# What music/album/artist got you through the bad times? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 11, 2001, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156 "2001-07-11T23:53:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2001, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156/21 "2001-07-12T17:02:01Z")
For those really low, just-got-your-heart-ripped-to-shreds moments, The “God, I hate that girl I love” times… _Bubble and Scrape_ by **Sebadoh** and _Gentlemen_ by **The Afghan Whigs** are both tough to beat. ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2001, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156/22 "2001-07-12T17:03:17Z")
nice (almost same answer) simulpost, DaveX. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Opengrave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/919ad9/32.png) [@Opengrave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Opengrave)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2001, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156/23 "2001-07-12T17:19:51Z")
(server timed out - if it doubles sorry!) > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Badtz Maru \* > \*\*When I was depressed, I always liked listening to heavy depressing stuff like '80s Metallica, Ministry, and Slayer. It doesn’t cheer you up so much as intensify and focus your feelings to a point where it’s easier to think about your problems and accept them. Either ‘…And Justice for All’, ‘Psalm 69’, or ‘Seasons in the Abyss’ was in my CD player through most of the early '90s. \*\* This was exactly me although a bit older stuff - Judas Priest - Sad Wings of Destiny, Sin After Sin, and Stained Class, Iron Maiden’s Piece of Mind and Powerslave. Ozzy’s Diary and Blizzard. When my cat died it was Metallica’s Fade to Black and Pantera’s Cemetary Gates. (I get to see Morbid Angel, Slayer, and Pantera tomorrow night!) NP: **Arch Enemy** - _Burning Bridges_ ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2001, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156/24 "2001-07-12T17:27:10Z")
Rick Wakeman Early stuff – **Six Wives of Henry VIII** , **Journey to the Center of the Earth** , **The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table** , **Rick Wakeman’s Criminal Record** , **White Rock** ---
**Author:** ![Gregor\_Samsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@Gregor\_Samsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gregor_Samsa)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2001, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156/25 "2001-07-12T18:14:16Z")
I remember the first time I had my heart broken, I listened to the album _Flesh and Blood_ by **Roxy Music** over and over again. Nowadays, I find Big Band in general (and **Glenn Miller** in particular) really picks me up when I’m feeling sorry for myself. I get this mental picture of soldiers dancing with dolled-out dames, knowing that tomorrow they’re being sent off to their deaths. For some reason, that helps me to put things into perspective. ---
**Author:** ![seriousart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@seriousart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seriousart)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2001, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156/26 "2001-07-12T18:25:54Z")
Just remembered a couple more. Singer songwriter Mark Curry had an album called It’s Only Time that I used to play constantly. Had a lot of autobiographical moments in it for me. But unlike the other stuff I posted, this was more of a wallow-in-my-misery-kinda album. It was nice to know someone else was feeling as mopey as me. Anybody know his stuff? Never met anyone who did. He did the “Sorry About the Weather” song back in '92. And more recently, Ani Difranco’s “Untouchable Face” has some nice broken hearted bitterness to it. I played that one song like a hundred times one weekend, years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2001, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156/27 "2001-07-13T00:08:57Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Superdude \* > \*\* > So you wanted to take a break > Slow it down some > And have some space > Well, fuck you too > Give me my money back > Give me my money back, you bitch_\* _Song For the Dumped_. A great song, indeed. Hang, **Matchbox Twenty** Rest Stop, **Matchbox Twenty** If It’s Hurting You, **Robbie Williams** Lately, **Jodeci** How’s It Going To Be, **Third Eye Blind** Blame It On Me, **BNL** Liar, **Rollins Band** Does She Love That Man, **Breathe** Can You Stop The Rain, **Peabo Bryson** Dear Lie, **TLC** 6, 8, 12, **Brian McKnight** Among others. ---
**Author:** ![Hometownboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5e9695/32.png) [@Hometownboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hometownboy)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2001, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156/28 "2001-07-13T00:16:10Z")
**Don’t Forget Your Second Wind** by Billy Joel and **Jacob’s Ladder** by Huey Lewis and the News helped me through a depressing period when I managed to run through most of my money and assets while trying to be an insurance salesman. Luckily, a friend gave me a job in the newspaper business at an absolutely crucial time, and I’ve been there ever since. When my wife died, **The Dance** by Garth Brooks was tremendously healing. > [@](#): > > Looking back on the memory of > The dance we shared 'neath the stars alone > For a moment all the world was right > How could I have known that you’d ever say goodbye > > And now I’m glad I didn’t know > The way it all would end the way it all would go > Our lives are better left to chance I could have missed the pain > But I’d’ve had to miss the dance ---
**Author:** ![Odieman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a87d85/32.png) [@Odieman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odieman)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2001, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156/29 "2001-07-13T01:34:02Z")
\*\* Don’t Give Up\*\* by Peter Gabriel has gotten me through a number of difficult situations, especially the last verse :Don’t give up, 'cause you have friends Don’t give up, you’re not the only one Don’t give up, no reason to be ashamed Don’t give up, you still have us Don’t give up now, we’re proud of who you are Don’t give up, you know it’s never been easy Don’t give up, 'cause I believe there’s a place There’s a place where we belong ---
