Sometimes those inspirational quotes hanging on your walls don’t cut it. You lie in bed wishing you could sleep away the sadness, but you end up staring out the window mindlessly scrolling through Facebook for the fifth time in the hour. All of a sudden you’re in the kitchen searching for comfort food. But no amount of mint chocolate chip ice cream does the trick. Once you’ve exhausted all other options, go ahead and reach for Apple Music or Spotify for a music playlist.
Put these 10 amazing songs on a playlist and remember to whip them out whenever those gloomy feelings creeps up on you.
1. “Put Your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae
The weather finally decided to stop matching your depressive mood, the sun peaks through the clouds and three little birds sit on your window. You might decide to close the blinds and keep it dark because you can’t deal with a beautiful day when you’re feeling so upset. Instead, try a little music therapy. “It’s a carefree song that reminds me to worry less about not having my life all together, in fact it’s okay that I don’t have it all together because like she said in the song, ‘you’re gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow,’” Furman University junior Sanon Williams said. Listening to this song after waking up to another bummy mood always sets the perfect tone for your day.
2. “Pocketful of Sunshine” by Natasha Bedingfield
Emma Stone’s stages of hating to loving this song in Easy A proves it can have you feel like everything’s alright again. “’Pocketful of Sunshine’ puts me in such a better mood because I can scream the lyrics at the top of my lungs and let out all that negative energy I’ve been holding in for some time,” Georgia College and State University junior Taylor Harp said. Sometimes we get the feeling of being stuck or just bored of life. Instead of resorting to Netflix to soothe your sour mood, blast this mid-2000s classic on your mood-boosting playlist. Whether its rain, snow, sleet or hail, you should always carry around a pocketful of sunshine to keep your days bright.
3. “Burn” by Ellie Goulding
Ellie Goulding reminds us that there’s a fire in us that we should never let die. “It’s so upbeat [and] being able to sing it with your friends is such a mood booster,” University of Miami sophomore Taryn Dennie said. Being sad is okay, but drowning in sorrow is not. Just listen to Goulding’s music to remind you of how much you have to offer the world. Turn it into your own personal anthem when you need it. We all have to keep ourselves burning bright. It makes us who we are.
4. “22” by Taylor Swift
T Swift was right when she said it’s the perfect night for breakfast at midnight. Listening to “22” as you whip up some pancakes and bacon might be the perfect remedy for you. Leave it up to Swift’s music to remind us that it’s perfectly okay to be happy, free, confused and lonely at the same time. Sometimes life gets a little crazy, and you’ve just got to be carefree and forget about the hard times to keep your sanity. “’22’ is a song that reminds me I’m young and need to live it up,” Shorter University junior Fiorella Gamarra said.
5. “This Is How We Do” by Katy Perry
Real life might be approaching fast, but having a Katy Perry song on our playlist always reminds us to let loose and have fun. “I like this song because it reminds me of all the good times I’ve had, which always puts me in a good mood,” Western Carolina University junior Shannon Maloney said. Not sure if you nailed or bombed that internship or job interview? It’s all good. Drive off with the windows down singing loud enough to block out the negativity. Who cares if it’s rude to blast your music like that? That’s just how we do.
6. “Pretty Girl Rock” by Keri Hilson
Keri Hilson’s music is all about self-confidence, and you should be too! Ain’t nobody got time for haters to bring you down. People try to bring you down because they see something in you that they’re jealous of. Shake off the rude comments and snide remarks they throw your way. Let them know they don’t need to hate you just because you’re beautiful. And throw in a smile while you’re at it. “’Pretty Girl Rock’ always reiterates girl power and gives me some self-confidence,” University of Georgia junior Emily Measel said. Better add this anthem to your playlist asap.
7. “I’m Out” by Ciara ft. Nicki Minaj
Although we love Adele and setting fire to the rain, we’ve got to learn when enough is enough. Ciara and Nicki Minaj remind us that sometimes you just gotta let the boy go and head to the club with your friends. Ciara had the right idea when she said to get on the floor and get your sexy on. We have to live life with everybody else, especially with those who cheer us on. Time won’t stop and wait for us to get back in the game. Go ahead and get some music bumping to celebrate that break-up with your girls.
8. “Feeling Myself” by Nicki Minaj ft. Beyoncé
We listen to “Feeling Myself” as we ride down the street showing off that we’re definitely as boss as Nicki and Beyoncé. That’s what makes this song the perfect addition to your playlist to remedy to all disheartening feels we get every now and then. You don’t need anybody else’s reassurance on how great you are because Nicki and B have you covered. Self-confidence is way more attractive and fun than the pity party, so do yourself a favor and tell yourself that your pretty is indeed on fleek. “This is the song running through my mind when I look really good,” said GCSU junior Jai Fitzgerald. “Hair done, nails polished and legs shaved.”
9. “Flawless” by Beyoncé ft. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Every girl wants to be as flawless as Queen B. Listening to “Flawless” definitely has you feeling that way. It’s the type of music you turn to when you need a little motivation. “This song is the realest and tells women to love themselves for who they are,” Auburn University animal science major Courtney Sehested said. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s definition of feminism and brief spill on women as more than just complacent beings will be sure to get you going. Look in the mirror and remind yourself of how completely gorgeous you are. Remember, you woke up like this. Flawless.
10. “B-tch Better Have My Money” by Rihanna
The Barbadian goddess always has music for when we need a pick me up or need to feel a like a bad ass. “I love when I hear that song because it makes me feel like ‘that bitch,’” UGA junior Chardonnay Toote said. Before you go and cancel plans with your friends to stay in your sad little bubble, get this song on your playlist and then decide if staying in is worth it. The hype of this song is enough to shift your gears from down in the dumps to lit until the sun rises. Like Riri said, you call the shots, and they better not forget it.
