What's Your Favorite Migraine Song?

By Holly Harding

2 min read

In the following video, Holly asks our community to share your favorite songs that have migraine-related themes. Do you have a song that helps get you through your attacks or a style of music you turn to that helps you manage the condition overall?

What is my migraine song?

Holly's go-to song that inspires her life with migraine is one by Liz Phair called "Wind and the Mountain" Here are the lyrics:

You lose your way
You've gotta land
You've gotta make another plan
But sometimes I am too tired

You've gotta smile
You've gotta play
You've gotta work another day
But sometimes I am too tired

You've gotta raise your hand and say
I don't understand
But there are days when I'm too tired
There are days when I'm just too tired

And the wind that I'm in
Screams on me
Howls around me
And I feel like I am a naked man

I've got nothing and no one in a stranger's land
And the wind will do me in

Everyday you've gotta run
You've got a job
You get it done
But sometimes I am too tired

You wanna roll in the grass
Kick your shoes off
Have a laugh
But sometimes I am too tired

I wanna raise my hand and say
I don't understand
But there are days when I'm too tired
There are days when I'm just too tired

And the wind kicks in again and says
Lean on me
Rise above me
And it says
Sailor don't leave the channel now
Deep blue rollers are breaking across your bow
And the wind will guide you in

So I went up the mountain
But all I saw was another mountain
So I came down the mountain
And I said, "leave me here lord"

Leave me in the valley
Let me rest my weary head
Give peace to your survivor
Put all my fears to bed

You lose your way
You've gotta land
You've gotta make another plan
But sometimes I am inspired

You're gonna sing another song
You're gonna right another wrong
And sometimes I am inspired

You're gonna raise your hand and say
I don't understand
There are days when you get an answer
There are days when you find your answer.

