As we entered the second lockdown, our clients came together to share songs of hope.
Songs that inspired belief in recovery; songs that helped reinforce the resilience needed to power through challenging times; songs that encourage us to turn inward, check in with ourselves, and respond to the needs we illuminate.
As the quote goes, “music can heal wounds that medicine cannot touch” – music is a medicine in and of itself. It has the ability to influence all areas of our mind and body, from mood to memory. This is because there is no single “musical centre” in the brain, instead, lots of different brain networks that work to analyse music when it’s played.
The 19th-century Danish author, Hans Christian Andersen, wrote “Where words fail, music speaks.” Music has a profound ability to conjure up all sorts of memories and emotions. We can feel despairingly sad, pumped up, silly, joyful, reflective, pensive, sad but not really sad…endless possibilities. Sometimes we only need 10 seconds of a song to be transported back to a place or into a different mental state.
People with eating disorders can sometimes struggle to find words to express certain feelings or emotions. Or perhaps we’ve been through an experience that, in itself, is hard to reach and connect with. Music can be a vehicle for both of these experiences.
We invite you to listen to our clients’ “People’s Playlist” on Spotify…
‘Cause patience and trust will lead to your full recovery
And in the settling dust I wrote this message for you to see
It said you should go and stop keeping track
And I hope you know I’ve got your back
Full Recovery – Curtis Walsh
We will recover
The worst is over, now.
All those fires we’ve been walking through,
And still we survive, somehow.
We will recover
The worst is behind
And it hurts, but in time, i know that we will recover.
Recover – Natasha Bedingfield
I know there’s pain (I know there’s pain)
Why do you lock yourself up in these chains? (These chains)
No one can change your life except for you
Don’t ever let anyone step all over you
Hold On – Wilson Phillips
‘Cause nothing’s ever over till you say it’s over
And nothing’s ever finished
Not unless you walk away
Hope – Natasha Bedingfield
Lift up your head, break down the walls
Don’t stop pushing till they fall
At first the sun might hurt your eyes,
But soon you’ll see the beauty in the light
Beauty in the Light – Hollow Coves
Don’t tell me that you’re gonna run away from it now
You’re gonna stand here and fight for it
Don’t tell me that you can’t
And you’re gonna back down
You’re gonna stand here and fight for it
Fight For it – Lucy Spraggan
You’ve got it all
You lost your mind in the sound
There’s so much more, you can reclaim your crown
You’re in control
Rid of the monsters inside your head
Put all your faults to bed
You can be King again
King – Lauren Aquilina
But I’ve got high hopes, it takes me back to when we started
High hopes, when you let it go, go out and start again
High hopes, when it all comes to an end
But the world keeps spinning around
High Hopes – Kodaline
This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I’m alright song
My power’s turned on
Starting right now I’ll be strong
I’ll play my fight song
And I don’t really care if nobody else believes
‘Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me
Flight Song – Rachel Platten
But stand up and never say never
‘Cause this life is gonna get better
Take a breath, shake it off and say
I’m on my way
On My Way – Charlie Brown
When the going is rough, saying
We’re gonna get it, get it together right now
Gonna get it, get it together somehow
Gonna get it, get it together and flower
We’re gonna get it, get it together, I know
Gonna get it, get it together and flow
Gonna get it, get it together and go
But you can say what is, or fight for it
Close your mind or take a risk
You can say, “It’s mine,” and clench your fist
Or see each sunrise as a gift
Up and Up – Coldplay
