In no particular order, here are ten songs that I find to be influential or just nice to listen to in my life.
- Second Chance: Shinedown I love this song. Not only is it written and played beautifully it sends a powerful message. The writer of it said it was mainly just a personal experience and that’s why it was written, but I believe that it could apply to anyone, especially now that we are in college. The main point is to just throw caution to the wind and just do what you love. There’s no need in doing something that you don’t enjoy just because somebody else wants you to or because of the money. Do something you love, for you.
- Superheroes: The Script This song is undeniably uplifting. It’s about all of the unsung heroes in the world who stay positive and hopeful despite all of the hardships they might have faced. It tells about defying the odds, about fighting for what you want, about being your own superhero. This song just makes me feel so powerful and happy and I get a lot of things accomplished after listening to this song. Keep fighting because everything will end up just how you hoped it would.
- All I Want: Kodaline This one is a slightly depressing song, but sometimes that’s just what you need. It tells the story of a man who’s girlfriend went away on holiday and when she came back she had a new boyfriend. This experience was truly heartbreaking for the artist and everybody can relate at one point in their life or another, but the writer also sings of how its alright because he’ll find somebody, and that’s whats really important. Know that even if one person breaks your heart and it doesn’t feel like you’ll ever recover, there will be someone else out there for you but you have to let go of the past in order to make room for the future.
- 7 Years: Leah Guest This is a remake of the original song performed by Lukas Graham but I think I might love it even more. This version is about a girl told to be kind and brave and that her heart should be the prettiest thing about her. Its really nice to hear someone singing about being the best person they could be and how everybody matters and that it doesn’t matter what society tells you to be, be yourself, love yourself, be happy with yourself because that’s all that really matters.
- Untouched: The Veronicas I’ve loved this song since it was released in 2007, i didn’t know what it was about then just that i couldn’t stop dancing to it. Now, I know that its about a long distance relationship and how distance does make the heart grow fonder but you just miss them so much. I think that the energetic tempo of the song has to do with the intense passion shes feeling but gets no release from, sometimes you just need them there to hold you or listen to you in person. Sure they can from far away but somehow there’s just something so comforting in knowing that they are there for you physically.
- Sonata in B Minor for Solo Cello, Op. 8: Alisa Weilerstein Sometimes you just need a little classical in your life. This playing is intense and smooth and it just calms me right down. It begins immediately, there’s no transition into it and then there comes this one higher note in it that is just so beautiful, then about half way through it slows down a bit and softens up, not as intense but still as commanding and beautiful. I can’t really explain it, but I just love this piece.
- Here With Me: Susie Suh, Robert Koch This song can be taken two different ways, her lover could either have died or left her. This is so tragically beautiful. She begins caught in the riptide of life, lost in her emotions but knowing there was a reason that they met and spent life together. Then it moves on to talk about how she says their name at midnight and theres so many miles between them but yet they’ll always be with her. Even when someone is gone, they’ll leave a mark on you. Whether that mark is good or bad remains to be seen but a mark is mark no mattter how small. This song reminds me to enjoy what I have while I have it, and to remember that even when someone leaves, they’ll be there in our memories.
- Beast: Timeflies I always feel like dancing to this song too. Plus, its quite uplifting, telling of how they worked to be great, they weren’t given what they have, they worked for it and then they got it on their own. They won’t take no for an answer and that’s inspiring to me. To be able to do everything themselves, that they don’t need anyone else’s help now since it wasn’t given to them before. Be great despite the odds. Show your strength and do not be afraid to go alone.
- Mess is Mine: Vance Joy This one is about being in a relationship and accepting a person warts and all. Everyone has baggage and in a relationship you have to be willing to take on your partners baggage or their “mess” and make it your own. Relationships are messy and that’s part of the beauty of them. They are so passionate and unpredictable, its all give and take and you have to be ready to give them your all and take their all in return. That is why I love this song, it’s about having to accept a person so completely that you can’t distinguish your mess from their mess.
- Stone Cold: Demi Lovato Demi’s voice in this song is a thing of pure beauty. Not just from the flawless notes and pitches but because you are able to hear how sad she is. Its not easy being able to hit all the notes yet still be able to include the specific emotions you want. This is another slightly sad song about watching an ex love someone else. She still loves them enough to want them to be happy even if that isn’t with her anymore. Don’t be an angry and jealous ex who tries to ruin any future relationship, let it go, be happy for them, then start being happy for yourself. Its hard, but nothing in life comes easy, you got to work for them. You can do it.