Journalist, author, and playwright Sarah Shourd shares the songs that helped her though a childhood steeped in violence and poverty, and the 410 days she spent in solitary confinement as a political hostage in Iran. From screaming along to Rage Against the Machine as a teenager to belting out ‘Crazy’ by Seal in her prison cell, Sarah’s always used her voice. Now, she speaks out against the use of solitary confinement in U.S. prisons and mass incarceration. Here are her songs.

She’s Got her Ticket - Tracy Chapman
Killing in the Name - Rage Against the Machine
Crazy - Seal
At Last - Etta James
ELEMENT. - Kendrick Lamar
Suit of Armour - Danika Smith
This Joy - Resistance Revival Chorus

Listen to Sarah Shourd’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.

Held captive in Iran, Sarah Shourd found solace in a Seal song