In the spring of 2012, a wave of the blues washed over me. Having just completed graduate school, I felt this immense pressure to be “done” – a fully formed, polished adult, ready to launch a singing career. Objectively, life wasn’t terrible. I had a decent apartment in Princeton, New Jersey, friends, a few jobs, and perhaps a slight tendency to overindulge in drinks, fueled by the mounting internal pressure and the daunting uncertainty of forging a career in singing.
During this period, Sir Elton John’s “I guess that’s why they call it the blues” became my constant companion, often played on repeat at 2 AM.
It was a source of comfort then, and it remains so now. The song is easy to listen to, crooning, and underpinned by a catchy bass line. Elton John starts the song with a reassuring message:
“don’t wish it away, don’t look at it like it’s forever”
In clearer moments, this line resonates deeply. We cannot simply wish away our pain, but we can trust that it will not last indefinitely. And as this song beautifully illustrates, we can also appreciate a fantastic harmonica solo and the irresistible urge to air-drum along.
I vividly recall the first time I experienced the capital-B Blues – real, tangible depression. It was my freshman year of college, and I remember observing the changing leaves with a detached, clinical eye. Growing up in Michigan, the vibrant fall colors had always sparked joy and excitement. But this time, amidst the changes and anxieties of early adulthood, I felt utterly numb. It was an alarming absence of feeling.
Last fall, a different shade of the blues found me in Philadelphia. Alone and lonely in a hotel room, I turned to my Facebook friends, asking them to share their most potent tearjerker songs. This resulted in a sprawling Spotify playlist aptly titled “weeping in philly.”
That night, an acquaintance, concerned about my well-being, reached out to ask if I was okay. Their concern was kind, but it’s important to emphasize, especially in this reflection on tearjerker songs, that crying itself is not an indication of distress. Sometimes, it’s simply a release. A dear singer friend often says, “a cry a day keeps the crazy away.” And, fittingly, Sir Elton reminds us to “cry in the night, if it helps.”
It’s worth remembering that May is Mental Health Awareness Month. When the blues hit, it can feel like falling into a deep hole. A depressive hole that seems endless, largely because, from within it, it’s hard to see beyond the darkness. But there is always light, and as Elton John reassures us, “things can only get better.” We always have the option to ask for help – or, in the words of Sondheim, “No one is alone” (another tearjerker thought…). We have the power to voice our pain, share it with those we trust, or seek professional support when needed. And in the meantime, we can find solace in listening to our favorite songs on repeat and allowing ourselves a good cry, perhaps with “I guess that’s why they call it the blues” providing a comforting soundtrack.
Tomorrow: sehnsucht, meeting cute, and allergic rhinitis
