February 2025 Connections Mix Tape
The Musical Journey of the Mind: February 2025 Connections Mix Tape can be found on Spotify. Listen in-blog below for a more rich experience, or on Spotify for uninterrupted music. Please note below each song is a link to song lyrics for accessibility. Check out more details on how to best enjoy mix tapes.
Good day and welcome to KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.
I’m your host, DJ Ponyboy, and I am so excited you are joining me on today’s musical journey!
I appreciate your patience with this week’s mix tape, as I have been struggling to keep up. 🥰
It is February 2025, and this month’s tapes have all been themed around the topic of mental health, with the tagline It’s Okay to Not Be Okay; unfortunately, this way of thinking is a woefully recent development, and throughout history individuals have suffered and continue to suffer due to stigma around the subject.
Struggling with mental illness is both a blessing and a curse, unlocking unique ways of viewing the world, while simultaneously making life infinitely more difficult.
One group of individuals who seem to have an inordinate amount of experience dealing with mental health issues is creatives – musicians, artists, authors, and the like.
One of the early American popular musicians to struggle publicly with their mental health was Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, whose musical genius was credited with the group’s massive success; note the unique vocal harmonies in our next track.
Off their first album, 1962’s Surfin’ Safari, here are the Beach Boys with “Surfin’” on KMTJ-DB – Denver, Colorado.
Another creative from the 1960’s who famously struggled with their mental health is Syd Barrett of the psychedelic rock bank Pink Floyd.
I find it interesting to note the similarities between several tracks on this album and those featured on the 1967 Beatles album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band; however, Barrett’s distinctive harmonies add a whole different vibe.
From their first album, 1967’s The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, here is Pink Floyd with “Bike”.
While both Wilson and Barrett took time away from music-making to focus on their mental health, one artist who continued to push through his struggles (for better or worse) was Michael Jackson.
Like Wilson (who was thrust into the spotlight as a teenager), Jackson was a famous child star; in both cases, I think this upbringing had an inordinately negative impact on their development, leading to increased anxiety, depression, and a warped sense of self. The easy availability of illicit substances led to abusing substances in an attempt to self-medicate these issues, compounding the initial mental health struggles.
Continuing the trend, let’s have a listen to early Jackson; off his debut recording with the Jackson 5, 1969’s Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5, here is their cover of the Disney tune, “Zip A Dee Doo Dah” on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.
When struggling with mental health challenges day-in and day-out, it can be easy to feel isolated, like someone forgotten and left to drift alone on an angry sea in a small rowboat without oars.
Both Brian and Syd had to endure band members, managers, doctors, and others who dismissed them, refused to address their issues, wrote them off, belittled them for their struggles, and even took advantage of their mental state. While I would like to think we have come a long way since then, the fact is we have not come nearly far enough.
Human beings require community – as the phrase goes, “it takes a village”. If we care about ourselves and our communities, we must do the hard work to help each other get healthier.
I challenge you to reach out to someone you know is struggling with their mental health. Invite them to join you for coffee, conversation, or run errands. Take time to sit with them in silence – without questions, answers, or solutions – just hold space for them to exist without judgement. Help with a task they are lacking the mental energy to complete – like doing laundry, making food, or taking out the trash. Play the part of a body double so they can finally complete a task they have been putting off.
If you are struggling with your mental health, remember you are in a place where your perspective is warped; while you may feel nobody sees, nobody cares, and nobody wants to help, I promise you there is so much you do not see. Your mere presence in this world creates ripples and waves that touch everyone around you. Don’t go – you have so much to give.
My next two picks are songs written about today’s two primary protagonists – Brian Wilson and Syd Barrett – demonstrating the profound impact these individuals had on people they never even met. You too impact people around you, even when you can’t see it.
Kicking us off is Psychic TV with “A Star Too Far (A Lullaby for Syd Barrett)” on KMTJ-DB, Denver.
A Star Too Far (Lullaby for Syd Barrett)
Jr. Thomas & the Volcanoes with “Brian Wilson”, reminding us that “god is in the music”. Psychic TV before that with “A Star Too Far (A Lullaby for Syd Barrett)”.
Those tracks are not the only ones written about these two by far; I have collected nearly a dozen related to each artist, along with other related tracks I was unable to include on today’s tape, accessible by joining my Patreon tier of Beat Backer (only $17/mo) or above; you will receive access to bonus playlists for mix tapes all the way back to May 2024, and much more!
Another good thing to come out of these two musicians’ struggles was an increase in legitimate conversation around mental health issues. My next two tracks directly address mental health struggles using popular music in a way not possible in the 1960’s – only sixty years ago.
From her 2020 album Manic, here is Halsey with “Ashley” on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.
Selena Gomez with 2022’s “My Mind & Me”. Halsey before that. I’m DJ Ponyboy coming to you on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.
You may notice this Connections Mix Tape is a bit different than previous months. I am working on transitioning from a song-to-song format to a more artist-focused format, and this tape ended up being a little bit of each. Keep your eyes peeled for next month’s Connections Mix Tape featuring a brand-new format!
Our next song was the catalyst for today’s tape; the first time I heard it I was entranced for the entire thirteen-minute-plus runtime. It is a musical masterpiece, composed for and about Syd Barrett by the members of his former band.
The story goes Barrett showed up at the studio while Pink Floyd were in the middle of recording 1975’s Wish You Were Here, specifically our next track, which ironically was written about Barrett. Though they were conversing with him, the members of the band supposedly didn’t recognize him, as he had shaved off his hair and eyebrows.
Put on some headphones, close your eyes, and enjoy this thirteen-minute-and-thirty-one-second tribute to Syd Barrett on KMTJ-DB, Denver.
Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pts. 1-5) Lyrics
Keep on keeping on, for you know not what joy tomorrow might bring. Both Brian Wilson and Syd Barrett survived their challenges, with Wilson even rising to thrive.
My last two picks speak to coming out the other side, a testament to hard work, the help of others, and the importance of community.
After two solo efforts released in 1970, Syd Barrett removed himself from the music industry. While Brian Wilson did the same, he eventually came back, collaborating with many other musicians.
I believe by eventually choosing to surround himself with others instead of withdrawing permanently, Wilson was able to harness the power of community to help heal more completely and rediscover the joy of music.
From Syd Barrett’s November 1970 album, Barrett, here is “Baby Lemonade” on KMTJ-DB – Denver, Colorado.
Brian Wilson proving he hasn’t lost his harmonizing genius, collaborating with Kesha, Sturgill Simpson, and Wrabel on 2020’s “Resentment”. Syd Barrett before that with “Baby Lemonade”.
I am DJ Ponyboy reminding you it’s okay to not be okay.
You have been listening to KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.
I’m your host DJ Ponyboy. Until next time, stay gold.