About this Playlist
Noah Kahan’s music often explores themes of mental health. He directly sings about topics covering grief, substance abuse, going to therapy, and taking antidepressants.
Each of these songs are helping lessen the stigma around receiving help for mental health disorders. His honest lyrics and soulful melodies provide a comforting and relatable soundtrack for those navigating life’s challenges. It’s only one of the many reasons why he’s one of my favorite artists. You can see through his songwriting how much it means to him that his songs help other people.
This playlist features some of Kahan’s most poignant tracks that delve into the complexities of the human experience, offering solace and inspiration to those who listen.
A couple of my favorite songs on this list:
Busyhead
Starting with his debut album and track “Busyhead ”. As the title of the name suggests this song speaks towards the challenges of anxiety and feeling overwhelmed. The lyrics capture the experience of having a “busy head” – a mind racing with intrusive thoughts and worries which I think a lot of people can also relate to.
Growing Sideways
It feels like you’re in a therapy session alongside Noah when you listen to this one. The underlying tone and anger expressed about pain and trauma here doesn’t have to be loud to be communicated. Anyone listening to this can pick up on the emotions he’s expressing as he opens up about his own struggles. I still get emotional every time I hear it now. Much like Noah’s other music, it’s raw and real and it’s hard not to connect with him. Just the powerful lyrics are enough to send strong messages about mental health.
Pain is Cold Water
“Pain’s like cold water your brain just gets used to it”.
This song isn’t even fully released yet, but the second I heard it I knew it was going to be one of my favorites. Again, it’s all about the lyrics here.
Listen to:
Mess – If you haven’t gotten everything figured out yet
Catastrophize & A Troubled Mind– If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety
Carlo’s Song – If you’ve ever lost anyone close to you
Cynic & Call Your Mom – If you’ve ever struggled with depression
Orange Juice – If you’ve ever struggled with substance abuse
The View Between Villages & Pain is Cold Water – If you’ve ever felt alone
Noah Kahan (Pronounced Con) is a singer and songwriter from Vermont. Over the years, he’s been very open about his own experiences with mental health issues. He’s been recognized for his songwriting that is inspired by his own life experiences of growing up in a small town on the east coast. Noah released his first full length album, “Busyhead” in 2019 and his latest release is his third album, “Stick Season” in 2022. Through his music and advocacy work, Noah Kahan continues to be a powerful voice in the conversation around mental health.
Track Listing
- Busyhead – Noah Kahan
- Mess – Noah Kahan
- Cynic – Noah Kahan
- Save Me – Noah Kahan
- Hurt Somebody – Noah Kahan
- Sink – Noah Kahan
- Carlo’s Song – Noah Kahan
- Catastrophize – Noah Kahan
- Glue Myself Shut – Noah Kahan
- A Troubled Mind – Noah Kahan
- Howling – Noah Kahan
- Bury Me – Noah Kahan
- The View Between Villages – Noah Kahan
- Growing Sideways – Noah Kahan
- Orange Juice – Noah Kahan
- Call Your Mom – Noah Kahan
- Your Needs, My Needs – Noah Kahan
- No Complaints – Noah Kahan
- Forever – Noah Kahan
- Pain Is Cold Water (Live From Fenway Park) – Noah Kahan
Playlist Image von Masaaki Komori auf Unsplash
