Music is a powerful tool and there are many songs that motivate me. I originally published 5 songs that motivate me in July 2018 and it continues to be the most viewed blog post on my site. Therefore I decided to give it a bit of an update and share more songs that motivate me.
“Music is my one and only true best friend! It is always there with me, I have total faith in it & it never fails to give me happiness, encouragement and pure joy! 🎸🎶🎵😍❤️”
This was a Facebook status I wrote back in 2013 and those thoughts have stuck with me ever since. Having cerebral palsy and registered blind does come with its challenges, both physically and mentally. But music is what keeps me going. I listen to it everywhere; at home, in the car, when I’m working, on television, in films, at theatre productions and, of course, at gigs & festivals.
A powerful part of music is the lyrical aspect. Many songs bring hope, understanding, emotions, positivity and motivation. Therefore I want to share 15 songs that motivate me to become positive, look for success and except my life for what it is:
1. Iridescent by Linkin Park
Forget Disney’s Frozen, this song shows the real way to “Let It Go”. The late Chester Bennington shares how to deal with the devastation and the frustrations of life and that you should perceive them differently and let go of the negatives.
I can relate to this when dealing with the frustrations of my disability, particularly when having difficult carers. I shouldn’t focus on the poor quality care but let the past go and look forward to the future and securing the care I need.
2. It’s My Life by Bon Jovi
This rock anthem pretty much sums up the motivational message quite simply; “It’s my life and it’s now or never, I don’t wanna live forever. I just wanna live while I’m alive. It’s my life”.
For me, this means I don’t want to waste my time waiting for opportunities to happen or not bother enjoying life because I’m disabled. I want to make the most of life while I’m alive; gain qualifications, secure employment, share my experiences online, meet new people and create lasting relationships. I want to prove that you can still have an active life and achieve your dreams and goals with a disability.
3. The Show by Lanka
This song is on a more pop guilty pleasure scale. It is simple, bubbly and jolly. The lyrics signify that life and love can be difficult and complicated but you should enjoy it like a theatre or tv show.
4. Light It Up by Eliza and the Bear
This song has a feel-good vibe to it. When life becomes difficult or you have a bad day, this does sure lighten your mood. It bring determination to keep gong, beat your battles and no matter what, life can keep going.
5. Survival by Muse
This is my favourite rock anthem of this decade. Powerful, strong and motivating. It encourages you to battle through life barriers, conflict and both physical and mental hallenges, all in the knowledge you will survive in the end.
6. Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life by Eric Idle
I was introduced to Monty Python by my late friend Lucy Hale back in school and this song is from the classic film The Life of Brian. This song appears in my thoughts whenever I have a bad day. If people piss me off or I have stresses at work, I just think: “Always look on the bright side of life – you have friends and family who love you, you have access to food, warmth and technology and you are not severely ill, in a war zone or suffering poverty.”
My favourite line in the song has to be “Life’s a piece of shit, when you look at it”. Despite the good things in my life, I do have days when I think life with a disability is shit.
7. Sing by My Chemical Romance
This is an awesome sing-a-long track by pop-punk icons My Chemical Romance. I love the chorus lines:
“Sing it for the boys, sing it for the girls
Every time that you lose it, sing it for the world
Sing it from the heart, sing it ’til you’re nuts
Sing it out for the ones that’ll hate your guts
Sing it for the deaf, sing it for the blind
Sing about everyone that you left behind
Sing it for the world
Sing it for the world”
It shows a sense of unity, inclusion, belonging and remembering those we’ve lost. I particularly love how the deaf and blind communities are mentioned, giving disability a proportion of representation in their music.
8. Let’s Dance To Joy Division by The Wombats
The Wombats are known for singing about depression and anxiety and this is by far my favourite track. I just love the lines “Let’s dance to Joy Division and celebrate the irony, everything is going wrong but we’re so happy.”
It is based on a drunken night out experienced by lead singer Matthew Murphy at Le Bateau, a nightclub in the band’s home city of Liverpool, during which he and his then-girlfriend danced on a table to Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division. The lyrics examine the irony of dancing happily to a famously sad song.
I enjoy singing this on difficult days and try and manage the bad things in a positive way as best as I can.
9. Be Who You Are by The Kooks
I don’t know the lyrics to this song well but as soon as I first heard it back in 2017, I immediately loved it. I just find it such a happy, joyful and cheerful tunes that puts a smile on my face every time I hear it.
I like the catchy “ba ba ba” vocals throughout the song, which are so simple yet so affective in bringing enjoyment. Also, the title Be Who You Are creates great motivation to do and be whatever makes you happy and fulfills your life.
10. Never Surrender by Skillet
I was introduced to Skillet by my friend Steph while in college. This song is about never surrendering your life despite the challenges it faces. I can relate to the line “I don’t wanna feel like this tomorrow. I don’t wanna live like this today.”
To me, it makes me think I wish I didn’t feel frustrated by my disability and sometimes with I could be free from my impairments.
11. Flying High Falling Low by Walking On Cars
This song is an album track from the band’s self-titled debut record. The song is actually about the difficulties of affording to treat your other half with gifts at Christmas. However, I feel it can also relate to general mental health issues and dealing with the highs and lows of every day life.
12. Take Me Away by Avril Lavigne
This is the opening track from Avril Lavign’s second studio album. The song is actually about getting away from a toxic relationship. Whenever I feel frustrated or annoyed by someone or a situation, I listen to this song full blast as a way or virtual escapism and release any anger I have.
13. Weight of Living Pt. II – Bastille
I begin my countdown with an album track from alternative rock British band Bastille. Weight of Living Pt. II actually appears before Pt. I, in their debut album Bad Blood, which I always found slightly odd. Despite this, it was the lyrics that caught my ears and I could relate to the feelings expressed in the song.
It looks at how when you’re a child your dream of growing up but as soon as you do, you feel time is passing too quickly and adult life isn’t what you’d hope it would be and you have to try accept it for what it is.
14. The Ones That I Love – Twin Atlantic
This track is an intro piece from Scottish rock band Twin Atlantic’s second album Great Divide. It is a stripped back piece of piano and vocals. The song is about how the youth of today are struggling to be heard by other generations and they wish could speak to the loves one who have passed away.
I particularly like this track for the line “Music is my therapy, I could listen to it all night long”. I can relate to this as I find music a source of therapy as it can bring calmness, relaxation, understanding, enjoyment and happiness.
15. Run – Snow Patrol
Although this song is tinted with sadness, it is also filled with love. It is about having to say goodbye to someone you love but will promise to always stand by them. I love the rhythm, the melody and the beautiful use of language in their lyrics.
This song has a special place in my heart as this Irish band is also my Dad’s favourite band and I got the chance to take him to their gigs back in 2012 and 2019. Both those shows were memorable nights and a rare moment to spend quality Father and daughter time together.
[NOTE: Due to new copyright rules on YouTube, I cannot embed the videos, but please view the songs that motivate me in the hyperlinked song titles]
Have you listened to any songs that motivate you? Share them in the comments box or on social media.
