Sometimes in life you go through times that most people will reference as a “rough patch” in their life. During these times most people feel sad, stressed, helpless, etc. Depending on the person and circumstances these can last from a couple of days to even years for some people. Although, it’s a cliché saying IT WILL GET BETTER… eventually. The universe (god/allayour choice of religious being) works in weird ways. Till it does get better, here are some songs that have helped me get through some rough patches.
.1) After The Storm by Kali Uchis featuring Tyler The Creator
This track is from singer Kali Uchis’ debut album isolation. The song is a very catchy, upbeat, chill song. In the track Uchis begins the first verse by wondering what someone is doing and how they are. In an interview with Genius she states “I wrote this song… for the people in my life that I can’t be with and vice versa… we are born alone and we die alone.” She gets into the reality that some of us don’t wanna face, although having a good support system can be vital for good mental health and life, at the end of the day you don’t have anybody but yourself. She further goes into depth with this in the pre-chorus when she sings, “So if you need a hero, just look in the mirror. No one’s going to save you now, So you better save yourself… But you can’t just give up now, cause you gotta save yourself.” I like these lyrics because she tells the listener “hey you are your own savior, you got this you CAN get through this.” The messages behind the whole song are very good and it’s a great song that help up lift you. Especially at the end when she sings “Someday we’ll find love, ‘cause after the storm is when the flowers bloom.” This is a great way to end a song because it gives the listeners hope. Yes, it is hard right now, but when this is all over is when you your brightness and resilience will be shown the most. https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/after-the-storm-feat-tyler-the-creator-bootsy-collins/1358285249?i=1358286224
.2) I Won’t by Little Mix
This track is from Little Mix’s third album Get Weird. The song is has an upbeat tempo that is kept throughout the song that keeps you hooked. I’m going to be honest, I would usually skip this song, but once I had just finished crying (lol) and was listening to music and didn’t wanna change the song so I listened to it and wow. I had been sleeping on this song. It’s a great song especially when you’re sad. The lyrics are with the instrumentals combined make it a great song to listen when you’re feeling down. Some lyrics that stand out the most to me is in the chorus when they all sing “…’cause I know that nothing good comes easy, if it did I would not be me.” I LOVE these lyrics because it helps the listener remember all the struggles that you go through are unknowingly shaping you and because these issues you are the way that you are. Moreover, other lyrics I like as well are in the second verse when they sing “I got my heart, my head up high, I will be strong, I will survive, Cause all of the hurt will wash away with the rain. And all that we’ve learned will be enough to shine again.” I like these lyrics because they’re so positive. It again tells the listener, it is going to be better. Another part of the song I like is the bridge of this song. This part of the song begins with it being more quite and having them sing as if they were singing with a choir and they are clapping and then it intensifies when they add a marching band drum. Add the feel good lyrics and you have a great bridge that gets you pumped and takes you to church. This explanation does not give the song all the justice it deserve. PLEASE listen to this. If you ever feel down just listen to this song and you will soon forget why you felt that way. https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-wont/1016217381?i=1016217561
.3) Get Free by Lana Del Rey
This track is from Lana Del Rey’s fourth studio album Lust for Life. This song has a more calmer vibe to it compared to the other two previous tracks I talked about. In this song Del Rey starts off by singing “Finally I crossed the threshold from the real world, to the reveal of my heart. Undoubtedly, that will for certain, take the dead out of the sea and the darkness from the arts.” I like these lyrics because they show how she had moved passed the problems that were facing her and she has found something that makes her happy, so happy that it will change the world in a divine way. Del Rey continues to talk about having finally realized instead of having to live in the darkness (black) she decides to live in a more happier state of being (blue). The song has a such dreamy, nostalgic aura about it from the guitar riffs of the beginning to the sounds of the birds and waves at the end. It captures you and whisks you away to a place where it’s just you and your brain and you knowing you will be okay. This is a great song not only to help you get through a hard time, but also to cry to. Like that one last good cry you have right before you bounce back. https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/get-free/1256684768?i=1256685429
.4) Brother by Mac DeMarco
This track is from Mac DeMarco’s second album Salad Days. Continuing with more mellow tempo and chill demeanor DeMarco’s song is call out to those who maybe for some reason got a job that they disliked and maybe stopped following their dreams. In his song he sings “You’re no better off, living your life and dreaming at night. This much is true, but it’s still up to you to take my advice.” He is telling someone (maybe the listener?) that there is no point of live you’re life one way and dream about another way of living. He continues by saying “Take it slowly brother. Let it go now.” He try’s telling the person to just be calm and take a chill pill and relax. There is no need to hurry yourself. Moreover he then sings “You’re better off dead, when your mind’s been set from nine until five, How could it be true, well it’s happened to you, so take my advice.” He is stating that when you conform your self to society’s standards and you don’t live your true self you might as well be dead because you are not living the life that you want to live. I think this is a good song to listen to when you aren’t feeling in the most positive mood because it tells you “hey, calm down, relax, life isn’t that serious, follow your dreams you still have your whole life ahead of you.” https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/brother/799685692?i=799685695
.5) Can’t Take That Away (Mariah’s Theme) by Mariah Carey
To close off, I wanted to add this track by songstress Mariah Carey. The song is from her 7th studio album Rainbow. This song has a very slow tempo, but just because of this reason it does not mean it is a sad song. On the contrary, this song is a ballad to yourself and showing yourself love. Carey start off the song by singing “They can say anything they want to say try to bring me down, But I will not allow Anyone to succeed, Hanging clouds over me. And they can try hard to make me feel that I Don’t matter at all.
But I refuse to falter In what I believe Or lose faith in my dreams” From the jump Carey is telling everyone she will not let anyone try to tear her down. She then continues by singing “See I I have learned There’s an inner peace I own, Something in my soul that they can not possess. So I won’t be afraid And the darkness will fade. ‘Cause there’s, There’s a light in me, That shines brightly. Yes they can try, But they can’t take that away from me.” I loved these lyrics because this is something everyone who is down on themselves can relate to. Although the world might be coming at you from all directions, you know that deep down inside of you there is a light in you that will help you get out of the situations you are in. And although not everyone’s light inside of them might be the brightest shining, you still have it in you, and with that you can help yourself get out of the darkness and prosper. This song is an overall tear jerker. You will probably cry when hearingthis song. Not tears of sadness but tears of joy. This song just hits sensitive chords in you, especially if you’re feeling very sad. https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/cant-take-that-away-mariahs-theme/171047440?i=171047883
I could honestly probably have written longer little articles about each song. I decided to just keep them kinda short because I want the reader (if anyone is reading this lol) to listen to the songs themselves. I know I missed A LOT of great lyrics and meanings, again check them out and see which ones I missed, you might even find some great lyrics you like that I did not mention. Heck, I know I even left out a bunch of great songs, but for my top 5 songs that help me get through rough patches, these are my go to songs. I will probably do a follow up of “5 More songs that will help you get through rough patches in your life” sometime in the foreseeable future.
J’s Journal 
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