I don’t know about anybody else, but I have really been leaning on music lately. I mean, I always do…clearly. Haha. This blog wouldn’t exist otherwise. The last couple of weeks, however, have been a bit intense for me. I have a lot going on with work(I’m a teacher who doesn’t feel comfortable or excited, frankly, about returning to the school building, which my district had us do this past week). Additionally, I’m still just trying to retain some level of sanity in this pandemic in general. Ironically, my life has changed a great deal(like everyone else’s) in the past year, but at the same time, it hasn’t changed much, if that makes sense. Just a lot on the brain.
Music is what gets me through most days, even this very day as I type this. It makes me excited to get up in the morning. It puts a smile on my face when my workday can get hectic(I often incorporate it into my classes). It instills confidence and pride when mine wanes. I could go on and on. I think most people feel this way about certain songs, or at least one. Below, I am listing five additional songs to lean on when you need that extra dose of positivity and motivation. Consider this a continuation to the previous post on this same topic.
I wish you positive vibes, peace, and genuine happiness.
“Keep On” by D Train, aka James “D Train” Williams. I primarily heard this song growing up in party mixes on old school radio. It instantly stuck out to me as just being melodically pleasing, and a song that makes you want to dance. But the lyrics are really what make it what it is to me. I mean, he literally injects the listener with confidence and motivation with every word. My favorite lyrics: “Sky is the limit and you know that you keep on, just keep on pressing on. Sky is the limit and you know that you can have what you want, be who you want.” No more words are needed! However, these are my other favorites from this song: “If you have a goal, set it in your mind. Reach for it! Say to yourself: this will be mine!” A whole sermon.
“Count It All Joy” by Bebe & Cece Winans. This song is so amazing. It is basically telling you to even count your rough patches and struggles as joyous, or a learning experience that can evolve into more happy times. If you remain positive in the midst of the hard times, things can and will eventually turn around for the better. I also just enjoy it in general on account of their vocals and the melody. Some key lyrics about how to handle a life challenge: “Maybe it’s not ours to know, so we have to learn to let things go. And simply try to make the most of every day, and have the faith that somehow we will find our way.”
“Make It Happen” by Mariah Carey. I have always had a soft spot for this song because it covers how it feels to go through trials and tribulations, but it’s also a very encouraging and uplifting song. She takes you through her hardships in what is basically a testimony of sorts in the first verse, and then she proclaims that she is proof that things can turn around completely if you keep the faith and believe in yourself in the the rest of the song. Key lyrics: “I know life can be so tough, and you feel like giving up. But you must be strong, baby just hold on.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeItIq6csqI
“Can’t Be Stopped” by Janet Jackson. An anthem is the best way to describe this song. In it, Janet instills pride, consciousness, confidence, and encouragement into the listener, particularly black men and women. Important lyrics: “You must remember that you were born with blood of queens and kings, and can’t be stopped. Stay strong my sister, you can’t be stopped. Stand tall my brother, you can’t be stopped.”
“HIStory” by Michael Jackson. This is another song by a Jackson that I love in terms of encouragement(there are many). There is a lot going on in the song due to sound effects and samples, but they take nothing away from its message. The lyrics that I value the most are found in the chorus and the second verse: “Every day create your history. Every path you take, you’re leaving your legacy. He is reminding the listener that every second of every day is important and to use them to work towards what you want your legacy to be. He also takes a page from Stevie’s book on “Higher Ground” by saying “Don’t let no one bring you down. Keep movin’ on higher ground.”
