Empowering songs, for hard times.

[BeeOrchid]

This may sound trivial, but I don't think it is. Music can make a big difference to our mood.
There's so many victim songs in our culture "What can I do to make you love me?" Kind of thing. But what about the strong, I can do this songs?

I'll start: "I'm still standing" Elton John - bernie taupin knew what he was writing about.

[NetballHoop]

What a great thread! Here's a couple of oldies that work for me.

A New England sung by Kirsty MacColl

I Could be Happy - Altered Images (and I MUST hear Happy Birthday by them on my birthday).

[GoatsDoRoam]

I'm almost certain we've had threads like this before, and even clever MNers who put the entire playlist of suggested songs online somewhere.

Sorry am not feeling clever enough to search for said thread/playlist.

Anyway, my go-to poem for this is Maya Angelou's "Still I Rise",


Still I Rise

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

[StillinShockAhhhhhhh]

Sunshine Anderson - heard it all before

[StillinShockAhhhhhhh]

Ooh and pink- 18 wheeler or numb both are amazing!!

[FixitTweak]

Was going to say Yes - McAlmont & Butler but see it already has a lot of votes.

One from the 80s, but great if you are the one doing the walking away: Motorcycle Boy - Big Rock Candy Mountain

[themostinterestinglife]

The following songs by Imagine Dragons are brilliant:

On Top of the World
It's Time
Demons

[Karmaone]

Katy Perry Firework. Love it

[BeeOrchid]

Thought of another one ; Rearview Mirror by Pearl Jam, leaving the abuse behind. Love it.
Goats I also love that poem. I adopted it as an empowering read a few months ago, in attempt to strengthen myself.
weedinthepool I hope you are doing ok. I often think of you .

[clairemarie5]

Hold On - Wilson Philips.
Always gives me a boost and hope that things will get better when they feel like crap.

[avocadogreen]

Another vote for U2 and Stuck in a Moment... it was my soundtrack 15 years ago when my mum died, and after exH left earlier this year I went right back to it.

Can I also mention Let It Go from Frozen?! we have the CD in the car for the school run, and the number of times I find myself screaming along at the top of my voice "it's funny how some distance makes everything seem small..."

[PaisleySheets]

Another vote for Bob Dylan, Positively 4th Street.

[NeedALittleTime]

Primal Scream - Moving on up now