Life gets rough sometimes, and many of us find solace in lyrics and melodies. Here are a few songs that always to seem to do the job well from experience.
- Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
- The song is a classic. It is beautiful. It makes me cry. Okay, end of story.
- When the Levee Breaks - Led Zeppelin
- Perfect for those days when your soul just needs to be angry. The drums and the wailing electric guitar lets your rage be expressed while still easing your frustrations.
- Slip Slidin’ Away - Paul Simon
- The lyrics depict stories of different characters losing themselves and trying to find themselves again. It is a song for all of the “almosts.”
- Blame it on the Bossa Nova - Edyie Gorme
- A personal favorite that I can’t help but smile to. The story of how a woman fell in love with her husband despite him being a tad bit socially awkward, because as soon as they started dancing she knew he was the one.
- Slow Dancing in a Burning Room (Live Version) - John Mayer
- Not that the studio recording isn’t good, the live version holds so much more emotion. The lyrics are beautiful and tell a love story of two people who love the idea of one another, but they know they are bad for each other and cannot seem to let go. The guitar—the guitar is this song's biggest attribute.
- Oh My Sweet Carolina (Live) - Ryan Adams
- Tears. A story of a man trying to find himself across the country. Tears and the harmonica. Beautiful and melancholy.
- Tupelo Honey - Van Morrison
- A song written about his then-wife, Morrison tries to capture the love he has for her in this song through his lyrics. I’m partial to this song since this is the song my mother has picked to be my father-daughter dance at my wedding—thanks, Ma.
- Little Wing - Stevie Ray Vaughn
- If you haven’t noticed by now, a blues guitar is the way to my soul. Vaughn’s early demise makes this song so meaningful. The riffs are spectacular, striking every chord of your soul. (And yes, I know it’s a Jimi Hendrix cover.)
- Man on Fire - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic O’s
- About a man being vulnerable and putting himself out to the world. Taking himself and his life in stride.
- Brothers in Arms - Dire Straits
- A typical song about camaraderie. Driving home with a great guitar riff. Emotions are high in this song. That must be the reason why it is the closing song to the best episode of “The West Wing.”
- Cherry Wine - Hoozier
- A tale of a hot and cold love. Too relatable at any time ever.
- I Hope - Dixie Chicks
- Soulful and optimistic to combat a twist of momentary pessimism.
- Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 - Bach
- The haunting sound of the cello envelops you in a sense of calmness, making everything in the world irrelevant.
- Mess is Mine - Vance Joy
- Accepting each other for who the other is. Nothing more, nothing less. It is what we all want. Our significant other loving us for all of our mess and helping us move past it.
- Feeling Good - Nina Simone
- A gold standard—but Nina’s voice is the selling point. Her soulful, rustic voice can make even your worst day better with its beauty.
- I Got a Car - George Strait
- Cutest Song ever. Every girl’s dream come true.
- Shake Sugaree - Rhiannon Giddens
- A traditional American folk song covered by one of this generation's most critically acclaimed folk artists. It’s a bit off the beaten trail, but the Appalachian melody can resonate with all of us.
- Queen of the Westside - Brett Dennen
- A bit out of left field, but his vocals are impressive. Not for everyone but the pain that can be heard in his voice as he sings about his dream girl that he will never have is relatable.
- This Land is Your Land - Bruce Springsteen
- A nice little song about patriotism and sharing. Sometimes it’s just nice to remember what America is supposed to be about.
- Valerie - Amy Winehouse
- A bit uppity for a song about a girl who just got released from jail for a drug addiction. But a good cover of a song, nonetheless.
- Fields of Gold - Eva Cassidy
- The sullen longing in her voice makes this song what it is. Even though it is a cover of a Sting song, to me, this is the original since you can feel her soul in the music.
- The Gambler - Kenny Rogers
- Learn a little bit about life on a train with an old drunk who has a lot to offer.
- That’s How I got to Memphis - Tom T. Hall
- A sweet song about a man trying to find his love. A heartbreaking song about devotion.
- Always on My Mind - Willie Nelson
- Nothing as consoling as a guy realizing too late how much a girl means to him. We all don’t get songs written after us, but the thought is nice.
- Your Song - Elton John
- Another cute song about a level of cuteness you want to be.
