Those of you with chronic pain will understand the power of music. We sit in doctors appointments, E.R.'s, MRIs, and a million other medical related testing, and it always seems like the only thing that can keep us sane is music. The first thing I do at a new doctor's office is pop in my ear buds and hope for the best because doctor's appointments are pretty rough with chronic illnesses. These are the best songs I have found so far for chronic pain, doctor's appointments, and other times when you just need some musical support:
1. Like The World Is Going To End by Ben Rector
I have gotten really into Ben Rector recently as my pain has gotten worse. I find that his music tends to be very optimistic, and he has a great voice. This song talks about living like the world is going, and I feel like this really applies to being chronically ill. You never know when your situation can change and something bad can happen, so we have to live in the moment.
2. Just Keep Breathing by We The Kings
This is probably my go to song on my bad nights. The title is pretty straight forward, but on the days where you are fighting for conciousness because the pain is so bad, this can be really helpful.
3. Fight Song by Rachel Platten
This seems to be the theme song in chronically ill people. I recently wrote an article about how Rachel Platten wrote the story of my life, and I believe that that statement stands true. The line "take back my life" stands out to me with this song. In a bad flair all I want is control, and this song helps me take back control.
4. 30,000 feet ben rector
Another Ben Rector song just because I love his music for bad pain days. My favorite line of almost any song is in this one. "I've been better, I've been worse" seems to really apply to my situation. I have definitely been better than I am now, but I have also been devastated after diagnosis, had surgeries, and so much more that it could be worse.
5. This Is Gospel by Panic at the Disco
This song could seem depressing to some people, but I find one lyric in this song so relateable. When they say the words "the fear of falling apart" it gets me every time. I worry about this every day; I am already a 15 year old in an 80 year old body, but I know it will get worse, and this lyric perfectly describes my thoughts.
6. Collide by Howie Day
I was recently watching the movie Miracles from Heaven which is about a chronically ill girl, and this song popped up. It talks about how "even the best fall down sometimes", and this is something I needed to hear. Those of us with chronic illnesses always think we are weak, but we did not choose this life, and the pain is not our fault.
7. Won't Stop Running by A Great Big World
This song is actually written by one of the band members who has MS which is probably what gives it such a true take on chronic illness. It talks of our daily struggles and pains, but it also encourages us to move forward which is exactly what I need on a bad pain day.
8. Disloyal Order of the Water Buffaloes by Fall Out Boy
This song is actually written about drug addiction, but some of the lines are very relateable. It talks about "falling apart at the seams" which is how us spoonies constantly feel. We are falling apart whether physically and mentally, so this song can be very easy to relate to despite its intention.
Beyond these songs, there are so many other lyrics those of us in chronic pain will find easy to relate to, but these are the ones I find most useful. I have always loved being handed new music, so I hope that those of you reading this can find this playlist helpful, and maybe you can discover some new artists. For you spoonies reading this, no matter how much you are falling apart, please don't stop running.
