I started thinking about this list as a result of a conversation I had with a pal earlier today.
My friend, was describing the heartache that she was experiencing and even though it was
excruciating for her, she couldn’t seem to find the words to explain it to me completely.
I started to think about my teen years and how through every heartbreak or small tinge of
teenage angst, I would lock myself up in my room and listen to slow jams for hours upon hours
until I felt better. Music was some magical cure-all for me.
The words of everyone from Marvin Gaye to Lauryn Hill got me through some pretty serious
cracks in my heart. And eventually I would emerge from my little safe haven, wash my tear
stained face and beet red eyes and begin the process of starting over.
The difference between then and now however is simple. There was music that spoke to every
single emotion that i was feeling back then. Songs used to be written from a place of real human
emotion and/or suffering. People went through a plethora of feelings and wrote about it. They
explained it in verse and in melody in ways that we could never think to say on our own. But we
could make a little tape or playlist and hand it off and those things that we were feeling deep
down at the rock bottom of our hearts were easily conveyed and therefore understood.
The soul is missing out of a good portion of today’s music. I’m not throwing stones at anyone.
It’s simply an observation. Very rarely do I hear a song in passing now a days and think, “Oh
wow…they meant that!”
Now a days, it seems that many are singing songs for the folks that are on their way to the
house after just meeting one another in the club! (There are most certainly lines for you to read
between in that last statement!)
But what about those of us who still need a little help with putting our thoughts and feelings into
perspective. What are we left to do? Well, we can go out and search for new music and artists
that are still willing to share their experiences through song. But that doesn’t exactly work in a
crisis.
So, I’ve decided to start sharing some of my “go to” playlists with you in case you find yourself in
a pinch! From what I hear sharing is caring! And we can all use a little more of that!
Today’s list is not a complete one by any means! There are hundreds of songs that I would love
to add to it but in the interest of time we’ll pick 0 and revisit it at a later date!
These songs speak in a way that says what needs to be said from the heartbroken point of
view. Some are a little sweet while others are flat out mean! However, all of them are effective.
I’ve put them in no certain order, because I don’t think that there can be one.
Hopefully, someone out there who is really going through it with a loved one right now will get
some sort of comfort from it.
1. Tender Kisses: Tracy Spencer
2. Are You Still In Love With Me: Keith Washington
3. If You Died I Wouldn’t Cry Cause You Never Loved Me Anyway: Mya
4. Cry For You: Jodeci
5. Somethings Going On: UNV
6. Is This The Way Love Goes: Brian McKnight
7. X-Factor: Lauryn Hill
8. I Wish I Wasn’t: Heather Headley
9. I Wish: Carl Thomas
10. Emotional Rollercoaster: Vivian Green
11. Giving My All To You: Johnny Gill
12. I Wanna Love You Down: Keith Sweat
13. Sweet November: Troop
14. All In My Mind: Full Force
15. How Could You Throw It All Away: 112
16. 4 Seasons Of Loneliness: Boyz II Men
17. The Arms Of The One Who Loves You: Xscape
18. Why You Treat Me So Bad: Club Nouveau
19. All Cried Out: Lisa Lisa And Cult Jam
20. I’m Still In Love With You: New Edition
21. Pretty Wings: Maxwell
22. Love: Musiq
23. Husband: Shirley Murdock
24. Free Yourself: Fantasia
25. Not Gon Cry: Mary J. Blige
26. Gently: Ready For The World
27. Silent Prayer: Shanice
28. Do What I Gotta Do: Ralph Tresvant
29. We Can’t Be Friends: Debra Cox And RL
30. If I Was Your Woman: Stephanie Mills
Hope this helps. And to my friend who isn’t feeling so great right now…I cried over every single
one of these songs at one point or another and I’m still here to tell the tale. Hearts break but
they also mend and heal. And there’s an entirely different list of songs for when they do!
By: Skyyhook
