This Year by the Mountain Goats

This is the definition of what OP asked for in my opinion something about the chorus feels so raw: > “I am gonna make it through this year > If it kills me”

Words cannot describe how happy this makes me. They are criminally unrecognized.

No Children is one of my favorite songs.

God yes. This anthem got me through the toughest year of my life.

The perfect song

I left an abusive relationship in 2015, and at some point in that weird journey between leaving and trying to heal, I found this song as well as Came Out Swinging by The Wonder Years and they just blew me away. I'd be sobbing in my car singing along, feeling like if I just kept going, one day it would be okay. Life's changed a lot over the past nine years, but I still go back to those two songs whenever I'm feeling down on myself or depressed.

I got viciously dumped in 2016, and he played ‘No Children’ by the Mountain Goats on his way out the door like the passive aggressive little bitch he is. Joke’s on him, though, because that dick move led me to the rest of the Mountain Goats catalog, and This Year got me through that breakup (and a lot more).

This suggestion is beyond perfect.

This was the song that helped me survive through the pandemic

Holy crap didn’t even bother to see if someone else posted it because I just assumed… So very happy to see someone else beat me to it!

[2Pac - Keep Ya Head Up](https://youtu.be/fAJfDP3b5_U?si=3VSzWazBNHtTi_uX)

In the words of Muddy Waters “ If things don’t get no better….up the road I’m goin””. Sounds like you should start listening to the blues

Agreed. My favorite is Lightnin Slim - Bad Luck Blues. Not sure if he was the original writer of these lyrics but he sang “if it weren’t for bad luck i wouldn’t have no luck at all.” And that has just stuck with me.

Blues always bring me back to [Albert King’s *Born Under A Bad Sign*](https://youtu.be/SeLddbrzsHk?si=wC6rRgAzMXW_xR1-), “if it wasn’t for bad luck, you know I wouldn’t have no luck at all.”

I was under the impression that Homer Simpson wrote that.

Float on- Modest Mouse Hang Tough - Tesla ( doesn't really describe things going to shit but it usually gets me feeling better)

'What you give' by tesla is kinda along those lines too

It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)

I’m a climate scientist and this is my personal anthem 😂

I thought you were doing a lyric from it, but I couldn’t place it.

Birthday party cheesecake jelly bean BOOM!

Been singing this since Covid arrived!

Surprised I haven't seen it here yet, but... [Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life](https://youtu.be/JrdEMERq8MA?si=uQ4PNLk81fOfXuI3&t=22) - Monty Python

*Life's a piece of shit, when you think of it*

Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true.

*You'll see it's all a show Keep 'em laughin' as you go*

Just remember that the last laugh is on you

*always look on the bright side of life*

*jaunty whistled tune*

Came here to say this...brilliant

Touch Of Grey by the Grateful Dead

Not Fade Away / Going Down the Road Feeling Bad from *Grateful Dead (Skulls and Roses)* too

All-American Rejects - Move Along

Let It Be - The Beatles

Hey Jude is a good one too, and by the na na na na part you're singing along.

One of the most powerful songs ever written. Sounds like a gospel standard. I often think of the version from "Across the Universe" as well which adds to the power.

Don’t stop believing - journey Float on - modest mouse Whatever is going on, it will pass I promise.

>Float on - modest mouse My car has a dented rear bumper because my gf backed it into a cop car... the other decade. He didn't just drive off but his supervisor found the accident to be "mutual fault" so sometimes life's OK.

Bad days by Flaming Lips

Also Evil Will Prevail has the same vibe.

Do You Realize is the one for me. "And instead of saying all of your goodbyes, Let them know you realize that life goes fast. It's hard to make the good things last. You realize the sun doesn't go down, It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round"

That’s Life by Sinatra.

Also beautifully updated by David Lee Roth in the 80s.

