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We first entered quarantine back in March and it’s hard to believe we are still struggling many months later. In times like these, listening to music is the strongest coping mechanism we have. Music brings us the strength we need to get through the uncertain and unpredictable moments. Though some people might find comfort indulging in sad songs when they feel down, there is strength in power anthems. These songs get us through the dark times, uplift us, and keep our minds in a positive place.
These are the songs I’ve been listening to throughout the pandemic that has brought me joy and helped me maintain a positive and strong mindset. These songs remind me that I have all the strength inside of me to overcome tough times. They also remind me that none of us are ever alone, everyone has been through hard times, and everyone has to power to move forward.
“Rise” By Selena Gomez
“Rise” is the eleventh and final track off of Selena Gomez’s second solo studio album. It quickly became one of my favorite songs throughout the last couple of months. The lyrics illustrate Selena’s struggle with her own self-worth and mental health. However, the song isn’t dark or melancholy. The lyrics are incredibly empowering, and the upbeat chorus can lift anyone out of the darkness.
“Yes I know there are those who will wanna bring you down, but you can rise with your mind and make your higher power proud.”
-Selena Gomez, “Rise”
Each verse takes us through Selena’s struggles with sadness, madness, and understanding her own strength. In the chorus, she reminds us that we have the power to rise above our struggles and come out on top. The bridge of the song offers a soft-spoken message that “even when your bones feel like weights…you can still find a peaceful place.” Selena takes us through the journey from victim to victorious, which is why “Rise” should be one of the top songs on everyone’s empowerment playlist.
“Stronger” By Britney Spears
Britney Spears is arguably one of the most iconic artists of all time. She has had countless hit songs and legendary performances throughout her career, but one of her songs that stands out most for me is “Stronger” from her Billboard #1 album, “Oops!… I Did It Again.” The lyrics in “Stronger” tell the story of a girl breaking free from someone who once had control over her and realizing that not only has she always had the strength inside of her, but she is so much stronger without this person. In the music video, we see Britney use her inner power to show her cheating boyfriend how much better off she is without him.
“Now I’m stronger than yesterday, now it’s nothing but my way.”
-Britney Spears, “Stronger”
Britney also refers to one of her past songs. In her 1998 hit, “…Baby One More Time,” she sings “my loneliness is killing me,” while in “Stronger,” she revises the lyric to “my loneliness ain’t killing me no more.” This lyrical revision displays personal growth, and the song overall reminds us that when something happens in our lives that knocks us down, we have the opportunity to grow stronger from it. Britney teaches us power and strength always lie within us no matter the circumstances.
“Hero” By Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is America’s favorite diva, and she has no problem taking credit for the hard work she puts into her songs. “Hero,” with its powerful lyrics and message, deserves all the credit she gives it. “Hero” is by far the most moving out of all of Mariah’s songs. Mariah even did a rendition of “Hero” in April for a live-at-home tribute for essential workers.
Mariah’s lyrics describe the revelation that no matter how low you feel, there is a hero within all of us. When you are in doubt or fearing for the worst, instead of searching outside of yourself for answers, you can turn within and know that the hero within you has the power and strength to guide you into the light. The song offers hope that is something hard to find but can always be found within.
“You can find love, if you search within yourself, and the emptiness you felt will disappear.”
-Mariah Carey, “Hero”
Because of its inspiring message, countless fans have shared their stories of how the lyrics of “Hero” have saved their life or the life of someone else they know. Of all her songs, Mariah makes sure to perform “Hero” at all of her shows because she’s aware of the impact it has on those who are struggling. In times of uncertainty and fear, “Hero” should be one of the songs on the top of everyone’s playlists.
“Miracles Happen (When You Believe)” By Myra
“Miracles Happen” is an early 2000s throwback that was featured at the end of Princess Diaries after Mia accepts the position of Princess of Genovia. It is one of the most joyous songs I have ever heard, and it is nearly impossible to feel down while listening to it, because like the song says, “nothing should ever bring you down.” It’s upbeat pop melody and inspiring lyrics, “miracles happen once in a while when you believe,” are the perfect serotonin boost. This song is euphoric and increases positivity feelings until every negative emotion has been cleansed from the body.
“Miracles Happen” is my manifestation anthem. It is one of the songs that take me out of my reality and into a world of imagination where anything is possible, and everything feels like magic. It’s the perfect escape song. The song is a reminder that everything will work out just the way we want it to when we believe in something and hold onto our faith.
“All things will come with a little time when you believe.”