**Author:** ![Nacho4Sara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Nacho4Sara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nacho4Sara)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2001, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156/30 "2001-07-13T02:24:35Z")
The last two weeks have been a definite low point for me (ugh…I hate to even think about it.) The only thing that has pulled me through is Linkin Park, especially the song “In The End.” I’m not a metal fan, but I overheard some of their songs on the radio and bought the CD. Decent lyrics, incredible sound. [Pushing Me Away](http://www.linkinpark.com/lyrics/#12) helps dull the hurt: > [@](#): > > I’ve lied to you > The same way that I always do > This is the last smile > That I’ll fake for the sake of being with you > > The sacrifice of hiding in a lie > (Everything has to end, you’ll soon find we’re out of time left to watch it all unwind) > The sacrifice is never knowing > > Why I never walked away > Why I played myself this way > Now I see your testing me pushes me away Meshell Ndegeocello helps too, especially the “Bitter” album, and the song “You Made a Fool of Me”: > [@](#): > > I remember when you filled my heart with joy > Was I blind to the truth that was there to fill the space > 'cause now you have no interest in anything that I have to say > I’ve allowed you to make me feel…I feel so dumb. > What kind of fool am I that you so easily set me aside? > You made a fool of me > tell me why > you say that you don’t care > we made love > tell me why > you made a fool of me Ahh…sweet heartbreak. Let’s all hope someone better comes along before I join the convent. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2001, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156/31 "2001-07-13T14:10:42Z")
When I was a depressed it was Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon. Oh and I listened to on an **ALBUM** played on a **TURNTABLE!** When my wife left me and I was going through a bankruptcy I listened to a lot of classical music and opera. Now of course my first wife (hearafter refered to as **THE BITCH!** ) took some of my cd’s and so listening to music would sometimes set me off as I would search and search for a cd I knew I had but where could it be… oh **THE BITCH** must have taken so her new boyfriend could listen to it. But also I am disorganised and sometimes when I changed disks I would take the disk out of the player and just put in the case of the disk I was putting in. (this makes it really hard to find some things) So one time I was putting some music to cry to and suddenly a cd that I thought **THE BITCH!** had taken started to play. The Pretenders and what I heard was It is time for you to stop all of your sobbing It was a real turning point for me. ---
**Author:** ![Home\_of\_the\_Braves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Home\_of\_the\_Braves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Home_of_the_Braves)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2001, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156/32 "2001-07-13T15:01:05Z")
My roughest time was when my ex-fiance ended it by letter. Believe it or not, Alanis Morrisette’s \* Jagged Little Pill \* got me through. I honestly think that if I hadn’t sung those lyrics in my room as angrily as she sang them in the studio, I would have taken the anger out on myself (draw your own conclusions). As a side note, the ex and I have spoken and gotten everything resolved. We are now good friends. Matter of fact, I intend to invite him to my wedding in March, and I have been helping him deal with the end of a relationship. Weird, huh? ---
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2001, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156/33 "2001-07-13T15:58:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by seriousart \* > **Consequently I was one really depressed, insecure guy. To lift my spirits I would regularly play Henry Rollins’ “End Of The Silence” _loud_** Oh man. There was a period when I had _The End of Silence_ (sorry, nitpick) in my CD player, my car tape deck, and at work. That disc just echoed the way I felt so perfectly. Every track seemed like it was ripped right out of my mind. I couldn’t listen to “Just Like You” without having a total meltdown. Ahhh, those were the days. Other than that, my other choices featured a lot of Hank as well. “Gun in Mouth Blues” was always a fave. I also got into Ministry’s _In Case You Didn’t Feel Like Showing up_, NIN’s _Fixed_ and _The Downward Spiral_, and Bob Mould’s _Workbook_ and _Black Sheets of Rain_. ---
**Author:** ![lolagranola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ea5d25/32.png) [@lolagranola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lolagranola)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2001, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156/34 "2001-07-13T16:02:29Z")
It’s varied a lot, depending on my age and the problem. As a teenager, it was definitely **Never Surrender** by Corey Hart and **Things Can Only Get Better** by Howard Jones. This dates me, doesn’t it? Oh, and when I needed calm (often when I had a migraine) I’d play the entire **Black Celebration** lp by Depeche Mode. Since I’ve probably already embarrassed myself, I’ll plow on. During the time I realized I hated my ex (while we were still together), I used to listen to **How Can We Be Lovers If We Can’t Be Friends** , the only Michael Bolton song I could ever stomach, and only because the lyrics rang true to me. Around the time I was trying to figure out how to leave him, I used to pop a loonie in the jukebox at work and listen to **I’m Free** by Jon Secada and **From a Distance** by Bette Midler, the former lifting my spirits, and the latter calming me down. Just before I left, I listened to **The Jagged Door** by John Kilzer a lot. From the song: \*How many days has it been since I fell from grace Let me count the ways I’m sure you have them posted on your door Moons wax and wane But our constant nonchalance is intent on parades That rise and fade But just for what who knows what for And one little me wants to hold you tight Other little me wants to scream and fight It’s just not right for us to act like this First you wanna strike and then you want to kiss…\* ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2001, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156/35 "2001-07-13T16:33:26Z")
