14 Songs to Listen to If You're Struggling Today

Music conveys what the heart cannot.

When you’re going through a hard time, sometimes music is that band-aid that makes things just a little bit better. Yes, some songs will tell you to “be strong” and “keep going,” but for the most part music doesn’t tell you to “suck it up.” It doesn’t gaslight you, or give you advice when you didn’t ask. Music sits with you – an intimate assortment of verse and melody that exists to make you feel while simply allowing you to be. 

We asked the Mighty community what songs have helped steer them through a tough time. Here’s what they had to say:

Songs that feel like a hug on a bad day

“Lately it’s Been Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera — @Melmisunderstood

“It’s a Beautiful Life” by Ian Eaton and Battle River — @Autistic98 

“The Greatest Love of All” by Whitney Houston — @Katfrankhauser 

“Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon and Garfunkel — D.K. Hodges Hull

If grief has been a constant companion

“Not a Day Goes By” by Lonestar — @Arttemple95

“My Life” by Mary J. Blige — @Klatrice

In case you need a tune to help you cope through chronic pain

“Any Way You Want It” by the Dave Clark Five — @Fightingwhileaccepting 

“Save You” by Simple Plan — @Youcancallmestretch

If music is a spiritual experience for you

Pretty much anything by Skillet — @Michaelsmith3 

“Great is Thy Faithfulness” — @Rianeufeld 

“Carry on My Wayward Son” by Kansas — @Hoping2cope 

“Let Us Break Bread Together” — @Nancywb 

If music is quite literally the thing that saved you

“Hide in Your Shell” by Supertramp — Maria Hanssel

“Every Little Thing is Gonna Be Alright” by Bob Marley — @Moonlotus09