“Merit for Sadness” by Haste the Day popped into my head the other day, and I put together a playlist around it. I realized that the end of the song would transition seamlessly into “Existence” by August Burns Red. After that metal onslaught, I thought a slower-paced song would do, so I threw in a low-tempo Demon Hunter song. I had “Artist in the Ambulance” stuck in my head soon after, and added “Injection” as a bridge.

Here’s what I ended up with:

  • Thrice, "The Artist in the Ambulance"
  • Rise Against, "Injection"
  • Haste the Day, "Merit for Sadness"
  • August Burns Red, "Existence"
  • Demon Hunter, "I Play Dead"

I picked these songs either intuitively, or because they fit musically. Then, I noticed a theme in the lyrics.

I know that there's
A difference between sleight of hand, and giving everything you have
There's a line drawn in the sand, I'm working up the will to cross it and

I hope that I will never let you down
I know that this can be more than just flashing lights and sound

Rhetoric can't raise the dead
I'm sick of always talking when there's no change
Rhetoric can't raise the dead
I'm sick of empty words, let's lead and not follow

—Thrice, "The Artist in the Ambulance"

Guide me through unchartered waters
Before we lose our way again
Will you be my compass until forever?
Until forever ends?

Knees are weak, hands are shaking, I can't breathe

So give me the drug, keep me alive
Give me what's left of my life
Don't let me go
Pull this plug, let me breathe
On my own, I'm finally free
Don't let me go

—Rise Against, "Injection"

Open my heart to sadness
It's though the pain that I believe
It's in the pain that I can see
Love is alive in darkness
The waters may rise but your hand carries me

The world may deny what you choose to believe
I know that you're here
So I'll hold on and won't let go
I won't let go

—Haste the Day, "Merit for Sadness"

Don't excuse yourself from life today on the pretense of your past

You're hurt, you're broken, that's alright
This might be what it takes to wake you up

—August Burns Red, "Existence"

I've got to find a way to stop before it starts
Finding its way through my veins right to my heart
I never thought it something everyone could see
And it kills within me

I won't
I won't leave without a trace
I won't be erased

—Demon Hunter, "I Play Dead"

They’re all about perseverance. They’re all about changing for the better.

And right now, they’re all terribly inspiring to me. Love it.