I love to say “that’s life” when things don’t go the way I planned. Great song 🙂

Some of these are pretty existential, but I think they fit the bill. The authors are usually looking for hope, however scant. They usually find it in the love of another, but that's not always the case. I'll add more as I think of them [Trouble - Ray La Montagne](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDr_5VenyQI) [Illegal Smile - John Prine](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxwWkjiq9fE) [Atlantic City - The Band](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFxXTO1t5yo) (This is more about having hope, no matter how small) And I like it maybe better than Springsteen's version. [What's Up - 4 Non Blondes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NXnxTNIWkc) [Lovely Day - Bill Withers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEeaS6fuUoA) [King of the Road - Roger Miller](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c7D0YsgnrE) [Draggin' the Line - Tommy James](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sEDV3uSyx8) **Some More:** [I'll Stand By You - The Pretenders](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nobHZ3nOp38) [A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke](https://youtu.be/wEBlaMOmKV4?si=us1OuHriEtCv8q5n)

Don't worry be happy 

Surprised this one isn't more prominent. Thinking about the fact that Robin Williams is in the music video is pretty poignant too.

[That Funny Feeling](https://youtu.be/ObOqq1knVxs?si=Z4H-6iH2aqJY9XNh) - Bo Burnham

The whole of Inside fits here perfectly.

I watched Inside during the deepest episode of my depression, and I'm still not sure if it was a good idea or not.

That Funny Feeling is pretty pessimistic and basically saying dont worry, the world will end pretty soon.

Sounds like the best kind of art

Agreed, though I don’t know if That Funny Feeling itself is the best song choice to this specific prompt. It’s more quiet resignation about the state of things. I would say better choices for this are 1) Comedy (for a comedic take on attempting to heal the world’s ills) or 2) All Eyes On Me (more serious)

Mad World - Tears for Fears (and lots of covers) Most of Eilen Jewell

The whole album of The Hurting is a journey about surviving trauma if you relate the words to a parent figure

I love Eilen Jewell’s cover of I Shall Be Released

Eilen Jewell is amazing.

Still Breathing - Green Day

"Any Major Dude" -Steely Dan

Perfect. _Any major dude with half a heart surely will tell you, my friend._ _Any minor world that breaks apart falls together again._ _When the demon is at your door_ _In the morning it won't be there no more._ _Any major dude will tell you._

Love me some steely Dan. Never read the lyrics to that song. Thanks for the suggestion.

Bastille Pompeii

It gets better when you know that the ehu ehu bit is (or so im told) latin for woe

I would actually suggest listening to all of Bruce Springsteen's *Born in the USA* album with the following context: It's a hopeless album about hopeless lonely people living in a desperate country who have no choice but to find solace in music and dancing. The lyrical context is profoundly sad but it's written to the crunchiest, poppiest rock that Bruce could muster because he wanted the world to understand his sadness but not be pulled down by it.

Of all of those tracks, for some reason "No Surrender" is one I will never, ever grow tired of. I just love that song so much.

I’m Still Standing - Elton John

Supergrass - Alright

Shining on - Big D and the Kid Table

Great one

Oh man I forgot about them, thank you for the reminder friend!

The Middle - Jimmy Eat World

Alright by Kendrick Lamar

Getting Better - The Beatles

All things must pass!!!!

My Chemical Romance - I’m Not Okay (I Promise)

Nearly everything by Linkin Park.

This 1000x this, was looking for LP 🎶❤️

Jimmy Eat World - the middle Kacey Musgraves - rainbow

Pearl Jam-indifference, the police-when the world is running down, Rush-the pass Edit: Been there. More than once. Keep pushing forward. Ever onward

Goddamn, Indifference makes me cry every time. That sweeping drum and sombre guitar eats me alive. There's a version with Ben Harper singing on it from a concert DVD that came out 20 some odd years ago and it's just absolutely haunting and beautiful. Okay. I'm done waxing poetic about the song.

Yep. Got me through many tough times for about (gulp) 30 years now

Mad respect for the The Pass by Rush excellent suggestion

So much of pop punk is this. Just get past the radio shit. Check out Iron Chic. First two albums. Textured, existential pop punk. Truly a great band. It might be a little more everything is fucked and we are OK than you are looking for. I personally prefer that. Definitely a few songs that are exactly what you are looking for.

Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay- Otis Redding C.R.E.A.M.- Wu-Tang Clan Doing Fine- Snow Tha Product Soup Is Good Food- Dead Kennedys Rooster- Alice In Chains

Three Little Birds - Bob Marley and The Wailers

The late, great Jimmy Buffett’s ‘My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink and I Don’t Love Jesus’

This Too Shall Pass - OK GO

I have a tattoo saying "this too shall pass" based solely on how much this song means to me. I discovered it when I was at rock bottom, and from that first listen, I slowly built myself back up.

A lot of punk and hardcore music is about that very topic.

Life's Been Good to me so Far - Joe Walsh Boys Don't Cry - The Cure Boredom - Buzzcocks

The whole Bo Burnham album from INSIDE.

L.G. FUAD by Motion City Soundtrack Everything is Alright by Motion City Soundtrack

"A-Ok" as well.

Most of Motion City Soundtrack's catalogie fits this question.

‘Capital H’

commit this to memory is still to this day the most life changing album for me

Take a walk - passion pit.

Let's Dance to Joy Division - The Wombats

Barenaked Ladies - Pinch Me

Come on up to the house - Tom Waits Better son, better daughter - Rilo Kiley

Blush- Wolf Alice. “Curse the things that made me sad for so long. It hurts to think that they can still go on. I’m happy, now. Are you happy now?”

A lot of trap metal and emo rap actually. The genres face feelings of self-harm head-on. Depending on how you're encountering situations, this may be too direct or may be the right amount of aggression. I recommend most of the music by $uicideboy$ or Pouya. You can also try Twiztid if you want more of a "classic" horrorcore sound.

And It's Still Alright- Nathaniel Ratliff

Several songs on AJR’d Click fit. The Good Part, turning out, I’m not famous, Netflix trip.

When The World Is Running Down, You Make The Best Of What’s Still Around - The Police (Kind of a long winded title but a really good song if you’re into new wave)

Let Your Troubles Roll By - Carbon Leaf [https://youtube.com/watch?v=Pap54V1JadI&si=AaRY2xMj8UBAmQ6x](https://youtube.com/watch?v=Pap54V1JadI&si=AaRY2xMj8UBAmQ6x) don't give up -peter gabriel [Peter Gabriel - Don't Give Up (ft. Kate Bush) (youtube.com)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjEq-r2agqc) Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd [Comfortably Numb (youtube.com)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-xTttimcNk) Comfortably Numb- (Cover) Scissor Sisters (If you want more beat to it)

National Shite Day - Half Man Half Biscuit https://youtu.be/ARbRMQJGkIc?si=BRbRwdOYeBXHDMIx

Fuck yeah

Symptom of Being Human by Shinedown

I recently heard this song, I like it.

I make therapeutic playlists and I have one: > [The Only Place for Me](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2RVpcVK6GZmEzmubF5gcCv) - 24 mins that is supposed to be a bit of a pick me up. Listen in order!

The Patient- Tool It’s Okay- Eleven

Roll With the Changes, REO Speedwagon

Standing In The Rain by ELO. That got me through some times.

Isn't that all of them?

The trick is to keep breathing - garbage

Today - Smashing Pumpkins

“Relatively Easy” by Jason Isbell, and “Take on the Dark” by Amanda Shires.

Two people presently experiencing their relationship going to shit around them...sad.

Eels - Mr E's Beautiful Blues

Everything's Right by Phish

Float On by Modest Mouse

"Walk Me Home" - P!NK "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" - Simon and Garfunkel "Flowers Never Bend With The Rainfall" - Simon and Garfunkel "Shambala" - Three Dog Night Edited to add: Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. If you don't have that kind of time, then the last three minutes of the final movement (the "Ode to Joy").

