Fight Song

There’s a song by Rachel Platten called “Fight Song”. It’s kinda become an anthem for many cancer patients even though its not really about a physical illness. Music speaks to me...which I suppose is why it was my undergrad major. I thrive on listening to music. I especially tend to focus on the lyrics but also the beat, tempo, and instrumentation. I’ll listen to anything other than hard core rap. If you were to see my playlists on my phone, you’d see everything from Ella Fitzgerald to Eminem and literally everything in between. If you’re a music geek like me, you may have even noticed that every blog entry has a song name as a title. I know, its silly, but when you constantly have a song stuck in your head like I do, its easy to associate music with everyday life. I’m like a human jukebox! Now if only I could make money with my quirkiness....

Anyway, when you have a stem cell transplant, one of the best things you can do to speed recovery is to walk. No matter how awful you feel, try to get out of bed and at least walk around your room. Look out the window, sit up in a chair, walk the halls if you can. Do whatever you can do each day to get out of bed as much as you can. I promise you it will help you both physically and mentally. Now, if you’re like me, you’ll get bored easily. Same hallways day after day. I was bored after the first 5 minutes so I needed something else to focus on besides the tile floor, the indescript hospital smell and the IV pole constantly alongside me. So I made myself a Walking Playlist. Thought I’d share some of my favorite songs in case you needed a Walking Playlist...or maybe you just want some new music. Actually, many of the songs are not that new. Also, many are by Christian artists so I’ll break it into secular and Christian.

CHRISTIAN ARTISTS/SONGS
-Held by Natalie Grant
-Blessings by Laura Story
-What Faith Can Do by Kutless
-Hope in Front of Me by Danny Gokey
-Worn by Tenth Avenue North
-It Is Well by Bethel Music & Kristine DeMarco
-Trust In You by Lauren Diagle
-Need you Know by Plumb
-Just Be Held by Casting Crowns
-Where Were you by Francesca Battistelli
-Unfinished by Mandisa
-Overcomer by Mandisa

SECULAR ARTISTS/SONGS
-Brave by Sara Bareilles
-Roar by Katy Perry
-You and I by Lady Gaga
-Bruises by Train
-Sing by Ed Sheehan
-Late In The Evening by Paul Simon
-Sometimes you Can’t Make It On your Own by U2
-Blank Space by Taylor Swift
-Lips Are Movin by Megan Trainor
-Accentuate the Positive by Bing Crosby
-Be OK by Ingrid Michaelson
-Carry On by FUN
-Fix You by Coldplay
-Just A Ride by Jem
-Keep Breathing by Ingrid Michaelson
-Stay by Rihanna
-This’ll Be My Year by Train
-Honey, I”m Good by Andy Grammer
-Shut Up and Dance by Walk The Moon
-Somebody To Love by Queen
-Fight Song by Rachel Platten
-Bennie and the Jets by Elton John
-Keep your Head Up by Andy Grammer
-Better When I’m Dancin by Megan Trainor
-Uptown Girl by Billy Joel
-Stormy Weather by Judy Garland
-You Look Good by Lady Antebellum
-Walk On Water by Aerosmith
-I Gotta Feeling by BLack Eyed Peas
-Fighter by Christina Aguilera
-Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves
-Monday Monday by Mamas and the Papas
-Fire and Rain by James Taylor
-King of New York from Newsies Musical
-Dancing Queen by ABBA

So, its quite a list. Every song spoke to me either with the lyrics (particularly the Christian ones) or brought back good memories or was just an upbeat song that helped me pass the time. While this isn’t the most insightful post, I hope that it is helpful if you’re looking for some music to use while you walk those halls.