The October 7th Playlist

On October 6th, I was in Orlando. It was the kind of bad day that existed before we understood what the term ‘bad day’ could really mean. We had landed the night before and Air Canada had left my bag behind in Toronto. I’m the mother. I’m the one whose bag included basically everything needed for our three kids. And it was in Toronto and they couldn’t guarantee when it would arrive. I remember thinking how awful this was and oh my god what are we going to do!? And then just simply getting up and going to Target the next morning and buying all new stuff (on Air Canada’s dime). That night I went to bed making fun of the fact that all of the tops in Target were crop tops and suddenly I was a mum of 3 with a slightly bare midriff (which I was NOT happy about). On the plane down, I had been watching The Last of Us, and in the amazing episode starring Nick Offerman, the song On the Nature of Daylight was the background to a beautiful love story. I downloaded the song that night. 

Of course, we woke up to a world in which I could only vaguely remember my anger and anxiety over a misplaced bag full of easily-replaceable clothing. But that song was on my phone, and as I walked my baby out to Starbucks that morning, I couldn’t listen to anything else. Strange, as I don’t normally listen to music. But turns out, one cannot process the day your life has irrevocably changed and listen to audiobooks at the same time. 

Since then, I’ve been listening to a lot of music. Music is an emotional expression at a time when emotions run the gamut, sometimes even in one day — from fear to panic, from depression to anxiety, from grief to rage. I have a feeling many of you know what I mean by this. 

So, with the anniversary seemingly around the corner (how?) I offer an October 7th playlist, with love, from the diaspora. 

On the nature of daylight, Max Richter 

The song of October 7th. Haunting and melancholic, its instrumentalization of grief, longing and sadness is perfect for sitting in reflection. Remembering the people we have lost, the safety we have lost, and the community and resilience we found. 

Noam’s Song 2, Noam Cohen 

A song of survivors guilt, of trauma, and resilience. 

One Day, Matisyahu 

Sung at the Washington rally, a call for hope that one day we will live in a far more peaceful world than this one. 

All too Well (the 10 minute Version), Taylor Swift 

Best listened to when remembering the actions of others. Or, perhaps, the inaction. 

Ahavat Olam, Platt Brothers 

Best listened to when needing a reminder of the history & resiliency of the Jewish people. 

Saturn, Sleeping at Last 

Best listened to for remembering those we have lost, particularly the hostages who we tried, and failed, to save. 

Found/ Tonight, Lin Manuel Miranda & Ben Platt 

Best listened to when you need to feel uplifted and hopeful. 

Hurricane, Eden Golan 

The anthem. Enough said. 

It’s Quiet Uptown, Hamilton Soundtrack 

Best listened to when you feel that strange admixture of grief and anger and unimaginable loss. For many people, the funeral of Hersh Goldberg-Polin and Rachel’s grief-stricken cry that finally, finally, finally, finally you are free lives rent-free in our head forever. This song evokes that. 

Maps, Freya Ridings 

For when you feel like you need someone to plot a path for you as you struggle to see how you’re going to navigate the way forward.

Easy Silence, Dixie Chicks 

A unique anti-war anthem about the normalization of violence in our lives. Something we’re all unfortunately familiar with.

Back to Before, Ragtime Soundtrack 

Best listened to as a clarion call for reckoning with the realities of our lives pre October 6th and post October 7th. 

Something’s Missing, Come From Away soundtrack 

For when we need remembrance that we are not alone in these experiences, if sometimes alone in the reactions to them. 

May we dance again to happier music in the future.