from the song I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor (Song #221)

Go on now go walk out the door
just turn around now
’cause you’re not welcome anymore
weren’t you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye
you think I’d crumble
you think I’d lay down and die
Oh no, not I
I will survive
as long as i know how to love
I know I will stay alive
I’ve got all my life to live
I’ve got all my love to give
and I’ll survive
I will survive

Motivational songs are big songs whether it be in the music, or in the message. They exist throughout time and across genres. You will hear them before pep rallies and at graduations. And in television and film, motivational songs are the unseen character that supports the story and helps moves it along…

A daily ritual of listening to motivational songs can be very beneficial. Anyone who has ever had to train at anything be it an athlete or a politician knows how important motivational messages can be. Staying focused and getting work done is a hard task and if a lyric gets caught in your head encouraging you to “Keep on Pushin“, that could be just the push you need.

How do they work?

Well for one thing, motivational songs captivates our minds by, as doctors have described it, as “tickling several of the most important parts of the brain in a highly pleasurable way.” It is comforting and reassuring as it divides time up in a way that makes sense to us. The tempo and beat create patterns that causes the dissonance that ultimately gets resolved in a timely fashion that we depend upon.

Another key factor is that music supports and encourages movement. We see examples of this all throughout our lives. Like when we go to work out, the first thing we pull out is our iPod with our favorite “pump it up” jams. Or, when we are doing anything laborious a work song comes in handy to keep the pace.

But, the most fascinating thing is how music conjures up memories and emotions. It creates a euphoric feeling when we listen to oldies. We remember a time when we were younger and fancy free. We relive a moment in time and feel a sense of validation.

But the most important thing is that music is for everyone and people of all ability levels can participate. Just the other day I watched that movie Young@Heart about the senior choir in Massachusetts that became a touring sensation. Singing really gave the members something to look forward to and made them feel good and happy about their lives, despite their pending health issues.

But when faced with challenges, motivational songs are recommended listening for a successful and prosperous outcome. Songs like Dolly Parton’s “Better Get To Livin” and “We’re a Winner” by Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions, are the kind with upbeat instrumentation that can get you up and moving with messages that are so motivational they can help you to move mountains.

from the song Wonderful Person by Black Masses (Song #200) AND GROWING….

YOU ARE A WONDERFUL PERSON…..

from the song Respect Yourself by The Staple Singers (Song #197)

Respect yourself, respect yourself
If you don’t respect yourself
Ain’t nobody gonna give a good cahoot, na na na na
Respect yourself, respect yourself

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from the song Good Times by Chic (Song #196)

Good times
These are the good times
Leave your cares behind
These are the good times
Good times
These are the good times
Our new state of mind
These are the good times

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from the song Say It Loud I’m Black and I’m Proud by James Brown (Song #193)

Look a’here, some people say we got a lot of malice
Some say it’s a lotta nerve
I say we won’t quit moving
Til we get what we deserve
We’ve been buked and we’ve been scourned
We’ve been treated bad, talked about
As just as sure as you’re born
But just as sure as it take
Two eyes to make a pair, huh
Brother, we can’t quit until we get our share

Say it loud,
I’m black and I’m proud

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from the song Fight the Power by Isley Brothers (Song #185)

…I kept talkin about it
I got the big run around
When I rolled with the punches
I got knocked on the ground
With all this bull%$^& going down

Time is truly wastin’
There’s no guarantee
Smile’s in the makin’
You gotta fight the powers that be…

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from the song Funky Town by Lipps Inc. (Song #158)

Gotta make a move to a
Town that’s right for me
Town to keep me movin’
Keep me groovin’ with some energy

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So you stand up
Be strong go out there
Hold on to the real thing that matter
‘Cause no one’s gonna hand it to you on a silver platter
There’s no need to feel you’re on your own
Just let your intuition guide you through
Take one step toward what you believe
Don’t be afraid to make your move

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from the song Express Yourself by Charles Wright (Song #129)

Express Yourself!
Express Yourself!

You don’t ever need help from nobody else. All you got to do now:

Express Yourself!

What ever you do, do it good.
What ever you do, do it good. All right…

It’s not what you look like, when you’re doin? what you’re doin?.
It’s what you’re doin? when you’re doin? what you look like you’re doin?!

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