Music Can Help

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It felt appropriate to follow up last week’s post on World Mental Health Day – which took place this Tuesday – with something about how music can be beneficial for our health. Several months ago I updated a previous piece, in Musicians And Health Revisited, which included some songs by Lewis Capaldi. I later shared a track from his new album which has a real tearjerker of a video: that was Wish You The Best. I have told some of Lewis’s story and of his having been diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome, which caused him to cancel his gigs for several weeks in the lead up to his appearance at this year’s Glastonbury Festival, on 24 June. I watched that as it was being broadcast live, and it was heartbreaking to see how unwell he was, but also incredibly uplifting to see the crowd’s supportive response. If you haven’t seen it, here is a little taste:

Since then Lewis has reluctantly decided to cancel the tour he had scheduled to promote that new album, and is concentrating on improving his mental health: a brave decision, but in my view very sensible. This is what he posted on Instagram when he made that announcement:

I think that is a very mature approach to a mental health issue, from someone who is still relatively young: he turned 27 last week. As part of the promotion for that recent album Lewis made the usual videos – like the official one for this song that I shared previously – but he also made another, which provides a lovely low key musical accompaniment to some emotional moments:

The sentiment in the song’s lyrics is a good match for people who, unlike his character in the song, are enjoying reunions with loved ones. I guess it also made those even more special by having a chart topping singer serenading you!

If you have Netflix, you will be able to see a documentary about him which was released in early April, which is titled after one of the songs on his new album. The song is How I’m Feeling Now, and it gives a very personal glimpse into what has been happening for him:

The lyrics are painful to hear, but give a very good feel for what someone suffering with mental health issues can go through:

I won’t lie, I’m a mess, yeah
But I’ll get there
No, I won’t lie, I’m a mess, yeah
But I’ll get there

So here’s to my beautiful life
It seems to leave me so unsatisfied
No sense of self, but self-obsessed
I’m always trapped inside my fucking head

On and on and on, on and on and on
On and on and on, on and on and on
Said, “Thought I’d be happier somehow
If you were wondering how I’m feeling now”

I’m hopeful for him that the time he is taking away from all the pressures will help him to come back feeling stronger and ready to meet his view that “I’ll get there.” The documentary is very well done, and gives a good sense of both his own strength of character and that of his supportive family. It was encouraging to see a news report of him being spotted out in London with friends a couple of days ago, though as it was in the Daily Fail it may be something they have made up and illustrated with older photos: they aren’t a trustworthy source of news! For Lewis’ sake I hope it is real: he has a great talent and deserves to be able to enjoy sharing it with others, without mental health issues getting in the way.

I’ll close with another song from the album. This one starts with the lyrics:

Don’t put your cover up
You know it’s bad for your health
And when the going’s tough
You’re way too hard on yourself
I wish you’d open up
And I’d lend a little to help
Before you dive off the deep end

Those words really do have an additional meaning coming from someone who has lived them: he and his co-writers know what they are doing. In typically generous style, Lewis’ video for the song highlights someone doing good works supporting people with health issues. As these ‘people’ are children, you may need the tissues at the ready again for this:

I wish Lewis well. We need him back to this kind of form, don’t we:

Hopefully his music will help him get over his current problems. If you look at his videos on YouTube it is clear that he has affected many people, and has given them a voice and a sense of not being alone. Music can do that, and it is one of the reasons why I couldn’t imagine life without it.

31 thoughts on “Music Can Help”

  1. Pingback: October Passed Me By | Take It Easy

    • He is very talented, isn’t he. I’m glad you enjoyed the songs and the interview clip. The alternative to that one is also very funny, but definitely NSFW! I’m glad you heeded the tissues warning, too. His official video for Wish You The Best, which I played in one of those previous posts, also has the same effect 😊

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      • I’m pleased you followed up. He has loads of great songs and some of his interviews and chat show appearances are outrageously funny. If you have Netflix I can recommend the documentary I mentioned in the post. I’m glad you enjoyed this one 😊

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      • Of course once i watched the clips i immediately knew him – just never have thought about who the artist was but i hope he can feel better and that clip of the fans has to have energized him

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      • I’m hoping he gets through it all and can carry on with his career. He clearly loves the interaction with fans, and that clip shows how much they mean to him.

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    • I do too. I think he has a great voice and has found the style of song to suit it. For him, fame and its pressure is complicated by his Tourette’s, which is very clear from the documentary I mentioned. As that last clip shows, he has a wicked sense of humour and needs it right now.

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