**Dare,** by Stan Bush. A very encouraging/motivational pop rock song, and one I’m sure 99.95% of the people reading this won’t get without checking some internet database… ---
**Author:** ![seriousart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@seriousart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seriousart)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2001, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156/36 "2001-07-13T19:04:10Z")
Well, if everyone’s gonna start posting lyrics… Not too long ago, it seemed like I was pissed off for an extended period of time. Work, social life, everything seemed to suck. And I was just a grumpy guy to be around. Then, one day, I was listening to an MP3 mix and this song came up by Jill Solbule (the I Kissed A Girl, girl). It’s called Bitter, and as sappy as it sounds, it really snapped me out of my little funk. Bitter I could slip, I could fall In that mean and awful hall With the other jealous bitches And the bitter grumbling men I could sneer, I could glare say that life is so unfair And the one who made it, made it `Cuz her breasts were really big Well I don’t wanna get bitter I don’t wanna get cruel I don’t wanna get old before I have to I could bitch, I could moan Say I want to be left alone But that’s not really true, Because I like my time with you Till you rant and you rave Wishing fat folks to their grave But I feel sorry for them You say they get what they deserve Well I don’t wanna get bitter I don’t wanna get cruel I don’t wanna get old before I have to I don’t wanna get jaded Petrified and weighted I don’t wanna get bitter like you Like you, with the darts in your eyes Like you, with disdain for mankind I was charmed, now I wonder Well I don’t wanna get bitter I don’t wanna get cruel I don’t wanna get old before I have to So I’ll smile with the rest I’ll wish everyone the best And know the one who made it, Made it cuz she was actually pretty good Well I don’t wanna get bitter I don’t wanna get cruel I don’t wanna get old before I have to ---
**Author:** ![seriousart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@seriousart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seriousart)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2001, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156/37 "2001-07-13T19:16:01Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by pcubed \* > \*\* > Oh man. There was a period when I had The End of Silence (sorry, nitpick)_\* Oops. It should also be noted that Public Enemy’s proper album title (mentioned in the OP) is: It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (vs my sloppily shortened “Takes Nation Of Millions”) ---
**Author:** ![ModernRonin2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@ModernRonin2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ModernRonin2)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2001, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156/38 "2001-07-14T05:17:03Z")
I have to pretty much “me too” here, but I have a little bit of original content to add. Basically, seems like I go through three steps: - Anger - Sadness/Bitterness - Resignation Actually, there’s usually some denial before those, but I don’t need music to deal with that, it goes away on its own fairly quickly. For anger, I need something to really feel the anger. Vent it, get it out. Angry speed metal is good. Older Metallica, but some of the newer stuff is good too. NIN is also pretty good here, depending on the album. Broken is very angry and harsh, and I listen to it a lot when I’m angry. Every possible male emotion after a breakup, from “I’m sorry I hurt you” to “DIE BITCH!! DIE!!!” can be found in NIN’s music. ;] Between Anger and Sadness it’s usually NIN again. The quieter albums. Downward Spiral and Pretty Hate Machine. I’ve been listening to “Something I Can Never Have” quite a bit lately trying to get over a girl. And then Sadness, strangely enough, I listen to a lot of Type O Negative. I’ve been listening to “Everyone I Love Is Dead” about once a week for the last three weeks. Resignation, ironically enough, tends to be slightly more upbeat music. I listened to Tom Petty’s “Full Moon Fever” and it really was good for my mood. It starts out with “Feel a Whole Lot Better”, which takes the anger and sadness of the end of things and puts it in sort of weary perspective. But with upbeat music, which is pretty strange but if you’re trying to get over things, pretty good. Plus Tom Petty is just feel-good music. It’s hard to be totally down at the end of a Tom Petty album. After it all blows over, I generally go back to my normal, energetic techno/industrial stuff. My emotional lifecycle as expressed in music. Cool thread! -Ben ---
**Author:** ![darian00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dfb087/32.png) [@darian00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/darian00)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2001, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156/39 "2001-07-14T05:51:56Z")
Well, when I went through my Angry/Bitter[sup]tm[/sup] stage I listened to a lot of Metallica (still my favorite group) and Korn’s debut album. I also played Pantera and Counting Crows quite a lot. Nothing helped me feel better than screaming my throat into a raw bloody mass with Jon Davis back in '96 and singing along with James Hetfield’s live version of Fade to Black. ---
**Author:** ![virtee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/dbc845/32.png) [@virtee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/virtee)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2001, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156/40 "2001-07-15T05:00:22Z")
Anything by _John Coltrane_ _ **Undertow** _ by _Tool_ Anything by _The Smiths_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-music-album-artist-got-you-through-the-bad-times/72156.md?page=3)