Please share your migraine-related songs in the comment section below so we can listen to each other's favorites.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Migraine.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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azreynolds Member
Mine doesn't have words. It's Claire de lune. I have a long collection of classical pieces pulled from my favorite symphonies that I listen to, plus other songs including Enya, but Claire de lune is recorded multiple times. I've loved it since I first heard it 50 years ago.
1. Melissa Arnold Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="azreynolds" user-id="3677307"/> Claire de Lune ... such an iconic piece. <3 Who are your favorite composers? There's this pianist David Nevue whose music was a big part of my teen years. So soothing. -Melissa, <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team
2. azreynolds Member
 <inline-mention username="Melissa Arnold" user-id="3827796"/> Obviously Debussy, but I'm also crazy about Beethoven, Grieg, Glen Miller and Tommy Dorsey to name just a few. Enya really moves me as well as Dave Grissom, Stefan Grappelli and Bill Monroe. There's an artist Beppe Gabetta that I'm fond of and I'm crazy for Tim O'Brien, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holliday. I think I have a multiple personality disorder when it comes to music, movies and books. I'm all over the board. Lol.
Rebecca C Moderator
Oh yes, <inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> - I listen to meditation/nature (Meditation Tribe Radio, Still Waters Radio, or Yoga Radio), or Native American flute music on Pandora when migraines hit. It surely takes my mind off the pain and begins to soothe my soul so I can begin to relax. Specifically, with nature sounds, I close my eyes and imagine I am in nature - on a beach, in the forest, on a walk, etc and this helps me breathe better and relax. Rebecca (community advocate) 
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Rebecca Cappello" user-id="3677527"/> ooh- what a great tip. Thank you for sharing this. I love the idea of using sounds to assist in being transported to places we may not be able to otherwise travel because of our migraines: the beach, the mountains, etc. Such a wonderful approach. Warmly- Holly (migraine.com team) 
2. Melissa Arnold Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> <inline-mention username="Rebecca Cappello" user-id="3677527"/> I've got one for you! Look up Gentle Thunder. She does Native American flute and New Age music that's just lovely. In fact, I listen to her often when I'm here moderating! I hope you enjoy it. 😀 -Melissa, <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team
Melissa Arnold Community Admin
I have one song -- just one -- that I come back to over and over again when I am going through hard times. It's called "Every Storm" by Gary Alan. It's not a perfect metaphor, but it helps me to remember that everything is temporary. I saw you standing in the middle of the thunder and lightning I know you're feeling like you just can't win, but you're trying It's hard to keep on keepin' on, when you're being pushed around Don't even know which way is up, you just keep spinning down, 'round, down Every storm runs, runs out of rain Just like every dark night turns into day Every heartache will fade away Just like every storm runs, runs out of rain So hold your head up and tell yourself that there's something more And walk out that door Go find a new rose, don't be afraid of the thorns 'Cause we all have thorns Just put your feet up to the edge, put your face in the wind And when you fall back down, keep on rememberin' Every storm runs, runs out of rain Just like every dark night turns into day Every heartache will fade away Just like every storm runs, runs out of rain It's gonna run out of pain It's gonna run out of sting It's gonna leave you alone It's gonna set you free Set you free
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Melissa Arnold" user-id="3827796"/> That's beautiful- and such moving lyrics. Thanks so much for sharing! Warmly- Holly (migraine.com team)
mrs-doyle Member
I steal my dog’s music… it’s simply classical piano and the album is “Through A Dog’s Ear, Calm Your Canine: Dog Calming Music” None of the notes are too sharp or high or harsh. That plus a fireplace from YouTube and everything seems to just get all cozy and vanilla and smooths off the sharp jagged edges of an episode. I’m Still Standing by Elton John has been my anthem for difficult times as long as I can remember. It’s for the victory dance at the episode after party… 
1. Melissa Arnold Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="Rebecca Cappello" user-id="3677527"/> <inline-mention username="mrs-doyle" user-id="3838762"/> This "dog music" is a whole new world for me. I love it! My mom's neighbor leaves the tv on to entertain her pet birds. Ha. But truly, finding music that naturally eliminates that high range is a brilliant idea. So glad you found a way to enjoy music in a non triggering way. 😀 -Melissa, <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Rebecca Cappello" user-id="3677527"/> Love this description of how your set your environment for a calm experience. I do this as well- it's more far reaching than music, as you say. I also have a gas fireplace and have taken to burning a non-scented candle just for the feel of calm it offers. I also have recently bought some various textured pillows - soft in nature- to surround me as I think feeling and seeing blankets and pillows that are soft colors and textures just helps to bring the stress level down a bit. Making a soft and easy environment is a good idea to help address the edgy harshness that migraine attacks bring. Thanks for sharing. - Warmly- Holly (migraine.com team)
angs Member
When my migraines first became a problem I would listen to classical music. However, as they have worsened I cannot handle flutes/violins. I have a playlist for "almost migraine" with upbeat songs including Get Up by Shinedown, PityParty(lovelytheband),and MyLife(Imagine Dragons). But as my mood gets darker I move into Muse, 21 Pilots, GnR, and heavier Imagine Dragons and Shinedown. The heavier/louder music is a distraction from the pain rather than adding to it. At a certain point, silence is my best friend.
1. Melissa Arnold Community Admin
 You have good taste! -Melissa, <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="angs" user-id="3670809"/> Love the "silence is my best friend" comment. So true and a statement so many of us can relate to. Thanks for sharing this. Warmly- Holly (migraine.com team)
hitesh-goenka Member
Rock n Roll helps me to relax. I love the drum beats and the guitar riffs. A great distraction.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="hitesh-goenka" user-id="3755282"/> thanks for letting us know what style of music works to distract you during an attack. Any artists in particular? Warmly- Holly (migraine.com team) 
2. hitesh-goenka Member
 <inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> Led Zeppelin Black Sabbath Judas Priest Korn It's like their music agrees with the weird sensations inside me.
kateymac Member
“Migraine” by Troubled Hubble
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="kateymac" user-id="3784217"/> oh- great- one I've never heard of. I'll seek this one out and listen to it today. The title certainly sounds spot on! Thank you for sharing! Warmly- Holly (migraine.com team).
kateymac Member
Yeah - it’s different, too, because it’s a young man lamenting his MOM’s migraines. Sweet & angry & catchy tune, too!
1. Melissa Arnold Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="kateymac" user-id="3784217"/> Super catchy. Reminds me of the punk/alt rock I listened to in high school! Thanks for sharing. 😀 -Melissa, <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team