A Bipolar Playlist

https://youtu.be/vJtf7R_oVaw

.38 Special-Hold on Loosely

When I was young growing up in San Antonio, Texas, my family and I took 3 road trips to Disneyland in California. My dad would be the main driver and he played many random songs on cassette along the way. This is the song I remember most and whenever I hear it, I reminisce about those road trips I miss dearly.

https://youtu.be/JDG2m5hN1vo

Fleetwood Mac-The Chain

I memorized this entire album but this song stands out the most. My dad would play these songs on repeat when I was growing up but these words about the breakdown of a relationship somehow made sense even when I was young.

https://youtu.be/Rbm6GXllBiw

Guns ‘N Roses-Paradise City

Slash is still my favorite guitarist and it’s all because of this song. He is the epitome of coolness and as a young girl, I never enjoyed a hard rock song before this one

https://youtu.be/9wfpXI5PKlw

Spice Girls-Spice up your life

When I was still exploring music, the Spice Girls wave swept through and Girl Power was all the rage. Females supporting other females made me proud. I still believe in Girl Power.

https://youtu.be/GZXHBgjQjNM

Backstreet Boys-drowning

I miss the 90’s craze of boy bands and being caught up in youthful hysterica. I’m embarrassed by this slightly but pop music then was awesome because every song was as good as the last.

https://youtu.be/2s3iGpDqQpQ

Korn-Falling Away from me

Korn was the first rock band I heard of that the boys my age were listening to. I didn’t appreciate them then but I do now. Some songs are definitely better in retrospect.

https://youtu.be/GgxcvmkPD-I

Linkin Park-Points of Authority

I was listening to harder music as I got older and Linkin Park helped pave the way for that. This song is one of their best even thought it’s a remix. It’s more hard rock than just rock.

https://youtu.be/qv96yJYhk3M

Nirvana-You Know You’re Right

I was depressed in high school and Nirvana helped me my junior year. I only had my music and my books and Kurt’s voice guiding me safely to the other side.

https://youtu.be/6dW6aNAZGTM

Cradle of Filth-Nymphetamine

This was the gateway band that got me into metal. It’s poetic but brutal in its savagery.

https://youtu.be/EbAzKRohuvs

Otep-Buried Alive

Otep was my favorite band for years. She opened up a whole new world filled with poetry and catharsis. I owe her a lot for helping my senior year of high school.

https://youtu.be/iWIADZKU9dw

Flyleaf-I’m so sick

I went through a painful breakup when I was 19 and this song pushed me into recovery. It seems like the end of the world when you’re that young but healing from that trauma was the best revenge.

https://youtu.be/1H4SVRApGhM

Light This City-The Unwelcome Savior

I love this band for their magnetic words and brilliant songs. This song taught me that a story can be told in just a few words.

https://youtu.be/PBvwcH4XX6U

Rammstein-Mein Teil

I started to explore other ways to put words to paper and learned how to do that in other languages. Rammstein proved that just one language isn’t enough to explore your creativity.

https://youtu.be/U9C2Vh1HMgc

Arch Enemy-We Will Rise

My love for female metal vocals came about in the shape of Angela Gossow. She inspired me to explore more extreme metal and find other talented female voices.

https://youtu.be/QhPn5EPGN4c

Chevelle-Self Destructor

I hadn’t written anything in 2 years by this point. I had hit writer’s block and this song inspired me to break through that barrier. This song is encouraged me to get a better job and go back to school. One song changed me completely.

https://youtu.be/d55ELY17CFM

Muse-Won’t Stand Down

I still love metal but I remember my love for simple alternative rock. Muse resurfaced in the last few years and have evolved into one of my favorites again. I don’t know how I ever did without them.

https://youtu.be/ROatPGGMvXg

Jimmy Eat World-Sweetness

This is my favorite song ever. I don’t know why but it makes me feel elevated. It makes me look forward to the future.