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. “Stand” by Rascal Flats
“Cause when push comes to shove, you taste what you’re made of.”
2. “Racing Like a Pro” by The National
“Sometimes you get up and bake a cake or something. Sometimes you stay in bed.”
3. “You Are Not Alone” by Michael Jackson
“But you are not alone, I’m here with you. Though we’re far apart you’re always in my heart.”
4. “Ramble On” by Led Zeppelin
“For now I smell the rain, and with it pain, and it’s headed my way. Sometimes I grow so tired, but I know I’ve got one thing I got to do — ramble on.”
5. “Be Still” by The Fray
“If you forget the way to go, and lose where you came from, if no one is standing beside you, be still and know I am.”
6. “Live Like a Warrior” by Matisyahu
“Today, today, live like you wanna. Let yesterday burn and throw it in a fire, in a fire, in a fire. Fight like a warrior.”
7. “Heroes” by David Cook
“As the sun goes down in front of me it reminds of me of where I want to be.”
8. “F**kin’ Perfect” by Pink
“You’re so mean when you talk about yourself. You are wrong. Change those voices in your head. Make them like you instead.”
9. “Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
“Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly. And the dreams that you dreamed of, dreams really do come true.”
10. “Brave” by Sara Bareilles
“Sometimes a shadow wins. But I wonder what would happen if you say what you wanna say, and let the words fall out.”
11. “Waste” by Foster the People
“How long, I say, how long, will you relive the things that are gone? Oh yeah, the devil’s on your back, but I know you can shake him off.”
12. “Get Better” by Frank Turner
“I’m trying to get better because I haven’t been my best.”
13. “True To Myself” by Ziggy Marley
“Got to be true to myself, got to be true to myself, I don’t care if it hurts. I’m tired of lies and all these games. I’ve reached a point in life, no longer can I be this way.”
14. “The Linear” by Umphrey’s McGee
“Forget about your future, let your past dispense. You know life is only living in the present tense.”
15. “Float On” by Modest Mouse
“Bad news comes, don’t you worry even when it lands. Good news will work it’s way to all them plans.”
16. “Beauty in the World” by Macy Gray
“Stop and smell the flowers, and lose it the sweet music and dance with me. There is beauty in the world. So much beauty in the world.”
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.