Music
Music is a very powerful medium, which can inspire and heal. Its effect is immediate and potent. It costs very little and is often free.
Throughout the ages music has always played an important part in the lives of people. From a barn dance in the countryside to an orchestral performance in the towns; from the simple piano accompaniment of early film to the sweeping epic arrangements we hear today.
We often remember a song that was significant at a particular time in our lives. A song can bring a tear to the eye or laughter; inspire immense pride and an instant connection to something greater than ourselves.
In fact no person alive could deny the power of music. Even the smallest child can appreciate the energy in a melody......
Creating an Uplifting Playlist
The Law of Attraction talks about how thoughts become things. What better inspiration for our thoughts than some well chosen songs or pieces of music?
Unfortunately most of us never take the time to compile music choices that will uplift us. In fact an examination of popular music reveals that the vast majority of songs tend to focus on sad and depressing themes.
Many songs that appear joyful are in fact subtly disempowering, particularly for women. Many of the most cherished women’s torch songs include negative, unhelpful and unconstructive lyrics.
The sample playlist is chosen based on lyric content, because the words we hear again and again become part of our subconscious and the subconscious drives who we are.
The lyrics contain messages and stories which are calming and comforting, often a simple phrase, can act as a portal back to a place of understanding and acceptance.
The innate beauty of words can be used in partnership with an inspired and uplifting melody, to achieve personal growth, insights and peaceful thoughts.
The listener is drawn inadvertently back toward the key aspects of their life.
Underpinning these songs is an appreciation for the human condition and the potential within all of us.
Never in history has it been so easy to access songs for immediate listening pleasure.
Playlists can easily be compiled, including songs from any genre for a small price. Itunes has completely revolutionized the whole process. You Tube is free and provides an endless array of videos showcasing some of the greatest songs ever written. These are just a few of the many sites on the internet that cater to the individual desiring to connect with music.
Naturally everyone has their own special likes and dislikes when it comes to music, and not all of the songs in the following lists will appeal to everyone. Even so I am sure they will serve as an example of how an effective list can be collated. You just need to take the songs which touch you personally and apply the same principles.
No one knows better than you what songs meant something at particular times. However, remember it is good practice to avoid angry songs which speak about resistance and repression. Feeling the inborn frustration of these pieces and focusing on their energy will only divert you from moving forward.
This advice may seem obvious, however unhelpful lyric content can be hard to pick sometimes. In fact many torch songs for women on closer examination reveal lyrics that are subtlety disempowering.
This is a very important point because the influences we are not aware of, that we think are nurturing us are of course going to get in under the radar, and have an impact we can’t see.
To illustrate the point I will share two examples:
Christine Aguilera’s song Beautiful (above)
This is a moving song containing some stirring sentiments regarding self love, and the need to ignore the degrading actions or comments of others.
However, the song seems to be based on a very definite construct of a world where people are basically intolerant, tending to judge that which is different unfairly.
You might say, “Well yes that is the case, the world really is like that and we need to protect ourselves from these people by reminding ourselves we are beautiful, and their words cannot hurt us.”
I'm here to tell you that focusing on their existence and acknowledging that they may appear will bring them into your life.
Where attention is directed, energy flows.
If we expect criticism and put downs we will undoubtedly experience them.
When I hear that song it makes me overwhelmingly sad, it paints a picture of an ugly world that good people are forced to deal with.
In the first verse we are presented with
'It’s hard to breathe', and 'I’m so ashamed'.
Immediately the focus is towards a dark place.
The phrase bring me down is used eleven times. The first phrase is one of the saddest opening lines I have ever heard…..
