Recently, I posted an article about the five songs that inspired me in 2018 (link), and in writing that post I was inspired to share with you all five more songs that have helped me get through various difficulties that I’ve faced throughout my life.
I strongly believe that music has a healing element to it, and here are five that have helped me in times of loneliness, heartache, self-doubt, and despair.
This song is a reminder that life is the most precious thing we have. I interpret this song as front man Dave Grohl losing site on what truly matters and “learning to walk again” when he needs to come back and find his center. If that’s not what he intended, it’s certainly how this fan took it. And my goodness, can we all take a moment and admire Dave Grohl’s screaming during the bridge? It most comes from a primal place as if it’s a plea for God above to not take away what he’s taken for granted.
Most inspiring verse:
I’m on my knees, I’m praying for a sign
Forever, whenever
I never wanna die
I never wanna die
I never wanna die
I’m on my knees
I never wanna die
I’m dancing on my grave
I’m running through the fire
Forever, whenever
I never wanna die
I never wanna leave
I’ll never say goodbye
Forever, whenever
Forever, whenever
Still Alive, by Social Distortion
The lead guitar and major, upbeat chord progression makes this song inherently uplifting, that, and the songs lyrical content are the reason I added it to this list. It’s a back from the dead song that tells everyone listening, hey I’m still alive, and see what I’ve been doing. I treat this song like a victory lap whenever I reach the top of what seemed like an eternal uphill battle.
Most inspiring verse:
And the times have changed my friend
I’ll be here to the bitter end
With a guitar in my hand I stand a little taller
And I’ve been to hell and back
I ain’t falling off this track
From the back to the front page
From the gutter to the stage
Necessary Assumptions, by Every Second Counts
I can almost guarantee that you’ve never heard of this local Orange County hardcore punk band, but they were one of my favorites when I was in high school. For years I would sing the words to myself before every job interview or before taking every final test. Here’s another fun fact, I actually tried out for the band to play just one show, and you can better believe I sang the words to myself to boost my confidence. Spoiler alert: I got to play with them.
Most inspiring verse:
And I believe there’s always hope
Another chance to make things right
All I have to do is see it
All I have to do is try
And when the world says that I’m worthless
It’s up to me to prove them wrong
Cause they can’t see inside me
But inside I know I’m strong
I Hear Them All, by Old Crow Medicine Show
Whenever a national or international tragedy occurs, this song allows me to grieve. It’s a constant reminder that we’re all in this together, and that, like Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” Also, their live rendition with a verse from Woody Guthrie’s This Land is Your Land implemented during the break makes it just pertinent as ever.
Most inspiring verse:
So, while you sit and whistle Dixie
With your money and your power
I can hear the flowers a-growing
In the rubble of the towers
I hear leaders quit their lyin’
I hear babies quit their cryin’
I hear soldiers quit their dyin’, one and all
While this song is a eulogy for a friend of front man Mike McColgan’s friend, I find the title and theme of the song to help me whenever I am struggling with resistance in my creativity, career, or self-care, and it reminds me that I need to fight that resistance.
Most inspiring verse:
This is an ode to a man who spent his whole life in a fight
Never getting counted out at all or ducking from our sight
Our eulogy for him is clear, we know just what to say
Kenny Walls, he was a fighter right up to his passing day
—
◊♦◊
Are you a first-time contributor to The Good Men Project? Submit here:
◊♦◊
If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project, please join us as a Premium Member, today.
All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS.
A $50 annual membership gives you an all-access pass. You can be a part of every call, group, class, and community.
A $25 annual membership gives you access to one class, one Social Interest group, and our online communities.
A $12 annual membership gives you access to our Friday calls with the publisher, our online community.
Register New Account
Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here.
Photo Credits: Yanko Peyankov/Unsplash