Society does a poor job of dealing with grief, particularly in western European culture - it seems as if we're happier to just tuck it away, not deal with it - to keep it hidden and put on the brave face. But we all know that's a shitty way to cope with it, why wouldn't we want help?
If there's one core mission or raison d'être behind the music to grieve to playlist, it is to raise awareness of grief within society. If we can start conversations about grief and how we tackle it, if we can help grieving people by letting them know that listening to sad music can actually make them feel good, if we can raise the visibility of professionals who work in this space and let people know that they have options and that they don't have to do this alone - then we'll be quietly stoked.
I am fortunate enough not to know anyone who has taken their own life - I have on occasions been so depressed that I've considered it myself - but that was long ago. The grief of losing someone you love is bad enough - this whole playlist, in fact the entire Music to community was jump started by own grief after my Father's death in 2015, and he had lived a full and amazing life. I know parents who have lost their children and children who have lost their parents through early and untimely deaths - the grief looks just horrific and yet - nothing seems as insidious as the grief that goes with suicide.
This week's track was recommended by Sharon Ehlers - a professional grief counselor who works with survivors of suicide. As she succinctly puts it as to why this track: "Love the lyrics." It's a tough track this week - thank you Sharon for what you do.
Sharon Ehlers is an award winning author, Certified Grief Recovery Specialist and Reiki Master. She is the author of “Grief Reiki - An Integrated Approach to the Emotional, Physical and Spiritual Components of Grief and Loss.” She is the co-author of “Grief Diaries: Surviving Loss by Suicide.” Sharon helps others to heal and recover from grief by providing them with a safe, compassionate and healing environment for their journey.
You can learn more about Sharon and Grief Reiki here:
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About the Curator - Andrew McCluskey
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the dark forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top. They would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
After my dad died I was very sad - I couldn't play for a while and when I did, the music that came out reflected my grieving state. I wrote an album of solo piano music called Music to Grieve to - from which the idea of the Music to community originated.
If you'd like to know more you should read Nicole's fabulous article on why listening to sad music can make you feel better.
Latest Posts
Don’t Give Up – Peter Gabriel
24 September 2022
What’s the point? You ever find yourself asking that? The point of this playlist is to bring succor to people who are grieving. That’s it. We listen to and feature songs that we hope people can resonate with and perhaps elicit a cathartic release – at the very least – to help them feel less alone…
Strange Beauty – First Aid Kit
18 September 2022
It’s still September. We’re still talking about Suicide. We’re doing this because the experts tell us that the more we talk about it – the more we bring it into the open – the less likely it is that people will go through with it. And yet – people still do…
Open Letter – Mr. Phelps
11 September 2022
Yep – if you didn’t know – September is Suicide Awareness Month – it’s also National Suicide Prevention Month and in fact right now – between the 8th and the 14th – it’s actually National Suicide Prevention Week. If you are in any doubt as to the impact suicide has on society – spend a minute here: Suicide Statistics – the rate inches up every year – and as a middle aged white male – well – I’m slap bang in the highest risk group…
Andrew McCluskey
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the Dark Forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top, they would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
As a psychology graduate I studied how sound affects human performance.
As a musician I compose instrumental music that stimulates your brain but doesn't mess with your language centers, leaving you free to be creative and brilliant without distraction.
As a curator I research how music can improve your life and create flow - I can tell you what music to listen to when studying for a test and why listening to sad music can make you feel better.
As a creator / contributor at musicto I’m part of a global creator community that collaborates through music. You can learn more about our community here.