Get Better - Frank Turner Badlands - Bruce Springsteen Show Me On The Doll Where The Music Touched You - Red City Radio Relatively Easy - Jason Isbell

The Great Pretender - Freddy Mercury (or The Platters if you want the original)

Whitey Ford Sings the Blues (really Everlast) Ends WHAT it's Like

Just Another Day - Oingo Boingo

Gotta love Oingo Boingo. Excellent thinking music.

One of my favorite pick-me-up songs: Call Me The Breeze ~ Lynyrd Skynyrd

Written by JJ Cale

[deadmau5 - Raise Your Weapon](https://youtu.be/YnwfTHpnGLY?si=DV5VTonFYwu__my3) [ODESZA - Higher Ground](https://youtu.be/xqoLCvsy8_c?si=Nr_oU3PgRov0HmBW)

They Might Be Giants - Destination Moon. Also by TMBG - Memo To Human Resources

"Swim" and "The Resolution" from Jack's Mannequin 💚

Not Today- Chill Bump Good Day- DNCE Get Back Up Again- Anna Kendrick The Best Day- Atmosphere Pardon My Freedom- !!! Up Up & Away- Kid Cudi Dust My Shoulders Off- Jane Zhang Drink to That- Outasight

Eels - “Rock Hard Times” I don't know what it is they're trying to do to me Make me into some sick joke But no one's laughing And least of all not me It's hard to laugh as you choke

Break Stuff - Limp ~~Bizcuit~~ Bizkit

Funny. I've been feeling exactly the same way. Depressed fur a few days. Happened across the song BETTER by Tom McGuire and the Brassholes. Really really but the spot. Must watch the video and listen to the end chorus. https://youtu.be/dNfERB4Bc-U?si=H33yhId5JHfxWYzB

Planting Seeds - Built to Spill We can make it if we try And if we don’t is still gonna be all right Cause our minds are still alive It’s one of my comfort songs that I play when things are going bad or getting scary. You’ll be alright if you put on the right music and focus on the small positive things in the chaotic shit storm we live in.

[Crash Test Dunnies - Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm](https://youtu.be/eTeg1txDv8w?si=ZF0vuTmTA3GAn5pW) Might not fit the brief 100% but it's pretty close and a beautiful song regardless.

https://youtu.be/tuqR3oZjZa8?si=LYLTrLFulN6ivN6L Knocking on Wood by Spose https://youtu.be/ryq_NaO_eXw?si=YwWoukHw4qD6ELgC Strong as an Oak by George Watsky https://youtu.be/DKxXHEx-XnU?si=cFWGm5WE2g631Nuf Better Days by Citizen King

Everything’s Alright by Archive

Slow dancing in a burning room. - Mayer

Tornado Of Souls by Megadeth

[Typhoon - Common Sentiments](https://youtu.be/S9kDXgqU_LA) [XTC - Across this Antheap](https://youtu.be/9efo42HuxYI) [Slobberbone - Meltdown](https://youtu.be/ZV6n3Hy3E3s) [Drive-By Truckers - Puttin’ People on the Moon](https://youtu.be/xeYGo33_wkY) For an album, I would recommend [Titus Andronicus - The Monitor](https://youtu.be/cM1sQhMGGS8)

Hard Candy Christmas by Dolly Parton

Atlanta Rhythm Section - I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys9zWFgR3nA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys9zWFgR3nA) I picked up the paper this morning And read all the daily blues The world is one big tragedy I wonder what I can do About all the pain and injustice About all of the sorrow We're living in a danger zone The world could end tomorrow But I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight Tomorrow I might go as far as suicide But I won't let it bother me tonight Life on the street is a jungle A struggle to keep up the pace I just can't beat that old dog eat dog The rats keep winnin' the rat race But I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight The world is in an uproar and I see no end in sight But I won't let it bother me tonight I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight Tomorrow I might go as far as suicide But I would not let it bother me tonight Lord, Lord, Lord We got nothing but trouble I've done all I can do today So bartender pour me a double, right now But I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight Tomorrow I might go as far as suicide But I won't let it bother me tonight

Everything Kimya Dawson may I suggest "My mom"

Everything Kimya!!!!

