Music reaches us in ways that nothing else can. Some great rock songs often have great messages that are quite deep and therapeutic. Here are just a few...
"I don't need a doctor.
I don't need a pill.
Any other treatment
Babe, would only make me ill.
I need rock therapy! I need rock therapy! I need rock therapy!
Oh give it to me! Oh give it to me! Oh give it to me!"
—"Rock Therapy" by The Johnny Burnette Rock and Roll Trio, 1956
13/52 Rock Therapy: 3 Ball & Chain Blues
The following are gritty, raw and powerful blues. No gentle rolling here. No deep meaningful lyrics this time that I'll pull out and expound on their therapeutic message as I do in the rest of my Rock Therapy blog. Just raw bluesy goodness. Sometimes we just need to hear music that speaks to the most raw, primal hard-rocking parts of ourselves. And that in and of itself is all the Rock Therapy that we need.
12/52 Rock Therapy: Two Fantastic Feminist Rap Songs by 2Pac and Queen Latifah
Too many rap songs about women are unfortunately misogynistic. Here are two fantastic counterpoints to that trend by 2Pac and Queen Latifah, both from 1993. Feminism is not just about women—it's about all of us. Men and women must both stand up for the rights of women. Standing up for women is standing up for us all: Men, women, children, families and communities.
11/52 Rock Therapy: Boogie Down to Bring Your Mood Up
We know it's fun to dance. Here's the science behind why it not only feels good neurologically, but also the practical benefits of dance (aka boogie-ing down) on one's mood and self-esteem.
10/52 Rock Therapy: "I Like the Things About Me" by Mavis Staples
Sing it Mavis! What?! You don't know who Mavis Staples is?! For shame! Well this is a great new rocking song to get you introduced to this famous long-time R&B and gospel singer and civil rights activist. Mmm! Love me some Mavis!
9/52 Rock Therapy: "Just Wait" by Blues Traveler
A shout out to any who are having a "Crap Day" or a "Crap Month" or a "Crap Life." Here's a little Rock Therapy for ya featuring "Just Wait" by Blues Traveler. To my dear client who asked today for reassurance: Thank you for asking. Rather than reach out and ask for help, too often people just put on a stupid "brave face" and suffer (needlessly!) in silence. Truth is we all need reassurance, especially in the dark times. That's one thing I can give freely, gladly and well. After much excruciatingly hard and painful work on this client's part, this person has chosen life and to face all that which is so hard to face. To this person: My respect. Reassurance? Well, here ya go, my friend:
8/52 Rock Therapy: The Power of Contentment. "Royals" by Lorde
I'm constantly listening to music: New, old and from all genres. I happened to be flipping through the radio one night after giving a workshop and heard this one. When a new song catches my attention I tend to listen to it over and over. I pulled over, downloaded it to my iPhone and listened to it about 10 times on the way home until I had the lyrics figured out and really appreciated the meaning in this one. This is more pop than rock, however, I like it because it has an anti-popular culture message to it. And for that I say, "Rock on!
7/52 Rock Therapy: "Hold On" by Alabama Shakes
Okay. Can I just say, "WOW!"? I mean, really, WOW!!!! Do you feel the chills, too? What a voice! I mean her soul is actually dripping out of her voice, through my speakers, pooling around ears and into my own soul and smacking me upside the head saying, "You hear me, boy?! Hold on now brother... You can make it just one more day!" Yow! Now that girl can sing!
6/52 Rock Therapy: Joining & Compassion vs. Judging & Criticizing (3 Songs)
Don't be too quick to judge. Don't be too harsh on others. The following three songs give some important perspectives worth considering:
1. “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” by Cage the Elephant,
2. “What It’s Like,” by Everlast, and
3. “Gangsta’s Paradise,” by Coolio.
5/52 Rock Therapy: "Lucky Man" and The Science of Happiness
Happiness is more than just an emotion or experience that only a lucky few experience. The research on positive psychology, neurobiology, resiliency, and learned optimism, as well as my experience with thousands of clients, clearly demonstrate that happiness is (fortunately!) an actual skill that can be taught and can be learned. This is great, great news.
4/52 Rock Therapy: "Hold Your Head Up" by Argent
Guys, not everyone can pull off the rock and roll electric organ. Argent can. Dig it. Then read the ROCK THERAPY principles below...
3/52 Rock Therapy: "Little Acorns" by The White Stripes
Rock out to the song and read the ROCK THERAPY notes below...
2/52 Rock Therapy: "Feeling Good" by Nina Simone
All of nature lives as it is supposed to. They know how Nina feels. We are supposed to live freely and fully. We cannot do that when we are weighed down with false beliefs of self, messed-up habits, and incorrect knowledge. The work that my clients and I engage in involves stripping away the mess and infusing self with the clarity of the true self. Our relationship with self is the single most important relationship we can cultivate in this life. From this core relationship stems how we interact in every other relationship. Creating a GREAT Relationship with self. From that secure relationship with self we learn to let go of weak ego and pointless pride and are able to embrace true confidence that allows us to truly love and serve selflessly.
1/52 Rock Therapy: "The Palm of Your Hand," by Jim Lindberg
What I appreciate about this song is the compassionate insight underlying the problem behaviors of others or ourselves. There is this line in a favorite hymn of mine, “In the quiet heart is hidden sorrow that the eye can’t see”