Songs That Help You Cope

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I'm looking to hear from others about songs that help you cope with being on the spectrum, finding out if you are, suspecting you are, or caring about someone who is.

As I go through the process of getting assessed, I've been having mixed emotions. I'm excited by the possibility of having my questions answered and unaccounted for things explained at last. I'm a bit worried about encountering more difficulties as I'm open with more people over a longer stretch of time (a "coming out" issue I started getting familiar with when I came out as gay at 15). I'm concerned about what it might mean if Asperger's is not the reason for things and what the reason then might turn out to be (a possibility I must consider in order to be sure I'm being as forthcoming and honest as I must be to get the assessment done right and to get the most accurate result). I'm digging up old memories (my own and those of others) that are sometimes embarrassing to me and discovering I have something that I thought I was healthy and mature enough not to suffer from: a sense of shame I must now deal with in order to move forward and take advantage of whatever I learn as best I can. I'm uneasy and stressed through much of this, and some of it is kind of scaring me. A diagnosis will mean many things are not my fault, so I can let go of a sense of moral failing for not having tried hard enough. But then, there goes any hope that, if I just push harder, I can make myself not have these problems.

I've just run across a song that's helping me cope. I think it's actually about gender identity and making peace with a body that doesn't match the internal self-concept. But it also works for the situation I'm in, after having lived to age 44 without having had a diagnosis and now dealing with the distinct possibility of getting one.

Song: "She's Got to Be"
Artist: Amy Ray
Album: "Didn't It Feel Kinder"
Year: 2008

Hi, I was 44 when I was officially diagnosed with Asperger's. Learning I had Asperger's helped me a lot---it finally let me know why I had always been unique in comparison to those around me. Learning about Asperger's became like a owner's manual of my life. I celebrated my diagnosis. I had searched for years to learn who I was...and I finally knew better who I was after being diagnosed. So...I don't have to cope with having Asperger's because I am happy with it. But still...there are challenges with life in general with things not necessarily related to Asperger's. One song (out of many that I like) that can make me feel good is "Look Around" by Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66.

"Cave In" by Owl City, while not particularly about coping, is a song that I find invigorating in times of stress.
"Courage" by Superchick is also a very nice motivator.
"Beautiful" by Christina Aguilera also helps.

I'm Not Like Everybody Else, by The Kinks.

This song justifies the fact that I'm at peace with my AS and that curbies can't bring me down, because I won't let them.

"Go to the Mardis Gras" by Professor Longhair but I like one recording better than the other.

CockeyRebel - what is a curbie?

The song that lets me give the finger to the world/God/whatever:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkGGi_uUaPc[/youtube]

"Bring On the Rain" by Jo Dee Messina and "Through the Rain" by Mariah Carey are both very encouraging songs, and I only listen to them whenever I'm going through a particularly difficult time.

"Unwell" by Matchbox Twenty used to be the song that defined me, since on the surface it appears to be about mental illness. Then the song was featured on the MTV show Pop-Up Video, where they play the music video and insert facts about the songs in little infographics. As it turns out, the song is actually about drug addiction. I've never been able to listen to it the same way again.

Too many to remember. At this very moment I find Korn's "Get up" quite the tonic.

I don't listen to songs so much as albums.

When I'm really depressed, I find Bowie's "The Man who Sold the World" very helpful.
"In a Glass House" by Gentle Giant helps me to grow and be a better person.
Zappa's "Joe's Garage" is like the holy grail to me; I won't allow myself to listen to it except at special times. It is an overwhelming source of inspiration.

For some reason, "Mayonaise" by The Smashing Pumpkins comes to mind.

I never get tired of this song for when I just want to chill out. One of the most under appreciated (at least nowadays) works of art in music.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh3bleXWaCk[/youtube]

I have several music pieces that i consider masterpieces.

Scarface - Someday
Tupac - Lord Knows and if i Die Tonight
Tupac - Shed So Many Tears (tribute version)

And lots more but i dont think they are helpful as they are about depressing stuff

A track on an album called 1 Giant Leap called Passion but also the album in general.

It is an album that was made by these guys who went round the world with an Apple laptop and some recording kit and their guitars and asked all these people who were into music and poetry all over the world to record something for them. They then mixed all these recordings into a series of tracks on an album.

It came out in late 2001. At a time when it seemed some of the world wanted to tear itself violently apart there was this album which showed that throughout the world there were these people who wanted to make music together.

Over 10 years later I still find this immensely comforting.

I have a cousin(he might be on on Facebook). We have the same taste in music.

One of many different examples.....


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChV5BZ8SmS0[/youtube]


TheSunAlsoRises

The responses I've seen to this thread so fare are so heartening! Thanks, everyone!