5 Songs For Troubling Times

Some days -- or weeks -- I’m afraid to look at my CNN alerts. This has been one of those weeks.

A suicide bombing specifically targeted young women and girls in a tragic attack in Manchester, England.

The sitting U.S. President appears to have colluded with Russia during his campaign for the highest office.

The proposed 2018 U.S. budget includes major cuts to food stamps, public schools, and plans to end the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program.

Richard Collins III, a 23-year old student at the University of Maryland, was murdered on Saturday while waiting for an Uber -- entirely because of the color of his skin.

It’s times like these that words often escape me. I’m so angry or sad, that words haven’t quite caught up. It’s in these moments that I retreat to music. For me, music acts as an intermediary between my not-quite-processed feelings and my words. It starts the healing before I’m conscious of it.

Over the past seven months, I’ve leaned more heavily on music.

Here are five of my go-to songs for distressing times.

#1 Cranes in the Sky - Solange

During a transitional time in her life, prior to the release of A Seat At The Table, Solange described feeling restless. “There were times that I felt like, well, I’m doing what I love to do, what I’ve always wanted to why do things still feel so heavy? What is this weighing on me, what is this that I’m trying to work through? . . . I’ve had a extremely difficult relationship with meditating and trying to silence my brain, which is what so much of this song is about.”

P.S. Solange breaks down the making of “Cranes in the Sky” on one of my favorite podcasts, Song Exploder.

”Like this? Check out “Mad."

#2 Stand Back - Stevie Nicks

Stevie Nicks wrote this song on her wedding day, after hearing “Little Red Corvette” by Prince. After informing him that he inspired the song, Prince showed up her studio, "walked over to the synthesizers that were set up, was absolutely brilliant for about 25 minutes and then left.” To this day, Nicks says this song “belongs” to Prince.

Also, someone tell me “Stand Back” inspired “Dancing on my Own” by Robyn. They sound like sister-songs!

Like this? Check out "Crystal."

#3 Back to Black - Amy Winehouse

This is hands-down the best song off Amy Winehouse’s last album. Adele said this about Winehouse: "Because of her, I picked up a guitar, and because of her, I write my own songs. The songs that I got signed with are the songs I wrote completely on my own. If it wasn’t for her, that wouldn’t have happened. I owe 90 percent of my career to her.” Amy was a musical genius.

Like this? Check out "Tears Dry On Their Own."

#4 Love Drought - Beyonce

It’s no coincidence that the Knowles sisters appear twice on this list. Their latest albums touched souls. My weary heart can beat again when I turn on Lemonade or A Seat At The Table. So, what better song to include on this list than a stunning ballad by Bey about enduring love, forgiveness, and reconciliation? Like this? Check out “Sandcastles."

#5 No One Is Lost - Stars

For the last decade, Stars has been my go-to band when I’m feeling distressed. Their last album, “No One Is Lost” is contemplative, but optimistic. Written just after a close friend was diagnosed with cancer, the quirky band dove head-first into themes of life, death, hope, loss, pain and pleasure.

”Like this? Check out “From The Night."

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Brittany Kilpatrick is an attorney and co-founder of Bonded Magazine. She likes carbs, reading, pondering the intricacies of Donald Trump's spray tan, Beyoncé, Thesaurus.com, musicals, fully replacing her daily water intake with La Croix, and her dog, Tucker.

You can find her on Facebook or Instagram: @brittany.kilpatrick or on Bonded social media: @bondedmag. Email here here: brittany@bondedmagazine.com.