The Soundtrack to Eating: Comfort Food Edition
Life's got you down? Nothing a little comfort food (and music) can't fix!
The Soundtrack to Eating is a series in which staff writers analyze how food and music are intertwined.
Written by Kriss Conklin
Illustrated by Darrina Green
There’s nothing quite like your favorite plate or bowl full of delicious goodness to cure all of life's trivial woes after a bad day, week, or even year (in 2020's case). Whatever it is, it's comfort food: the one meal whose sole purpose is to uplift the eater's spirits and soothe their body and mind. Often more therapeutic than nutritional, comfort food can take on many forms, ranging from the classic, sweet-savory variety to the more unusual pairings of “foods that shouldn't taste good together, but do.” A tasty meal reminiscent of childhood security isn't the only remedy for a case of the blues, however. When paired with a couple of feel-good songs, it’s a surefire way to turn that frown upside down.
Biscuits and Gravy: "9 to 5" by Dolly Parton
Photo courtesy of Noble Pig
The best of both breakfast and Southern comfort food worlds, biscuits and gravy is the perfect meal to start (or finish off) the day. On a molecular level, this dish is the ultimate mood-booster, as the human body releases 'happy' chemicals when you eat carbohydrates. In other words, biting into a flaky, buttery biscuit topped with creamy sausage gravy is a visceral experience, and one that can best be enjoyed while listening to a song as iconic as the dish itself: Dolly Parton's "9 to 5." The anti-establishment (we’re looking at you, capitalism and patriarchy) country anthem is the perfect song to queue up when feeling down because of its catchy chorus and sympathetic lyrics. On "9 to 5," Parton acknowledges the listener’s less-than-ideal position, but reassures them that "the tide's gonna turn / and it's all gonna roll your way." Sometimes it's the little crumbs of encouragement that make the biggest difference; so the next time you're feeling bummed, help yourself to a serving of biscuits and gravy and crank up "9 to 5.”
Mac and Cheese: "Fireflies" by Owl City
Photo courtesy of My Farmhouse Table
As a childhood staple, mac and cheese has maintained its longtime status as a go-to comfort food for that exact reason: this dish channels the best parts of being a kid. In one spoonful, memories of laughter, sunny days at the playground, and scraped knees come flooding back. Nothing is more soothing than a bowl of pasta al dente covered in a blend of ooey, gooey goodness — but Owl City's "Fireflies" is a close second. Seemingly simple upon first listen, the 2009 pop hit is an upbeat blend of fun keyboard melodies and dreamy sound effects that perfectly illustrate the childlike wonder of encountering "ten million fireflies." Much like a bowl of mac and cheese, "Fireflies" captures that youthful innocence and curiosity. It may look plain, but there is something special about reminiscing the joys of being a child, thus making mac and cheese the perfect pick-me-up for any bad day.
Fruit Tart: "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)" by Shakira
Photo courtesy by The Spruce Eats
When stuck in a rut, most people will reach for greasy junk foods for consolation (and that is completely valid). However, those who reach for a fruit tart instead of the typical bag of potato chips are rewarded with the benefits of consuming some sort of fruit — even if it's on a pastry. A slightly peculiar choice (but just as delicious), the fruit tart is another must-have for anyone whose life isn't quite going the way they want. While eating your fruit (tart), allow yourself to enjoy "Waka Waka" by Shakira, a song guaranteed to cheer up anyone as they watch themselves perform awkward dance moves in the mirror. Backed by a pulsing beat and infectious melody, she roots for the listener from the very beginning of the song, singing, "You're a good soldier / Choosing your battles / Pick yourself up and dust yourself off and back in the saddle." Like the bright flavors of the dainty fruit tart, the high-spirited sounds and encouraging lyrics of "Waka Waka" can relieve anyone of their bad vibes in a matter of seconds.
Chocolate Ice Cream: "Put Your Records On" by Corinne Bailey Rae
Photo courtesy of Food52
The physical embodiment of heaven in a cardboard tub, chocolate ice cream is the ol’ reliable of comfort food. No matter the problem, chocolate ice cream can solve it. The classic feel-good treat offers the decadent experience of easing one's pain while also slipping the eater into a blissful food coma. What more could you ask for after going through a rough patch? In the same sugar-filled vein, Corinne Bailey Rae's "Put Your Records On" is the perfect match for a food as smooth and rich as the song itself. The single is about never losing sight of who you are, no matter what you're going through. The quiet-loud-quiet structure of this song captures the highs and lows of life (and your spiking blood sugar), but reminds the listener it's okay to be vulnerable. "Maybe sometimes we feel afraid, but it's all right." At the end of the day, you just have to roll with the punches, so put your favorite records on, and "just go ahead, let your hair down" while eating a big bowl of chocolate ice cream.
No matter the situation, we could all use a little comfort. The next time you're feeling low, console yourself with your favorite feel-good meal and a positive playlist. And after you've finished? Reach for seconds — you deserve it!