16 Songs to Help You Face Depression This Week
Facing the world each morning can be difficult when you live with a mental illness. Depression, specifically, can make everyday tasks seem daunting. Getting out of bed and out the door can be a major accomplishment. And although music can’t cure depression (we wish), it’s scientifically proven to reduce stress and even depressive symptoms.
So, each week, we ask our readers what songs and lyrics have helped them through depression. If you need an extra boost this week, hopefully some of these can help.
1. “Unwell” by Matchbox 20
“I’m not crazy, I’m just a little unwell, I know right now you can’t tell. But stay awhile and maybe then you’ll see, a different side of me.”
2. “O-o-h Child” by The Five Stairsteps
“Ooh-oo child. Things are gonna be easier. Ooh-oo child. Things’ll get be brighter.”
3. “Waitin’ on a Sunny Day” by Bruce Springsteen
“Funny, thought I felt a sweet summer breeze. Musta been you sighin’ so deep. Don’t worry we’re gonna find a way.”
4. “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt
“I won’t lose no sleep on that, ‘Cause I’ve got a plan.”
5. “Stormy Weather” by Etta James
“Don’t know why there’s no sun up in the sky. Stormy weather, keeps raining all of the time.”
6. “Eye Of The Tiger” by Survivor
“Risin’ up straight to the top. Had the guts, got the glory. Went the distance, now I’m not gonna stop.”
7. “Days Like This” by Van Morrison
“When no one steps on my dreams, there’ll be days like this. When people understand what I mean, there’ll be days like this.”
8. “Dream Catcher” by Set It Off
“My doubts have seemed to fade because I’ve opened up my eyes to see I’m right where I planned to be.”
9. “Man On Fire” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
“Only one desire that’s left in me. I want the whole damn world to come dance with me.”
10. “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Oh, take your time, don’t live too fast. Troubles will come and they will pass.”
11. “Homegrown” by Zac Brown Band
“I got everything I need, nothing that I don’t.”
12. “This Too Shall Pass” by OK GO
“You know you can’t keep lettin’ it get you down. And you can’t keep draggin’ that dead weight around.”
13. “Feeling OK” by Best Coast
“My doctor says that I should take it. At least I won’t have to keep faking. I know, someday I’ll find it where I, I least expect it.”
14. “Everybody Cares, Everybody Understands” by Elliott Smith
“Everybody cares, everybody understands. Yes, everybody cares about you. Yeah, and whether or not you want them to.”
15. “Defying Gravity” from Wicked
“Something has changed within me. Something is not the same. I’m through with playing by the rules of someone else’s game.”
16. “Up Around the Bend” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
“Catch a ride to the end of the highway and we’ll meet by the big red tree. There’s a place up ahead and I’m goin’, come along, come along with me.”
What song do you listen to when you’re feeling depressed? Let us know and we may feature it next week. Check out our previous list here.
If you or someone you know needs help, see our suicide prevention resources.
If you need support right now, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.