With 20/20 hindsight, I suppose some of that was personal growth – moving back into my own apartment, taking ownership of projects at my job, discovering a brand new writing path I had no idea would turn into something that resonated with people.

During that time, I’d lost sight of the fact that growth is painful. It’s hard. It makes you feel. And we all know how I feel about feelings.

So, being me, I created a playlist to cope and jokingly called in “The Titanic Playlist”.

(I’ve always got a flare for the dramatic when it comes to emotions.)

It was music that made me feel…and songs, in particular, that resonated with me when it felt like everything was a mess, the ship was going down and I needed something to cling to.

I originally published it on The Good Groupie in August 2015, and this week I’ve been revisiting these songs.

Songs that make me feel, that empower me to take control, that move me to action.

So I thought I’d reshare it.

 

The Titanic Playlist

AKA 10 songs for when you’re feeling down…

 

Some Nights – fun.

I have such a strange relationship with this band. I was first introduced to the lead singer of fun., Nate Ruess, through his former band The Format. “Some Nights” was such a departure from the sound I was used to – you hit that 3:10 mark, and I was like “What the hell is he doing with this electronic shit?”

Making a statement, Miranda. Making a damn statement. I didn’t get it then, but damn it if I don’t still listen to this song and feel those opening lines through and through. And that bridge:

So this is it? I sold my soul for this? 
Washed my hands of that for this?
I miss my mom and dad for this?
No

 

Be Calm – fun.

This one kind of became an anthem for a while. The thing about life is you really can’t control anything or anyone but yourself…so sometimes reminding myself just to be calm was all I could do when that Titanic feeling gripped me.

And be calm, be calm
I know you feel like you are breaking down
Oh, I know that it gets so hard sometimes
Be calm

 

Understand the Problem – Quiet Company

I kind of can’t believe this song is already old enough to have been part of a playlist I put together in 2015 – GULP, four years ago. But my crisis with age aside, I love that these lyrics remind me when it comes down to it, you’re always going to have the deal with the problem at hand. No two ways around it. Those closing lines get me every time.

Oh and I’m so tired of practicing on stages
Every empty bar a bad decision that I’m making
I wish that I was someone else
I wish that you loved someone else

 

The Easy Confidence – Quiet Company

Since the first time I heard it, this song has been a call to arms for me – to not accept mediocrity, to always be looking for something more. It’s also one of my very favorite songs to hear live with I see those QC gents.

I want something better
I want something real

 

Something’s Gotta Give – All Time Low

The left turn in the playlist. I’m a bit old to be the target fan demo for All Time Low…but I’ll forever be an emo kid at heart who needs songs with punk rock vibes and a killer sing-along chorus I can scream at the top of my lungs when I need to.

Wake me up
Say enough is enough
I’m dying to live
Something’s gotta give

 

Watch Over Me – Hanson

This song has a LOT of meaning to me. Back in 2007, it was the final song Hanson played at their Dallas show, and I remember standing in awe of Isaac going for it at the end of the song. Little did we all know, he was playing through a ton of pain and nearly died from a blood clot that night.

The next time I saw them in Dallas, the sentiment of “watch over me” resonated in a completely different way when they played this towards the end of the night.

It’s also how I feel about my favorite bands: like their lyrics are always watching over me.

The years go by, they’re adding up
She clicks her heels but she’s still stuck
She’s giving in but won’t give up she’ll never stop

 

The First Single (You Know Me) – The Format

This one feels like where I’ve come from. A look back at past versions of me because this song was everything to me back in 2005 when I first heard it. Back then I felt like if I could just get past my depression and anxiety, just get past college, just get past toxic people…basically, just get past myself, everything would be fine. (And you know what? It was.)

I’ve been waiting all this time
To be something that I can’t define
So let’s cause a scene
Clap our hands and stomp our feet
Or something, yeah something
I’ve just gotta get myself over me

 

Strong Enough to Break – Hanson

Tom Waits said it best: I love beautiful melodies telling me terrible things. This song is one of my very favorite examples of that – it’s so peppy and upbeat, but when you sit down and actually listen to those lyrics about being ready to give up and give in…ugh, it gives me chills.

But it also makes me want to give in because I will forever believe there is beauty in the breakdown.

Things keep coming and I keep wondering
I start feeling the walls close in
Things keep coming and I keep stumbling
I start feeling I’m strong enough to break

 

I Wanna Get Better – Bleachers

Much like beautiful melodies telling you terrible things, I also love finding those songs with gut-punch lyrics that are the “wake the hell up” message you need to hear at exactly the right moment. In the summer of 2014, this was that song thanks to one very simple line. (I may have to republish that blog post now that I know it’s on Wayback Machine.)

I didn’t know I was broken til I wanted to change

 

Bruised – Jack’s Mannequin

My musical truths are always hidden in the bridge of the song, and “Bruised” is no exception. Andy forever reminds me that it’s okay to be my introverted self…but that I need to experience the world from time to time too.

So read your books, but stay out late
Some nights, some nights, and don’t think
That you can’t stop by the bar

 

 

What are some of your when-you-can’t-get-through-it songs?

I’d love to hear your picks and what makes them your favorite. A certain lyric or verse? Share them in the comments below.

 

Happy listening,