Hey, friends. I'm sure many of us are experiencing the same negative sentiments about the outcome of the presidential election. We are upset either because we are part of various marginalized groups that Donald Trump has degraded (hello-- female, LGBTQ+ sexual assault survivor with mental disorders over here) or care about many folks who are part of those marginalized groups (also true for me, as I am upset on behalf of my non-white, non-Christian friends). And it's completely justified.
At first I wanted to write a more serious article about my emotions on the outcome, but I am mentally exhausted from talking about them all week to various people, when I'm still trying to even fully process them, and when last week I already wrote a serious article on my negative feelings towards Trump. As a result, I thought perhaps I'd go for a bit of levity this time and attempt to provide comfort for others struggling with the situation. I want to encourage everyone affected by this to take care of themselves and try to keep our heads up. It's tough. I've been dealing with it in one of the only ways I know how to deal with tough times-- through music. There are various favorite songs of mine that I've been listening to a lot lately and have lyrics that I think capture our collective feelings quite well, so I've come up with a list of the best lyrics from those songs that I can think of (this list also pretty much sums up my wide range of taste in music, and after seeing all of the things these artists sing about you can probably understand why I enjoy them). You may or may not know all these songs, but they all have quotes that I think are perfect for giving you hope or validating your anger, be it towards Trump or his supporters!
*Disclaimer: This isn't meant to be a political article or to actively bash Trump supporters in any way. I just wanted to provide some support for those feeling the same way as me.
1. "No it's not your way, not your way. Not going to obey, to obey. This is my body, body, and you don't have a say, have a say." -"Not Your Way" by Misterwives
I think this song is perfect because of its feminist theme and its message of revolting against the patriarchy. If you're a female who is worried about losing your rights to decent health care and pay, and disgusted (as you should be) by the ridiculously misogynistic bullshit Trump has said, this song is definitely relatable!
2. "Leave us alone 'cause we don't need your policies, we have no apologies for being." -"Wild Things" by Alessia Cara
This isn't exactly what this song is about, but that lyric is so true-- exactly what we all want Trump to hear! We don't need his policies and we (folks in marginalized demographics) are not sorry for existing no matter how much he tries to make us be.
3. "There's nothing wrong with just a taste of what you paid for." -"The Ballad of Mona Lisa" by Panic! At the Disco
@ Trump supporters calling us overdramatic and getting annoyed at us for being legitimately worried.
4. "I'm not okay, you wear me out." -"I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" by My Chemical Romance
Just @ this country in general.
5. "Keep on climbing though the ground might shake. Just keep on reaching though the limb might break." -"Fly" by Maddie and Tae
On a more serious note, this song is about staying strong through difficult times, so it might actually be a good outlet for comfort. I just really love this song and always feel a little more uplifted when I hear it, even if only temporarily.
6. "No, you're not alone, 'cause I'm gonna stand by you." -"Stand by You" by Rachel Platten
To everyone who is worried that they are in danger from a Trump presidency. We all need to support each other.
7. "Oh I'm a mess right now, inside out. Searching for a sweet surrender but this is not the end." -"I'm A Mess" by Ed Sheeran
Pretty sure we all feel this.
8. "You can tell me when it's over if the high was worth the pain." -"Blank Space" by Taylor Swift
To everyone who legitimately believes Trump will make a good president!
9. "Take it all, take it away, we'll still have this undying love that is beating 'till our lungs stop breathing." -"Our Own House" by Misterwives
Even if a Trump presidency systematically destroys us, we are still bonded in support. Like many people have been saying lately... love trumps hate. That phrase and this lyric can be considered specific to those of us who are LGBTQ+, as in, even if you take away our rights that can't and won't make us stop loving who we love. Or to all the POC, immigrants, Muslims, or otherwise non-white and/or non-Christian folks who are united in solidarity against Trump's bigotry.
10. "Are you nasty?" -"Miss Jackson" by Panic! At the Disco
I think we all know why this is a relevant quote.
11. "I'm a leading man, and the lies I weave are oh so intricate." -"This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race" by Fall Out Boy
So, basically a one-sentence description of Trump.
12. "Let's go back to simplicity." -"Don't Be So Hard On Yourself" by Jess Glynne
Simplicity as in a time before Trump was elected president, or better yet, before Trump was even considering running for president.
13. "Cast them out 'cause this is our culture, these new flocks are nothing but vultures." -"Novocaine" by Fall Out Boy
Sounds a lot like what Trump wants us to believe about non-American, non-white, and non-Christian people...hmmm.
14. "Since we know that dreams are dead, and life turns plans upon the head." -"House of Gold" by Twenty One Pilots
Life definitely did turn our plans upon our heads. None of us expected this.
15. "Girls love girls and boys, and love is not a choice." -"Girls/Girls/Boys" by Panic! At the Disco
I'm looking at you, Mike Pence (and anyone who agrees with him)!!! The guy who believes in conversion therapy and brainwash camps for LGBTQ+ people!
16. "You better stay, stay on your side of town. 'Cause I’m done, done with all this breaking down." -"Your Side of Town" by Maddie and Tae
When the radical Trump supporters keep going out of their way to harass and belittle you just for having legitimate concerns.
17. "People like us, we gotta stick together. Keep your head up, nothing lasts forever. Here's to the damned, to the lost and forgotten. It's hard to get high when you're living on the bottom." -"People Like Us" by Kelly Clarkson
This lyric-- and this entire song-- are pretty appropriate right now. It's important to remember this. Especially the fact that for those of us "living on the bottom" aka marginalized groups like POC or immigrants or LGBTQ+ folks might not have it as easy in a Trump presidency as the more privileged people.
18. "All the Ajax in the world ain't gonna clean your dirty laundry." -"Dirty Laundry" by Carrie Underwood
About Trump trying to make excuses for or cover up all his racist, misogynistic, ableist, etc. comments when there is literal video evidence of him saying them.
19. "Baby, I know places we won't be found and they'll be chasin' their tails tryin' track us down 'cause I know places we can hide." -"I Know Places" by Taylor Swift
For anyone who wants to leave the country and escape Trump!
20. "The best of us can find happiness in misery." -"I Don't Care" by Fall Out Boy
Saved the best for last because it is perhaps the most applicable quote to the situation. We might not be happy but we can take comfort knowing that so many other people are feeling the same things as us.
There you have it. The aftermath of the 2016 presidential election summed up by song lyrics. If it's getting you down, which presumably if you're like me is happening a lot these days, try listening to these songs and other music by these artists. Or whatever kind of music you want, if you don't happen to like this music. It may not solve the problem in the bigger picture, but it most certainly allows you to escape our stressful world for a little bit.