(these lyrics are provided for educational purposes only)
Don't look at me
Every day is so wonderful
And suddenly, it's hard to breathe
Now and then, I get insecure
From all the pain, I'm so ashamed
I am beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring me down
I am beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring me down
Oh no, so don't you bring me down today
To all your friends, you're delirious
So consumed in all your doom
Trying hard to fill the emptiness
The pieces is gone left the puzzle undone
Is that the way it is
You are beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring you down, oh no
You are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring you down, oh no
So don't you bring me down today
No matter what we do
(no matter what we do)
No matter what they say
(no matter what they say)
We're the song inside the tune full of beautiful mistakes
And everywhere we go
(everywhere we go)
The will always shine
(sun will always shine)
But tomorrow we might awake
On the other side
We are beautiful no matter what they say
Yes, words won't bring us down, oh no
We are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring us down, oh no
So don't you bring me down today
Don't you bring me down today
Don't you bring me down today
For all you fans out there please understand that I am not saying it is a bad song, or criticizing Christine as an artist.
Anyone with a brain can see how talented and gorgeous she is, and on its own the song is a fantastic creative achievement.
I am merely pointing out that songs such as this might not be the best choice for a playlist which is supposed to uplift and nurture our subconscious.
Any one who has studied the Law of Attraction knows that the mind does not understand the context of a phrase; all it hears is 'bring me down'.
Pulp Fiction is widely acknowledged as a ground breaking film, an example of cinematic genius and flair, however not everyone wants to sit down and watch extreme violence and torture sequences.
We acknowledge the talent but it might not fit our purposes. You need to value you mind, it’s the only one you’ve got and the information you put into it is as important as the quality of food you put in your mouth.
Many songs are written about something which means a great deal to the artist, a story they are telling.
It can be a great song in the context of that artist’s life, however for the person on the street it can be a very sad song about waiting for an outside force to come and heal them,
about suffering and frustration, about not being able to move forward.
Phrases like I can’t, I’m not ready, I don’t know why, are repeated endlessly.
In terms of hypnotic phrases being streamed into your subconscious I hope you can see the connection.
The overall theme of a song could be great joy, but on limited terms; happiness is achieved only after waiting and being given a gift from an external place.
There is no real internal drive towards claiming joy and happiness, or acceptance of the abundance and great gifts freely available to every woman if she chooses them.
Many of the most popular songs associated with women are whimsical and needy, suggesting an inability to make decisions and lack of direction.
Others are so angry that it is clear the guilty party in the song still holds enormous power over this particular person. They are unable to let go, and in some instances are acknowledging the perpetrators skills and powers.
My Heart will go on is a great testament to Jack and Rose in the Titanic, but does it translate into living an independent life based on reality?
Don’t know why by Norah Jones is gorgeously sentimental but is it conducive to being a woman who makes decisions and follows her dreams?
Since you’ve been gone is a fantastic song about liberation after breaking up with a loser boyfriend, but is the woman in question really still tied to this guy through anger? (Thou doth protest too much)
Not ready to make nice expresses the heartfelt frustrations of one who has been judged harshly and attacked for speaking her mind, but is the theme of an inability to heal and move forward helpful?
In contrast we have a song like Simple sung by KD Lang, which contains lyrics which repeatedly state that love is simple, and will not elude you:
Flawless light in the darkening air
Alone...and shining there
Love will not elude us, love is simple
Be sure to know that
All in love
Is ours
And love, as a philosophy
Is simple
I am calm in oblivion
Calm, as I ever have been
Love will not elude me
Love is simple
Be sure to know that
All in love
Is ours...
Is ours...
That all in love
Is ours
And love, as philosophy
Is simple...
And ours...
If your mind receives this message repeatedly then I am certain Love will not elude you!
The phrase ‘All in love is ours’ is repeated five times. ‘Love as a philosophy is simple’ is repeated three times.
The strength of the lyric lies in unquestioned belief that love is a given for any person, their birthright, it cannot be eluded or escaped from.
If you doubt what I am saying about the subtle messages in these songs repeat the phrases over and over to yourself and then put your hand on your heart and see how you feel.
Do you feel sad, or uplifted?
At the very least every woman needs to become more conscious of the hypnotic suggestions she is feeding into her mind through her favourite music; and acknowledge that her programming might be an amalgam of a lot of different sources she is not aware of.
Its worth asking the question, what music do I value the most, and is it programming me for pain and a lack of authenticity?
