#AndyStreetJams: April Showers, A Playlist by Toya Haynes

Music is therapy. The right song and the right moment can heal all wounds. 

It can make you happy. It can make you sad. Some songs make you feel both at the same damn time. 

img_0484.jpg

In this month's April Showers playlist, we're exploring songs that we listen to when we're down. Way down. We've asked one of our dearest friends Toya Haynes to curate some of her go-to songs during a recent low moment. Last month, Toya's father passed. That's a hole that definitely cannot be filled but music can certainly help. Here are the songs that helped her through her grieving process. 

"Evergreen" by YEBBA

A good number of the songs on my list are by artists who have experienced the loss of a loved one. These songs and the testimonies of others who have experienced the loss of a parent have been so helpful to me during my time of grieving.  The circumstances of the loss don't necessarily have to be the same. There seems to be a kindred spirit in the emotion regardless.   YEBBA penned this song in memory of her mother that she lost recently. I really feel her heart through this song. 

"Help" by Erica Campbell featuring Lecrae

She pretty much yells "Lord, I just lost my daddy, I need your help!" at the end of this song so ditto. 

"May" by Jordan Rakei

This song by Jordan Rakei recounts the moment he found out about the passing of his grandmother.  I avoided it for quite some time because it's so vivid. However, I recently let myself listen to it again and found it all the more beautiful. 

"Sometimes It Snows In April" by Prince

This song from Under the Cherry Moon is about a fictional character.  However, I love it because it talks about how life can take a turn at the most unlikely times. 

"Love...Thy Will Be Done" by Martika

I've loved this song for a long time but it has a completely different meaning to me now.  Also written by Prince, this song reminds me that when Love (God) has the final say,  you must trust It.

"Broken Hearts Heal" by Janet Jackson

Janet wrote this about her brother Michael.  It's a bittersweet uptempo about the memories of them growing up together and the hope that comes from seeing him in the next life.

"Tell You Something" (Nana's Reprise) by Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys wrote this about the passing of her grandmother. It's beautiful. I just get it and it feels like the song gets me too. 

"Never Have to Be Alone" by CeCe Winans

The grieving process can be a lonely one at times. This beautiful song by CeCe Winans reminds me of where my help comes from. 

"My World Needs You" by Kirk Franklin, Sara Reeves, and Tamela Mann

When your entire world feels like it's exploded after a devastating loss of a loved one, this song. On repeat. 

"Beauty for Ashes" by Tye Tribbett

After the sudden loss of my father, I got to see how a heartbreaking situation can yield some truly beautiful moments. I've seen my family become even closer, our friends show extraordinary support,  and total strangers show unbelievable kindness. This song is about the beauty that we can receive after heartbreak. 

"Heaven" by Bebe & Cece Winans

I heard this song while driving and it put a big smile on my face.  It made me happy for my dad's happiness in heaven right now. 

Bonus: "Sometimes It Snows in April"- Meshell Ndegeocello

I put this "bonus" track in here because there is something soothing about Meshell Ndegeocello's rendition of this Prince song.  Prince died in April and this is the first song I thought about upon hearing the news.  To me it somehow portrays the heartbreak that so many of us felt when he died. 

Listen to the full playlist below!

 

In this month's April Showers playlist, we're exploring songs that we listen to when we're down. Way down. We've asked one of our dearest friends Toya Haynes to curate some of her go-to songs during the loss of her father. Here are the songs that helped her through her grieving process.

Evon Burton