Top 6 Comfort Songs Playlist

 

On this dreary rainy August afternoon, I pulled out my Playlist of comfort songs. These are the songs that uplift me, like an earnest tug at my heart, like a cool breeze on a summer day, like a hug on a sad day, like a loving embrace, and at other times, like a warm blanket on a cold night

These comfort songs are an eclectic list and range from romantic to spiritual. The rest of my playlist is instrumental; others are head-banging and mind-clearing melodies. They calm and encourage; my list is an emotional first aid kit and a self-love exercise. They're not only for those times of melancholy or turbulence but mostly when I feel introspective and sentimental. 

 Here are my top 6 comfort songs. I listen to them quite often, even during happy times. I put my headphones on and let the music wash over me, ease my mind, and lift my spirits. Just me and my music.

HAVING YOU NEAR ME

Bugoy Drilon - (cover)

An original song by Air Supply. Written by Rex Goh, Clive Davis & Graham Russell and released in 1980. I love Bugoy Drillon’s cover of it. He’s one of my favorite Filipino singers and he infused this love song with some swag and a sexy twist. “Tagos sa puso”. Although a romantic love song, this song appeals to me on a higher level. When you have your loved ones close to your heart, that’s being content and at peace. Sometimes, knowing you're loved is enough. Or it could be as mundane as your dog snuggling up to you. It will be alright.

 

FIX YOU

BTS Performs 'Fix You' (Coldplay Cover) | MTV Unplugged Presents: BTS

This is a Coldplay original song released in 2005. This British rock band collaborated on this song, started by Chris Martin, to comfort his then-wife Gwyneth who was grieving her father’s death. There is something especially romantic when someone offers to fix your broken heart. My new obsession, the supergroup BTS, performed an MTV unplugged version. They said that this song comforted them during the pandemic isolation. Coldplay tweeted their approval and praised the BTS cover with this: 아름다운 (which means beautiful).

 

 

YESTERDAY

Reneé Dominique-  The Beatles (cover)

 Although "Yesterday" was written by Paul McCartney as a heartbreak song in 1965, I never thought of it that way. Maybe this song is just symbolic to me of the Beatles' genius and greatness. As sung by Renee Dominique, another Filipino musician, this song is an aesthetic eargasm.

 

EPIPHANY

BTS (방탄소년단) LOVE YOURSELF 結 Answer 'Epiphany' Comeback Trailer

Okay, I confess, my “bias” ('favorite' in modern lingo) in BTS is Kim Seok-Jin, Mr. Worldwide Handsome. But I love Epiphany for its beautiful melody, its anthemic celebration, and its inspiration of/for self-love. In live concerts, the Army fans sing along to the chorus, “I’m the one I should love,” their purple lights swaying to Jin’s emotional performance. 

This epiphany is an unapologetic discovery of the importance of loving yourself first. You cannot give when you're running on empty. I can listen to this song continuously in a one-hour loop.

 

3 THINGS

Jason Mraz - 3 Things (Official Audio)

Simply put, the lyrics explain why it’s a comfort song.

 

There are three things I do when my life falls apart

Number one I cry my eyes out and I dry up my heart

Not until I do this will my new life start

So that's the first thing that I do when my life falls apart

Oh the second thing I would do is I close both of my eyes

And say my thank-yous to each and every moment of my life

I go where I know the love is and let it fill me up inside

Gathering new strength from sorrow,

I'm glad to be alive

And things are looking up

I know above the clouds the sun is shining

Things are looking up

Love is still the answer I'm relying, oh right

Three little things

Things are looking up

Oh, the third thing that I do now when my world caves in,

Is I pause, I take a breath, and bow and I let that chapter end

I design my future bright not by where my life has been

And I try, try, try, try, try again

Yes I try, try, try, try, try again

 

HOW GREAT THOU ART

 Josh Turner - How Great Thou Art (feat. Sonya Isaacs) (Official Audio) ft. Sonya Isaacs

Sam Santiago

This Christian hymn started as a Swedish traditional melody and a poem. It was translated from Russian to English and is now considered the second most favorite hymn after "Amazing Grace" of all time. This song was covered by Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Anne Murray, Carrie Underwood, Pentatonix, Home Free, and then 9-year-old Sam Santiago (now 19 y/o).

HAPPINESS IS… BTS, Lavender, Ube, Children Dancing, Rainbows

Last week, I was stuck behind a school bus when I saw some kids playing in their front yard blowing soap bubbles. The joy on the kids’ faces was contagious. Four kids (three girls and a boy), about six years old, were running around to chase the soap bubbles being blown by an adult. The children laughed as they reached out into the air and tried to pop the bubbles. Their excited screams were music to my ears. Their innocence and simple joys lifted my heart. 

 Indeed, random moments of happiness occur when least expected.

