My Music Playlist
Music is something that is very important to me. Starting at an early age, I grew to love the music of Disney as well as the music played in our house or my parent’s cars. My parents started me with piano lessons at a young age and while I was no Beethoven or Mozart, the way the sound coming from the piano keys made me feel and the way that the notes came together to form such a beautiful song I felt like I was. I joined the town children’s choir (Downers Grove Children’s Choir) as well as took up playing violin during grade school. Unfortunately I decided one day that I didn’t want to sing and that playing two instruments was too much for me. I look back and wish I didn’t give up on these two musical directions, but I still continued to play the piano. Music lifts and feeds my soul and has always provided me with relaxation when I’m feeling down and out. Playing the piano during high school, helped me to get through failed friendships, a bad grade on a test and an argument with my parents. The piano (or keyboard since I don’t have room for the grand piano I dream of having one day) and live music always bring me to a space that I never want to leave.
My keyboard and guitar! Yes, I am taking guitar lessons. Can’t wait to start back up again.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer I depended on music to get me through some days. Many times I was alone at home and while I could have watched television and movies all day, I decided that wasn’t how I wanted to spend my time. I also worked during the day so didn’t have too much time for other things except for sleeping during a chemotherapy week. I did however have time for music played by my iPods or CDs that yes I still have. I’m very old school when it comes to listening to music. I still listen to my CDs and we also have a record player that I enjoy listening to.
One of the first songs that helped me to keep going and fight each day was “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten. The song debuted the week I received my diagnosis. I didn’t hear it until my in-laws were in town. As soon as I found it I shared it with my mother in-law and we danced around our family room with the song cranked up as high as the volume would go.
Fight Song" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Rachel Platten, released as a single by Columbia Records on February 19, 2015.
Another song that brought me strength was “Hold Back the River,” a song introduced to me during camp with First Descents in June of 2016 while white water kayaking in Oregon with a group of amazing cancer survivors.
Many songs that I listen to don’t necessarily have the meaning to me that the two I shared with you do, but I‘d like to share the other songs that I feel bring me comfort, happiness and joy, put me in a good mood and just make me feel good. When I’m feeling down or need my spirit lifted, putting on a song from my playlist seems to lift it. If you haven’t heard of any, please give them a listen! Please note this is only a small portion of my entire playlist.
Here is my playlist:
“Fight Song” - Rachel Platten
“Hold Back the River” - James Bay
“Alive” - Sia
“It’s My Life” - Bon Jovi
“Girl on Fire” - Alicia Keyes
“Perfect” - Pink
“What Makes You Beautiful” - One Direction
“You’ll Be In My Heart” - Phil Collins
“You Raise Me Up” - Josh Groban
“Win” Brian McKnight
“Reach” - Gloria Estefan
“Eye of the Tiger” - Survivor
“We are the Champions” - Queen
“You Gotta Be” - Des’ree
“Dare you to Move” - Switchfoot
“That’s the Way It Is” - Celine Dion
“One Black Sheep” - Mat Kearney
“I’m Beautiful” - Aloe Blacc
“River” - Bishop Briggs
“The Story” - Brandi Carlile
“Juke Box Hero” - Foreigner
“Best I Ever Had” - Gavin DeGraw
“I Just Wanna Live” - Good Charlotte
“Ring Around Your Heart” - Graham Colton
“This Time Around” - Hanson
“Where It All Begins” - Hunter Hayes (Featuring Lady Antebellum)
“Mouth of the River” - Imagine Dragons
“On Top of the World” - Imagine Dragons
“You Give Me Something” - James Morrison
“Summer Is Over” - Jon McLaughlin (featuring Sara Bareilles)
“River” - Jon Mitchell
“You Gonna Fly” - Keith Urban
“You Look Good” - Lady Antebellum
“You Can Do You” - Lady Antebellum
“She Is” - Lady Antebellum
“Crystallize” - Lindsey Stirling
“Worship” - Lizzo
“Glorious” Macklemore (Featuring Skylar Grey)
“Anyway” - Martina McBride
“These Hard Times” - Matchbox Twenty
“Wild Eyes” - Matthew Mayfield
“I’m Alive (Life Sounds Like)” - Michael Franti & Spearhead
“Blame It On the Boogie” - The Jacksons
“42” - Mumford & Sons
“Song for Another Time” - Old Dominion
“Smooth Sailing” - Old Dominion
“Changes” - Tupac Shakur
“Such a Simple Thing” - Ray LaMontagne
“Hold You In My Arms” - Ray LaMontagne
“Brave” - Sara Bareilles
“Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone) - The Temptations
“Top of the World” - Tim McGraw
“Smile” - Uncle Kracker
“All of the Stars” - Ed Sheehan
“We Build This City” - Starship
“Flashlight” - Jessie J
“Show Me the Money” - Peter Pablo
“Made” - James Scott
“Homegrown” - Zac Brown Band
“Warrior” - Zac Brown Band
“I’m Ready” - AJR
“I Feel LIke That” - Jason Walker
“Let Me Go” - Avril Lavigne, Chad Kroeber
“Try” - Colbie Caillat
“These Walls” - Teddy Geiger
“Geronimo” - Sheppard
“Love” - Jana Kramer
“Angel” - Sarah McLachlan
“Superheros” - The Script
“Arrows” - Fences, Ryan Lewis, Macklemore
“Do You Know (what it takes)” - Robyn
“Follow You Down” - Gin Blossoms
“Wannabe” - Spice Girls
“In Your Arms” - Nico & Vinz
“What I Like About You” - 5 Seconds of Summer
“Fun” - Pitbull (Featuring Chris Brown)
“Peace” - OAR
“Keep Your Head Up” - Andy Grammer
“Trouble” - Iggy Azalea
“Thank You For Being A Friend” - Golden Girls
“Have A Little Faith In Me” - John Hiatt
“(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” - Carole King
“Easy” - Lionel Richie, Willie Nelson
“Today Is Beautiful” - David Dunn
Please share with me the songs that got you through your diagnosis and treatment, the songs that are getting you through you treatment and survivorship as well as just make you happy and make you feel good inside! I can’t wait to hear from you. New songs are always welcome to my playlist! Other than head banging yelling music I am really open to all genres of music. Help me create another playlist to listen to and share with others!
P.S. A music gift card is always a nice gift to let someone know you are thinking of them. Helps pass the time at chemotherapy appointments and sitting alone at home.