-Myra, “Miracles Happen”
It’s important to have hope in dark times and remember that things won’t be bad forever. It’s also important to turn to the things that brought you joy as a child. In my mind, this song will always be associated with Princess Diaries, an incredibly uplifting and inspiring movie. “Miracles Happen” lives as a constant reminder that good, beautiful, magical things do exist in this world as long as we allow ourselves to see them.
“Shake It Out” By Florence & The Machine
“Shake It Out” is a song I listened to throughout high school. Though the lyrics are quite dark and the overall sound is darker than some of the other songs on the list, the message is equally crucial. Florence Welch describes the songwriting process as one when she felt as though she needed to shake off her past regrets and negative behavioral patterns (( “MTV.” mtv.com, 2011. )). She wanted to press restart on herself, and for fans of the songs, this message resonated a lot.
To me, this song sounds like someone drowning in self-hatred and regrets while reminiscing on all the demons they’ve let take over their mind. It’s the moment you reach when you can no longer stand to hear all the hateful voices in your head, so you decide to shake it all away and start over. Or the moment you reach when you’re so sick of yourself that the only option is to shake it all off and reinvent who you are. It’s also the knowledge that you can make it through the darkness and be okay.
“It’s hard to dance with a devil on your back so shake him off.”
-Florence & The Machine, “Shake It Out”
“Shake It Out” is the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s like walking through a dark hallway, fighting for your life, trying to make it out alive, and then realizing the only way out is to surrender and let the light guide you through. When times feel really dark, and it seems like there’s no escape, it’s nice to remember you can always “Shake It Out” and start over. As Florence sings, “it’s always darkest before the dawn.”
“Rain On Me” By Lady Gaga Ft. Ariana Grande
Lady Gaga has never been shy about her struggles with mental health. She’s been especially open with discussing the dark period of time she was going through, which inspired her latest album, “Chromatica.” In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Lady Gaga explained her self-hatred prior to creating Chromatica. She was tired of her public persona, and she felt as though “Lady Gaga” had ruined her life. She wanted to give up, but instead, she found her strength, and she pushed forward. She realized that even though she wouldn’t have chosen to go through those dark times, at least she made it out alive. (( “CBS.” cbs.com, 2020. )).
Initially, I wasn’t a huge fan of “Rain On Me,” and I didn’t entirely comprehend its message. However, at the MTV VMAs, in her acceptance speech for Song Of The Year, she said, “I remember thinking I had cried so many tears that it felt like unfathomable downpour from my eyes, but even with that much rain you don’t have to drown, even though it feels like you are, you can still swim. And if there’s a strong current with a bunch of waves and they keep crashing over you, if you keep swimming you’ll reach the center of the ocean where it’s calm, still, and peaceful” (( “MTV.” mtv.com, 2020. )).
“I never asked for a free ride, I only asked you to show me a real good time. I never asked for the rainfall, at least I showed up, you showed me nothing at all.”
– Lady Gaga Ft. Ariana Grande, “Rain On Me”
It was her VMA acceptance speech that gave the song a new meaning for me. The metaphor comparing mental health struggles to being caught in the ocean was eye-opening. Though we’d “rather be dry” than drowning in misery, at least we’re here pushing through it and trying our best. Now, “Rain On Me” is one of my favorite songs to listen to when I need a good pick me up.
“Learn To Let Go” – Kesha
When Kesha released her third studio album, “Rainbow,” she left her glitter and partying days behind and released something far more vulnerable, which allowed her fans into a darker part of her mind. One of the songs on this album is “Learn To Let Go.” As the title showcases, the song highlights the significance of learning how to leave the past behind. Whenever I feel like I am being haunted by past memories, this is one of the songs I turn to.
In “Learn To Let Go,” Kesha stresses the importance of letting go of the things that have hurt you in the past instead of letting them define you. So many of us walk around with past hurt, anger, and resentment. We don’t realize that we continue to create experiences in our lives in which we are hurt because we’re carrying our past experiences around with us. However, as the famous quote goes, “resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” By gripping tightly to the past, you are only harming yourself.
“Life ain’t always fair but hell is living in resentment. Choose redemption, your happy ending’s up to you.”
-Kesha, “Learn To Let Go”
In the Huffington Post, Kesha spoke about the song, stating, “the only way to truly evolve is to let the past be the past and move forward with an open heart” (( “Huffington Post.” huffingtonpost.com, 2017. )). “Learn To Let Go” stuck out to me immediately because it holds a strong message we all need to hear. Though it might be easier to walk around thinking about all the things and people who have hurt you and all the ways your life hasn’t gone the way you’ve wanted it to, it will get you nowhere. When you let go of the past, you allow yourself to move forward in your life, and you set yourself free.