I am a great lover of music, and I love the stories that are told through it, seeing a heartfelt performance is an unforgettable experience which should not be avoided.
The difference is whether you need to hear that performance again and again every day streaming into your consciousness.
I love the song Summertime by Ella Fitzgerald, and I would love to go and watch it performed by a talented singer. But would I want to listen to it everyday; definitely not because I feel there is a deep melancholy embedded in the song.
Would I limit myself from going to see any band, singer or performance which would be a great artistic experience, no of course not.
Would I play their music every single day, singing the words over to myself again and again; Well it would depend on the lyric content.
My mind is too precious to be toyed with.
© copyright 2007 Simone Huggins BGS.BT.
Sample Uplifting Playlist
1. Let it Grow by Eric Clapton
Comments
Plant your love and let it grow is repeated 15 times. Underpinning the lyrics is the theme that although there are challenges,
(e.g. Trying to make friends, have a fulfilling life before it is too late, knowing change is needed but not knowing which direction to head in)
we only need to ask, be self motivated, be ourselves!
Lyrics
Standing at the crossroads, trying to read the signs
To tell me which way I should go to find the answer,
And all the time I know,
Plant your love and let it grow.
[Chorus:]
Let it grow, let it grow,
Let it blossom, let it flow.
In the sun, the rain, the snow,
Love is lovely, let it grow.
Looking for a reason to check out of my mind,
Trying hard to get a friend that I can count on,
But there's nothing left to show,
Plant your love and let it grow.
[Chorus]
Time is getting shorter and there's much for you to do.
Only ask and you will get what you are needing,
The rest is up to you.
Plant your love and let it grow.
[Chorus 2x]
2. I Can See Clearly Now by Jimmy Cliff
Comments
A very powerful song;
the phrase is I can see clearly now, not in the future, now.
Today not tomorrow is going to be a sunny day.
Look all around there’s nothing but blue skies, this is very real and very immediate.
Lyrics
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been praying for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
Look all around, there’s nothing but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothing but blue skies
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day..
3. Climb Every Mountain from the Sound of Music
Comments
A song that leaves you in no doubt as to what to do, demands that you are authentic.
Underpinned by a theme that dreams come true all the time, it is reasonable and logical that forward movement will give you results.
Lyrics
Climb every mountain, search high and low
Follow every byway, every path you know.
Climb every mountain, ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow, 'til you find your dream!
A dream that will need
all the love you can give,
Every day of your life
for as long as you live.
Climb every mountain, ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow, 'til you find your dream!
4. Beautiful Day by U2
Comments
There are stories in this song, of challenge and frustration. However the very potent underlying theme is despite all of this the world is beautiful and the potential is unlimited.
There is excitement, beauty, escape.
The final verse is very important in that it reminds us that what we don’t have now need not stop us from being happy now, and moving forward now.
It’s a beautiful day is repeated six times.
The most powerful line is 'after the flood the colours all come out', suggesting new growth is always possible, especially following great disturbance.
Lyrics
The heart is a bloom, shoots up through stony ground
But there's no room, no space to rent in this town
You're out of luck and the reason that you had to care,
The traffic is stuck and you're not moving anywhere.
You thought you’d found a friend to take you out of this place
Someone you could lend a hand in return for grace
It's a beautiful day,
the sky falls And you feel like
it's a beautiful day,
Don’t let it get away
You’re on the road but you’ve got no destination
You’re in the mud, in the maze of her imagination
You love this town even if that doesn’t ring true
You’ve been all over and it’s been all over you
It's a beautiful day,
Don't let it get away
It's a beautiful day,
Touch me, take me to that other place
Teach me love, I know I’m not a hopeless case
See the world in green and blue
See China right in front of you
See the canyons broken by cloud
See the tuna fleets clearing the sea out
See the Bedouin fires at night
See the oil fields at first light
See the bird with a leaf in her mouth
After the flood all the colours came out
It was a beautiful day
Don't let it get away
A beautiful day
Touch me, take me to that other place
Reach me, I know I'm not a hopeless case
What you don’t have you don’t need it now
What you don’t know you can feel it somehow
What you don’t have you don’t need it now
You don’t need it now
5. Here Comes the Sun by George Harrison
Comments
Here comes the Sun is repeated ten times.
