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, First The Winter
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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!
Requiem in D Minor: Lacrimosa Dies Illa – Mozart
20 January 2017
“It’s always got me, it’s slightly haunting – it lingers and the musicality appeals to me. The melody (which isn’t a word I particularly like) evokes a certain peace – a sadness yes, but a peace – it’s a positive sadness and I just love the music.
Why Can’t We Live Together – Sade
20 January 2017
“I listened to Sade’s Diamond Life CD – the songs Hang on to Your Love, Sally, and Why Can’t We Live Together took on entirely new meanings as I listened crying for my dog.”
I Miss You – Ozymandias
13 January 2017
Short, simple and super sweet – it’s the kind of thing I might have written. Simple arpeggiated bass line with this uncomplicated meandering melody that reminds you of how it feels when you’re wondering, lost after your loved one has gone.
Heal – Tom Odell
13 January 2017
“Take my mind and take my pain”
Oh if only that could happen.
The initial seeding of this playlist was dominated by instrumental tracks but this track made it in by the sheer beauty of the vocal – Tom Odell has a fabulous voice.
Loss – music2work2
13 January 2017
Loss – when it’s still visceral – when you still think you can call them – when you’re still discombobulated and not sure when it will end.
Loss – when it colors your every move and burns hot in your heart.
Sadness – music2work2
13 January 2017
Have you ever had your family break apart?
I have.
There are a hundred different feelings you go through, none of them good, but the emotion that lingers long after everything else has faded, is sadness.
By Night – Sophie Hutchins
13 January 2017
I wasn’t aware of Sophie’s work until Nicole introduced me to this track for the Music to Grieve to playlist – I immediately fell in love. Melancholy piano – not overdone or flashy, just a simple theme that you can hear her breathe life into – and then the cello arrives – and it’s beautiful!
Acceptance – music2work2
13 January 2017
There is a hopefulness to this track – particularly at the end where it’s all about imperfect and perfect cadences resolving positively around the G major root. The reality of grief is that life does go on, and while the grief may never fully subside, it does fade and we do get to feel good again.
Floating / Sinking – Peter Broderick
7 January 2017
It’s the birdsong and background sounds that get you at the beginning – the scrunching through gravel accompanied by the sparsest piano chords and the whole mood is set.
Memories – music2work2
20 December 2016
Follow This Playlist Following Originally track 3 on the music to grieve to album, Memories has become one of the most popular piano tracks on the playlist. It’s the balance between major and minor – remembering the good times but always seeing them through the veil of sadness that grief covers everything with. Full liner… View ArticleThe 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.