“Hi Celes, thank you for this post on movies. A great way to discover great inspirational movies. If I may request, can we have a post for list of most inspiring songs?” — Rajesh G
You may have experienced this before: you feel down or frustrated about something. You catch a tune from the radio and you start to sing along. Somehow, after listening and singing, you feel energized and perked up, ready to go again.
Music is the language of the soul. No matter what culture you are from or the language that you speak, music is something that can be understood and enjoyed by all of us.
Today’s post is on inspirational songs: songs that motivate us into action, that remind us about the beauty of life, that remind us of our true worth and potential, and that lift us up when we’re down.
In writing this post, I listened to over hundreds of songs and handpicked 56 songs. Because there are so many great songs out there, it’s impossible for me to include every single one. Instead, I picked each song based on these criteria: (1) it has had some level of mainstream success, (2) it speaks of a theme that most of us can relate to, and (3) it conveys a positive message. I have deliberately avoided songs that sound catchy but don’t actually convey anything meaningful (like telling you to hate on an ex or putting down other people). I’ve also limited the number of songs per artist to a maximum of 1-2 (with the exception of Christina Aguilera who has 3) to have a wider representation of artists.
The 56 inspirational songs have been grouped into the following categories:
- Being Positive (Page 1; this page you are reading)
- Express Your Authentic Self (Page 2)
- Recognizing Your Beauty (Page 3)
- Love and Gratitude for Our Relationships (Page 4)
- Success and Achievement (Page 5)
- Personal Power and Strength (Page 6)
- Recovery and Heartbreak (Page 7)
- The World (Page 8)
Are you ready? :) Increase your volume and put on your headphones before you continue on! :D Bookmark this page so that you can return to play these songs whenever you like, be it as background music or as a pick-me-up. This post has embedded videos which are not viewable via email. If you’re reading this via your email client, read the full blog post here.
Here are 56 of the most inspirational songs of all time:
Songs on Being Positive
1. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
An all-time classic, “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” speaks of this magical place over the rainbow where things will be better. It refers to this other place that is better compared to where we are now. If you are feeling down and out, and when things seem tough, this song will lift you up. Just remember that the better place isn’t “somewhere out there,” but here where we are. It’s up to us to make the best out of what we have, now. :)
The song was originally sung by Judy Garland in 1939 (Wizard of Oz) and has since been covered by many people. The version below is by Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole. His soothing vocals makes listening to this song a very peaceful and calming experience.
[ by Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole | Lyrics | Get the album ]
Here’s a cover by the amazing Celine Dion:
[ by Celine Dion | Lyrics ]
2. Walking On Sunshine
If you’re looking for a very happy song, look no further. :) “Walking On Sunshine” is a very upbeat song that will instantly bring a smile to anyone listening! :) It was Katrina and the Waves’ first U.S. top 40 hit, and their biggest success in the United Kingdom until “Love Shine a Light” (1997). Believe it or not, the song was initially conceived of as a ballad, though Katrina decided to belt it out.[1] Given the success, I say it was a fantastic decision! :)
[ by Katrina & The Waves | Lyrics | Get the album ]
3. It’s a Beautiful Day
No matter how bad your day may be, there is always something beautiful happening. This song reminds us that every day is a beautiful day in itself. :)
[ by U2 | Lyrics | Get the album ]
4. What a Wonderful World
First recorded by Louis Armstrong and released in 1967 as a single, “What a Wonderful World” reminds us to appreciate the beauty of everyday life. According to its Wikipedia page, the song was “intended as an antidote for the increasingly racially and politically charged climate of everyday life in the United States.”[2]
Do you tend to complain about things or show gratitude for what you have? Let’s appreciate and give gratitude to all that we have with us today. :) Check out: 14-Day Gratitude Challenge
[ by Louis Armstrong | Lyrics | Get the album ]
5. Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head
I first heard this song when watching Spiderman 2 (the old one with Tobey Maguire), which is my favorite spiderman movie of all time. This is a very sweet, positive song about staying positive even when “raindrops keep fallin’ on [your] head.” Because, as the song goes, “I’m never gonna stop the rain by complaining.” When you’re free in your mind, nothing will worry you.
[ by B.J. Thomas | Lyrics | Get the album ]
6. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
This is a comedy song written for Monty Python’s Life of Brian, a religious satire comedy, and it has since become a common singalong at public events, including even funerals! The song tells us to look on the bright side of life, because no matter what happens, there is one certain thing that’ll happen to us all, which is death. So why not look on the bright side and make the best out of our time here?
