Music to Grieve to

White Wine In The Sun – Tim Minchin

21 December 2017

So – before we go any further – you should know that this one is for my Dad. 

He died in 2015 and I miss him immensely.  He was as flawed as the rest of us, but I remember him as just, a really good man.  Husband for 51 years, father of three super capable children, Obstetrician & Gynecologist, served his country in the Air Force, lover of books, of music, of humanity, of laughter, of hard work and perseverance – I am incredibly grateful for what he gave me and thankful to have been his son.

Antartica II – Prince Jelleh

13 December 2017

Sometimes grief is debilitating – it takes away from you – your hope, your desire, your demeanor – and yet sometimes – it fills you with an energy that you just have to express.  We’ve all been there – shouting at people who don’t deserve it (particularly ourselves!) driving too quickly or barely stopping before we put a fist through the wall.  And yet – so long as we don’t actually hurt anybody – I’m a huge fan of this kind of energy.

Don’t Give Up (feat. P!NK & John Legend) – Herbie Hancock

5 December 2017

I remember hearing this track for the first time when it was performed by the writer Peter Gabriel and I think it was Kate Bush – it was one of those songs that you immediately recognize as classic – even to my then teenage ears.

Rest In Peace – Aron Wright

28 November 2017

Society does a poor job of dealing with grief, particularly in western European culture – it seems as if we’re happier to just tuck it away, not deal with it – to keep it hidden and put on the brave face.  But we all know that’s a  shitty way to cope with it, why wouldn’t we want help? 

All the Way Home – Natalie Migdal

21 November 2017

I really didn’t want to put up another devastating reflection of loss in love this week – with Seepeoples’ mea culpa followed by Heddwen’s unrequited longing – I was kinda hoping for something more morbid… and then I heard Natalie Migdal’s voice.

Thin Man – Heddwen

14 November 2017

I was going to introduce this track with a couple of super strong reference artists – but screw that – ‘cos while – if I said those names – you’d immediately go “Oh yes” and forever on associate Heddwen with them – that’s doing these artists a disservice.

Scapegoat – SeepeopleS

7 November 2017

This track has been in my head for a couple of weeks now – it has well and truly burrowed under my skin and I’m hopelessly in love with it.  Having said that – I’m not sure whether it’s a 100% right for the Grieve to list but I suspect that anyone who’s ever wronged their partner may just resonate with it.

Memories – music2work2

31 October 2017

This is a track about loss – specifically about the loss of one’s father – a father that was truly and deeply loved.  It is relatively short for a music2work2 track but it stands out for its simplicity and sweetness.

A Little Bit Of Everything – Dawes

24 October 2017

Have you ever had a track that quite literally – stopped you in your tracks?  While the opening piano is short and sweet and shows us where the melody is – it’s the opening line, 26 seconds in, that just grabs you and pulls you along for the ride.

Million Dollar Bill – Dawes

17 October 2017

I’m so stoked for this track – it’s from one of my favorite bands – Dawes – I try to see them every time they play Los Angeles – they’re just a great band with a great vibe and the most incredible songwriting.

Leavin’ – Shelby Lynne

10 October 2017

I remember hearing this song for the first time – I was in the midst of post break-up depression and oh man did it hit the sweet spot!  You know it’s going to be kind of “Torchy” from the opening beat but then Shelby’s incredibly sexy spoken word delivery comes in and it floors you.

Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty

3 October 2017

Oh god – where to start with this one.  It’s been a shitty week in America – a shitty week in many places on the planet.  Aside from the insanity of the Las Vegas mass shooting, Tom Petty died.  The minute I heard, I knew what this week’s track would be.