  BTS 

 Happiness is…watching a BTS video. I am just a recent fangirl to BTS. Just a month ago, a video appeared on my Facebook feed. Epiphany was sung by BTS member Jin or Kim Seok-Jin. “I’m the one I should love”. That line could not have come at a better time.  The song was poignant and emotional and emphasized a fundamental truth: Love yourself. I have always maintained a strong façade amid all the problems in life, always putting others first. But as the song says, self-love has to come first. It has to. 

  Epiphany- Jin

Over the years, I have heard of BTS but never watched their videos until I watched Epiphany, and suddenly, I was hooked. Down the rabbit hole, I tumbled down. BTS is a 7-member supergroup from South Korea; they are a worldwide phenomenon. The group broke all kinds of music records, conquered the cultural divide, sold out arenas and stadiums. Tickets in Citifield sold out in 10 minutes. 

 Their lyrics are introspective and do not shy away from talks about maintaining mental health and promoting peace, empowerment, and self-love. Their music transcended languages and cultures and its Army of fans include all ages, races, and genders. BTS is beyond K-pop; it is its own genre. It was BTS that made me overcome my aversion to rap music, lol. 

 BTS is shattering glass ceilings and is forcing the Western world to understand their Asian neighbors. Non-Koreans are singing the Korean lyrics. Hopefully, this will pave the way for more global appreciation of all kinds of music, maybe even Pinoy music. Hopefully, this will open goodwill among all races. With their songs, they are a beacon against prejudice and for inclusivity and diversity.  It is my fervent prayer that we can shine the spotlight on anti-racism and anti-Asian hate. 

 'Butter' Official MV

LAVENDER 

 Happiness is... celebrating nature's beauty amid fields of lavender blooms, with the clear, blue sky up above, and the aromatic breeze calming heart and soul. The fragrance fills the air and cleanses my spirit. No wonder, these multi-purpose perennial lavender plants are widely used for aromatherapy. Doing my Ujjayi breathing.

Day trip to Lavender by the Bay in Calverton, New York.

 

UBE ICE CREAM 

 Happiness is… indulging in Ube Ice Cream in pandesal. Ube or purple yam is typically found in the Philippines. It can be prepared as ice cream, cake, bread (pandesal), flan, pudding, and mostly as topping on the delicious halo-halo. 

Ube is the new Matcha, a new obsession in food culture due to its vibrant color that is especially eye-catching on Instagram and other forms of social media. Filipino chefs here in the US are experimenting with ube in waffles, pancakes, and sugar pies. One consolation, Ube is known to have extra-high levels of antioxidants.

CHILDREN/TEENS DANCING

 Happiness is... watching kids and teenagers having fun. Innocence overload. 

Masaka kids Africana- Dancing to “Jerusalema”

In 2019, the South African song called Jerusalema became a summer anthem and a global hit and inspired online dance challenges all over the world. The upbeat disco-house track was composed by DJ Kgaogelo Moagi and sung by singer Nomcebo. It didn’t matter that the lyrics were in a little-known Zulu dialect. When the music moves you, you dance.

Ranz and Niana Featuring Natalia- Dancing to BTS – “Dynamite”

Ranz Kyle and Niana Guerrero are siblings in a blended family from the Philippines who rose to fame on YouTube with their dance videos and prank vlogs. But my heart melted when their youngest sister Natalia joined their dance. That little girl can dance way, way better than me. What a sweetheart!

UNICEF photo

RAINBOWS 

 Happiness is… seeing rainbows after the rain.

I wrote this in 2013- 

Driving home from Brooklyn on the Belt Parkway, I was thankful that I witnessed the magical display of Mother Nature. The bright colors of the rainbow triumphed in stark contrast against the backdrop of gray, angry clouds; its full arc high up in the dark sky. 

 The setting sun's fierce rays behind me turned the drizzling rain into silver on my windshield and transformed the waters of the Narrows Strait shimmering like gold. There was a calmness in the air as if everyone was held spellbound by this beautiful thing in the sky. 

 And as I was coasting along the Belt, right where the "Fuhgeddaboudit" sign clued me that I was leaving Brooklyn for Queens, the majestic rainbow loomed right in the middle of the road, beyond the horizon. The colors were so distinct and the rainbow so amazingly near that it took my breath away. The cars slowed down and I could almost hear the collective "ahhs". 

 I vaguely remember the scientific explanation about the rain as the prism that creates the spectrum of colors. How the lights are refracted when the sunlight hits the raindrop at an angle. ROYGBIV. In grade school, I hardly paid attention to the science behind this phenomenon. 

 As a child, I was more interested in the story of the pot of gold over the rainbow "where troubles melt like lemon drops and happy little bluebirds fly". It was our magical "bahaghari" from those innocent times when skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true, just over the rainbow. 

 And if you just look closely, there's a second rainbow! With blue on the outside and red moved to the inside. Double reflections, double pots of gold. 

 A Special Performance of "Rainbow Connection" from Kermit the Frog | The Muppets

Michael Pangilinan performs "Rainbow" (South Border) LIVE on Wish 107.5 Bus