Music to Grieve to
listen to sad music and feel better with andrew
featuring artists like
The Staves, Robb Murphy, Colin Hay, Shelby Lynne, Dawes, Tim Minchin, Radiohead, Nick Cave, Tom Khan
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Listening to sad music after losing a loved one, being diagnosed with a terminal illness, or finalizing a divorce might seem counterintuitive, but this somber sounding activity has been proven to help.
Nothing can prepare you for grief, nor is there a right or wrong way to deal with it, but sad music is an easily accessible and highly effective tool that can help you begin to heal.
The music on this list is not designed to cheer you up – although oddly – after listening to it, you’ll likely feel better – it’s designed to meet you where you’re at – to connect with how you’re feeling – to create a space where you can just sit and be with your grief and to know that – that’s OK.
It covers all genres and all topics so it’s likely that not all tracks will resonate with you – but some will – and some will shake you to your core – according to the science – this is a good thing!
Le Onde – Ludovico Einaudi
22 February 2017
I’m a sucker for beautiful piano – I should be as that’s the kind of piano I like to write and play. Ludovico Einaudi is a genius and this track with its 29+ million streams is a good example of why.
Shine On – May Erlewine
21 February 2017
I cam across this track while working on the Grief Directory – it was originally from a post on the Seven Ponds blog. SevenPonds is a contemporary resource for those who wish to celebrate memory and personalize the end of life. You can learn more at their website here.
Hurt – Nine Inch Nails
19 February 2017
Seduced by the Johnny Cash version – I started listening to the original.
It’s really good.
You think the sparseness of the Cash version was novel – but listen to the vocal delivery here – it’s honest – at least that how it comes across –
Sand And Water – Beth Nielsen Chapman
18 February 2017
I love the serendipity of curating a playlist – not least because you come across new wonderful music – but the way certain tracks come to your attention is fascinating.
Hope in Front of Me – Danny Gokey
17 February 2017
Strength for Parents of Missing Children offers hope in the dark moments of having a missing child. It is a guidebook to help parents get their thought-life, spiritual life, physical well-being and mental well-being in line, to continue waiting or fighting for the return of their child.
Blessings – Laura Story
16 February 2017
Throughout the experience of life, adversity, change, and loss effect us all, and all differently. One of the biggest concerns of these experiences that people will try to avoid them, hide from them, or turn away from them.
Stay – Tina Angotti
15 February 2017
Recommended by Christy Garavetto – Fine Art Photography. Here’s how Christy sees art helping those who are grieving:
“What suddenly occurred to me is that we have all of these people who are unable to deal with their own sense of loss, grief or feeling that they don’t belong anywhere – so many people are searching for where they fit in and how they fit in due to life changes or circumstances beyond their control, it spans all age groups, ethnic groups, etc.
I Can Only Imagine – mercyme
14 February 2017
Another submission from the Grief Directory this time from Deborah Chapman Newell, author of Memories in a Daughter’s Heart. In her own words:
“I offer my own story of how I dealt with that grief, put into real perspective. My thoughts and feelings as I planned a funeral and survived that funeral…
The Sound of Silence – Disturbed
14 February 2017
This track arrived by a fairly circuitous route – which is why I love music! The seed for the track came from the wonderful people over at Love Lives On – more about them below. They had compiled an amazing list of 150+ songs that you can use for Funerals – broken down by category.
Autumn Leaves – Ed Sheeran
13 February 2017
Another submission from the Grief Directory – this time from the team behind The Life Chest. The Life Chest with BeRemembered.com is a comprehensive storytelling product that saves important tangible keepsakes along with written accounts and digital files to share with family and friends.
Come As you Are – Crowder
9 February 2017
This track was submitted by Ann Campanella, the author of Motherhood: Lost and Found (a memoir) which is a book for people with elderly parents, those caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia and those facing pregnancy loss and/or infertility.
I Miss You – Kacey Musgraves
7 February 2017
I love listening to tracks that other people recommend for when they’re feeling sad – you never quite know what you’re going to get. This is the second track with the title “I Miss You” – this time it’s a more traditional love-lost song and I’m digging it
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.