When life gets tough, the iconic British rock group has a song for every challenge
by Scott Selmer
Psychotherapy may help you navigate difficult times but there is another kind of therapy that may be of great benefit and cost less—Beatles music therapy. There is a Beatles song for every challenge.
The Beatles have come to mean solace and peace. They have carried me through countless challenges, continually eased my burdens and provided me comfort in unexpected ways.
A year ago, a dear friend of mine died. Years earlier, before I had moved for a time to New York and away from the Twin Cities, she had been my rock and steadfast friend during my divorce.
When I moved back to the Twin Cities, I reached out to her and learned she was fighting cancer. Just as I was getting in my car to drive out to see her, her mother called to tell me she had died.
As I drove to the hospice to be with her mother, I turned on the radio. The Beatles song “In My Life” began at that precise moment.
“There are places I’ll remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I’ve loved them all”
With those words in that moment, my sadness lifted, and a smile came to me, as did my friend’s lovely voice in my mind. I received that message from her that carries me and keeps her alive and well in my memory.
While there are too many songs to pick a favorite, I offer five Beatles songs that bring particular comfort in challenging times:
- “Nowhere Man” – a song that can comfort you when you are feeling lost and in need of guidance.
- “Across the Universe ” – a song that can comfort you when you must defer to a higher power.
- “Blackbird” – a song that can comfort in times of social and cultural struggles
- “Here Comes the Sun” – a song that can comfort you when things seem gloomy.
- “Let It Be” – a song that can comfort when obstacles seem insurmountable.
In your times of joy or sadness, give The Beatles a try. I believe you will find that there is another way to find counsel, comfort, and healing through beautiful music.