I feel all, "Oh mom, do I have to?", about this. I love music. LOVE. I couldn't tell you most artists I like, or the songs I like, but I hear it on the radio, or Pandora, or a car driving by, and it slides me into a mood. A song makes me happy, mellows me out, gets me pumped, allows me to be sad, gives me hope and reminds me that I am not alone.
As for "tough ass days", I've had a few, and I latch onto a band. I listen to the album, I replay a song over and over. I pour all my ugly feelings and misery into the rhythm, the lyrics become my mantra. Then I start to feel better. Then I find a happy band or a happy song, and I move on. A few months, years or decades later I hear the song and that melancholy washes over me again.
I tend not to look back. Who wants to experience old depression when there is fresh new depression to enjoy?
Songs that strike a cord with me are bittersweet. They recognize the sadness but hope for a better tomorrow. They are honest about the ugly in us all, but don't assume it will be our ruination. I grew up southern baptist, that probably has a great deal to do with it.
To this day, my favorite song of all time is Amazing Grace. It makes me ache, lifts me up and makes me feel all clean inside. One of the best moments in violin was when I learned to play this song. Badly. Oh well. Here. Listen to this version. 'Cause nothing sells a white slave owners song written to a african sorrow chant like an Asian guy who sounds like a blonde chick. Enjoy.
p.s. I truly did try to find a perfect version to post, but they are all so chock full of vibrato and silliness, nothing like the pure melody that i hear in my head.
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