“ME!” – Taylor Swift Ft. Brendon Urie
Taylor Swift might be infamous for her sad and angry breakup songs, but that doesn’t mean she can’t put pen to paper and stir up an upbeat pop anthem that can make anyone feel like a special, irreplaceable individual. She released “ME!” as the first single off of her seventh studio album, “Lover.” After her dark and vengeful “reputation” album, ME! showed a lighter chapter in her life. The song is not only catchy, but its message of individuality is key.
“I’m the only one of me, baby that’s the fun of me!”
-Taylor Swift Ft. Brendon Urie, “ME!”
On the release day for “ME!,” Taylor explained that she wrote the song thinking about how social media and society have made us feel like there is someone out there who is better than us or more beautiful than us. However, this is not the truth. No one on earth is exactly like you. Taylor has explained that she was thinking about all the children who would hear the song and how special it would make them feel to be reminded that there is only one of them during the songwriting process.
“ME!” isn’t one of Taylor’s lyrically best-written songs. However, it is one of her most uplifting songs. Every time I need a reminder, I turn to this song that every one of us is a unique individual who is absolutely irreplaceable. Of all her songs, ME! holds an important message that our society needs to be reminded of. The song’s message isn’t that no one is as good as you, but that every person on earth is equally unique.
“Fighter” – Christina Aguilera
“Fighter” by Christina Aguilera is the ultimate empowerment anthem. The song chronicles Christina’s experience with a greedy man who wronged her. Throughout the verses, she sings about all the ways he backstabbed and betrayed her. However, in the chorus, she changes the narrative. She goes from listing all the ways she was victimized to telling this person that she’s grateful for how he treated her because it made her smarter, wiser, and turned her into a fighter.
“If it wasn’t for all that you tried to do, I wouldn’t know just how capable I am to pull through, so I wanna say thank you.”
-Christina Aguilera, “Fighter”
Instead of playing the victim, Christina chooses to believe that whatever this person did to her was a good thing and she should thank him. He might’ve knocked her down at first, but she found the strength to get back up again. When she came back, she came back so much stronger than she was before. Though “Fighter” could be aimed directly at someone who hurt you, it could also be aimed at yourself, or more specifically, the inner critic that’s constantly tearing you down.
It’s easy to put the blame on someone else and wallow in your own self-pity. However, this causes more harm than good. It takes courage to see your own hurt as beneficial, but the strength you gain is worth it. As Christina sings in “Fighter,” being betrayed by someone you trusted could be a blessing in disguise if you choose to see it that way.
“Man In The Mirror” – Michael Jackson
I conclude my list with the King of Pop himself. He’s had endless hits, but “Man In The Mirror” is his strongest. It’s a reminder of how easy it is to forget how lucky we all are. Our lives can feel like they’re falling apart, but we can look around and realize how many people wish they had it as good as we do.
“If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change.”
-Michael Jackson, “Man In The Mirror”
Michael sings about the honest truth; if you want to change your life or in the world, change starts with you. You need to acknowledge what you are doing that isn’t working for your benefit. Change starts with you taking responsibility for yourself in order to better yourself and the world. When you see yourself as more than a victim, you will see how much power you have to make a difference in your life and others’ lives.
Often, we walk around expecting something in the outside world to make us feel better. We think that another person can come and save us, or we wait until someone else changes the world before we join in. But each and every one of us has the power inside of us to turn our lives around and to turn the world around. In “Man In The Mirror,” Michael Jackson reminds us that we need to take a look at ourselves and understand that we are the only ones who are going to make a difference.
Empowering Songs Are Important
These songs are so important because they remind us of our strength. They dig into our minds to recover our inner power and then bring it into the light so that it can fight off all the dark thoughts and experiences we’ve had. It is important to feel and understand your emotions, and suppressing them will only lead to more problems down the line. However, there is a line between feeling your emotions and wallowing in them.
“I know I’m stronger in the songs than I really am. Sometimes I need to hear it myself. We all need to hear those empowering songs to remind us.”
-Beyonce
Listening to sad songs when you are sad will only add to your sadness. Listening to uplifting songs when you are sad will allow you to acknowledge how you feel while also remembering your own strength. The next time you feel down or find yourself in a rut, skip over the heartbreaking ballads. Instead, you can turn up the songs’ volume on this list and rise above the sadness.