If you haven’t heard of Ben Folds, I’d recommend giving his music a listen. “The Luckiest,” from his Rockin’ the Suburbs album is heartbreakingly beautiful with the sincerity of the lyrics and gentleness of the melody.
2. “Shadows” – Sabrina Carpenter
While mostly known for her Disney channel acting career, Sabrina is one of the rare talents from the network who can actually sing. Despite the darkness of the title, the song itself is uplifting, as Carpenter tells the unknown addressee, “It’s okay to be afraid. Just walk like you’re never alone.”
3. “Here Comes a Thought” – Steven Universe cover by Connie Glynn
This song is originally sung by Rebecca Sugar on the animated television show, Steven Universe. However, I preferred this cover by Connie, a.k.a Noodlerella, my favorite YouTuber. Connie’s description of this as a “song about anxiety” is not inaccurate at all, though the lyrics twist that feeling of anxiety into a reassuring melody.
4. “It’s Only Life” – The Shins
Although this song does have more of a solemn tone, the message behind it is both relatable and comforting—no matter what you are suffering from now, you’re not alone in your experiences.
5. “How Far I’ll Go” – Auli’i Cravalho
Auli’i Cravalho, otherwise known as Moana from the 2016 Disney film, rose to fame not just for her acting role but also for the raw power of her voice. “How Far I’ll Go”, the most notable song on the film’s soundtrack, is relatable for the conflict that it presents—the choice between desire and obligation—and empowering for the bravery it summons.
While many criticize Swift for her vocals, I believe that her songwriting ability is undeniable. “Mean” is probably the most relatable song of her albums, as it deals with the type of people you will encounter throughout every stage of your life, the ones who will try to demean and ridicule you to raise their own distorted sense of self worth.
7. “The Call” – Regina Spektor
In the song’s world of imminent life changes, Spektor advises not to give in to grief but to hold onto the things you care about despite those changes. Unfortunately, this song is only available on iTunes if you buy the entire The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian album. You can listen to it on YouTube for free, but I’m stubborn and bought the entire album anyway.
8. “Go the Distance” – Roger Bart
“Go the Distance”, sung by Roger Bart—better known as the voice of Hercules in the Disney animated film from which the song originates—deals with defying expectations and chasing one’s dreams despite the obstacles in the way.
Grace won America’s Got Talent at the age of twelve for her unique voice and precocious song-writing ability. Like Swift’s “Mean”, “Clay” is a song that inspires resilience against critics in every-day life.
A beautiful song by a largely invisible, small band of siblings. The sisters’ vocal duet and the sentimental yet hopeful lyrics make “Lost at Sea” worth listening to.