Recently, Sesame Street’s Elmo checked in on social media and asked the question: How is everybody doing?

The question received more than 180 million views. And judging by the massive response and brutally honest answers — according to NPR, “people aired litanies of personal and relationship problems and more general angst. They spoke about being tired, broke and unsure how to improve things, and feeling disconnected from others” — Elmo learned that it’s important to check in with friends and ask how they’re doing.

Following Elmo’s example, others from Sesame Street joined the conversation. People from Sesame Workshop shared information about access to mental-health resources, and Elmo’s friend Cookie Monster posted, “Me here to talk it out whenever you want. Me will also supply cookies.” 

Following this fine example, we wanted to reach out to you today to ask how you’re doing through the medium of music. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

So for today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs that describe how you’re doing so far in 2024 would you like to hear?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played
Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock – Joy and Pain
Baby Huey – Hard Times
Wanda Jackson – Busted
Tracy Bonham – Mother Mother
Nina Simone – Feeling Good
The Replacements – Unsatisfied
Iggy Pop – I'm Bored
The Beatles – I'm Tired
Foo Fighters – Rescued (bonus)