By Sonia Thomas
In the TCC podcast, Lost Connections, Sonia Thomas talked to us about loneliness in Indian metros and some of her coping strategies, one of which is having a handy list of different playlists for every mood. She shares one of them with us (I’m Lonely But It’s Okay), and tells us why each song on this list has a place here. Listen in!
1. Leaning on Myself- Anna of the North
I found this song on a bad day and it led me create a self love playlist. The song makes me feel good about myself, it reaffirms that it’s ok to do it on my own.
2. Mitwa- Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Shankar Mahadevan
When I was a child, I’d sing this song to myself when there were exams or challenging situations. Even if you’re at the crossroads, there’s a friend at hand. And you can never go wrong with Shah Rukh Khan!
3. Put your records on- Corinne Bailey Rae
This song makes me happy! When I imagine how the song was written, I’d envision Corinne looking out of the window and how her anxiety calmed down as she wrote, Just go ahead/Let your hair down.
4. One step at a time- Jordin Sparks
This one is from her first album and was used in a bunch of romantic comedies. It’s a great anytime song because it reminds you to take one day at a time, and turn the next one around. So even if it’s been a bad say, there’s a new day coming. No need to rush, she sings.
Ariana Grande wrote this song for her anxiety and used the album to address her own. Rule number one, as she says is to ‘just keep breathing’.
There’s nothing that Lizzo can’t do! She’s the most life affirming artist and a phenomenal personality. She’s also my age. I love her music because it reaffirms how joy is also a form of resistance and celebrating the everyday is so important regardless of what is going on.
This is a popular break up song. It’s about someone you love now dancing with someone else but the song also says it’s alright. That you have to continue to dance and live your own life, even if it’s across the same room.
8. Chhoti Si Asha- A.R. Rahman, Minmini
It’s such a pure, simple, joyous song. I listened to this one a lot as a child and it appealed to my imagination – a small-town girl discovering so much and having a deep appreciation for the world around her.
9. Yun Hi Chala Chal- Udit Narayan, Hariharan, Kailash Kher
The title says it all- just keep going. It’s a great road trip song and always makes me feel better. Just get on the road and get going.
10. Heartbeat Song- Kelly Clarkson
I love Kelly Clarkson, and we share a birthday. She’s annoyingly chirpy in a good way. The beat in the song is her child’s heartbeat and I love that she’s included something so essential to life in her music.