Start 2014 with a bang and get pumped up for the rest of the year! Here are 14 inspirational songs to get you started:
(Screencaps courtesy of YouTube)
1. “PEOPLE LIKE US” by Kelly Clarkson
Motivating Lyrics: “Hey... everybody loses it / Everybody wants to throw it all away sometimes / And hey... yeah I know what you're going through / Don't let it get the best of you, you'll make it out alive”
There are times when you think your problems are getting the best of you, and you feel like you’re having a hard time keeping your head above water. But the thing is, we all go through tough times. Heed Kelly Clarkson’s advice and don’t give up!
2. “MAKE IT OUT OF THIS TOWN” by Eve feat. Gabe Saporta
Motivating Lyrics: “Know that you can do it on your own cause you can / Know that you can conquer all with a plan / Forget about the negatives buried in the sand / Yeah, never forget this is your life / Your path, your dream, this is your fight / Victory you'll see, you'll be alright / Get through the darkness, on the other end is pure light”
Feeling helpless? Don’t let go of your dreams despite your seemingly bleak circumstances. Play this song to remind you that there will always be light at the end of the tunnel.
3. “Our Lives” by The Calling
Motivating Lyrics: “’Cause these are the days worth livin' / These are the years we're given / And these are the moments / These are the times / Let's make the best out of our lives”
This song is all about being the now. Celebrate and make the most of the present. After all, we only have one life to live, so we should make the most out of it.
4. “PLAY ON” by Carrie Underwood
Motivating Lyrics: “Play on when you're losing the game / Play on 'cause you're gonna make mistakes / It's always worth the sacrifice / Even when you think you're wrong / So play on”
In this song, Carrie Underwood tells us to “play on’” and not to give up easily. There might be roadblocks up ahead and the burden might be a little more than you think you can bear, but just continue to “play on,” and your efforts will surely pay off in the end.
5. “Strip Me” by Natasha Bedingfield
Motivating Lyrics “Take what you want steal my pride / Build me up or cut me down to size / Shut me out but I'll just scream / I'm only one voice in a million / But you ain't taking that from me”
This song reminds us that we all have a special place in this world--no matter how insignificant we think we are--and it's something that other people can’t take away.
6. “NOW IS THE START” by A Fine Frenzy
Motivating Lyrics: “Kiss / with a mouth of shooting stars / Of lost and broken hearts / Unafraid you can name your scars / With a touch of a new heart”
This feel-good track is appropriate for the new year, as it talks about fresh starts. Seize the moment and don’t put your dreams on hold!
7. “ROAR” by Katy Perry
Motivating Lyrics: “You held me down, but I got up / Get ready ’cause I’ve had enough / I see it all, I see it now / I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire / ‘Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar”
This song reminds us to speak out and stand up for ourselves. Don’t let problems get to you! You have the strength to be a fighter and a champion, so roar to your heart’s content.
8. “Everybody” by Ingrid Michaelson
Motivating Lyrics: “Happy is the heart that still feels pain / Darkness drains and light will come again / Swing open your chest and let it in / Just let the love, love, love begin”
This song encourages us to just let love come into our hearts. Be more open with your affections, especially with your loved ones.
9. “WHO YOU ARE” by Jessie J.
Motivating Lyrics: “Don’t lose who you are in the blur of the stars / Seeing is deceiving, dreaming is believing / It’s okay not to be okay / Sometimes it’s hard to follow your heart / But tears don’t mean you’re losing, everybody’s bruising / There’s nothing wrong with who you are”
News flash: it’s perfectly okay not to be okay sometimes. Life is filled with ups and downs, so we can’t be happy all the time. But that doesn’t mean we should let problems get to us as well! The key is to go past the tough times and learn to be happy again.
10. “YOU GOTTA BE” by Des’ree
Motivating Lyrics: “You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser / You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger / You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm, you gotta stay together”
This song may be a hit back in the '90s, but it still makes for a great mantra this 2014. Don’t forget that you’re awesome in your own unique way, and don’t let other people tell you otherwise.
11. “FOLLOW YOUR ARROW” by Kacey Musgraves
Motivating Lyrics: “If you can’t lose the weight then you’re fat / But if you lose too much then you’re on crack / You’re damned if you do / And you’re damned if you don’t / So you might as well just do / Whatever you want”
You can’t please everybody. Follow the beat of your own drum, and don’t let bashers get to you.
12. “TRY” by Pink
Motivating Lyrics: “Where there is a flame / Someone’s bound to get burned / But just because it burns / Doesn’t mean you’re gonna die / You’ve gotta get up and try, and try, and try”
Don’t give up! Perseverance makes you a winner, so just “get up and try, try, try.”
13. “LET IT GO” by Idina Menzel
Motivating Lyrics: “Let it go, let it go / Can’t hold it back anymore / Let it go, let it go / Turn my back and slam the door / And here I stand and here I’ll stay / Let it go, let it go / The cold never bothered me anyway”
Disney fans have gone gaga over this song during the holiday season, and rightly so--it’s liberating lyrics is an instant perk-me-up for just about anyone.
14. “BRAVE” by Sara Bareilles
Motivating Lyrics: “You can be amazing / You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug / You can be the outcast / Or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love / Or you can start speaking up”
This song is about the power of choices. Steer your life toward the direction that you really want to take, and be brave.
