We all know that music can be a powerful factor in our lives; it's something to which everyone can relate. We all have memories associated with particular songs, and, just like the background music in a movie, the soundtrack we choose for our lives can set the tone. When you are feeling down or troubled, you may be drawn to sad songs to help you let it all out, but if you find yourself stuck in a funk, put on some happy tunes to inspire yourself and shake those blues! Here is a list of ten great songs to cheer you:
1. “Anything Can Happen”, from the Anything Can Happen CD by Leon Russell – This jazzy number washes over you with a sparkling sound and the most hopeful lyrics ever. One of my all-time favorite pick-me-up songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1UATHYSk6E
2. “Gone!”, originally from the Wild Mood Swings CD, also on the Galore (Greatest Hits) CD by The Cure – Yes, THAT Cure. A band known for goth mopery can also score an inspiring song that tells you to stop moping and “Get up, get out, and get gone!” Other Cure songs in the upbeat vein include “Friday I’m in Love” and “Why Can’t I Be You?”, but “Gone!” has the take-charge lyrics that empower and inspire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjL0mLNDSCg
3. “Take it as it Comes” by Milli Vanilli, from their one and only CD, Girl You Know It's True. Regardless of the lip-synching scandal, this CD produced some catchy tunes, including this very inspiring anthem that includes the empowering lyrics, “So take it as it comes, girl/Don't let him bring you down, yeah/Keep your motor runnin'/You know you own this town, yeah”. I don’t care who you are, when you hear that you own this town, it makes you pick that chin up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CILEjbXmaHE
4. “Two Hearts”, from the soundtrack for the movie Buster, also available on the …Hits CD by Phil Collins. This gorgeous, blue-skies-forever sounding song will banish a glum mood so effectively, there’s no wonder it won a Golden Globe award in 1988, as well as a number 1 position on the Billboard Hot 100.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SidxJz94Svs
5. “Three Little Birds”, from the Legend CD and others by Bob Marley – Okay, it was pointed out by Adam Sandler in Funny People that this song by cancer victim Bob Marley might not necessarily pick up an AML-stricken pessimist who knows the backstory, but if you are suffering a more temporary setback (or at least have a better attitude), this gentle ditty beats the pants off “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” for cheerful optimism set to an island beat. Apologies to Bobby McFerrin; just keepin’ it real. Now sing it with me: “Don’t worry about a thing/ ‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right…”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaGUr6wzyT8
6. “Make it Happen”, from the Emotions CD by Mariah Carey. This is a real you-can-do-it anthem; this autobiographical song describes Carey's life as a young artist struggling to find her big break before she became the famous diva we know today. There are some religious aspects to this song that pertain to her own journey, but overall it is a great inspirational tune for anyone, regardless of denomination.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q6xx0JfMBI
7. “I Believe”, from the debut CD, Free Yourself, by Fantasia Barrino. This was actually the pre-penned theme song for the American Idol winner of Season Three, whomever that turned out to be, and as we know, those tended toward equal parts treacle and bombast, but this tune, rendered with powerful gospel vocals and incredible emotion by Miss Fantasia, soars to new heights. How can you not be uplifted when you hear her soulful voice avowing, “I believe in the impossible/ If I reach deep within my heart/ Overcome any obstacle/ Won't let this dream fall apart”?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR7Y54ZKEVk
8. “Unwritten”, from the debut CD, Unwritten, by Natasha Bedingfield. Although her song “Pocketful of Sunshine” is a sweet, upbeat little song, I like “Unwritten” for its anything-is-possible, you-write-your-own-destiny message, as well as for its structure, starting off by gently bopping, and then leading up to a full gospel chorus. Cute video, too!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7k0a5hYnSI
9. and 10. And last but not least, “Fire Burning” by Sean Kingston from the Tomorrow CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkyhvCdJ_vM
and “Could it be You (Punk Rock Chick)” by H*Wood,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwz58XikFZM
just because I defy anyone to keep from jumping up and shaking it to these hotcha dance tracks! How can you stay sad when you are getting your happy dance on?
Free use image from Pixabay https://pixabay.com/en/woman-nature-eyes-beauty-female-1742145/
