My Happiness Project: M is for Music
The AtoZ Challenge means posting every day in April except Sundays, which leaves exactly 26 days – one day for each of the 26 letters of the alphabet.
See my Great and Powerful Theme Reveal – My Happiness Project – for a full list of the posts, updated throughout the month.
And be sure to check out , a Twitter list composed of individuals I have every intention of visiting during this year’s challenge.
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
~Berthold Auerbach
M is for Music
1. Create a List of Happiness Songs.
Music in general is a super healer of the wounded soul. Science finds it can actually help ease physical discomfort, and students find they are better able to concentrate with music. High-tempo beats can help get your feet moving if you are working out or doing housework. And of course, music can help bring some cheer into our lives.
While there are now studies suggesting sad music is beneficial, I have never found that to be true for myself. I used to have a list of Depression songs — songs that mirrored my inner turmoil and validated my feelings.
Examples from my horribly crushing Depression song list:
- BOTHER by Stone Sour
- LOOKING IN by Mariah Carey
- HURT by Johnny Cash
- WISH YOU WERE HERE by Pink Floyd
- SOUND OF SILENCE by Simon & Garfunkle
- MAD WORLD by Gary Jules
- MY IMMORTAL by Evanescence
- NEEDLE IN THE HAY by Elliott Smith
There is nothing uplifting for me here. This list makes me want to jump off a cliff. Don’t get me wrong — I lurve these songs! But they induce the wrong mood. I can’t listen to them and be happy at the same time.
Look: Cynical people don’t need proof that LIFE SUCKS. They already know it. They live that reality every day. The jaded need help becoming more upbeat. So I think maybe that study about sad music being helpful must only apply to people who aren’t suffering Depression, or empathy overload, or ALL THE FEELS.
Hence my List of Happiness Songs, of which I have been providing examples throughout this series. I will now list them all here, and continue updating it forever after. Because we all need reasons to smile, you guys. Some of us more than others.
You can also visit the Playlist “Andi-Roo’s Happiness Project” directly in YouTube if it won’t play here.
2. Choose a Personal Theme Song.
I have been excited about this concept since seeing it introduced on Ally McBeal {S1:E17}, wherein John Cage’s therapist Tracy, played by Tracey Ullman, encourages Ally to choose a song which calls to her and provides inner strength. Tracy’s Personal Theme Song is, of course, TRACY by The Cufflinks. Ally’s is TELL HIM performed by Vonda Shepard.
My Personal Theme Song is 59th STREET BRIDGE SONG (FEELIN’ GROOVY) by Simon & Garfunkle. When I am angry beyond words or Depressed more than can be measured, this is the song I sing. Aloud. Even if I’m not alone. Because if I’m that bad off, the gloves are off and I seriously DGAF who hears me.
Read these lyrics and tell me they don’t give you a slight grin:
Slow down, you move too fast.
You got to make the morning last.
Just kickin’ down the cobble stones.
Looking for fun and feelin’ groovy.
Da-da-da-da-da-da-da,
Feelin’ groovy.
Hello lamppost,
Whatcha knowin’?
I’ve come to watch your flowers growin’.
Ain’tcha got no rhymes for me?
Doot-in’ doo-doo,
Feelin’ groovy.
Got no deeds to do,
No promises to keep.
I’m dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep.
Let the morning time drop all its petals on me.
Life, I love you,
All is groovy.
Without music life would be a mistake.
~Friedrich Nietzsche
Every day this month I will share a book* about Happiness, or fighting Depression, or one that cracked me up good.
Okay, I really wanted to stick with non-fiction-ish books throughout this series, but for music the best book I can think of that really captures my feelings on how much songs can rule our minds… is HIGH FIDELITY by Nick Hornby.
It’s really funny, romantic, and uplifting. A great story for people trying to find themselves and figure out what they want out of life. The movie is excellent as well, although the story moves from London to America when it moves from the page to the screen.
*Please see my post “B is for Books” for a full listing of all the books mentioned throughout this series.
He who sings scares away his woes.
~Cervantes
Every day this month I will share a song from my Happiness Song List.
Today’s song is “59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)” by Simon & Garfunkle.
- What is your Personal Theme Song?
- Do you have any songs to add to this ever-growing List of Happiness Songs?
- Is there a particular song that makes you cry ALL THE TEARS?
