I like Autumn Leader - I like this track - and while it’s a little more raw than the majority of the songs on this playlist - the lyric is undeniable. Followers of the list will be familiar with my particular disdain for platitudes and positive messages - inspirational quotes - in quotes - make me want to throw up - preferably on the person who posted them.
And yes - I know - that’s not very nice of me and that people are well meaning and all but - there’s this omnipresent idea that we shouldn’t look at or attempt to deal with grief - that we should just focus on the future and that it’ll be better and that the promise of a brighter tomorrow is all we need to feel good and get through the day.
I call bullshit. And so does Ms. Leader. Grief is shit. It feels like shit - the loss of something, someone doesn’t just go away - life is worse - there is a hole that can’t be filled and you just have to fucking deal with it. When you’re in it and someone comes along and tells you that this is all part of some plan and that you’ll be a better, stronger person as a result - one day - eventually… Here’s what Autumn Leader has to say about that:
“I know pain, grief and loss intimately, and the majority of songs that I write are on the themes of the struggles and sadnesses of this thing we do: life. This particular track is one of my favourites that I have written and recorded because it conveys how I feel about the phrase ‘That which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’. I have never found that any of the loss and pain that I have suffered has ever made me stronger; it’s only made things all the more difficult for me. Grief can’t be pushed aside and glossed over. I don’t want to hear that it’s a blessing in disguise or some lesson to be learned. That’s simply not what it is! What it is is an acute agony which lofty platitudes aren’t going to cure or make instantly better.”
Amen Sister!
Now - before we all go throwing ourselves off of cliffs - I’m not saying that time doesn’t heal. It’s been my experience that things to do get better - the intensity of grief subsides and the memories change - life does indeed go on and there are plenty of new experiences to enjoy - but am I better, stronger, more equipped to deal with life just because I went through a shitty experience? I don’t know - when I’m “up” maybe I can see that - but when I’m “down” it’s kinda hard - especially when - to quote the amazing Chris Cornell - “I’m down all the time…”
Follow us hereYou can learn more about Autumn Dawn Leader here:
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.