Bask in Comfort: 5 Songs For Healing

DECEMBER is the perfect time to wrap up this year’s activities — from work, school, to the emotions we’ve dealt with in the past 11 months.

The surge of COVID-19 cases, perennial issues like poverty, unemployment, and other social and personal problems, made many Filipinos’ lives challenging and stressful.

As calendar pages approach the end of 2022, here are five healing songs that will help give you relief from the worries you’ve acquired this year.

Innocent by Taylor Swift

Minds change like the weather

I hope you remember

Today is never too late to be brand new

Taylor Swift is well-known for her angsty break up songs and romantic music. But her melodies could also be a great source of reassurance for those struggling with past mistakes.

The song Innocent by the 11-time Grammy winner is a gentle pop ballad filled with soft, encouraging words for people haunted by their transgressions.

In the song, Swift assures listeners that despite their flaws, their “stream of light is still bright” to her. Innocent also emphasizes that a person’s faults are not their identity. 

Secrets from a Girl (Who’s Seen it All) by Lorde

Your dreams and inner visions, all your mystical ambitions

They won’t let you down

Do your best to trust all the rays of light

In 2021, New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde released her third studio album “Solar Power.” Included in the album is the singer’s Secrets from a Girl (Who’s Seen it All), which is her most healing and cathartic song, according to fans.

In the song, Lorde talks to her 15-year-old self as she narrates the lessons she learned while growing up and when she went away from the public eye.

The song is about forgiving oneself for all previous mistakes. It also reminds listeners to not beat themselves up and that everything’s going to be fine.

Lorde imparts an important lesson to her fans: to always believe in their dreams because they surely won’t let them down.

Darling by Halsey

Until it’s time to see the light

I’ll make my own with you each night

The song Darling by Halsey is the seventh track in the American singer-songwriter’s 2021 album “If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power.”

Although the song was originally made as a lullaby for Halsey’s son, it could be for anyone who desires comfort and peace after a turbulent year.

In Darling, the pop superstar tells listeners that there will be days when they would feel powerless, hopeless, and suffocated with emotions. However, they shouldn’t worry because one day, they will be able to get out of the tunnel and see the light.

HOLO by Lee Hi

Whether being alone or together

The loneliness feels the same

One day it will stop

Released in 2020 after Korean singer Lee Hi’s long hiatus, HOLO is a reassuring reminder that while loneliness can be overwhelming and sometimes seems endless, this is bound to come to an end in its own timeline. 

Lee Hi also validates her listeners’ worth as she sings the lyrics: “I’m too precious to just sit around and worry.” 

Aside from themes like comfort and self-love, the song also tackles the troubles that one may encounter in dealing with mental well-being. HOLO’s warm and encouraging melody reminds listeners to push forward, persevere, and never let their struggles defeat them.

After all, everyone deserves to keep going on their lifelong expeditions.

1-800-273-8255 by Logic ft. Alessia Cara and Khalid

The lane I travel feels alone

But I’m moving ’til my legs give out

The song 1-800-273-8255 acquired its title from the number of the National Suicide Prevention lifeline in the US. 

Released in 2017, the song is said to be showing the perspective of a suicidal person calling the hotline. American rapper Logic devised this song to create a notable impact on people so that they could continue living and overcoming whatever hardship they might face.

1-800-273-8255 is a reminder that even at a person’s lowest point, someone will be there to save them from despair.