Firstly, it’s important to acknowledge that being a human being can be like an emotional rollercoaster ride. You’re navigating your way through the ups and downs of life dealing with all sorts of challenges.
Music can be a fantastic tool for processing these emotions and achieving a sense of catharsis (It’s like a cleansing or purging of intense feelings, providing a sense of emotional relief or purification). Whether you’re screaming along to some heavy metal or crying your eyes out to a power ballad, there’s a genre out there for everyone. Music is proven to be a healthier coping mechanism that leads to the acceptance of our emotions as opposed to harmful behaviour.
Feeling angry? Try some rock. The fast-paced, high-energy music is perfect for releasing pent-up frustration. Bonus points if you can jump around your room. Also, research has shown the calming sounds of nature or the piano, and string instruments are very effective in helping you to relax.
Feeling sad? Cue the emo tunes (“The 25 best Emo songs of all time” Variety.com). There’s something about those melancholy lyrics and minor chords that just hits you right in the feels. Put on your black eyeliner and let those tears flow. (“The therapeutic value of emo music” Artefact magazine)
Feeling in love? Time for some sappy pop ballads. You know the ones – the kind of songs that make you want to slow dance in the rain with your crush. Sing along at the top of your lungs and imagine yourself in a movie montage. (“16 best songs about new love and falling for someone” Zinginstruments.com)
Feeling Happy ? Upbeat and cheerful music with a fast tempo and major key tonality:
“Happy” by Pharrell Williams
“Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin
“I Got You (I Feel Good)” by James Brown.
Felling Excitement? – High-energy music with a fast tempo and a catchy beat:
“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor.
“Jump” by Van Halen
“Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars.
Feeling Nostalgia? – Slow and sentimental music that evokes feelings of longing and reminiscence:
“Yesterday Once More” by The Carpenters
“Summer of ’69” by Bryan Adams
“The Way We Were” by Barbra Streisand. We are showing our age, right? Nothing wrong for us sharing vintage songs in the nostalgia department. Having said that, you can get more age-appropriate inspiration in BuzzFeed “25 Songs that’ll make you super nostalgic if you are 50% Millennial and 50% Gen Z”
Felling Worry?- Choose songs with lyrics that convey positive and uplifting messages and/or with simple melodies which can be easier for the mind to process and can contribute to a sense of tranquillity:
“What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
“Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac
Of course, these are just some suggestions and different people may associate different emotions with certain types of music. Additionally, the cultural background and personal experiences of the listener can also influence how they interpret and respond to music. Remember, music is a subjective experience and the songs that resonate with you may be different from those on this list. Use these suggestions as a starting point and experiment to find the music that works best for you. The Planet-yo team would like to hear from all of you, please share your go to music from the different emotions we are mentioning in this article. We love learning from you!
So, there you have it, lovely ones. The power of music in a nutshell. Just remember – no matter what you’re feeling, there’s a song out there that can help you process it. So go ahead – it’s time to let it all out!
