Hey everyone!

I was driving the other day and one of my very favorite songs came on the radio, I Believe I Can Fly by R. Kelly. I like this song so much because it is so uplifting and empowering. R. Kelly was able to express exactly how I've felt at times in my life and what the process of moving out of that place and embracing life again feels like:)!

It got me thinking about other songs out there like this and I figured why not ask you all about your favorites!

What songs have you come across that are empowering and uplifting to you? It would be great to compile a list that we can all go to from time to time to get that sad face "smiley" again;)!


Leah :music:

Hello Leah,
What's my empowering song? Interesting questions. For me, there are songs for every mood, I have loads for those bluesy hours and loads that make me feel good. The latest to fit in the latter category is "Dancing The Blues Away" by Chris Rea. It's not that well known - not even sure whether Chris Rea is/was big in the States....
Most songs have a history and this guy made a whole album after recovering from cancer a few years ago. The album is full of blues and some quite dark songs. But surprisingly (or maybe not that surprisingly) there are a lot of very uplifting and encouraging songs as well and one that lifts my mood instantly is "Dancing the Blues Away".
It's about dancing until you forget about all the bad that's happened and laugh your tears away. It's the one song that makes me feel better instantly!

Barbara :music:

What a great question! For me I guess it would have to be 'Stand' by Sly and the Family Stone. lol

A little cheesy maybe, but they really have such positive lyrics (it was a very optimistic time, in a lot of ways... before MY time, anyway ;-). I should listen to it again.

The part that comes to mind is:
"Stand. In the end you'll still be you, one that's done all the things you set out to do." :music:

Thanks, Leah, that gave me a smile today. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Leah, your question reminded me how much music has to do with our wellbeing, how it can support our moods and also change them.
If you look at my CD collection at home most people are surprised that it's so diverse. And that's true, most people I know have definite tendencies towards a certain type of music. I like a lot of different styles. I probably have a CD for every mood! Are other people the same or is my taste just all over the place? <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hi... I had to stop in here.. ONe of the songs I like is Come from the heart by Kathy Mattea..
You got to sing sometimes like you don't need the money
Love sometimes like you'll never get hurt
You got to dance, dance, dance like nobody's watchin'
It's gotta come from the heart if you want it to work

I like that and I hope you dance also.. I have everything from Classical to Pure Moods to country, rock and Enya lol.. I guess that's pretty diversified. I think your right though.. different songs for different moods. Some people do stick mainly to one genre though. That was a good question.

Hey everyone!

I'm so glad my question brought so many good vibes to you all! And thanks for the empowering songs! I'm going to try and find each of them.

Music is definitely a healing salve for me:). I have very ecletic tastes too, ranging from classical to trip hop <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> and I agree, different songs, even different genres of music, evoke different feelings or "types of healing" if you will.

Like sometimes you need to really work through some type of pain for example - Outside by Staind is one of the songs that does that for me...sometimes you need to release your anger - Million You Never Made by Ani Difranco is perfect for that for me...and sometimes you need to be motivated - Baby I'm a Star by Prince is one of my songs for that:)...and I could go on and on!

Maybe I'll put together a songs for all moods list?! What do you all think? Do you have songs that help you express and/or work through other moods? Let's post them all and I'll get started on compiling our list:).


Leah :music:

Okay, I have to ammend my fav empowering song(s)... I'll have to say the whole album-- 'Greatest Hits' by Sly and the Family Stone.

I'm playing it right now-- I'll need it this week! I hope you all are haveing a good week! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

This is funny but one of my "empowering" songs is from the tv show "The Greatest American Hero"

"Believe it or not,
I'm walking on air.
I never thought I could feel so free-.
Flying away on a wing and a prayer.
Who could it be?
Believe it or not it's just me."

And for those who want to listen can go here:
http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/3657
The audio files are below the lyrics. hehehe.

lol Ah, that brings me back, Moe.

Fortunately I won't need to use the link, since now I'll have that song in my head for awhile. Catchy song...
:music: Who could it be? ... :music:

Oh wow Moe, that took me back too! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

There are several songs that empower me but, any song that speaks of true love and growth together works for me. kindred the family soul's far away and contentment. don't u ever give by sounds of blackness! i also get good vibes from john coltrane and duke ellington.

it is all about the love for me!

christopher

Aaahhh, my new favorite empowering song???

Golden by Jill Scott:)

Check out the lyrics here:
http://www.musicfactory2.co.uk/Lyrics/Jillscott/Golden.html

I'm so grateful to her for making this song:)!

Leah :music:

I Will Survive ...Great lyrics for all and all times...
Fat Bottom Girls..what can I say? It is my personal anthem! I like lots of Queen's stuff.
Enya..Annie Lennox....the list goes on and on...pan flute is great for meditation...

My most empowering song would have to be is 'You don't Own me.' With Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton. From the Movie "First Wives Club" I would have to say it's the best song ever.

