Music Medicine

by Dan Brain
(Oxfordshire, England)

I can't express the importance of music to me.
I don't ask to be happy. I just don't want to be depressed.
I spent two months in mental hospital for two different reasons, on two separate occasions.
Good friends had used the words "gifted" and "famous. Words I wouldn't use out of context.
I've gone from not moving in bed to being comfortable with being alive. Those familiar with Pink Floyd may hear the early reference.
I've always appreciated music but not experienced the impact it has on me now.
I was laying in bed Late December 2015 when Adele's "million years ago" struck me from the TV. Listen to it and read the lyrics. I had to listen to it numerous times as I couldn't hear or see beyond my emotions. It was the only song I'd play for a while.
A few months later I was having a cigarette in the garden, for the first time in 18 months I sheltered and felt temperature. I just had to listen to "little things mean a lot". Not one I was familiar with. This song like Adele's, hammered me.
I'm not going to bore you any further. Here is an example of my personal playlist.
"Million years ago"
"Little things mean a lot"
"Every breath you take"
"Fix you"
"Don't try so hard"
"Music is power"
"Comfortably Numb" (as long as I feel this, life is o.k)
"These days" (two days ago I lost a close friend. This is recognised as Dave Grohl's favourite he's written. He's clearly writing about Kurt Cobain).

Music is my anti-depressant.
As long as we can see or listen, I think we're able to be "Comfortably Numb".

Dan

Sent from my iPhone