It’s another one of those tracks that’s been burrowing under my brain for the last 9 months and finally everything resonates and it makes sense in terms of the list. And that’s the beauty of creating a playlist called music to Grieve To, as there’s so many ways to look at grief.
Over the years I’ve typically taken a track where we follow along and experience the singer’s story – whether it be heartbreak, loss, depression – the song is sung in the 1st person and we identify with it.
And yet there have been a number of tracks that look at it from the spouse’s perspective – Rose Gray’s Blue is a great example of this – when it comes to relationships, grief is a two way street. When we’re not dealing with death or loss – when we’re dealing with everyday life and the social, economic & racial challenges that are so prevalent – it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
For the teenage girl who’s duck face doesn’t cut it on Instagram or the thirty year old executive who can’t quite afford the Birkin bag, the pressure to fit in is huge. As society breaks down and shakes down and value is measured in numbers of likes the, data is clear – depression is up, suicide is up, debt is up – if someone you love is succumbing to this – it’s hard not to grieve fro them.
Which is why this track is making its way to the top of the list this week. Beautifully constructed, it’s the hook that’s been living in my head since the beginning of the year:
“Don’t Be So Insecure, you everything and more.
You shine so bright, I know that everything will be alright. “
It’s something that can’t be said to you by a stranger – by someone who doesn’t know you. It can only be said by someone who sees you for what you are and what you can be: a mother, a father, a sister or brother, a close friend, counselor, husband, wife or even child – it has to be said by someone who loves you.
The story that Max paints as he raps will be familiar to many – no matter what background you come from – but it’s how Maria sells the hook that drives the track home. If you know someone who is suffering, who’s struggling to keep it together, send them this track – if you’re coming from a place of love – it might just be the thing they need.