14 Songs For Those In A Mental Health Day State Of Mind
By Lance Pauker
Sometimes, your brain needs to check out from all of life’s #noise. And sometimes, it’s best to do that with some mental health day tunes. If you dig the selections, scroll to the bottom for a Spotify playlist:
1. A Real Hero – College ft. Electric Youth
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DSVDcw6iW8&w=584&h=390]
This key player to the critically acclaimed Drive soundtrack is also pretty freakin’ excellent when not watching the movie Drive.
2. Daydream Believer – The Monkees
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU615FaODCg&w=584&h=390]
One of those classic songs that I don’t feel gets enough #cred. Monkees movement, phase one.
3. The First Single – The Format
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irSF0OGDX5k&w=584&h=390]
Before frontin’ fun., lead singer Nate Ruess fronted The Format. Though of course, you already know this–you are reading Thought Catalog.
4. New Slang – The Shins
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYwCmcB0XMw&w=584&h=390]
Curling up on the couch and watching Garden State is the epitome of a mental health day. This is a very necessary part of the soundtrack.
5. Runaway – Kayne West ft. Pusha T
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm5iA4Zupek&w=584&h=390]
Catchy, contemplative, and twisted genius. Kanye’s a twisted genius, right?
6. Douchebag – Patent Pending
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XHdybfV5Cw&w=584&h=390]
A high school anthem for those who are no longer in high school. For the big-time 20-something plight, this plays out almost too perfectly.
7. Mac Miller – Frick Park Market
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ19PJ7-SWc&w=584&h=390]
As the video shows, Mac Miller just havin’ some creative, catchy fun. Lazily charismatic.
8. 2 Atoms In A Molecule – Noah And The Whale
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oLX5ZATnNI&w=584&h=390]
Noah And The Whale’s namesake comes from the band’s favorite director (Noah Baumbach), and a great movie of his (The Squid and the Whale). Like Noah’s work, the band has this uniquely concentrated intellectual energy. I’m not sure what it means, but if you don’t have anything to do, go watch a Baumbach movie. They’re good, and they make you think about stuff.
9. Make You Smile – +44
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvJKafqDi6E&w=584&h=390]
The collaborative project between Mark Hoppus, Travis Barker, and others isn’t as hard-hitting as vintage Blink, but has a relaxed aspirational feel. Perfect for a chill afternoon.
10. Broken – Seether & Amy Lee
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPC2Fp7IT7o&w=584&h=390]
If you let this empower you rather than crush you, it’s quite beautiful.
11. Stop This Train – John Mayer
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BTzNX5OMN4&w=584&h=390]
People have strong opinions about John Mayer. A few days back I got into a quasi-debate with my girlfriend about the-man-the-myth-the-Mayer, and we concluded that despite the fact that he once was kinda a douchebag, and that even if you find him annoying for some unjustified reason other than that he’s a famous guy who you can apparently hate on for no reason, he is no doubt a rare talent.
12. Enya – Only Time
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wfYIMyS_dI&w=584&h=390]
I feel like this must be the song that plays when you’re about to walk into heaven. With like a gazebo and an all-white backdrop.
13. Misfits – Third Eye Blind
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN-lDTzyfBY&w=584&h=390]
As a 23-year old who wears jeans, is currently rocking level-one beard scruff, and can get away with doing minorly contemplative things, Third Eye Blind is built into my DNA. I’m therefore required to endorse a song that I feel is incredibly underrated. As a human, you’re probably a misfit.
14. Where Is My Mind? – The Pixies
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCD14IrOcIs&w=584&h=390]
Mental health day anthem. Always.
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