Otis Writes:
Reelin’ in the Years by Steely Dan is my musical comfort food. It’s the first song I remember hearing – a clock radio by my crib, Steely Dan coming through – and it’s been with me ever since. That track has this happy‑sad quality I love. It’s like musical umami – sweet and savory at the same time – and it hits all the emotional flavors I want when I’m anxious. And Donald Fagen’s voice? To me, he sounds like every cynic who’s really just a disappointed idealist – jaded as hell, but still holding on to this one crystal little diamond nugget of hope that maybe, just maybe, it’ll all turn out for the better. That combination – the groove, the melancholy, the tiny spark of hope – it feels like a hug from an old friend.
Read how Otis deals with anxious moments
Jenna Writes:
Everyone experiences and manages anxiety differently. In these moments, I turn to music to help move through it with a little more ease. I look for a soundtrack that’s soothing and quiet, ones that will help calm my nervous system. It tends to be an instrumental piece, have an acoustic guitar, or an ethereal voice. Listening to artists like Novo Amor and Hazlett has always made me feel so peaceful. Even just sitting with these songs and really listening makes a difference when I feel anxiety creeping up on me. Those times when I find myself overthinking and overwhelmed, or nervous for the future, I turn these on and feel my mind get quiet. I’m just reminded to be in the present. I hope they can do the same for you when you need it most. Each of these tracks help distract me from the moment, and help me feel understood.
Read how Jenna deals with anxious moments
Andie Writes:
First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes – this is the first song I instantly thought about just from the title alone. It always reminds me that the “first day of my life” can happen any time and it’s alright to start over especially if I came from such a mentally draining and off day. It also makes me realize that there’s always gonna be that person who sticks with you through it all, and it’s never a solo battle. “But now I don’t care, I could go anywhere with you, and I’d probably be happy”
The Getting By by The Killers – I really, really love The Killers and when they released this album back in 2021, I loved it. I found this track in particular to be one of my favorites, and I appreciated how it was the last track of the album – very fitting! The lyrics speak to me in every listen, “But maybe it’s the stuff it takes to get up in the morning, and put another day in…that holds you till the getting’s good” Good things will always come no matter how bad a moment in your life was!
Going Gets Tough by The Growlers – This song, I discovered way back in high school. I vividly remember listening to it for the first time in class as I was doing this worksheet. I remember so clearly because it made me pause and look up the lyrics. I discovered it at the perfect time and it was as if the lyrics were speaking to me, “Worry’s a bully that just won’t let me be, trying to keep me busy, tussling and struggling…the labor of our love will reward us soon enough” That hit me then and still hits me to this day.
Atlas Hands by Benjamin Francis Letfwich – My brother sent me this song and It was at the peak of me learning how to play the guitar, so naturally, I had to learn it. It’s so calming and it’s one of my go-to tracks when I wanna take a breather, “I’ve got a plan, I’ve got an atlas in my hands, I’m gonna turn, when I’ve listened to the lessons that I’ve learned.”
Video Child by Many Voices Speak – I love getting to the know the meaning behind songs, but for this one, I’m still not sure why we’re being referred to as “video child” but nonetheless, the whole song feels like this one on one conversation and that’s why I added it in this playlist. “And oh, you’re never gonna get hurt again, video child” the way songs speak to the listener is the main reason why I love listening to music, and this track does it so beautifully.
Read how Andie deals with anxious moments
Andrew Writes:
When I think about songs that help me deal with anxiety, the first thing I’m looking for is familiarity. When I’m anxious, I’m not in control – I don’t know what’s going on, I’m uncertain, I’m stressed about what’s happening right now. So the music I reach for needs to ground me. Sure, I want calm – I want tracks that help me regulate – but more than anything, I’m looking for songs I know really well, the ones I’ve listened to hundreds of times. That familiarity is like a lifeline. I also find I’m less inclined toward lyrics in these moments. I prefer the ambiguity of instrumentals because I don’t know what kind of lyric I’ll need, and I don’t want words pushing me in a direction I’m not ready to go.
That’s why my first three tracks are instrumentals I know and love – ones where even the opening notes act like a behavioral cue to calm me down. I have added a couple of tracks with lyrics, though. One of them is in Latin, but it’s such a beautiful song that it feels transcendent, like it pulls me out of my current state and transports me somewhere else entirely. And then there’s “Ruby” – the one song I need when it’s time to break out of the paralysis and take control. These are the pieces that help me shift when anxiety has me stuck, that take me from that chaotic internal noise back to something I can hold onto.
Read how Andrew deals with anxious moments
Track Listing
- Anchor – Novo Amor
- Reelin’ In The Years – Steely Dan
- The Mountain Is You – Chance Peña
- No Complaints – Noah Kahan
- More Than One Way Home – Hans Williams
- I’m Not Ready To Go – Hazlett
- Atlas Hands – Benjamin Francis Leftwich
- Ruby – Foster The People
- Circle 37 – Foam and Sand
- Whitacre: Lux Aurumque – Eric Whitacre
- The Getting By – The Killers
- First Day Of My Life – Bright Eyes
- Frustration – Music2work2
- Going Gets Tough – The Growlers
- Video Child – Many Voices Speak
- Hope – Wordless Flight
Playlist Image by AI
This playlist is part of The Human Collective. Each week we take a prompt and create a playlist and accompanying articles. This week we were looking at Anxiety. Learn more about The Human Collective here.