You can almost feel the rays warming your face.
Its alright is repeated five times.
The long cold lonely winter becomes a beautiful and necessary part of the cycle of life, the ice is slowly melting to reveal a joyful new episode which begins immediately.
Lyrics
Here comes the sun
And I say
It's alright
Little darling
It's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling
It feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun
And I say
It's alright
Little darling
The smile's returning to the faces
Little darling
It seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun
And I say
It's alright
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes (four times)
Little darling
I feel that the ice is slowly melting
Little darling
It seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun (doot in doo doo)
Here comes the sun
And I say
It's alright
Here comes the sun (doot in doo doo)
Here comes the sun
It's alright
It's alright
6. Across the Universe by the Beatles covered by Rufus Wainright
Comments
The underlying theme of this song is that life and the universe is a lovely mess of many different factors, not all joyful, sometimes challenging but we can let them wash over us, knowing that our inner centeredness and authenticity is a separate entity.
Nothings gonna change my world is repeated twelve times.
A firm statement which underlines the need to be a leader rather than a follower, to believe not doubt, to create not destroy and be a force for good.
Lyrics
Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup,
They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my open mind,
Possessing and caressing me.
Jai guru deva, om,
Nothing's gonna change my world,
Nothing's gonna change my world.
Nothing's gonna change my world.
Nothing's gonna change my world.
Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes,
They call me on and on across the universe,
Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box
They tumble blindly as they make their way
Across the universe
Jai guru deva, om,
Nothing's gonna change my world,
Nothing's gonna change my world.
Nothing's gonna change my world.
Nothing's gonna change my world.
Sounds of laughter shades of life are ringing
Through my opened ears inciting and inviting me
Limitless undying Love which shines around me like a
million suns, It calls me on and on
Across the universe
Jai guru deva, om,
Nothing's gonna change my world,
Nothing's gonna change my world.
Nothing's gonna change my world.
Nothing's gonna change my world.
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
7. Gamble Everything for Love by Ben Lee
Comments
This is an interesting one and very exciting because it cajoles and coerces you in a fun way to consider the possibilities now of taking risks in order to experience love.
I see it in the context not of a relationship with another but the exciting potential of self love.
Telling yourself the truth, telling others the truth, being free, going you own way can all be risky, but it is repeated seven times, if you gamble everything for love you’ll be all right!
Lyrics
Gamble everything for love, gamble everything
Put it in a place you keep what you need
You can gamble everything for love if you’re free
You gotta gamble everything for love
Baby are ya cold, are ya cold baby
I could wrap you up, wrap you up in my love
If you wanna, you can gamble everything for love
If you wanna, you can gamble everything for love.
Tell me are you feeling lost, have you crossed
In the places that you never knew to get through
Tell me are you gonna cry all night
Tell me the truth, and I’ll tell you the truth
If you gamble everything for love
You gonna be alright, alright
Make a list of things you need, leave it empty
Except for number one, write “love”, gamble everything
Keep it under lock and key
If you wanna, you can gamble everything for love
Love me with an open heart tell me anything
We can find a place to start to gamble everything
We can set this thing apart, cos we’re gonna, gonna
Gamble everything for love
Tell me do you lose your way each day
Are there people you don’t recognize, do they lie?
Tell me does it make you feel too real?
Tell me the truth, and I’ll tell you the truth
If you gamble everything for love
You gonna be alright, alright
Oooh you can go your own way,
Oooh you can go your own way,
Oooh you gotta go your own way
If you gamble everything for love
If you gamble everything for love
Gamble everything for love, gamble everything
Put it in a place you keep what you need
You can gamble everything for love if you’re free
You gotta gamble everything for love
Tell me are you gettin’ hurt, is it worth it?
Tell me are the people strange, do they change?
Tell me are you letting go, do you know?
