Although Mental Health Awareness Month is observed each May, it’s important to remember that prioritizing your mental health is essential to wellness year-round. And for many, music is an outlet that helps keep their mental health in check.
As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, MusiCares’ staff curated a playlist of songs that they turn to when dealing with their own mental health struggles. From empowering anthems like Lizzo’s “Soulmate” and Demi Lovato's “I Love Me” to belt-along jams like The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside,” the 19-song playlist is equal parts upbeat and uplifting.
Listen to the full playlist here, and hear from some staff members about their personal connections to their selects below.
Shalamar, “I Can Make You Feel Good”: “My partner and I love singing and dancing to dico/funk, and Shalamar’s ‘I Can Make You Feel Good’ is a particular favorite when emotions feel all-encompassing and I just need some playful motion.” — Kat Handler, Development Coordinator
Judas Priest, “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming”: “The energy and confidence of heavy metal were a safe haven during difficult point in my life, and Judas Priest’s ‘You’ve Got Another Thing Coming’ feels like an encouragement to get into action and trust that everything really is and will be okay.” — Kat Handler, Development Coordinator
Queen ft. David Bowie, “Under Pressure”: “One of my favorite songs to listen to when I’m struggling is ‘Under Pressure’ by Queen ft. David Bowie. I love both artists, so there’s a comfort in their voices, but something about that very first bassline makes me smile every time. Lyrically, I think people can interpret it in many ways, but for me it’s acknowledging that everyone is feeling stress and pressure from all angles, so why not take a chance on more love and understanding to see if it can make a difference? We’re all in this together.” — Virginia Faddy, Managing Director, Marketing
boylife, “peas”: “I adore everything about this song, but especially the lyrics. When I first listened to this, I thought it was about a lover but the artist says how even when he was upset, his parents would show their love by cutting him fruit. Immediately, this resonated because my parents did the same. And then I thought, these lyrics can be about how you love yourself and how you can talk to yourself with care. No matter the emotions this song evokes, I love that music as art is open to your own interpretation. I listen to this song for many different reasons: for a good cry, to feel inspired, and a reminder that love is ever-present in many forms. — Nana Yip, Human Services Coordinator
Remy Ma, “Conceited (There’s Something About Remy)”: “Our society that preaches self-love and confidence, is also quick to call you conceited when they don’t like how you’re expressing it. It’s common that people call others this label because they are feeling insecure themselves, feel threatened or want to bring others down. This song is great to remind yourself to be confident. So for times when I’m doubting myself: ‘I’m conceited I got a reason.’ I also work out to this song, the more endorphins released the better.” — Nana Yip, Human Services Coordinator
Brett Dennen, “Comeback Kid (That’s My Dog)”: “This song is a great reminder that feeling down is temporary and I have the ability to break out of the funk and have my ‘comeback’ moment to be back up on top.” — Carie Salas, Client Manager, Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services
The Killers, “Mr. Brightside”: “This song just makes me happy and brings me back to the time I saw them at a festival a few years ago and how much fun I had dancing, jumping around and screaming the lyrics with the whole crowd.” — Carie Salas, Client Manager, Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services
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