What album has kept you alive?

[Grahams Groove]

While it comes from the unfortunate circumstance of depression & loss, this thread makes me feel good reading through it. Sorry to hear about your pops, OP. Hang in there and find therapy where you can - music, family, bass, exercise, therapy. Just make time and space for yourself.

I lost my Pops to cancer last May (he was 60), and he was absolutely the man who introduced me to the beauty of music throughout my life. So this topic hits close. After he died, I leaned on a ton of the music we'd bonded over throughout the years. Here are a few of the heaviest hitters for me...

Albums: John Hiatt - Walk On; Los Lobos - Kiko; Little Feat - Waiting For Columbus; Stones - Exile On Main Street; Warren Zevon - Learning To Flinch; Lowell George - Thanks, I'll Eat It Here; Mike Doughty - Haughty Melodic - just to name a few.

This particular song also reminds me of my pops & it gets me every time. Sad, cathartic, joyful, beautiful, all of it. Chris Whitley - Big Sky Country

Finally, I never fully leaned into and embraced my heavier musical tastes the way I did during my Dad's illness and after his passing. He got me into Zeppelin and Sabbath, but heavy beyond that was all stuff I discovered on my own. The two bands that really helped me through that whole 3-4 year period (and still help me) are Yob and Elder. Elder is more 'approachable', but there a catharsis to Yob's music that is off the charts. Their album, "Our Raw Heart" is incredible.

 

[Humbled]

To the OP, I hope you got the opportunity to also play some music in addition to listening, as that would likely be a good thing.

 

[slapshot]

Haven't gotten through all pages, but Judas Priest usually is my go to. Era depends on whether I'm depressed, angry, etc.

 

[Michael Eisenman]

Discipline by King Crimson. "Thela Hun Ginjeet" in particular (alternate instrumental mix on the Steve Wilson remix disc). Wow, Tony Levin rocks it.

 

[Funky Ghost]

When my brother died in a motorcycle accident in 1988, it hit me very hard. I was 22 at the time and Mike was one of my best friends. 1 album in it's entirety and a single later in 1989 really soothed me.

U2 The Joshua Tree
Enuff Znuff Fly High Michelle

Hearing them now can take me right back to those emotions I was struggling with then.

 

[58kites]

So I'm horribly depressed - my father died, we were supposed to scatter ashes on the ocean today but weather is bad, it's my birthday and he's not here, etc.

So I need music today.

I asked my wife, 'Slayer or ambient music'? (I haven't finished my coffee yet)

I picked Aerosmith Rocks (the first album I stole from my sister when I was a kid)

It worked, it rocks, full volume with Beats headphones, it rocks today.

My question is, what music has kept you going when the going is hard? All suggestions welcome

After the neighbors wake up I will be grabbing a PBass and need to play loud today.

Sorry that you are having a rough time, I hope tomorrow some sunshine comes to you and yours one way or another.
After reading through nine pages of this thread, it is obvious that music instantly makes us all feel things.
At my age of 61 years, sometimes music from when I was a young man makes me feel my mortality and wish I could turn back the clock, a strange stab in my chest feeling.
There is lots of music that I always welcome hearing, and some that makes me sad.
Religion does nothing at all for me, I wish that I could believe tales of an after-life, it would make things simple and easy.
You mention your wife...that is who has kept me alive, having people (and dogs) in my life who love me, and having family and friends who want my love.
You are lucky to have a partner you can ask what music today, and your Dad was lucky to have a son who loves him.

 

[Joe Nerve]

First, sorry about your dad. I went through that... 2 years ago in May.

Regarding the music that's kept me alive, Kiss Alive (early teens), Tales From Topographic Oceans (early 20s), Blood Sugar Sex Magic (adult years)... those were probably the 3 most powerful, in that order.

I picked Aerosmith Rocks (the first album I stole from my sister when I was a kid)
.

This reminded me of my brother's record collection (Rocks was in there). We both loved Alice Coopers Billion Dollar Babies. He pissed me off once, and I took a knife to the B side. I didn't like anything on that side. Loved everything on the other side though.

Fun times !!!

 

[Auspuff]

So I'm horribly depressed - my father died, we were supposed to scatter ashes on the ocean today but weather is bad, it's my birthday and he's not here, etc.

So I need music today.

I asked my wife, 'Slayer or ambient music'? (I haven't finished my coffee yet)

I picked Aerosmith Rocks (the first album I stole from my sister when I was a kid)

It worked, it rocks, full volume with Beats headphones, it rocks today.

My question is, what music has kept you going when the going is hard? All suggestions welcome

After the neighbors wake up I will be grabbing a PBass and need to play loud today.

Condolences, on your father.

My wife passed in 2017, and this got me through, after stepping away from music, completely, in 1986.

God Bless.

