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UCSD - University of California - San Diego

05/12/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/12/2026 09:10

The Songs That Lift Us Up: A UC San Diego Playlist

Published Date

May 12, 2026

Article Content

Some songs stay with us because of where they meet us: on difficult drives home, during times of stress or in the middle of days when we need a reminder that lighter moments still exist.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, members of the UC San Diego community - students, staff, faculty and alumni - shared the songs they turn to when they need a lift, along with reflections on why those tracks matter to them. The selections span genres and generations, connected by the moments people needed them most.

UC San Diego supports the mental health and well-being of all Triton students, faculty and employees, and we continue to actively cultivate an inclusive and supportive community in which everyone has the opportunity to flourish. Please care for yourself and each other and remember that support is available.

These are "The Songs That Lift Us Up":

"Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield

"'Unwritten' is very special to me because it represents starting a new chapter of my life at UC San Diego and getting to push myself every day to become a better version of myself."

"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears

"This new wave synth pop song may have come out in 1985, but it's still relevant today. The opening notes immediately get me moving and feeling better!"

"This Gift" by Glen Hansard

"This song reminds me how blessed I am to have my son, who has cerebral palsy, to share my life with - to look beyond and embrace how lucky I am. This song really brings it home."

"I Think I'll Call It Morning" by Gil Scott-Heron

"It's just a beautiful song that recognizes that the world is not perfect, that there can be sadness - but we have some agency here to reframe and carry onward with our days."

"Breathe (2AM)" by Anna Nalick

"This song reminds me to take a breath, that everything will be OK, and that I'm part of a larger community for whom this idea resonates. We all need to breathe."

"Diamonds" by Rihanna

"This song reminds me of strength and finding light even in difficult moments. The message about shining bright and recognizing your own worth really resonates with me and motivates me to stay positive."

"Chains of Love" by Erasure

"Erasure's 'Chains of Love' is a reminder that we shouldn't be prisoners to our own doldrums, and that we control our own happiness. If you just break those 'chains' and choose a bit of positivity, the world starts to look brighter."

"Carla's Song" by Harry Styles

"This song reminds me that there are countless possibilities and new experiences for me to look forward to in the future. The lyric 'It's all waiting there for you' fills me with hope for the future rather than dread and anxiety, which has helped me get through challenging times."

"Love Will Come to You" by Poets of the Fall

"Soft vocals combined with gentle reminders about the vicissitudes of life and a simple, upbeat tempo and melody makes it hard to feel bad while listening to the song, and the lyrics themselves feel so soothing and relieving. A small dose of hope and an ode to resilience and being alive through it all."

"Linger" by The Cranberries

"'Linger' wraps me in a wave of nostalgia, like revisiting a memory I can't quite place but still feel deeply. It's the kind of song that makes everything slow down in the best way."

"Keep Your Head Up" by Ben Howard

"This song reminds me that things get better if you keep going. Being resilient is important to practice. Your friends are a good support in tough times."

"Cry Out" by ONE OK ROCK

"It means that I can feel like a failure but still going. This song is really important to me because it gives me courage, motivates me when I am feeling down."

"I Can Do It With a Broken Heart" by Taylor Swift

"Beneath the upbeat pop energy, this song feels deeply honest about what it means to keep functioning while struggling internally. It perfectly captures the feeling of having to be 'on' even when you're hurting. It's self-aware and empowering at the same time."

"Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS

"This song, especially the beginning chords, gives me a very intense feeling of overcoming a big obstacle. The line 'Cause we all have wings/But some of us don't know why' is very powerful for me. I keep in mind that my wings are meant to take me to better places someday."

"BLIND SPOT" by Stray Kids

"This was one of the first songs I'd ever heard from Stray Kids, and it promptly became one of my most-listened songs that year. It tells you to get up and keep moving: Even if other people don't know how much progress you've made, even if other people say you've barely done anything, you just have to trust in yourself and live for yourself."

"here & now" by Cassia

"This song washes you in the feeling of a sunny summer day at the beach. Its carefree vibe always shifts my mood instantly."

"DO IT AGAIN" by BENEE, Mallrat

"It's a reminder that you can and will come into your true power! Just keep going, you can do anything."

UCSD - University of California - San Diego published this content on May 12, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 12, 2026 at 15:10 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]