21 Songs That Are Striking a New Chord After My Crohn's Disease Diagnosis

Recently, I was going through my music to create a new playlist. As I was sorting through my music, I was finding that some of these same old songs I’d listened to a million times now held new meanings for me. Different lyrics were calling out to me and the songs had a new impact.

Why?

Because there had been one major change in my life and within me. I was diagnosed with an incurable life long disease — Crohn’s disease. That changes a person and your perspective on life. I personally went through a grieving process for the life I used to have and the person that I once was. My life was changed forever. The frustrations were overwhelming, while also experiencing a multitude of medical challenges, on top of mentally coping with the diagnosis. Stress, both physical and emotional, felt insurmountable. I’m sure my fellow chronic illness friends know exactly what I’m talking about. We all go through such a fight for our lives and happiness. It’s why we call each other warriors.

Here is a list of 21 songs with lyrics that I now see in a completely different light. Each song listed below has lyrics in it that speak to some aspect of this war that we are fighting. These are just a few of the song lyrics that I have found describe some aspect of my journey. I’m curious to hear if they speak to you as well.

1. “When I See You Smile” by Bad English

“Sometimes I wanna give up, I wanna give in
I wanna quit the fight
Then one look at you baby
And everything’s alright”

2. “Whatever it Takes” by Imagine Dragons

“Break me down and build me up
Whatever it takes”

3. “Adventure of a Lifetime” by Coldplay

“Under this pressure, under this weight
We are diamonds taking shape”

4. “Hold Me Up” by Conrad Sewell

“In a minute you can realize you lost it all
In a second you were always there to break my fall
Till you came and saved my life
In the lonely hour
In the lonely hour
Oh I’m praying for some help
I can’t do it by myself, need you now
Need you right now”

–>

5. “Saving My Life” by Gorgon City

“Save all of your timing
Save all you’ve been hiding
Save all your energy, yeah
Save all you’ve been dreaming
Live life for some meaning Save your destiny”

6. “Good As Hell” by Paul Rey

“I feel like screaming till my lungs have no air.
Feel like running, though I don’t know where.
Feel like laughing till I’m drowning in tears.
For the first time in years I feel…
I feel good as hell…”

7. “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” by Jimmy Buffett

“Through all of the islands and all of the highlands
If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane”

“Visions of good times that brought so much pleasure
Makes me want to go back again”

“Oh yesterdays are over my shoulder,
So I can’t look back for too long.
There’s just too much to see waiting in front of me,
and I know that I just can’t go wrong with these…
Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes”

 

8. “Breath In, Breath Out, Move On” by Jimmy Buffett

“According to my watch the time is now
Past is dead and gone
Don’t try to shake it just nod your head
Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On”

9. “The Scientist” by Coldplay

“Nobody said it was easy
It’s such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be this hard
Oh, take me back to the start”

10. “This Is War” by 30 seconds to Mars

“It’s the moment of truth and the moment to lie
And the moment to live and the moment to die
The moment to fight, the moment to fight,
To fight, to fight, to fight”

11. “Roll With the Changes” by REO Speedwagon

“So if you’re tired of the same old story
Oh turn some pages
I’ll be here when you are ready
To roll with the changes”

“You know you got to
Keep on rollin’”

 

12. “Come Sail Away” by Styx

“I’ve got to be free, free to face the life that’s ahead of me”

“But we’ll try, best that we can to carry on”

13. “Fight Song” by Rachel Patten

“I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me”

14. “Ordinary” by Train

“Whose eyes am I behind
I don’t recognize anything that I see
Whose skin is this design
I don’t want this to be the way that you see me
I don’t understand anything anymore”

“Can you save me from this world of mine
Before I get myself arrested with these expectations”

15. “Times Like These” by the Foo Fighters

“It’s times like these you learn to live again”

16. “Breakout” by The Foo Fighters

“I don’t wanna look like that.
You know you make me breakout.
You can see this on my face,
It’s all for you. The more and more I take, I break right through”

17. “Best of You” by Foo Fighters

Has someone taken your faith?
Its real, the pain you feel
The life, the love
You die to heal
The hope that starts
The broken hearts
You trust, you must
Confess
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?

“I’ve got another confession my friend
I’m no fool
I’m getting tired of starting again
Somewhere new”

18. “Little Talks” by Of Monsters and Men

“There’s an old voice in my head
That’s holding me back”
“Soon it will all be over, and buried with our past
We used to play outside when we were young
And full of life and full of love
Some days I don’t know if I am wrong or right.
Your mind is playing tricks on you my dear”

19. “Don’t Fear the Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult

“All our times have come
Here but now they’re gone
Seasons don’t fear the reaper
Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain, we can be like they are”

20. “Carry On Wayward Son” by Kansas

 

21. “Music to My Soul” by CeeLo Green

“Even in darkness Despite what was wrong, everything turned out alright”

Have the songs changed? No. The person listening to them has changed significantly. I always say that after I was diagnosed it felt like the old me was dying, which meant that a new me was being revealed. Well, that “new me” is honestly a better, much stronger version of myself. I’ve been through a lot, but it’s taught me a lot too. And I’m grateful for all that my disease has shown me in life. The good and the bad, I have learned from it all. Listening to these songs and hearing those lyrics that pop out to me help me to remember my journey. They validate it, and help me to keep on going. The war isn’t over, but I’ve got the skills to keep fighting now!

What songs and lyrics speak to you and your journey?

We want to hear your story. Become a Mighty contributor here.

Thinkstock Image By: waymoreawesomer