Music Provides Catharsis: A look into music's therapeutic properties
Music is seen by many as a way to release pent-up emotions such as anger, sadness, or love. It can be very helpful to listen to music when dealing with difficult emotions because it provides an outlet for those emotions and makes the listener feel like there are others out there that feel the same way. For centuries, music has been a way for people to connect and share their feelings in ways that enhance the communication process and lead to bonding and a sense of mutual understanding. While everyone feels differently about every situation, many feelings are common amongst people during different situations in their life. For example, a bad breakup can cause many people to become sad and even depressed. This situation is also the cause for a lot of music to be written and performed. Because of this mutual expression between performers and listeners, a connection is formed that can help listeners feel understood and like they are not alone. The first musical example in this work is We Are Young, performed by Fun. featuring Janelle Monae and originally released in 2011.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAzRHjreg6w
This song gives the reader a sense of relief and freedom with the lyrics "Tonight, we are young. So let's set the world on fire." This song encourages a feeling of relaxation and freedom from worry. The story that the song is portraying is about a man coming to terms with his problems and the way that his actions effect others during a night of heavy drinking. The tempo used in this song makes it feel like a hip-hop beat with lyrics and vocal range that give the piece an anthemic feel and is easy to sing along to. In addition, the dynamics change often throughout the song, starting very soft, almost in a talking manner that sounds like the singer is telling a story. Then, the dynamic changes around the chorus to be loud and ballad-like. Finally, the song's use of accompanyment with the drums provides a catchy tune that can be sung along to and is a great addition to a party playlist. I personally enjoy this song because it makes me feel like I want to get together with my friends and creates a feeling of camaraderie and belonging.
The second musical example used in this work is Nutshell, by Alice in Chains, originally written and produced in 1994 in the United States as part of their album Jar of Flies. This song is a heart-wrenching ballad about sadness and the feelings of isolation and loneliness amidst feelings of depression. The tempo is very slow making the song feel ballad-like. Also, the dynamics in this song are quiet throughout the entirety of the piece, which feels more like a poem being expressed than a musical work. The way that the lead singer produces the notes and approaches the song with soul and emotion lead the listener to believe they are the one feeling these emotions and are looking for someone else out there that feels the same. Finally, the timbre in this song is created by guitars and minimal if any other instruments, adding to the feeling of isolation and separation that makes the listener feel like the singer is performing the song to themselves. I really enjoy listening to this song and trying to understand it because I am fascinated with the human condition and understanding why people make the choices they do or feel the things they feel. This song provides a look into the inner workings of someone going through a depressive episode and, personally, has helped me when I was having difficult feelings and needed a way to release them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EKi2E9dVY8
The over all thesis in this post is that music creates a feeling of catharsis and can allow people to connect by way of shared emotions or experiences. Humans need music to tell stories, explain emotions, and provide justification for their feelings and actions. It is important to study the singer performing these types of music because, if they identify with the music or have some connection to it, that will show throughout their performance and add to the emotional aspect of the song.
Music can not only be a release of difficult emotions but also a healing process geared toward coming to terms with our emotions and learning to express them in tangible ways. An article written in True Cadence explains that "we instinctively listen to music that reflects how we feel at a particular moment." This shows that while we may not know how to express the emotion we're feeling, we instinctively find music that can express our emotions in ways that are more easily digested and understood.
Another topic of discussion relating to musical catharsis is that research shows that music can provide therapeutic benefits to the listener. An article in Neuroscience News states that listening to and actually focusing on the music playing rather than having it on as background noise for other activities can lead to a sense of calm and that "people may find they can better manage their own well-being by learning to use focused music listening techniques to compliment their usual, everyday listening practices." This research goes to show that not only is listening to music enjoyable but can also be healing and cathartic which can provide listeners with a way to express and understand their emotions.
Sources:
Wikipedia contributors. “We Are Young.” Wikipedia, 3 Dec. 2025, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Are_Young.
Liptak, Zana. “Musical Catharsis – the Free Medicine for Your Broken Heart.” True Cadence CIC, 31 July 2024, truecadence.org/musical-catharsis-heartbreak-medicine.
Neuroscience News. “Music’S Deep Dive: The Emotional Elixir We’Ve Overlooked.” Neuroscience News, 28 Oct. 2023, neurosciencenews.com/music-emotion-catharsis-25116.
AliceInChainsVEVO. “Alice in Chains - Nutshell (MTV Unplugged - HD Video).” YouTube, 28 Sept. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EKi2E9dVY8.
Fueled By Ramen. “Fun.: We Are Young Ft. Janelle Monáe [OFFICIAL VIDEO].” YouTube, 28 Dec. 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv6dMFF_yts.
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