Music to Grieve to

Let Her Go – Passenger

4 July 2018

We started the Music to Grieve to list based around the idea of sad music being good for you.  We researched and wrote a long article breaking down how sad music actually helps you grieve, and the original idea for the list was that it was going to be populated by sad songs.  The thing is – as my countryman Robert Burns once said “The best laid plans o’ mice and men gang aft a gley!”

Let You Go – Cathal Flaherty

27 June 2018

It’s a double header this week – back to back Cathal Flaherty tracks and this one isn’t even released yet but oh my god – it’s a stunner!  If we were bending the rules of the list a bit last week by having Two Hearts – we’re back with a direct examination of lost love and the agony it induces…

Two Hearts – Cathal Flaherty

18 June 2018

This week’s track is a little different in that it isn’t what you would typically call a sad song – but then not every track on the Music to Grieve To playlist is going to be morose or downbeat.  Tracks make this list because they’re great at evoking emotion – the songs on Cathal Flaherty’s recent EP The Head & Heart are brilliant at this.

Variations on an Epitaph – Chloé Charody

10 June 2018

Suicide.  It’s in the air.  If you’re reading this in the future this was the week where Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain took their own lives and we all became familiar with the phrase suicide contagion.  And it’s shit – it’s shit for us who remain – who watch the tributes pour in as the tears pour out – and it’s the same damn question every time – Why!? Why?! Why?!

Sleep Tonight Feat. The Ulster String Quartet – Robb Murphy

30 May 2018

It seems that Mental Health is very much in the fore front of the list at the moment – not surprising as May is Mental Health Awareness month but particularly with Scott Hutchison’s death a few weeks ago – we’ve been very focused on raising awareness of mental health issues…

Dagger to the Heart – Anna Arco / Migdal Strings

16 May 2018

You never know what it is about a song that’s going to get you – could be the melody, a lyric, the overall instrumentation and production – but for a song to catch your attention – there needs to be a hook – this one gets you like a dagger to the heart!

Forever Changed – Carrie Underwood

8 May 2018

It’s a tough topic this week – Alzheimer’s disease – I believe we’re at the beginning of a massive increase in cases and I suspect we’re not really prepared.

It was a great conversation this morning with Sharon at Grief Reiki and rather than go over that – go watch the video below – Sharon has a lot of good insights and tools for those who are affected by this difficult disease…

What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong

30 April 2018

You know when you’re full to the brim – when your emotions are so high you can barely hold them back and you’re struggling to keep yourself composed?  For me it’s never a sad song that breaks the dam – it’s always a happy one – and this track is the worst!

Once Upon Impossible – Fiona Joy (Hawkins)

19 April 2018

We’re currently working with Fiona as part of the promotion of her new project Flow over on the Music to Write An Essay To playlist.  If you’re looking for beautiful instrumental music that has been produced to an incredibly high level, we can’t recommend this album enough.  Head on over to the track that we’re featuring – itself called Flow – and check this beautiful music out.

Burning Blue – The Impersonators

11 April 2018

You never know what it is about a song that’s finally going to get you – the melody – the chorus – a particular lyric or even the video – but for me – Burning Blue has a hook to kill all hooks and it’ll haunt your dreams.

Against All Odds – Phil Collins

4 April 2018

Sometimes only a classic will do & this 1984 track from Phil Collins most definitely falls into that category.  If you’re the one being left – if you’re the one standing there watching your love walk away and taking half of your heart with them – then this is for you!

El Mañana – Gorillaz

29 March 2018

I do this because I believe music can make the shit times better.  

Henry is a Music to Curator – he curates the Music to Stay Up Late At Night playlist – it’s a beautifully put together list – the music is often familiar and yet when you hear something new – it’s always great.  But for me – my favorite thing about his list, is the writing.  He writes with such an authentic voice that you can’t help but feel as if you’re sitting there, next to him…