Songs to Get Us Through

I had every intention of taking an extended pause on this blog. I haven’t been feeling 100% “100,” as it were, and I felt like it was showing. I only want to put out there what will uplift, inspire and invoke meaningful thought, all through my thoughts on music.

We all know what’s going on right now. Most of us aren’t allowed to go to work (I’m working modified hours), the gym, bars, restaurants, movie theaters… the list goes on. One thing that we still have is music. Not concerts, to be clear, but listening to songs in our own private space and time is still there for us. Here are a few songs that are giving me hope, or moments of happiness right now, when I feel like I need it the most. I hope you’ll agree.

Everything Now – Arcade Fire

Some people believe that an extended period outside of our everyday norms is what society needs. A bright side to a rather terrible circumstance, you could say. This song is beautiful and celebratory to the ear, and it encourages us to “stop pretending you’ve got everything now.” We are all taking a forced break from our Instagrammable lives chock full of attractive activities, and really taking inventory of all that we’ve got left when we’re just left with…ourselves. Appreciate what you DO have.

Amor Fati – Washed Out

Ambient mood music connoisseurs “Washed Out” made a seriously breathtaking and soothing mid-tempo jam in “Amor Fati,” which translates to “love of fate.” The lyrics are carried by a swirling electronic beat (think of “Such Great Heights” by the Postal Service’s charismatic younger cousin). When you’re done getting lost in the uplifting melody, try to catch the words. You’re being guided to accept what is, and resist the human urge to struggle and fight reality.

“Don’t try to fight
What’s not your fault
Let go, reach out
The choice is yours to find“

It’s hard, as we’re all finding now, but you ultimately have the choice to be happy or miserable in any circumstance.

Dreamers – Savoir Adore

This is a song about your fantasies, hopes or aspirations not aligning with reality. You’ve built up a perfect scenario in your head (we’ve all done it), but the hand that life has dealt you isn’t what you wanted. What do you do?

“Built it in the sky,
All that’s in your eye
Now not the same
Watch it tumble down
Falling all around“

This will happen again and again in life, and the more times you go through it, the more gracefully you’ll handle it going forward.

All Night Long – Lionel Richie

This is my favorite Lionel Richie song. It’s purely and simply about partying all night with everyone who’s fun enough to come along. Dance carelessly and submit to the simple pleasures of music, lights and glamour. Personally, the hardest thing for me to forfeit in the middle of the pandemic that we’re all facing is being out in public surrounded by others, whether I’m sticking to a wall or surrounded by a few friends in the middle of a much more bustling environment. We’ll get back to that soon, and I’m imagining how much more satisfying and celebratory the summer gatherings will be after this long stretch of staying indoors. Just wait.

Dream On – Robyn

“Rest your wary head
all is well”

Robyn’s criminally underrated song tells you of all the horrible things that won’t be, because as humans we tend to imagine the worst, and are consequently inhibited from living our fullest lives as a result. Don’t do that. Nobody gets to live life twice, and grieving over the worst case scenario is robbing yourself of time you could otherwise spend being happy.

The music video for this song is a masterpiece. Vignettes of seemingly awful events play out, and prove your assumptions wrong in the best way. Happy tears all day.

Get Lucky – Daft Punk

We’ve all heard this song a billion times. But you know what? It never gets old. Led by Nile Rodger’s impeccable guitar and Pharrell William’s angelic voice, this song unifies all generations, from those who were around in the 70’s to those of use who wish we were. Everybody loves this song, as we all should. It marked an unexpected but very welcomed return of Daft Punk, the likes of which we may never see again. It’s a perfect anthem to a wedding reception, a New Years Eve party or any occasion where people want to dance. Even if it’s just in your apartment by yourself, don’t forget…

“We’ve
come too far
to give up
who we are“