Music gifts each of us a soundtrack to our lives.
Major break up to “Purple rain”
High school graduation to “Good Riddance”
Walk down the aisle to “Stand by me”
Farewell a beloved friend to “I am Woman”
Great songs provide the music and lyrics to the milestones of our lives. Our hearts break, our spirits soar, we are moved and inspired, by choice or by unexpected moments when these creative arrangements of chords and poetry take us on a journey either in solitude or en masse with loved ones or strangers.
For the love of music, here are 3 go-to’s for the heartbreaks, the celebrations and the time when you want music to reflect, or lift your mood.
Songs to break up to
- I’m not in love – 10CC.
“It’s just a silly phase I’m going through”.
Whilst the song was written because the writer’s wife wanted an alternative to the simple “I love you”, we think it’s got the ultimate bite for a scorned lover to express their angry rejection and cry into a pillow for at least several days.
2. Purple Rain – Prince. Perhaps not the typical break up song, it’s long enough and dramatic enough to soundtrack the crux of a fight so familiar it can only lead to the finale of a doomed love story.
Prince declared it “an opera”.
It actually backdropped the most traumatic heart break of my 20s, and I’m gifting it to all the romantic tragics who find an offbeat break up song somewhat validating and healing.
3. Nothin Compares 2 U – Sinead O’Connor.
Yes, it was written by Prince, but nothing compares to the way Sinead sang it, shot it (for the video clip) and owned it.
The vulnerability, the raw heart ache of:
“It’s been 7 hours and 15 days since you took your love away”
The single tear flowing down a cheek, gives one something to cry about even without a break up. For the ones who had their love taken away, it is as devastating as it is optimistic for healing. Read the lyrics and listen to it on rotation for ultimate healing.
Honourable mentions: It must’ve been love (Roxette); I aint missing you at all (John Waite); The Flame (Cheap Trick); Since you’ve been gone (Kelly Clarkson); Un-break my heart (Toni Braxton); Somebody that I used to know (Gotye) and of course I will always love you (Whitney Houston)
Songs to celebrate with
- We are the champions- Queen. A timeless classic for sports wins, business wins and any time you just feel great. Queen’s timeless harmonies and simple yet powerful lyrics can lift anyone to greater heights and elevate a good moment to a memorable one.
2. I’ve got a feeling – the Beatles. Oft unknown unless you’re an avid Beatles fan, this song has received long overdue respect since the release of Peter Jackson’s “Got Back” documentary. Full of authentic free spirit, it gets you deep in your heart and soul and doesn’t let go until your body starts moving hips and shoulders and all, around the living room with the biggest smile on your face all day.
3. Celebration – Kool and the Gang. Covered by many including Kylie Minogue and Dragon, there’s no better than the OG. The ultimate party song that is purely about – as the title promises – celebration. A birthday, end of year, a milestone, no matter, it’s all about coming together because “it’s a celebration”
Honorable mentions – I gotta feeling (Black Eyed Peas), On top of the world (Imagine Dragons), Best Day of My Life (American Authors), All Night Long (Lionel Ritchie), Can’t Stop the Feeling (Justin Timberlake) and Get the Party Started (Pink)
Mood lifters
We’re in the midst of a global epidemic of loneliness. We can feel so disconnected from community. But the power of music can be harnessed to turn rainy days and manic Mondays into most beautiful days in minutes.
- It’s a beautiful day – U2 about finding happiness in the dreariest of situations. Bono wrote it about a man who has lost everything but finds joy in what he still has. For some of us, that joy needs to be sought out in places we never imagined. Like a flower in full bloom rather than a big bank balance. Or a trusted relationship rather than a sports car.
2. I can see clearly now – Johnny Nash (covered Jimmy Cliff for the movie Cool Runnings) it was written about hope and courage for people who have experienced adversity and overcome it. Seems obvious, but worth a listen with this specific lens.
3. Here comes the sun – George Harrison. Escaping the busyness of life as a Beatle, and having not picked up a guitar in weeks, Harrison wrote this song on a whim at a friend’s house in the country, as he relished sitting in the sunshine, embracing the simplicity of life. Can’t beat it for a mood lifter!
Honorable mentions: So many! Spotify has a playlist “100 most uplifting songs ever” including “Lovely Day” (Bill Withers), Don’t Stop Believin (Journey), Africa (Toto) and You Make My Dreams Come True (Hall and Oates).
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