Music reaches us in ways that nothing else can. Some great rock songs often have great messages that are quite deep and therapeutic. Here a just a few...
"I don't need a doctor.
I don't need a pill.
Any other treatment
Babe, would only make me ill.
I need rock therapy! I need rock therapy! I need rock therapy!
Oh give it to me! Oh give it to me! Oh give it to me!"
—"Rock Therapy" by The Johnny Burnette Rock and Roll Trio, 1956
Dogs are good medicine! I’ve collected 67 doggy songs here for you, along with 12 therapeutic benefits of dogs as they help us with our physical health, anxiety, depression, stress, and/or trauma.
Read MoreI am SOOOO bored with negative, critical people. See my Letter to The Critics and Naysayers of the World here that I wrote many years ago. Conversely, I am thoroughly interested in those who creatively negate the negators… such as the following three examples:
Read MoreLet’s use this song to do a little rock therapy to help with anxiety… No hurry, no worry. Practice "thought-stopping.” When we worry, we trigger anxiety, which triggers adrenaline, which in turn triggers the fight/flight reaction. This quick and powerful cascade of thought to emotion to physical reaction is called the "emotional hijack."
Read MoreIf you've experienced mental illness, or have a loved one who has, you'll appreciate this song...
"Mental Illness" song by written and sung by Kerry Courtney. I’ve been listening to this amazing song almost obsessively. I was so moved by it that I reached out and contacted the singer/songwriter, Kerry Courtney. Happily, he replied back. First, the song (lyrics below) and then our conversation.
"Every tear on every face tastes the same."
Suffering is the human common denominator. We are all in this together. So let's, please, be there for one another.
Why VW songs for Rock Therapy? Okay, that's pretty obvious: Vintage VW's are super chill. The VW Bug and Bus are cultural icons of the ideal of "peace, love and happiness, baby!" And the wonderful irony is that the Volkswagen was started by the polar opposite of that ideal, Adolf Hitler. He wanted an affordable people's car. Fortunately, he's gone and this car for the people was co-opted by the hippie movement (a group of people that he would have despised! Ha!). These songs all capture what the Bugs and Buses have come to represent to so many: "Peace, love and happiness.' They are vehicles you drive because you are in no hurry, have minimal ego, don't mind getting dirty fixing it up, and aren't afraid to figure out how to wrench on it a little... because for a long time it was poorer people (the people's car) who couldn't afford a "nicer" car. Funny thing is that these cheap little cars, weren't cheap in quality, and their design (in both form and function) was simple, elegant and brilliant. That's why they are still around, sought after, and universally enjoyed by owners and fans alike.
Read MoreThis is my ongoing list of made-up band names. Now if I only had a band to go along with the name...
Read MoreDo YOU hate rap? If so, why? Do YOU love rap? What 5 rap songs would you have picked instead?
In a recent post a friend and colleague stated he didn't like rap. Fair enough. Like what you like, of course. I stated that I would attempt a full-on conversion to which he said, "Challenge." The challenge I accepted was to convert him to rap in just 5 rap songs. I concede that I may not succeed at that task. People like what they like. There are certainly plenty of rap songs I don't like either. But maybe I can at least increase his appreciation a bit. My objective is 1. to make much more of this than is necessary ;-) and 2. that people (not just him) won't discount an entire genre because of not liking some of what's been heard.
Two days ago I started a "Fav Long Songs... GO!" list on FB. To provide balance, Yin Yang, and "opposition in all things," I now request YOUR...
Read MoreGreatness is earned, not given
AC/DC sang, "It's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll." The great lesson we learn from Rock royalty is simply that: In music, as in life, greatness isn't handed out just because you want it. Examine the rock royalty below and think of the long road each took to rise to the top of an often impossible industry. They worked hard, sacrificed and practiced long, long, long hours, usually for years before they "made it" and became "overnight sensations." They will all tell you that none of it happened "overnight."
People often hit the wall where there is no way out--the get discouraged, pessimistic, fatalistic. These mindsets are understandable when life gets hard and it feels like you've exhausted every avenue. I love to teach my clients possibility thinking...
Read MoreOne night while working in the garage I heard the "If you like pina coladas" song and the more I listened to it I thought, "Man, that is THE stupidest love song ever." Then I thought, "Is it? Could there possibly be a contender who could take on such a stupid song for the title?" And so I whipped up a quick graphic and posed the question on Facebook. See their contenders and please feel free to add yours below (or on my FB page).
Read MoreThese are my daughter Molly and her friends and cousin's fav songs while they hang out, talk, laugh and dance in the #ChalkBus while we cruise the main streets of all the towns in Northern UTah COunty. We call it the #ChalkBus NUTCO Tour.
Read MoreI first heard this song when I was a new substance abuse counselor working in rehab. A client shared it with me and we discussed its significance in her life. It really touched me, for her sake, as well as for my own as it resonated with my own struggles. The song, while tied to addiction, clearly is applicable to the human condition and the change process, addicted or not: we are all weak and screwed up at one time or another. We all get caught in "stinkin' thinkin'". We all get short-sighted or think we are stronger than we are. All too often our pride and ego must be stripped from us before we can see clearly, and that usually involves hitting bottom.
Read MoreThe following are gritty, raw and powerful blues. No gentle rolling here. No deep meaningful lyrics this time that I'll pull out and expound on their therapeutic message as I do in the rest of my Rock Therapy blog. Just raw bluesy goodness. Sometimes we just need to hear music that speaks to the most raw, primal hard-rocking parts of ourselves. And that in and of itself is all the Rock Therapy that we need.
Read MoreToo many rap songs about women are unfortunately misogynistic. Here are two fantastic counterpoints to that trend by 2Pac and Queen Latifah, both from 1993. Feminism is not just about women—it's about all of us. Men and women must both stand up for the rights of women. Standing up for women is standing up for us all: Men, women, children, families and communities.
Read MoreWe know it's fun to dance. Here's the science behind why it not only feels good neurologically, but also the practical benefits of dance (aka boogie-ing down) on one's mood and self-esteem.
Read MoreSing it Mavis! What?! You don't know who Mavis Staples is?! For shame! Well this is a great new rocking song to get you introduced to this famous long-time R&B and gospel singer and civil rights activist. Mmm! Love me some Mavis!
Read MoreA shout out to any who are having a "Crap Day" or a "Crap Month" or a "Crap Life." Here's a little Rock Therapy for ya featuring "Just Wait" by Blues Traveler. To my dear client who asked today for reassurance: Thank you for asking. Rather than reach out and ask for help, too often people just put on a stupid "brave face" and suffer (needlessly!) in silence. Truth is we all need reassurance, especially in the dark times. That's one thing I can give freely, gladly and well. After much excruciatingly hard and painful work on this client's part, this person has chosen life and to face all that which is so hard to face. To this person: My respect. Reassurance? Well, here ya go, my friend:
Read MoreCreating GREATness in Relationships™ through 1. Marriage Mastery, 2. Parent Training, and 3. Self-Mastery.
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check out thE #chalkbus :-)
