Andie Writes:
I decided to grab a few tracks from my ‘One of those days” playlist because that list is my reminder to keep going on no matter how tough things get. Straight away I had to add, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2. Ever since my dad introduced me to U2 when I was a kid, they’ve been one of my all time favorite bands. I was so happy when I saw them live a few years ago and hearing that specific song live meant everything to me. The lyrics really resonate to me when it comes to being hopeful. “Time On Her Side” by Future Islands is definitely a song that’d be in a soundtrack of my life. It always makes me feel like the main character and reminds me to take things sloooow. “Do You Realize” by The Flaming Lips and “First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes both give me the one theme in common – even on bad days, I need to realize that I can always start over and things are gonna be okay. Every day can be the first day I try something new or think in a whole other perspective to remind myself to hold on.
Read what’s been making Andie feel hopeful
Jenna Writes:
When I’m feeling down or need a quick pick-me-up, I always turn to music. These are the songs that have been reminding me lately that everything is going to be okay.
“Baby Steps” by Olivia Dean has basically been my soundtrack this past month. Every time I see it pop up on an Instagram reel and hear that line, “there’s no one to text when the plane lands,” it hits hard. It makes me feel seen in this weird, comforting way. It reminds me that doing things alone is okay, and that I really do have myself.
“Changes” by Charlie Puth is another one I’ve been going back to. I love how it captures that feeling of life moving too fast and how it gently tells you to take things one day at a time. It helps me slow down and trust that I don’t have to figure everything out at once.
The rest of the songs on here carry that same feeling. They’re little reminders that the future can still be bright. They make me feel hopeful for what’s ahead, and honestly, a little less alone.
Read what’s been making Jenna feel hopeful
Jon Writes:
‘Unconditional Love’ by Dissident Prophet
This is Christian rock and that’s not a genre I consider myself a fan of, but I have loved this piece of music for 30 years and I’m not going to let my atheism stand in the way of something that to me is an incomparably beautiful, perfect piece of indie rock. And the feeling of unconditional love, faith-based or otherwise, whether giving or receiving, is the very definition of something to live for.
‘Love in the Universe’ by William D Drake
“So much love in the universe, there’s enough to go round”. Enough said.
‘Maybe This Christmas’ by Ron Sexsmith
A song of hope for a time of peace and miracles and reunions and love and relflection and promise.
‘Turntables’ by Janelle Monae
I wish I had quite as much confidence today as Janelle Monae had when she threw down this musical gauntlet in early 2020. She must have felt vindicated later that year when Donald Trump was ousted from the White House. So it goes.
‘Stay Young’ by Ultrasound
What’s more hopeful than youth and all its potential? Andrew ‘Tiny’ Wood belts out this paean to going out, having fun and never coming back home: “It’s a naked pagan glory, celebrate the new”.
‘Change’ by Mavis Staples
“Say it loud and say it clear: we gotta change round here”. Ben Harper’s song of defiance given supreme gravitas by the unmistakeable voice of the legendary hit-maker and civil rights activist, from her remarkable 2019 album We Get By.
‘All You Fascists’ by Billy Bragg and Wilco
in the immortal and forever hopeful words of Woody Guthrie: “People of every color / Marching side to side / Marching ‘cross these fields where a million fascists died / You’re bound to lose / You fascists are bound to lose”.
Track Listing
- I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – U2
- Time On Her Side – Future Islands
- Do You Realize?? – The Flaming Lips
- First Day Of My Life – Bright Eyes
- Garden On The Kitchen Floor – Tors
- Options – Cameron Whitcomb
- How To Live – Del Water Gap
- Changes – Charlie Puth
- Baby Steps – Olivia Dean
- nj – Chelsea Cutler
- Don’t Forget Me – NIGHT TRAVELER
- Little Did I Know – Julia Michaels
- Agape – Bear’s Den
- Where Do I Fit In (feat. Tori Kelly, Chandler Moore & Judah Smith) – Justin Bieber
- Maybe This Christmas – Ron Sexsmith
- Love in the Universe – William D Drake
- Turntables – Janelle Monáe
- Change – Mavis Staples
- All You Fascists – Billy Bragg, Wilco
- Stay Young – Ultrasound
- Unconditional Love – Dissident Prophet
Playlist Image by Dawid Zawila on Unsplash
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 songs that help you hold on. Learn more about The Human Collective here.