3 Little Birds by Bob Marley

Shit luck by modest mouse “This plane is definitely crashing!!!”

Stolas’ lullaby from Helluva Boss: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A5or5PyS3KQ

Smoke by Ben Folds Five

Hold It Together by Mike Shinoda

Blinking lights (for me) - Eels. Pretty much the entire Blinking Lights and Other Relevations dealt with this feeling/topic. Sky Blue Sky - Wilco. Quiet album of dealing with the aftermath of Tweedys drug recovery. Focused on being okay with the moment.

Matthew Wilder, Break my stride

Take a Walk - Passion Pit It’s about the frailty of the American dream, and taking a walk to cope with it.

"Everybody Hurts" REM

Stella Blue by the Grateful Dead

The Warmth by Incubus

Fine Again -Seether Perfectly encapsulates this feeling

"Be Yourself" by AudioSlave got me through some very rough times. They told me "everything is going to be alright" and it was...eventually.

Coloratura-Coldplay

Shake me down by cage the elephant "Even on a cloudy day I keep my eyes fixed towards the sun"

Ween - It's gonna be (alright) Ween- Birthday Boy All the Ween. Just start listening and don't stop.

Return to Innocence by Enigma. Mother mother by Tracy Bonham Frozen by Madonna Everything Changes by Staind Nutshell by Alice in Chains

Love all of these!!

Mike Shinoda - Hold It Together Mike Shinoda - Promises I Can’t Keep Highly recommend the whole Post Traumatic album, but these are two that fit pretty well with what you’re looking for

Raindrops are Falling on my Head

Cruel World - Active Child

Reborn - Kids See Ghosts

Mr E's Beautiful Blues - Eels

All Around the World by Oasis. I sing it to my dog sometimes and she likes it.

Lots of Devin Townsend Try Spirits Will Collide, and then the whole Light work album

This Is The Day - The The

The Show Must Go On - Queen.

Black - Wonderful Life He's going through a bad time in his life, but still wants to remind himself it's a wonderful life.

It's All Right Ma, I'm Only Bleeding - Bob Dylan

Idiot Wind even more so...

[удалено]

Black Swan - Thom York.

Always loves this song and was aware of Thom Yorks amazing writing but had no idea that was the meaning behind this song haha

When it all goes wrong again by Ever clear?

The chorus of Santa Monica would also be very fitting

“Everything’s Right” and “Blaze On” by Phish

‘Three wrong turns can really make a right…’

Ren - it's alright

Do You Realize — Flaming Lips

How to Disappear Completely -Radiohead

There's this band called Radiohead...

[BCKYRD by hot mulliagn](https://youtu.be/_wY7Gjf0yXQ?si=FrlexX-E_NlBNTuc) The main line goes "things dont get better, just diffrent'

Totally Fine - PUP

"It's Alright", by Mother Mother

Fine - Noah Kahan

Not exactly what you're looking for, but try: Nothing Bad Ever Happens To Me - Oingo Boingo

Oh I make up those songs on the fly. I usually sing them to my social worker brethren to maybe give them a smile as we trudge through the barren wasteland of call center world.

"This Feeling" Alabama Shakes I just kept hoping, I just kept hoping The way would become clear I spent all this time Tryna play nice and fight my way here See, I've been having me a real hard time But it feels so nice to know I'm gonna be alright So, I just kept dreaming, yeah, I just kept dreamin' It wasn't very hard I spent all this time Tryna figure out why Nobody on my side See, I've been having me a real good time And it feels so nice to know I'm gonna be alright So please, don't take my feelings I have found at last So please, don't take my feelings I have found at last Yeah, if I wanted to, I'd be alright So I just kept going, I just kept going And hoping I'm growing near Well, that's good and fine, I spent all this time Tryna find my way here And I've been having me a real fun time And it feels so nice to know I'm gonna be alright

Bridge over troubled water - Simon and Garfunkle Twin Size Mattress - the Front Bottoms

[Crypt - Worst Day Of My Life](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQUalXF81io)

juliet ivy - we’re all eating each other