A Soundtrack to Sobriety Vol. 1 – Motivational Sobriety Songs
With any journey whether it be a holiday or an up and down roller coaster of life to sobriety there are certain things that remind you of it. One of the major factors for most people is music. Music to me is part of my life and you could say I am a bit of a throwback with an eclectic love for all genres really depending on my mood. In fact, if you listened to my playlist to try and understand me, I’m afraid you would not be able to guess my age, sex, background or lifestyle. However, with the selection I am sharing with you below, you will be able to share my journey to sobriety.
Before we crack on, I want to state that using music as a therapy is real, so lock yourself away, or whilst cooking or whenever etc. stick on some vibes that make you feel good. But remember one of my top tips: If its certain music that makes you want to drink or makes you feel bad, choose something else. I promise it works and it doesn’t last because these days I listen to what I want.
The motivational sobriety songs below demonstrate my soundtrack to sobriety although I feel there could be more instalments to come:
- Rambunctious Boy – John Fogerty
This song just sums me up in my youth and I am sure it does many others. Restless, carefree and didn’t care where they ended up. The second line “I ain’t done everything there is to do but I’ll damn sure give it a try”… That was me!
- Take It Easy – Eagles
Following on the theme really. This is just an all-round classic and on occasions I had been told to “Take it Easy” but obviously didn’t listen. It’s the title here I think that is most relevant and the fact I just love it obviously, but we could all do with taking note of a line in the second verse “We may lose and we may win but we will never be here again”…. Let’s aim to win.
- Madness – Madness
Easy to explain this one because my life had become crazy. Early flights, late boozy nights, early business meetings. In a nutshell, I was travelling all over the place burning the candle at both ends big time whilst my binge drinking got worse. Obviously, it was everyone else who didn’t know how to have a good time!
- Icarus – Bastille
As soon as the lyrics start on this song you know its relevant with “Look who’s digging their own grave that’s they will all say, you’ll drink yourself to death” and then with “Icarus is flying to close to the sun, and Icarus’ life is only just begun”. It relates to warnings from both yourself and others who can see that I was setting myself for downfall. For me the lyric “standing on a cliff face, highest fall you ever grace” relates to the high flying job I had always dreamed of (because I could be free and drink it has to be said) and the fact that I had to make the decision to leave or my life would get worse. I did leave the job to save my marriage but the drinking continued a while longer.
- Crossroads – Don McLean
A real eery song this but I can remember listening to it whilst driving and putting myself within the song. I was depressed and lost and the following lyrics from the first verse explains: “I’m all tied up on the inside & no one knows quite what I’ve got and I know that on the outside what I used to be I’m not anymore. You know I’ve heard about people like me, but I never made the connection, they walk one road to set them free & find they’ve gone the wrong direction” …. How true. This song can be related to the inner battles of knowing I should quit the booze but not really wanting to and then changing perspective.
- Stuck in The Middle with You
Who doesn’t love this track? Its awesome! It starts “Well I don’t know why I came here tonight….” and basically from there it reminds me of being somewhere battling my demons and wanting to get out of there. This is right in the middle of the transition from wanting to stop (I think, or I should) to making the decision that enough is enough.
- S.O.B – Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
I first came across these guys on Later with Jules Holland (a music show in the UK) and it was during the afore mentioned transition from binger to teetotaler. I had made the decision and this track demonstrates the struggles and the need to reach out for help. Please listen, you must!
- Don’t Stop – Fleetwood Mac
All you need is the lyrics to explain this one: “If you wake up and don’t want to smile, if it takes just a little while, open your eyes and look at the day, you’ll see thing in a different way… Don’t stop thinkin about tomorrow don’t stop it’ll soon be here, it’ll be here better than before, yesterday’s gone yesterday’s gone”. See, its just hanging in there and encouragement.
- Days Like This – Van Morrison
After the hard work, there comes a point when you either know or think you know you are on an upturn and the future looks bright and “everything falls into place like the flick of a switch” Love Van the Man!
10. New Attitude – Patti LaBelle
Proper 80’s vibe but it’s all about the lyrics this one and to sum up this post that’s exactly what I am going to end on from the Chorus:
“Somehow the wires uncoiled the tables were turned never knew I had such a lesson to learn, I’m feeling good from my head to my shoes, know where I’m going and I know what to do, I tidied up my point of view I got a new attitude”
