Playlist: The Healing Power of Song

A groundbreaking poll from the BBC has, to our delight, revealed the healing powers of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Apparently, in order to heal you need a song associated with the word “Queen.” According to this highly scientific investigation, nearly 90% of respondents said, “listening to music can make people feel better when they are sick or facing difficult times.” Autostraddle Contributing Editor Hannah Hodson went so far as to claim, “I only listen to music to cure me of the blues. That’s its purpose.”

We held a formal survey of the Autostraddle staff and came up with our own songs with “healing powers.” Here’s our playlist, which also starts and ends with Queen… Bey. Some might call it infectious, but actually, it’s for your health.

Countdown – Beyoncé
Anaconda – Nicki Minaj
Closer – Tegan and Sara
Rather Be (feat. Jess Glynne) – Clean Bandit
Secrets – Mary Lambert, B.o.B.
Explode – Big Freedia
Electric Lady (feat. Solange) – Janelle Monáe
Modern Girl – Sleater-Kinney
A Better Son/Daughter – Rilo Kiley
Everything is AWESOME (feat. The Lonely Island) – Tegan and Sara
Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl – Broken Social Scene
True Love Will Find You In the End – Daniel Johnston
Crying at the Wawa (feat. Mal Blum) – Chris Gethard
La Vie Boheme – RENT Original Broadway Cast
Complétement fou – Yelle
Warm in the Winter – Glass Candy
Real Thing – tUnE-yArDs
Waterfalls – TLC
No Stranger – Small Black
Another Story – The Head and the Heart
Dreams – Fleetwood Mac
XO – Beyoncé

***Please note that ***Flawless is not available on Spotify, but if were it would probably be the only song on this playlist.

Want to suggest a playlist theme? Hit Stef up and someone on the team might make it for you.

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Maddie

Autostraddle staff writer. Copy editor. Fledgling English muffin maker. Temporary turtle parent. Zine creator. Swings enthusiast. Political human who cares a lot about healthcare and queer anti-carceral feminisms. I asked my friend to help me write this bio and they said, "Good-natured. Friend. Earth tones." Another friend said, "Flannel babe. Vacuum lover. Kind." So. Find me on Twitter or my website.

Maddie has written 100 articles for us.

9 Comments

  2. Awww none of these are my thing. I think the only song I’ve heard is “Closer”. That’s okay, I have weird “healing” songs. They’re prob only healing to me bc it has to be so personal in order for it to work, you know?

    • We would definitely love to know what your healing songs are, if you want to share them! The only qualifying factor for any song on this playlist is that someone on the team finds it healing (and that it can be found on Spotify). It’s all very subjective.

  3. This playlist saved my day, and just might save my week. I’ve only heard a few of the songs on here, but it’s full of artists I’ve been meaning to try. Thank you so much <3

  5. I am embarrassed to say I cried twice during this playlist. But in a good way. It’s a good playlist.

  6. I don’t have healing song so much as a healing artist. Her name is Katie Herzig, she is amazing, and she might just be my spirit animal.

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