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Recently, I’ve fallen in love with the trope of gentleness being expressed through femininely presented grief. Not in a way where it’s enjoyable to see pain, but rather comforting for others to embody a process that can be related too, and words sung better than your own brain could engineer them into speech. These are some of my favorites:
“The Bug Collector” by Haley Heynderickx
Haley’s poetic lyrics tell the story of striving to be a place of comfort and security for someone who cannot accept help. The divine feminine nature of being caring is shown through trying to rid a partner of the bugs and pests that appear through what could be their home. The protagonist is in desperation to prove to someone they love that safety can be found. The melody is soft, sweet and longing. With a croak in the voice that comes to one before crying. The instruments are nothing short of hypnotizing, pulling you into the jaded green world of bugs before you.
2. “Adam’s Ribs” by Jensen McRae
This song exists completely in it’s own element, using the story of the Biblical Adam and Eve. The song takes place from the perspective of Eve losing not only the paradise of Eden, but the love of Adam. With the repeated idea of being made of someone as Eve was made from Adams ribs. Jensen McRae knows exactly when and how to use the power of her voice to portray a guttural heartbreak. Paired with the orchestral feel, this track is elegant and stomach turning.
3. “The Giver” by Sarah Kinsley
This song was written for the romantics whose kindness has been used against them. Kinsley’s tale is one of giving all that you are to someone who sees you as less than human, and the ways one can lie to themselves offering justification to cope with neglect. There’s a desire to love the broken in order to see yourself as put together. This song has some of the most daunting harmonic builds I’ve personally heard in a long time. The tune is whispering in the beginning, and crying out by the end. This may be the way many who are placed in a draining aching love may feel, and may they find comfort in knowing their grief isn’t something that isolates them.
4. “More” by Rachel Bobbitt
This song was one I found more recently, by Rachel Bobbitt. Rachel spills all of the burdens that can come from within one’s own mind, with the overarching tone of feeling as if she’s a burden. From the preconceived notions of our identity, the purpose we serve in relationships and our perceived truths. Through all of these factors seeming to be against the singer, there’s an immense care for those around her. That even if they were to choose a life that had nothing to to with her, contentment would come to her just by hearing about how they are. This song is easy on the ears and one you could get lost in thought to.
5. “I’d Have to Think About It” by Leith Ross
Leith Ross is known for their song “Like We’ll Never Have Sex,” which bears an equally meaningful message of someone loving you without any desire for themselves, but purely to watch the other grow. But “I’d Have To Think About It,” bears the other side. With a more upbeat sound, the lyricism describes a love so great through all its difficulties, that it remains with Leith forever. Though they know that life will have good to offer — a job, travel, a different spouse, children — the thought of throwing away all of it might just be worth it for a certain someone. I feel this speaks to many who have had the privilege to experience a pulling attraction of the soul that transcends the values of everything else we’ve had. Ross simply puts it into words better than anyone else could.
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