Mental Health Themes in Music: Me & Mia

Welcome to the next entry in the exploratory series of Mental Health Themes in Music! Today, we’ll look at an upbeat, indie rock track released in 2004 on the album “Shake the Sheets” by Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, which richly explores a variety of ideas, including nuances within mental health. Let’s take a look!

“As I was walking through a life one morning

The sun was out, the air was warm, but I was cold

And though, I must have looked half a person

To tell the tale in my own version, it was only then that I felt whole”

This lyric, in my interpretation of it, is a beautiful illustration of how different our internal vs external experiences can be at times. It also illustrates how crucial finding our own voice and expressing our narratives in our own words is in the healing process - in feeling some semblance of “whole” again.

“Fighting for the smallest goal, to get a little self-control

I see it in your eyes, I see it in your spine”

The need to feel a sense of control over ourselves and/or our lives is an essential human need. It might seem trivial at times, but it has such an impact on our general well-being day to day. I appreciate how Leo describes this as being seen, not only in the eyes but in the spine. The spine is a critical part of our structural foundation AND is inextricably linked to our nervous system. Feeling in control is a whole body experience.

“What's eating you alive might help you to survive”

I really appreciate this lyric, because it captures an interesting, nuanced part of life, because nothing is ever inherently “good” or “bad.” It’s entirely subjective. Furthermore, some of our greatest challenges offer us some of the greatest opportunities for growth and change. Yes, it can still be hard and unpleasant, but fire doesn’t start without friction.

“Do you believe in something beautiful?

Then get up and be it”

And finally, I wanted to highlight this lyric simply because I find it empowering. I hope it stirs something similar in you too.

As always, everything is up to the interpretation of the listener and I encourage you to give it a listen and see what it sparks for you. Notice how it impacts your thoughts. Notice how it feels in your body. And notice without judgment.

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Kim Johnson, LMHC, MT-BC, is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) and board certified music therapist (MT-BC) who graduated with her master’s from Lesley University in 2017. She has experience with adults and adolescents in group private practice and community mental health settings. The levels of care she has worked in are outpatient, with both individual and group therapy and in partial hospital programs for mental health and substance use disorders. Additionally, she has had intensive training in dialectical behavioral therapy and cognitive processing therapy for PTSD.

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