Rules.
They’re good - most of the time - generally derived from society’s desire to not kill each other and in some cases - to actually be nice to one another. But every now and then - particularly when you’re so down you don’t really give a shit about what people think - rules are there to be broken.
I go back and forth on what a sad song is - it’s like one of those Rabbit Hole things - the more you look into it the more complex it becomes - as far as the majority of this list is concerned - sad songs generally mean sad music - sad melodies - slower paces - the kind of tracks that don’t bring you up - but that bring you down. And while the lyrical content of a track will often define the feeling you’re left with - it’s pretty rare that we’ll feature an up-beat tempo.
So today we’re saying screw that and featuring a track that’s been inside my head for weeks now - one that I’ve been resisting putting on the list just ‘cos of the tempo and upbeat feel and yet - it’s perfect. The lyric - the vocal delivery and oh my god - the production - is just astonishing.
This to me is one of those play loud - get angry with yourself kind of tracks - you know the ones I’m talking about? Where you know you’ve fucked up - you know you’re the problem and it’s time to pay the piper - the piper in this case being the amazing Nothing But Thieves as you crank it up to 11 and shout / scream the chorus for the 20th time on repeat.
I must confess that this kind of behavior never ends up terribly well - once you’re on the path it often leads to annihilation - but goddam does it feel good at the time!
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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.
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 the founder of musicto I’m on a mission to inspire a global audience of music lovers and artists through the development of people powered playlists.
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.