[ by Monty Python | Lyrics | Get the album ]
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Thank you for a great list.I would just like to add Three Little Birds by Bob Marley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIjkW6iyXNo
Hi Celes, this is a great list :)
I am in a search for inspiring songs coz I’m trying to make some big changes in my life
I would add
-You gotta be by Des’ree
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKW3zREFA00
– Proud by Heather Smalls (yes, thats the Biggest loser theme song, and it’s also my theme song for weight loss and my alarm clock tune)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbkysd9mQho
and I also like The man in the mirror by Michael Jackson, not the actuall melody but i like the lyrics:
˝I’m Starting With The Man In The Mirror
I’m Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change ˝
And, I know it’s a bit obscene, but I like Eminems Not afraid when I need a real shake….
Thanks a lot Yvonne for the wonderful list and sharing the links :D. This is extremely helpful. I love You Gotta Be by Des’ree too. It almost made the top 25 list but didn’t!
One moment in time by Whitney Houston, inspiring and touching song!
Great list, although I think the song “Smile” by Michael Jackson would of fit this topic very well. It’s a good happy, giddy, care free sort of song, and Michaels vocals are simply amazing on the track. Also, sometimes people like to listen to instrumental music and religious music. It has the same effect, maybe you can list some of those.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBMKahpN2_w
Please Add it! :)
Being a devoted Rocky fan since as far back as I can remember, I vote for Eye of the Tiger, hands down! I listen to it at least once during every workout on my iPhone and could hear it everyday until the day I start pushing up daisies from six feet under! Love it!
Wow, this is a great list! You’re really on top of things, Celes! I will download the tunes I don’t have from the list, as soon as I get some free time.
I need to tell you this. Your blog has really helped me get out of a rut, one that I had been living in for years. Since becoming a fan of your writings, I can see myself being more productive and EXCELLING in many areas of my life. I’m a singer-songwriter and musician, among a few things, and I recently returned to the studio to finish a project, which saw its beginnings about a year and a half ago. I’m also lining up shows. In a nutshell, the music goals are being attained, slowly but surely!
Your blog – combined with exercise (lots of hockey), healthy food and a major attitude adjustment on life – really helped me see the light. This list is no exception! :)
Thank you!
Hannah Montana song ” The climb”
Here is the link – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmUGwK_43Tk&feature=related
I would have to say that I have 3 songs:
1) Lose Yourself – Eminem
2) Remember the Name -Fort Minor
3) Airplanes Part 2 -B.O.B featuring Hayley Williams and Eminem
They are get to get me motivated to do anything.
I have these songs on my workout playlist
these 3 songs are great
Great post :))
I would add:
Aerosmith – Amazing
John Denver – The Gift you are
Thanks for sharing the songs Celes! ‘Dare You To Move’ is a beautiful song.
I hadn’t heard it before, but now I’m sold.
One song that really comes to mind is ‘Love Generation’ by Bob Sinclar!
Such an amazing song, makes my day every time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0NSeysrDYw
This song lifts my spirits too! It’s Bob Sinclar again, ‘Together’. I loved all
the children in the clip! :-D They can make anyone smile:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGtS2-a4CBI
Hi Celes,
When I saw the title for this post, the song that IMMEDIATELY came to my mind is R. Kelly’s “The World’s Greatest.” It was made for the movie about Mohammed Ali, but I find the message truly motivating. The funny thing is I don’t even own the song but this list has inspired me to go buy it off iTunes.
Here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_its6T5GT8
This is my first time to your site, and I must say I’ve spent the last few hours thumbing through all your posts! Thanks for such a great website!
Cheers!
Hello all,
Songs are words. So the EFFECT IS IN THE WORDS. Performance, Voice and Music (video too) may add to this effect. But I think the main effect is tied up with words.
Songs are poems. The life/ the energy the POET gives to and introduces into the words of his/ her poem that spreads the effect behind it. How honest, how effected s/ he is with a specific situation/ incident s/ he passes through, it will show in his/ her words. I forgot to mention the main role of the language in this. I hope I did not drift away from the post purpose :-?
Hi,
While writing my previous comment, I was thinking about any song that may give uplift.
I may add to the list: “Big Time” for “Peter Gabriel”.
The accompanied video was new at the time and so interesting even the rythem. Not to forget the performance of “Peter Gabriel”.
Hold Up A Light
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohd7ZbiTEvI&feature=related
Shine -Take That
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwC1Ctrj6Xk&ob=av2e
I’ll Be OK – Mcfly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yle1YEjmGf0&p=D2DDA39C605B5FE1&playnext=1&index=3
Hold on – Wilson Phillips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWrg1kUiAX4
:)
Song Title: Stand
Genre: Soul; Acapella
A song reminding us to stand in the face adversity.
