Happy Monday! Today I have a list of songs to encourage, comfort and uplift you. Regardless of your state of mental health, these songs are an essential form of self-care. Enjoy!
“Unsteady” and “Hold You Down” – X Ambassadors
These songs are a beautiful example of emotional honesty and vulnerability. I’ve listed “Unsteady” and “Hold You Down” together because they form a sort of conversation between someone in need and someone promising to help.
Read the full post on this song here.
“Good Day” – Twenty One Pilots
This song is a classic sounds-positive-but-actually-deeply-emotional Twenty One Pilots number, and it has gotten me through quite a few difficult moments in the past few weeks. The song combines a nuanced instrumental track with the distinctive vocals we know and love.
“pov” – Ariana Grande
This song is absolutely STUNNING and I love it with all of my heart. On the surface, it seems like it’s talking to a human loved one, but when I listen to it, I hear a prayer to the God who loves me more deeply than I can ever explain in words. Stay tuned for a full post!!
“Carry On” – fun.
Another encouragement to keep going despite hardship, this song is a classic mid-2000s hit that will continue to stand out in the minds of our generation. I especially love the line, “may your past be the sound of your feet upon the ground,” as it makes me think of looking ahead instead of focusing on the past.
“Joy” – Bastille
Another song that I absolutely love, “Joy” is either simply uplifting or surprisingly deep depending on how you interpret it. Over an intensely upbeat instrumental track, this song’s lyrics talk about someone having a rough time, on the edge of giving up, when their friend or loved one calls to check on them. When I listen to it, I hear the voice of Holy Spirit encouraging me with exactly the words (or songs!) I need to hear at a given difficult moment. Read the full post on this song here!
“Miracles (Someone Special)” – Coldplay, Big Sean
I like to imagine this song like the voice of a mentor (hi, Haymitch) cheering me on as I complete a dangerous or difficult adventure. It combines Coldplay’s unique lyrics and distinctive musical style with a touch of rap from Big Sean and I love it so much. Read the full post on this song here.
“Keeping Your Head Up” – Birdy
This song sounds like the voice of a much-needed caring friend or loved one whispering encouragement as you sob into their shoulder. In other words, it’s exactly what I need in difficult moments. And Birdy’s amazing, expressive vocals just soar over the exquisite texture of the instrumentals. Stay tuned for a full post on this song!
“You Are Enough” – Sleeping At Last
This is another absolutely stunning piece of music that I adore. Take the overall theme of the Anne with an E series on Netflix and you have the sound and the lyrics of this song. The instrumentals are so soothing, with a staccato piano line woven between violins and other soft instruments. And the lyrics… Half the song is just “you’re enough, you’re enough, you’re enough” over and over again, but it’s SOO GOOD!! Click here to read the full post on this song!
“This Is The Future” – Owl City
I wrote a post on this song at the beginning of this year and it’s still speaking to me even months later. It’s a different take on Jeremiah 29:11, with a perfect balance of nostalgia/melancholy for the past and hope for better things coming. And of course, Adam Young’s ✨immaculate✨ singing voice. I’ve played this song on repeat probably 2374893450 times in different moments of disappointment or sadness, and it has helped me so much. Read the full post on this song here.
“Army of One” – Coldplay
This is one of the first songs that officially made me a fan of Coldplay. I stumbled across it while listening to their album on a whim, and I haven’t gone back since. The song talks about someone who promises to fight for their loved one, regardless of the cost, because of how unique they are. I especially love the phrase “there isn’t a fire that I wouldn’t walk through”, which almost directly quotes Isaiah 43, aka my favorite chapter in THE WHOLE BIBLE 🔥😻🤩
Read the full post on this song here.
“Towards The Sun” – Rihanna
This song comes from the soundtrack of a Disney movie called Home. I love Rihanna’s voice, and I was happy to find a song of hers with positive and uplifting lyrics (there may be more out there idk). Over a backdrop of pop-anthem crescendos, this song talks about turning away from negativity and towards the brightness of the future.
“Better Days” – OneRepublic
I could keep adding songs to this playlist all day, but the last one for today is “Better Days” by OneRepublic. This song came out in spring of 2020, when the entire world was on lockdown, and I first heard it on a car dealership commercial. It’s a reminder that better days are coming, and while we haven’t necessarily reached that point with the pandemic, it will come eventually. On a personal level, this song is a reminder that the disappointments and tragedies of today will fade over time.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this mixtape of mental health songs to encourage, uplift, and inspire you. If you did, please feel free to save and follow the playlist on Spotify. And let me know what songs you would add!
Happy listening!
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