Upbeat Anthems: 19 Songs to Lift Your Spirits When You're Feeling Down

Upbeat Anthems: 19 Songs to Lift Your Spirits When You're Feeling Down

By Lauren Chapin, LICSW

Anyone who's reached for their music library on a tough day understands that certain songs just 'get us,' don't they? Music has this incredible ability to touch our souls in a unique way, reaching into the depths of our emotions. It finds us in our sour moods, gently coaxing us to embrace our feelings while also nudging us towards a brighter state of mind. It's like a companion, encouraging us to expand our senses, move with the rhythm, and sometimes, just let go and dance. We asked our clinicians and support staff what song they turn to when they need a pick-me-up. Here were their responses:
1. Might Love Myself - Beartooth (Cynthia)
“Never felt quite like this before, chemistry is changing, emotions rearranging. I'm outta my cage, breaking my spell, think I might– think I might love myself.”

2. We Are Golden - MIKA (Jill)
“We are not what you think we are, we are golden, we are golden.”
3. Canned Heat - Jamiroquai (Niamh)
“Nothing left for me to do but dance off these bad times I'm going through, just dance.”

4. I Love Me - Demi Lovato (McKenzie)
“I’m a 10 out of 10, even when I forget.”

5. Daylight - Matt and Kim (Lauren)
“In the daylight I don't pick up my phone, cause in the daylight anywhere feels like home.”

6. Don’t Stop Believin’ - Journey (Emily)
“Livin’ just to find emotion!”

7. What If - Matthew West (Teresa)
“No regrets, in the end, I wanna know I got no what-ifs.”

8. Trip Around the Sun - Kenny Chesney (Nicole)
“I ain't gonna overthink or over analyze tonight. It's a hang on kinda ride, we're spinning through space and time, rockin' this big old rock just tryn'a have fun.”

9. Don’t Stop Me Now - Queen 
“I'm a shooting star leaping through the sky like a tiger, defying the laws of gravity.”

10. Fight Song - Rachel Platten (Lisa)
“My power's turned on, starting right now I'll be strong.”

11. Moondance - Van Morrison (Jaye)
“Well, it's a marvelous night for a moondance.”

12. Stayin’ Alive - Bee Gees (Beth)
“You know it's alright, it's okay, I'll live to see another day.”

13. *NSYNC - It’s Gonna Be Me (Kaitlyn)
“But in the end, you know it's gonna be me.”

14. Espresso - Sabrina Carpenter (Autumn)
“Walked in and dream-came-trued it for ya.”

15. Start Me Up - The Rolling Stones (Suzanne)
“I walk smooth, ride in a mean, mean machine.”

16. Kung Fu Fighting - Carl Douglas (David)
“Those cats were fast as lightning.”

17. Hurt Feelings - Flight of the Conchords (Julie M)
“Have you ever been told that you look like a llama?”

18. Send Me on My Way - Rusted Root (Kerrie)
“Well, I would like to hold my little hand. And we will run, we will, we will crawl, we will.”

19. Franklin’s Tower - The Grateful Dead (Jack)
“Wildflower seed on the sand and wind, may the four winds blow you home again.”

20. Put Your Records On - Corinne Bailey Rae (Lauren)
“I hope you get your dreams, just go ahead, let your hair down.”