t’s okay to have a song to cry to and this is that song for me. I had just had a really hard day in the hospital and in the transport home I listened to this song for the whole 45 minute journey, all the while feeling every ounce of sadness, anger and pain that came to me. Sometimes feelings need to be faced head on and looked at, I find that once I’ve named them and confronted them they loose a little bit of their power. I got home that day and lay fully clothed on the grass, in the pouring rain and let the rain wash away all the feelings that were brought up during the drive.

Lauren, TV - Billie Eilish

It’s just my life story, becoming so scared of what could happen but I grew strong!!!!

Libby, I will survive - Gloria Gaynor

I will prepare you that soak me in bleach is a metalcore song and not for the majority so I’ll provide a third more mainstream song as an option.

When I’m anxious or scared I go back to what I know. I was in the middle of a chemo session and I found out that my partner and my sister had just caught covid. I was so scared for what that meant for me, so, I returned to what I know. This band has long been a number one played on my Spotify because of their earnest portrayal of mental illness, their music provided me comfort knowing that I am not alone in this pain, sadness and fear that hard times create. So, when I was struck with this whole new type of hard situation I returned to this band and this song for comfort.

Lauren, Soak Me in Bleach - The Amity Affliction

Because me and my mam had a ‘dance’ to that song on the day I was told I was tumour free and wouldn’t require any further treatment

Jake, Celebration - Kool and the gang

Honestly treatment feels a million light years away now but I think Dog Days are Over by Florence and the machine always makes me think of treatment because I listened to it so much!

Weronika, Dog Days are Over - Florence and the Machine

The ULTIMATE feel good song (my dancing around the kitchen song!)

Amy, One More Time - Daft Punk

This got me through my long journey as it made me realise the more I fight the more I got better….. which of course happened!  It gave me the courage to keep going and told me I’d be fine!

Amelia, Fight Song - Rachel Platten

Why – First ‘Backstage Experience’ at the Royal Albert Hall with a great group of TYA’s.  Tom Grennan was brilliant live, even though we had no idea who he was when we were heading down.

Karen Hamlen, Little Bit of Love - Tom Grennan

The reason is slightly dark but I said for years that that would ne my funeral song because I loved it so when I found out I had cancer it became more emotional because it became more real xxx

Lenie, See you again - Charlie Puth

When I was first diagnosed, I was having multiple surgeries throughout September and listening to that song described how I was feeling at the time

Jake, Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day

They’re all songs I listened to a lot while on treatment, lets dance and tainted love being more upbeat sounding which gave me a pick me up when I needed it and dreams being a more mellow song which I liked listening to if I needed time to myself to relax

Joanne, Tainted love - soft cell, Lets dance - David Bowie, Dreams - Fleetwood Mac

I absolutely love Ariana and I played this song nearly everyday to wake myself up during treatment.

Sadie, Be alright - Ariana Grande

As with this song its lyrics show praise towards a specific person and what they’ve done. In context with myself, once you’re on treatment you are in the position where you have to be your very own hero.

Jake , My Hero - Foo Fighters