For me it also depends on my mood...but i find my favorite music is usually instrumental...it's like the notes speak to me..if they are haunting or uplifting...i can't really explain...words don't mean as much to me!
My collection is pretty eclectic to ,Pink Floyd , Depeche Mode, Enya, Deed Forest etc.

That makes a lot of sense Gabrielle! Classical music touches me deeply and for me it's all about how each instrument is interpreting and adding to the piece.

I grew up listening to classical music and played the viola until about two years ago. I miss it dearly, especially because of how playing gave me the freedom to express whatever emotions I was going through personally or either invoked by the song. So I totally understand about how notes in music can have a great affect on one's mood!

Thanks for bringing that element to our song list!

Leah <img src="/images/graemlins/music.gif" alt="" />

I'm going to get a little religious here: I love old hymns and gospel songs such as Just a Closer Walk With Thee" and "Great is Thy Faithfulness" which contains the line "All I have needed Thy hand has provided."
Otherwise, I love "Climb Evry Mountain" from "Sound of Music"
And when I get the crazies, I really do turn to "Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious" trust me. it works! <img src="/images/graemlins/rolling.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/rolling.gif" alt="" />

To continue the religious songs--I love "O Happy Day!" and have since I was a little girl (back in the dark ages). I have the version from Sister Act 2 on my Ipod.

Hi Leah:

Oh, there are so many songs that are uplifting, across the musical spectrum. I'd have to say that "Wind Beneath My Wings" is one of my favorites.

I favor folksongs and particularly those that create imagery in my brain. Let me explain. I like songs that describe a scene. One such song was written by Bill Staines. It is called, "Redbird's Wing", and the lyrics describe flying over the Alaskan wilderness and seeing the "great granite ledges far below", the "mama moose and grizzly bear", etc. I love the deeper meaning of the song also.

Based on the lyrics, I created a pictorial art quilt called, "On Windy Whispers" (part of the lyrics). With the permission of the composer, I created a panel with all the words to the song and appliqu�d it to the back of the quilt. I'd have to check, but I think that there may be a photo of the quilt in my online gallery on my website. If not, it is pictured in my new book, Straight Talk about Quilt Care.

I often listen to music when I'm working in my quilt studio, and I always look forward to doing that.

Patricia, http://www.quiltersmuse.com

What a great thread - alot of these songs I love. I will add another one - its called "HERO" by Vannessa Amorosi.

If you all remember the sydney olympics opening ceromony she sang it there...Very uplifting indeed.

Keep the songs comming girls! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Was it 'Sly & the Family Stone' who also did ..well I'm not sure if this the right title....But 'Everyday people'. That song is as true today as it was then, listen to the lyricks(?) I have noticed that PBS has been doing showes or many of the' hits' of different ears, found it tonight. I think if was about songs sang just before the 'Beatles' hit America. I don't know how old many of you are, but many of the songs brought back many 'memioures'(?) good & bad, they also talked about 'Motown' how the singers would 'travel' by buss all night to be at a differend town the next nigh, how 'grulling' that scheldue was for many of the singers, who in the end really didn'y got much of the money, THEY made.
I'm going to have to check on when they do a segment on the early '70's, those were fun days...well for me. I worked at the 'Wiskey-a-go-go' in 'Hollywood' or was it in Van nuys, Ca.? yep well I was a bad girl & will just say woke up under...or next to some 'famous' singer, I think many of us did ...in those days. Enough said..LOL. Pegi <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Was it 'Sly & the Family Stone' who also did ..well I'm not sure if this the right title....But 'Everyday people'. That song is as true today as it was then, listen to the lyricks(?) I have noticed that PBS has been doing showes or many of the' hits' of different ears, found it tonight. I think if was about songs sang just before the 'Beatles' hit America. I don't know how old many of you are, but many of the songs brought back many 'memioures'(?) good & bad, they also talked about 'Motown' how the singers would 'travel' by buss all night to be at a differend town the next nigh, how 'grulling' that scheldue was for many of the singers, who in the end really didn'y got much of the money, THEY made.
I'm going to have to check on when they do a segment on the early '70's, those were fun days...well for me. I worked at the 'Wiskey-a-go-go' in 'Hollywood' or was it in Van nuys, Ca.? yep well I was a bad girl & will just say woke up under...or next to some 'famous' singer, I think many of us did ...in those days. Enough said..LOL. Pegi <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I like "I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal" by Billy Joe Shaver. My favorite version is the cover by John Anderson.

Lyrics: I'm Just An Old Chunk Of Coal (But I'm Gonna Be A Diamond Someday)

Enjoy,
web page

Hawaiian music makes me feel good about life, about myself and others in general, and one of the most empowering Hawaiian songs for me is the medley "Over the Rainbow, What a Wonderful World" sung by the late, great Israel Kamakawiwole (IZ).

You can listen to this and lots more on free, online
Hawaiian music radio stations www.coconutroads.com/hawaiianmusicandhula.html

Aloha,
Cindy