In music, you can find an outlet for almost any emotion. Heartbreak (check), addiction (check), depression (check), resurrection (check). This playlist’s got it covered.
“I Can See Clearly Now” (Single) — Johnny Nash, I Can See Clearly Now,1972
Texas pop star/songwriter/producer Johnny Nash had already spent three years in Jamaica when he wrote this uplifting song. At the time, Nash was producing some of the first Bob Marley and the Wailers recordings. And, during one of these sessions, he laid down this track. We don’t know what was happening in Nash’s life that led him to pen the lyrics, but they seem to tell a story of a person struggling with the darkness of depression or addiction. When Nash sings about the sun finally coming out, bringing light and clarity, we share in the beautiful possibilities of what’s next for him and for us.
“That’s Why I’m Here” (Single) — Kenny Chesney, I Will Stand,1997
Country music is filled with stories of hard drinking and tough luck, but they don’t often touch on the theme of recovery and renewal. In this song, we hear from an alcoholic who has finally decided to take control and head down to the local AA meeting. There he discovers he is not alone in his recovery. Chesney’s warm and reflective delivery of the lyrics lends believability to an old, familiar story. He offers us a stark glimpse of two very different pathways this life could take, and unlike many songs about addiction and alcoholism, this story has an ending of hope. For so many, addiction is a daily struggle. This song gives listeners hope and encouragement that it can be beaten with help from friends or even, as in this case, a roomful of complete strangers.
“Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert” (Album) — Various Artists, 2005
Hurricane Katrina made landfall in August 2005, bringing so much devastation and destruction that many didn’t think New Orleans would survive. In the weeks following, news reports detailed the horror suffered by trapped survivors, and our collective heart wept. Of the many benefit concerts and performances to help in the aid and recovery, one truly captured the soul of New Orleans and paid tribute to the great traditions of jazz, zydeco and gospel that come from this great city. Higher Ground was the brainchild of Wynton Marsalis, a New Orleans native who owes much of his career to his upbringing there. “This Joy,” a soulful and energetic celebration of gospel music by Shirley Caesar, sings of hope, recovery and healing. The haunting saxophone in New Orleans native Terence Blanchard’s “Over There” is a poignant and truly reflective instrumental. The great Diana Krall sings a sultry rendition of “Basin Street Blues,” and we are even given some amazing zydeco courtesy of the great Buckwheat Zydeco with “I’m Gonna Love You Anyway.” There really is not a bad track on this album, and all proceeds continue to help in the recovery of the city of New Orleans, still ongoing almost a decade later.
