Solace in Music
Two weeks ago, I began to feel the initial impact of the Coronavirus pandemic when the Cothran Center’s annual FOCUS program to Northern Ireland was canceled two days before we were supposed to depart. As I grieved for the loss of that experience for so many people, including myself, I found solace in music. The morning we were supposed to leave for our trip, I was listening to Sara Bareilles and John Legend belt out their soul-crushing ballad, “A Safe Place to Land,” when my husband asked me, “Are you going to be listening to sad songs for a while?” “Absolutely,” was my reply.
This wasn’t the first time that I sought comfort in music, nor will it be the last; however, my melancholic musical selections have definitely evolved throughout my lifetime. As a child, I was drawn to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” because it was the lullaby that my mom used to sing to me. As a teenager in the 1980’s, I am a bit embarrassed to admit that it was Poison’s “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.” As a young adult, it was The Pretender’s “I’ll Stand By You.” Finally, over the past few years it has been anything by Ben Rector, with “When a Heart Breaks” towards the top of the list.
I could name so many other songs that have come and gone as favorites of mine over the years, but there is one particular song that has stayed consistent over time… it’s like a lifelong best friend who comes to my rescue every time I need her with an encouraging reminder and calming effect. Yes, Paul McCartney wrote a good one in 1970 after the death of his mother, Mary, and I don’t think that I will ever tire of his message to “Let it Be.” Since I’ve been self-quarantined and have more free time these days, yesterday I taught myself to play this on my son’s ukulele and have chosen to share it with you here: https://tinyurl.com/se74h8g. It may not be a perfect rendition, but I do hope it makes you smile and that the sentiment still comes across.
So, what songs are speaking to you during these stressful and trying times? I recently asked a group of Furman students this question and I have included their responses below. Please let me know if I can add yours to the list. May these suggested songs or others help alleviate some of your sadness and anxiety and remind you that you are not alone.
| Student/Class | Song/Artist |
|---|---|
| Michaela Aboutanos (’21) | Seasons, Greyson Chance |
| Katie Brown (’20) | Vienna, Billy Joel This Eve of Parting, John Hartford In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning, Frank Sinatra |
| Davis Cousar (’20) | Lets Be Still, Head and the Heart Pretty Shining People, George Ezra From Eden, Hozier |
| Katie Crockford (’21) | Be Thou My Vision, Nathan Pacheco Bridge Over Troubled Water, Josh Groban Found/Tonight, Ben Platt and Lin-Manuel |
| Miranda Jadon Elkins (’22) | Happiness, NEEDTOBREATHE |
| William Flanagan (’21) | Keep Your Head Up, Andy Grammer Here Comes the Sun, Beatles In Control, Hillsong Worship |
| Sarah Huemmer (’21) | Sunday Best, Surfaces Oceans, Hillsong United |
| Zach Hughes (’20) | Leave What’s Heavy, Birdtalker Yummy, Justin Bieber (Thanks, Rachel!) Use Me, Bill Withers |
| Carson Kirby (’22) | Everything Works Out in the End, Kodaline Heal, Tom Odell You are Enough, Sleeping at Last |
| Julia Lewis (’20) | Surrounded, UPPERROOM |
| Libby Mackow (’20) | The Bones, Maren Morris Lover, Taylor Swift Memories, Maroon 5 |
| Kristin Nauman (’22) | Gravity, Sara Bareilles The Heart of Life, John Mayer I Was Here, Beyoncé |
| Renee Neves (’21) | Rise Up, Andra Day Slow Burn, Kacey Musgraves Make You Feel My Love, Adele |
| Morgen Smith (’22) | Even Here, JJ Heller God is Still Here, JJ Heller Braver Still, JJ Heller |
| Carson Staples (’21) | May You Be Well, The Lone Bellow These Hard Times, NEEDTOBREATHE Wild World, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors |
| Eli Titherington (’22) | Rescue, Lauren Daigle |
| Jesse Tompkins (’20) | Blowin’ in the Wind, Peter, Paul, and Mary |
What songs are speaking to you during these stressful and trying times? Email Rolyn Rollins to add your songs to the list.