I was at a loss this week - too many balls in the air and I didn't have time to listen to all the new track submissions - I was starting to feel overwhelmed and anxious about the whole thing and before I knew it, balls were dropping making me feel even worse and suddenly I'm on this whole downward spiral... Sound familiar?
We know that grief can be like this - you're just not at the top of your game and things that you would normally handle with ease become hard. And it's easy to say you should give yourself time and not be so hard on yourself but it's so difficult in practice - the grief is bad enough without it having to impact every other part of your life.
It's at times like these that you need "go to" strategies - things you know work and that you can rely on - that you don't need to think about. In my "sad song curation" world - that means tracks like this!
Most people know New Radicals from their amazing track "You Only Get What You Give" - which is one of my all time favorite songs and had a huge influence on my life. I could get into the story behind the music and the genius that is Gregg Alexander but that's for another time and another playlist. The only album they released - Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too - ends with this classic Torch Song.
We've had quite a few break up songs over the recent weeks - I still can't get Cathal's Let you Go - out of my head - but for a more traditional approach - all pianos and strings & brilliant lines like:
Now I don't like candles
Because they make me see the light
That I can't help failing
To remember to forget you
And I know it's gonna be a long time
this is one of my "go to" tracks.
So - if you find yourself emotionally drawn, empty with longing and regret, playing out images of the love that just left - pull up a chair - pour a glass - crank up the volume and join me in an unashamedly cathartic crying session - trust me - you'll feel better by the end.
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About the Curator - Andrew McCluskey
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the dark forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top. They would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
After my dad died I was very sad - I couldn't play for a while and when I did, the music that came out reflected my grieving state. I wrote an album of solo piano music called Music to Grieve to - from which the idea of the Music to community originated.
If you'd like to know more you should read Nicole's fabulous article on why listening to sad music can make you feel better.
Latest Posts
Don’t Give Up – Peter Gabriel
24 September 2022
What’s the point?
You ever find yourself asking that?
The point of this playlist is to bring succor to people who are grieving. That’s it. We listen to and feature songs that we hope people can resonate with and perhaps elicit a cathartic release – at the very least – to help them feel less alone…
Strange Beauty – First Aid Kit
18 September 2022
It’s still September. We’re still talking about Suicide. We’re doing this because the experts tell us that the more we talk about it – the more we bring it into the open – the less likely it is that people will go through with it.
And yet – people still do…
Open Letter – Mr. Phelps
11 September 2022
So it’s September – and for the Grieve To list – that means our thoughts turn to suicide.
Yep – if you didn’t know – September is Suicide Awareness Month – it’s also National Suicide Prevention Month and in fact right now – between the 8th and the 14th – it’s actually National Suicide Prevention Week. If you are in any doubt as to the impact suicide has on society – spend a minute here: Suicide Statistics – the rate inches up every year – and as a middle aged white male – well – I’m slap bang in the highest risk group…
Andrew McCluskey
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the Dark Forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top, they would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
As a psychology graduate I studied how sound affects human performance.
As a musician I compose instrumental music that stimulates your brain but doesn't mess with your language centers, leaving you free to be creative and brilliant without distraction.
As a curator I research how music can improve your life and create flow - I can tell you what music to listen to when studying for a test and why listening to sad music can make you feel better.
As a creator / contributor at musicto I’m part of a global creator community that collaborates through music. You can learn more about our community here.