Cryin’ time

I’ve been feeling quite down for these last few weeks, finding it difficult to both concentrate and write anything for the blog. What’s interesting about these “down times” is that I fall into a predictable pattern when it comes to my music. I always go for certain songs, or rather, certain types of songs. These songs work like therapy.

According to Martina McBride, “Life is a roller-coaster ride”, and while I’m descending (or sometimes plunging) into the depths of the darker side of life, my music tends to be insanely sunny. When I’m riding along the rails at rock-bottom depths, my listening habits usually takes a turn to the far more depressing depths of the musical pool, with songs like Dolly Parton’s “Not For Me” and Loretta’s “Miss Being Mrs.” in constant rotation. As the trolley starts its uphill climb once more, the mood of my music shifts to more of a mildly positive mood.  Faith Hill’s “A Room In My Heart” and Chely Wright’s “Deep Down Low” are two favorites of mine.

I think this is very interesting, because my mind seems to be seeking out its own therapy during the hard times.  For instance, I believe I listen to sunny music as I’m about to go into a slight depression as an attempt to counter balance my darkening feelings. Listening to very depressing music is sort of uplifting during the most depressing times, because I find it comforting to know that “there’s someone worse off than me”, however cruel that might seem.

Now, I might be over-analyzing (and coming across as very bipolar), but these habits seem pretty natural to me, and I do believe that music helps me through sad times. That’s why I sometimes pity those who don’t listen to music much.

What are some of your musical habits when feeling “down”?

Listen to “Not For Me”, “Deep Down Low”, “Sunny Day”, and “Down”.