 

[brocket]

"For the Birds" by The Frames. A song asks "What Happens When the Heart Just Stops"? "The blood flows to a crawl and stops." But then- "in time it will subside... I'll work it out in time... I worked myself up to a crawl..." I don't know the circumstance that song was written in, but at least for me I find an undercurrent of hope running through the song, the album, and really, all of The Frames and Glen Hansard's records. Maybe the next step I need to take is going to be painful and difficult, but I at least get to take the step, and maybe the one after it won't be quite so hard.

 

[Mike Whitfield]

Sorry for your pain, OP. I've had a blessed life and never had that level of need for music, but listening to the music of Robert Randolph and the Family Band always makes me feel better. Playing, it would have to be blues; basically "I feel sad, but this is a normal part of life for everyone and I'll get by". Or the Grateful Dead, for playing or listening; they have tons of sad songs which aren't maudlin.

 

[9c1ny]

Thinking about it a little more an album that has been in my rotation most of my adult life and fits every mood

Pink Floyd - Animals

 

[Ed Byrnes]

I had to do more than just "Like" this. It is indeed an experience to focus on this song from beginning to end. I don't think I can think of a better description than what Ed used; It will wring you dry.

Thanks Tim...

 

[bearhart74]

"For the Birds" by The Frames. A song asks "What Happens When the Heart Just Stops"? "The blood flows to a crawl and stops." But then- "in time it will subside... I'll work it out in time... I worked myself up to a crawl..." I don't know the circumstance that song was written in, but at least for me I find an undercurrent of hope running through the song, the album, and really, all of The Frames and Glen Hansard's records. Maybe the next step I need to take is going to be painful and difficult, but I at least get to take the step, and maybe the one after it won't be quite so hard.

Glen writes songs that run the gamut of what it means to be human. His songs can be vicious and delicate, mournful and joyous at the same time. I don't think hes written a bad song yet. Something about being Irish...I would put him in the pantheon of astoundingly great songwriters of our time.

 

[JRA]

i know that you are proud to be the son of a kind, life-affirming, gentle man and that you must certainly bear some of that endowment with honor. continuing on without his physical presence might require some strong legs and some wise steps --- it's the toughest stuff to lose a loved one --- but it sounds like he may have helped you prepare for the journey. be safe!

what music has kept you going when the going is hard?

for me it's not listening to the music so much: it's always the playing of it that keeps me going through rough times. that said: my father turned me on to this piece --- he loved its beautiful melody...so i'll dedicate this to your father, and to you. it's not rock, or jazz, or pop...it's just pretty....and peaceful:

 

[StyleOverShow]

On the road in the mid 70's. Had gone from RnR dance bands, to traveling lounge acts to Vegas-Reno-Tahoe circuit and back to Lodi, again. I traveled in a Ford Van with my SVT 810 and my Precision, had a small cot I could roll out. I was trying to make sense out this art/biz thing. Had a Sears Silvertone portable record player and a handful of albums. Tony Williams Lifetime saved my life, and this album etched into my lonely but full life.

 

[Bass Thunder]

i know that you are proud to be the son of a kind, life-affirming, gentle man and that you must certainly bear some of that endowment with honor.

Thank you for that. You are a statesman and a gentleman. I am proud and have always considered myself fortunate for the family I have.
Through this whole experience I've had 'normal' levels of sadness, but Sunday just kicked my butt. Never experienced anything like it. I needed to numb my brain with music (both listening and playing). I didn't want to even think about what, so I asked for help and suggestions.

The responses from everyone far exceeded any expectations. I've learned a lot in a short period of time. Music is created by people with all kinds of experiences, and listened to by other people with other experiences, and the combo creates a new synergy that is amazing. I now have a great playlist to enjoy.

So what would Dave do? He would pause, take a deep breath, and carry on strong for his family. And that's where we're at today.

 

[Mike Whitfield]

Thank you for that. You are a statesman and a gentleman. I am proud and have always considered myself fortunate for the family I have.
Through this whole experience I've had 'normal' levels of sadness, but Sunday just kicked my butt. Never experienced anything like it. I needed to numb my brain with music (both listening and playing). I didn't want to even think about what, so I asked for help and suggestions.

The responses from everyone far exceeded any expectations. I've learned a lot in a short period of time. Music is created by people with all kinds of experiences, and listened to by other people with other experiences, and the combo creates a new synergy that is amazing. I now have a great playlist to enjoy.

So what would Dave do? He would pause, take a deep breath, and carry on strong for his family. And that's where we're at today.

Well said sir. You make your father proud.

 

[JRA]

So what would Dave do? He would pause, take a deep breath, and carry on strong for his family. And that's where we're at today.

 

[The Owl]

The Who - Who's Next
Helped me survive being 13 years old.

 

[mongo2]

When I feel lousy I prefer classical such as Chopin, Mozart, Bach, Shubert, Strauss and others. Lately Blue Danube and Ave Maria have rolling around in my head.

Best wishes for better days.