I don't know about you, but Tuesday happened and I haven't been the same since. I've been coping through tears, hugs and hand holding with friends and family, and art, mostly. And wine. I'm not yet at the point where I feel like blocking out the hate and despair I feel with positivity and distraction, so I've been seeking out beauty that's as sad as I am. It is akin to the way one might not be ready to date after a breakup, I suppose. Here's a list of songs compiled jointly by some people that I love and me.* Some are sweet, some are sad, some send a message. I'm just crying and I think it might be better to cry to music. Sending you love through song.
1. Lady Gaga's "Come to Mama"
Because who but Mother Monster might we want to lean on in these troubled times? Plus, she performed this live at a Hillary rally. Ugh, I love her forever.
Helpful lyrics: Well, I say rainbows did more than they've ever done
So why do we gotta fight over ideas?
We're talkin' the same old shit after all of these years
2. The Dixie Chicks' "Not Ready to Make Nice"
Quite honestly this has been on repeat since Donald Asshat became the president-elect.
Helpful lyrics: It's a sad, sad story
When a mother will teach her daughter
That she ought to hate a perfect stranger
3. "Miss Celie's Pants" from the Broadway Musical "The Color Purple"
This song was my #PantsuitNation battle cry for much of HRC's campaign, but it holds new meaning for me as the election has come to a close. I'm ready for an army of strong women wearin' the pants.
Helpful lyrics: But look
I said look
Are you lookin'
Look who's wearin' the pants now.
4. "Hate to See Your Heart Break" by Paramore
I cry over Hillary's loss for a myriad of reasons, but my heart is chiefly broken for the millions of little girls and boys who look up to her. I wanted better for them.
Lyrics that stand out:
For all the air that's in your lungs
For all the joy that is to come
For all the things that you're alive to feel
Just let the pain remind you hearts can heal
5. "FDT" by YG and Nipsey Hussle
I'm angry, okay? Let me handle it.
Lyrics: How about you look those up yourself.
6. Ed Sheeran "I'm A Mess"
It might be a lovey song, but I'M SERIOUSLY A MESS.
Lyrics? Literally just: Ooh I'm a mess right now
7. "Stars" Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Because although people like Bernie and Hillary are certainly alive and well, we do mourn a death-like loss. We're here to fight for their legacies.
A nice excerpt: I lit a fire with the love you left behind
And it burned wild and crept up the mountain side
8. "We the People" - A Tribe Called Quest
#BLACKLIVESEFFINGMATTER and we WILL protect marginalized groups. Better people than Trump came out of Queens.
Some hateful, resonating words that I hope we can stop hearing in real life: All you Black folks, you must go
All you Mexicans, you must go
And all you poor folks, you must go
Muslims and gays, boy, we hate your ways
So all you bad folks, you must go
9. Raury's "Devil's Whisper"
This one's powerful and rhythmic and warrior-esque. Let it empower you.
Raury says: Young boy
Trying to rule the world I see
Well, young boy
I can give you everything
Diamonds
Everything you touch can be
Golden
10. "Easy Silence" by the Dixie Chicks
I don't listen to the Dixie Chicks all the time or anything, so I guess it's weird that I put two of their songs on this list, but their girl-empowerment has been oh so clutch for me this week. Especially because of their post-controversy album.
These fighter gals inspire me to stand up against what's wrong with America, even when it's unpopular to do so. I think this song will be stamped in my mind, bookmarking page November 8th, 2016 in my life.
As the election results became final, I sobbed and gulped as I collapsed into my mother's arms. "We have to fight for the people he hurts," she told me.
Words that help: Children lose their youth too soon
Watching war made us immune
And I've got all the world to lose
But I just want to hold on to the
The easy silence that you make for me
It's okay when there's nothing more to say to me
And the peaceful quiet you create for me
And the way you keep the world at bay for me
*I would like to especially thank Chloe Quesada and James Gutierrez for their help on this one. Thank you for you love, clarity, and song choices.
