Some days, the only way I can keep myself sane is to put on a great song and play it on repeat until my mind settles down and I can think clearly again. One of those songs has always been Drift Away. There's something about it that heals me every single time I hear it. When Dobie Gray starts singing, it's almost as if he's giving me permission to stop fighting whatever I'm feeling. Instead of pushing those emotions away, the music reminds me to sit with them for a while, let them run their course, and then let them go.

Maybe that's my superpower. Music has always had a way of carrying me through life's difficult moments. When my thoughts start racing or the weight of the day feels like too much, I press play, close my eyes, and let the rhythm do what words alone sometimes can't. That simple act has gotten me through more days than I can count, and it's one of the reasons Lyrical Sunshine exists.

When I first began dreaming about this little brand, I knew I wanted it to celebrate the songs that lift us up, remind us who we are, and quietly help us heal. Drift Away has always been one of those songs for me. It embodies the kind of good energy I wanted Lyrical Sunshine to represent. It's hopeful without pretending life is perfect, and comforting without trying to solve every problem. Sometimes that's exactly what we need.

The story behind the song makes me appreciate it even more. Songwriter Mentor Williams wrote Drift Away in 1970, but it wasn't an immediate hit. Two different artists recorded it before Dobie Gray released his version in 1973, and that's the recording that became an international success. Since then, more than fifty artists have recorded their own versions. I think that says something about the song. Truly great music doesn't belong to one generation. It keeps finding new voices because the message continues to speak to people.

There are a lot of wonderful lyrics in this song, but these have always stayed with me:

And when my mind is free
You know a melody can move me
And when I'm feelin' blue
The guitar's comin' through to soothe me

I don't know if I've ever heard a better description of what music has meant in my own life. I believe in the power of rhythm, rhyme, and harmony. Music celebrates with us when life is good, comforts us when life is hard, and somehow helps us find our footing again when we've lost our way. That's why I'll probably always believe that songs are more than entertainment. Sometimes they're exactly what our hearts need to hear.

So the next time you're feeling overwhelmed, put on your headphones and play Drift Away. Or play the song that has always been there for you, the one that calms your mind, lifts your spirit, or reminds you that tomorrow is another day. Turn it up. Sing every word. Let yourself feel whatever needs to be felt, then let the music carry a little of the weight for a while.

I'd love to know what song does that for you. We all have one, and I have a feeling your story might introduce me to my next favorite song.

Look to the sun and sing along,

Lindsey