Five Songs to Move Emotion
Listening to (and/or playing!) music has the power to move and validate our emotions and feelings in profound ways. The blend of harmony, rhythm, and tone - among other parts of music composition - in a song contributes to the way our brain processes the music and resonates in our bodies. When we hear a song we love, our brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which leaves us feeling warm and joyful. Even when we hear music that is unfamiliar to us, the increase in blood flow to our brains allows us greater access to connect to our full range of emotions.
Our emotions need motion; this comes up often in the grief & loss exploration I do with clients who are processing the death of someone in their life or other significant life transitions. When we don’t allow ourselves time and space to intentionally move emotions through our bodies, they will bottle up and come out in unanticipated or undesirable ways - often leaving us in greater physical and emotional pain or discomfort. When we give ourselves an outlet for moving these emotions - especially the heavier ones - we are allowing our bodies a chance to re-regulate and ground.
In the era of streaming and playlist culture, there are many options for finding and listening to music to fit every mood and move any kind of emotion! Musical taste and style are unique to all of us, so I endorse curating some mood playlists to fit your personal genre preferences. When you’re feeling the need to release tears, soothe anxious thoughts, or dance out your joy- turn to these songs as a vessel to move that emotion.
Here are five songs that have recently been on repeat for me (and a playlist of some more if you’d like to take a listen!):
Mohabbat - Arooj Aftab
English translation: “The sadness of this is equal to the sadness of all the world.”
When I first heard Aftab’s version of Mohabbat (poetry originally written by Hafeez Hoshiapuri), the sadness and heaviness I was feeling inside was simultaneously validated and soothed; my tears that had felt stuck and trapped were released. Mohabbat (meaning “Love” in Urdu) describes the sadness, despair, and acceptance from separating from a partner - reminds me of how grief and love are intertwined and forever bound together. When I first heard this song I didn’t know the translation of lyrics, and was deeply moved by the somber tone and dynamics of Aftab’s vocals and arrangement. When I read the lyrics and Aftab’s meaning behind her cover of this song, it fostered an even deeper meaning and emotional release.
Restless Heart - Yasmin Williams
Instrumental
This is my go-to song for when I’m feeling anxious, worried or unsettled. Williams’ guitar performance and musical composition beautifully paints the picture of a “restless heart,” and reflects what I’m feeling internally, offering validation and comfort. The steadiness of Williams tapping the neck of her guitar (a signature component to her musical style) feels like a heartbeat you can keep returning to throughout the song; I find myself grounding in that consistency and security as I listen. It reminds me that my anxious emotions and thoughts will move through my body and will not last forever; it reminds me that my heart will continue beating and sustaining me through this discomfort.
Changes - Joy Oladokun
“Even when I’m tired and low, there is gold in this
River that is carrying me home
Newspaper says the world’s on fire
People yelling and the water’s rising.
It’s easy to feel kinda anxious.
Yeah, we’ve thought it was the end of time
but we’re still holding on and we’re still trying”
I highly recommend Oladokun’s whole album Proof of Life, but Changes - in particular - offers a powerful lyrical affirmation of navigating the perpetual anxiety and heaviness of global conflict; she touches on both the importance and heartache of “keeping up with the changes” life throws our way. Oladokun acknowledges both the grief and resilience that comes with human existence, offering reassurance and hope to the anxious soul. This theme is expressed and felt throughout her whole album – a beautiful testament to the resilience of humanity.
Little Blue - Jacob Collier & Brandi Carlile
“Don’t be afraid of the dark
in your heart
You’re gonna find a way
To carry the weight of the world
On your shoulders
You’re gonna find a way home.”
Listening to Little Blue is like wrapping yourself up in a warm blanket on a cold winter’s day. It leaves me feeling reflective, nostalgic, and hopeful– especially if I’m in a state of sadness, hopelessness, or just all around blue. The masterful harmonization of Collier & Carlile’s voices instantly lifts my spirits. I appreciate their musical decision to make this a duet, as it serves as a reminder that we are social beings; and the importance of connecting with our community during moments of heightened, painful emotions, thoughts, or transitions. It feels like the vocalists are supporting and holding me up when I feel isolated or alone; I love the way music can offer that supportive container for people, at any given moment.
***To move some extra emotion, check out Collier’s live recording of Little Blue for Mahogany Sessions; a full choir accompanies him in this magical arrangement, and it is incredibly moving.***
Everything is Gonna Be Alright - Infinity Song
“Clouds of darkness come to steal my joy
Tell me I could never fill that void
But I won’t let my hope be destroyed
Everything is gonna be alright”
This was my anthem of reassurance, hope, and ultimate comfort throughout my pregnancy; I still use the lyrics “everything is gonna be alright” and “I won’t let my hope be destroyed” as mantras during moments of unease or discomfort, or to celebrate the love or gratitude I’m feeling in my bones. Infinity Song, a musical group of siblings, embodies joy, happiness and hope that comes surrounding yourself with your people - also reminding us to lean on our community for support. In this NPR interview, members of Infinity Song poignantly describe how their songwriting process allows greater access to feeling and expressing their emotions, and learning this made my listening experience even more meaningful.
Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness. - Maya Angelou
Interested in working with Margy? Connect with her at Margy@RoomToBreatheChicago.Com!