To hear click on or visit URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFmhEJB1_QA
You cant forget Eminem with “Not afraid”.
Great song! 8-O
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO4ygd0CaPo
Great list One of my new Favorite inspirational song is by a singer Named “Matthew West”
The Song is Called : “My own Little World”
The 2010 Album is called: “Story of Your Life”
The album Releases on Oct. 5, 2010 (heard the song on the radio BTW)
The songs about seeing things in truth not by there outward appearance. Also about doing good in the world I just love it. He is a Christan singer but I think the song goes above just the description of christian music.
I am always uplifted when I hear “O Happy Day” and “Joyful, Joyful” from Sister Act II.
its interesting seeing what everyone lists as inspirational songs.
it has been pleasure listening to what you all have posted…really great!!
but i am struck by how things change as you age.
i have a friend who is dieing.
we are relatively young….perhaps for all of you not….but 50s is young.
when facing death….
i know is so morbid..
but so many of these songs are not fitting
would be great to have songs for folks that are fighting terminal cancer.
…..with that said
thanks for the inspiration
I Believe – by Yolanda Adams
Has got to be the best insirational song of all time. I listen to it every day to keep me on track. I’d recomend to everyone to do the same.
Here is one of the best songs that most of you might not have heard of. It is by Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band. It is called Dream Big. Give it about the 28 second mark on this video for it to start.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcTDDLavowM
Enjoy! Larry
My favorite song is “Satisfied” by Jewel
“You’ll Never Walk Alone”
One of my most inspirational songs is forever by drake. Whenever I hear that song, all it makes me wanna do is play basketball, freestyler, or write songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDuRoPIOBjE
Thank you for this list and how you are encourging others to share their favorite songs also. I did somthing similar when planning my book – I asked people to send in songs that they liked listening to or singing to or dancing to when they were in a funk and needed to be lifted up, inspired or encouraged. HEAR APPLAUSE! Choosing Success in 12 Steps or Less – has over 125 songs that people sent in to me! These people inspired me!
Leona La Perriere
This is a fantastic idea, Celeste. Not only were your suggestions some of my favourites (the Iz K version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World is one of my favourite songs – ever), but the comments enables us to provide each other with even more motivation – either new songs, or reminders of old and forgotten jewels.
I totally agree with the recommendation of “The Sunscreen Song” by Baz Lurhmann, and with Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson.
I have a few recommendations of my own.
Affirmation – Savage Garden. The whole song is an affirmation – every line starts with “I believe” and it’s fantastic to wake up to. This version of the video (only released in Australia) is also fantastic: a real history lesson. http://www.vidz.com.au/video/1481/Affirmation–Savage-Garden-AUSTRALIAN-VERSION (it’s not on YouTube).
A Praise Chorus – Jimmy Eat World. The opening line speaks for itself – “Are you going to live your life wondering, standing in the back, looking around?” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCOO5ZlUfvU
You’re The Voice – John Farnham (an Australian rock/pop legend). Some of the non-Australians here might remember this song being performed on American Idol a few years ago. The original is so much better. It’s an Australian classic, with good reason. It’s about taking the chance to act and make changes now while we have the opportunity. “We have the chance to turn the pages over. We can write what we want to write. We’ve gotta make ends meet before we get much older.”
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6042081798461821466# (original clip)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDI-f8NI1FE&feature=related (amazing live version at the ARIAs, the Australian version of the Grammys)
Climb Every Mountain, from The Sound Of Music. It’s cheesy, but it’s a spectacular song. The video isn’t the original (not available on YouTube); it’s an Australian idol performance – a particularly brilliant one (he ended up winning). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdgHQg7bhio&feature=fvw
Enjoy!
-Jen
The song that most inspires me is “What Faith Can Do” by Kutless. It’s a newer song, but ever since I heard it for the first time it has helped me through a lot of darkness in my life and continues to help me today as I get prepared to make a huge change in my life.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1JBSQMkQEo&ob=av2e
Thanks, bloody good song!
Definitely a great group of songs to lift us up and inspire us from day to day. I will certainly listen to them daily. Just a little disappointed by the ones that are no longer available.
Hi Celes! You must add my favorite from Michael Bolton, Go the Distance. It is a very inspiring song, full of hope and faith. Nice theme for those who are taking life’s journey and trying to make a difference in their lives and other people’s. You may want to check these collections of inspirational song quotes from songs. Thanks Celes. Cheers and regards.
thanks for sharing.. :D
my favorite is
The Power of Dreams-Celine Dion
its give me a good feeling about living the life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl2jAgfJarU
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