Source: quotespapa.com |
Listening to music really helps me process intense feelings. It so often seems that musicians express emotions and experiences in a way that seems far more *right* than I ever can with words alone. I think that's why singing along is so therapeutic for me. Especially Alanis Morissette, my all-time favorite artist who also has a great deal of ambiguous spirituality/pseudo-paganism in her music. She crafts words and melody into such evocations that sometimes I swear she's pulling them straight out of my head.
I feel like my powers of finding just the right song are failing me right now, though. I could really use some musical suggestions! Do you have any songs that help you process feelings like anger, sadness, and confusion?
Great post! I'm a musician and LOVE music. Processing emotions for me means putting on music where I can lose myself in the awesomeness that a song is ... like 'All the Rowboats' by Regina Spektor, or 'Dust Bowl Dance' by Mumford & Sons, or anything by Tori Amos. Or St. Vincent! She has some great, emotional songs!
ReplyDeleteAlanis is great ... she's just so honest in her songs.
I just thought of a few more you should listen to ... Canadian artists, and a few of my favourites:
ReplyDeleteSarah Slean -- she has some incredibly emotional songs. 'Looking for Someone' makes me cry every.single.time. I listen to it.
Hawksley Workman -- he has some love songs that I bawl to. Like 'You Are Too Beautiful' or 'You And the Candles.'
Chantal Kreviazuk -- I don't listen to her often these days, but 'Wendy House' is AMAZING. She rocks out on the piano and it makes me want to jump around waving my arms.
Or, I could always recommend myself (<-- self promotion about to happen! warning!). I have one song that I love called 'Dinner for One.' I wrote it pretty quick and recorded it on the fly. A girlfriend of mine thought my husband and I were breaking up when she listened to it (we weren't -- it's not about us), but whenever I listen to it I get very emotional. You can listen to a clip of it here --> http://www.cdbaby.com/all/kristilyn (on the album 'Wild Birds')
Sorry for the long post! I just love music. :)
Thanks so much for all of the recommendations! I'm so glad a fellow music lover and musician is reading my blog :) I occasionally listen to Tori and Regina Spektor, but I haven't heard of most of the rest of those artists, so this is going to be quite the fun musical exploration.
DeleteAnd I will definitely check out your album ;) Your "road trip" song the other day actually gave me quite the giggle.
Ha ha ... I'm glad! That's what I was going for. :)
DeleteOh, and another awesome song? 'Fake Empire' by The National. When the horns bust out at the end, I go nuts. It's such a great song!
Sweet, thanks!
DeleteSorry your talk with the bf left you in so much emotional turmoil. I unfortunately am not one of those people who turn to music to lift my mood. I tend more towards reading, movies, other distractions to take my mind off things. I hope you feel better soon.
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