Going Through the Motions” from Once More With Feeling, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical episode.
Listen to the song here:
Lyrics:
“Every single night, the same arrangement,
I go out and fight the fight.
Still I always feel this strange estrangement,
Nothing here is real, nothing here is right.
I’ve been making shows of trading blows,
Just hoping no one knows,
That I’ve been going through the motions,
Walking though the part,
Nothing seems to penetrate my heart.
I was always brave and kind of righteous,
Now I find I’m wavering.
Crawl out of your grave, you find this fight
Just doesn’t mean a thing
(Henchman) She ain’t got that swing.
(Buffy) -pause- Thanks for noticing.
(Demon & Henchmen) She is pretty well with fiends from Hell
But lately we can tell
That she’s just going through the motions
Faking it somehow.
(Demon) She’s not even half the girl she…owww!
(Buffy) Will I stay this way forever?
Sleepwalk through my life’s endeavor?
(Handsome Young Man) How can I repay…?
(Buffy) Whatever!
I don’t want to be
Going through the motions,
Losing all my drive.
I can’t even see,
If this is really me,
And I just wanna be alive.”
Why this song’s so cool: At this point in Buffy’s story line, Buffy is really struggling to readjust to ‘normalcy,’ cause… you know… she DIED. Also, when she was dead, she was in some version of heaven. Her friends brought her back to life because they thought she was trapped in a horrible hell dimension, but in all actuality, she was safe and at peace. It’s just a very fun song that packs an emotional punch. It’s a great way to visualize the feelings of depression as something more tangible, even if it is fantasy-based.
Why this song’s helpful: Buffy’s feelings are so applicable to someone struggling with depression.
Season six is probably Buffy’s darkest season. And this makes her especially relevant for those struggling with depression. Buffy doesn’t enjoy the things she used to, she struggles accomplishing basic, everyday tasks, no one understands why she is so sad and changed and her friends want her to just get over it already. She feels lost, alone, guilty, worthless, helpless, empty, directionless: THESE ARE LITERALLY SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION. She doesn’t know who she is anymore, and that is what depression feels like.