I’ll Tell you the truth, if you tell me the truth
If you gamble everything for love
If you gamble everything for love
If you gamble everything for love
You gonna be alright, alright
Alright.
8. Shiney Happy People by REM.
Comments
This song is jam packed with feel good, life affirming phrases.
By the end of it you will be happy and you will be shiney!
Lyrics
Shiny happy people laughing
Meet me in the crowd
People people
Throw your love around
Love me love me
Take it into town
Happy happy
Put it in the ground
Where the flowers grow
Gold and silver shine
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing
Everyone around love them, love them
Put it in your hands
Take it take it
There's no time to cry
Happy happy
Put it in your heart
Where tomorrow shines
Gold and silver shine
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing
9. Give Myself Permission to Shine by Bachelor Girl
Comments
I’m going to give myself permission to shine repeated seven times
gonna light up the night four times,
shine a light on the world six times.
The problems are acknowledged at the beginning of the song but in no way used for an excuse for not shining immediately.
The song lyrics contains a very important validation of the self being the ultimate power which controls the ability to be happy, not others.
Lyrics
Hey, what would you say
If I can't play the hero tonight
Cos lately I've been feelin' like
I can't get anything right
I've been fading into the woodwork again
And I'm feelin' like I just wanna hide
But guess what
I'm gonna try something just a little bit different this time
I'm gonna give myself permission to shine
I'm gonna shine so bright
Gonna make every head wanna turn
You're finally gonna see me
Give myself permission to shine
Gonna light up the night
Shine a little of my light on the world
I've been crazy
I've been holdin' myself back for so long
But I've got so much I can give
Don't wanna be afraid to be wrong
You know I'm not too good at too many things
But I've been gettin' real good at gettin' down on myself
But guess what
I'm gonna try to break free from this prison I’ve built
I'm gonna give myself permission to shine
I'm gonna shine so bright
Gonna make every head wanna turn
You're finally gonna see me
Give myself permission to shine
Gonna light up the night
Shine a little of my light on the world
shine a little of my light on the world
shine a little of my light on the world
shine shine shine
Oh, that's right
I'm gonna try something just a little bit different this time
I'm gonna give myself permission to shine
I'm gonna shine so bright
Gonna make every head wanna turn
You're finally gonna see me
Give myself permission to shine
Gonna light up the night
Shine a little of my light on the world
(Give myself permission to shine)
I wanna light up the night
Shine a little of my light on the world
10. It’s a Beautiful Life by Ace of Base
Comments
It’s a beautiful Life is repeated eight times.
The song acknowledges there are distractions; but there are so many simple things that can lift you up, now and forever.
Lyrics
You can do what you want just seize the day
What you’re doing tomorrow’s gonna
Come your way
Don’t you ever consider giving up,
You will find, oooh
It’s a beautiful life, oooh
It’s a beautiful life, oooh
It’s a beautiful life, oooh
I just wanna be here beside you
And stay until the break of dawn
Take a walk in the park when you feel down
There’s so many things there
That’s gonna lift you up
See the nature in bloom a laughing child
Such a dream, oooh
It’s a beautiful life, oooh...
I just wanna be here beside you
I just wanna be here beside you
And stay until the break of dawn
You’re looking for somewhere to belong
You’re standing all alone
For someone to guide you on your way
Now and forever
It’s a beautiful life, oooh...
I just wanna be anybody
We’re living in different ways
It’s a beautiful life
I’m gonna take you to a place I’ve never been
Before o yeah
It’s a beautiful life
I’m gonna take you in my arms and fly away
With you tonight
It’s a beautiful life, oooh...
11. Fix U by Coldplay
Comments
A powerful yet sensitive song which once again validates the sadness and frustration we can often experience, however leaves no doubt there is redemption, there is light and it will guide you home.
Your very bones will be ignited, you are not alone, crying and loss of love is difficult but not beyond repair.
The musical crescendo underpins this progression.
Lyrics
When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse
When the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
High up above or down below
When you too in love to let it go
If you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you