If I could add every empowering song I knew to this list, neither you nor I would ever leave our chairs. Cutting it down to 8 was the hardest thing I’ve had to do in a while, but concise is key. Especially when a lot of your favorites are from the same artists. Throughout this series, we’ll have top twenty, throwbacks, never-heard-of-thems, and hella throwbacks and, collectively, these songs tell us that we’re going to be okay without him, without it, and/or on our own. Some of them are here for background music while we cry it out and others are there for the soundtrack to jumping on the bed, beating the wall, and screaming at the top of our lungs. Whichever you’re doing, these songs are here to help you feel better.
Clean – Taylor Swift
No matter what you’re working on giving up in your life, “Clean” is here for you. Addictions, relationships, or harmful behaviors can all be inserted in to and covered by the song so take a deep breath, close your eyes, and let it go. Unfortunately, Taylor’s team keeps all of her music off of YouTube, so this is an awesome cover by Kina Grannis.
Favorite Lyrics: The water filled my lungs, I screamed so loud but no one heard a thing. Rain came pouring down, when I was drowning that’s when I could finally breathe.
Defying Gravity – Kerry Ellis
Kerry Ellis has played Elphaba on Broadway and the West End, and this cover of Defying Gravity was released with her “Wicked in Rock” EP. The song itself is already super there for the individual, but Kerry Ellis’ makes me want to drop everything and punch a hole through the window.
Favorite Lyrics: I’m through accepting limits ’cause someone says they’re so. Some things I cannot change but till I try, I’ll never know!
Shine Like the Sun – 9 to 5
This one’s another Broadway babe from the Dolly Parton musical 9 to 5. Three ladies come together to take back their lives in this song, after tying up their lying, controlling, and sexist boss.
Favorite Lyrics: I’m gonna shine like the sun when these clouds roll away from my door. When it’s all said and done I won’t be at your mercy no more. I will prove my own worth, heal the damage and hurt that’s been done.
Be Okay – Oh Honey
“Be Okay” is an upbeat song to spin in circles to in the sunshine, head tipped back and hair flowing in the wind. That is what I picture whenever I listen to it. Don’t worry about the little things; appreciate what’s right around you because you’ll be okay.
Favorite Lyrics: I’m wide awake, so what’s the point of dreaming when your life is great? Celebrate the feeling, celebrate the feeling, oh can’t complain about much these days, I believe we’ll be okay.
Proved you Wrong – Cassadee Pope
Cassadee has had my love since the early days of Hey Monday. Her songs are always catchy, with lyrics like a poem. I listen to this one whenever I’m struck with the realization that I’m going to be in the real world soon with no idea what I’ll do once I’m there, usually after my advisor or family tells me that something I’m doing isn’t going to be good enough for what I want to do.
Favorite Lyrics: I don’t need excuses, done with your abuses, telling me that I’m not strong, baby. Hey, just listen to the song; guess I proved you wrong.
Centuries – Fall Out Boy
This is another good one to listen to whenever you’re worrying about what you’re going to do in the real world, or when somebody criticizes you because of your age/generation. Whatever you do, be a legend. Make it worth it.
Favorite Lyrics: We’ve been here forever and here’s the frozen proof. I could scream forever: we are the poisoned youth.
Run this Town – Lucy Hale
This, too, is a good one to listen to when you’re worrying about the future (can you tell what my mind’s concerned with right now, yet?). Picture yourself in five years. You’re doing exactly where you’re meant to, you’re at the top of your game, and nothing it going to stand in your way.
Favorite Lyrics: Kissing your ass ain’t what my lipstick is for.
Fight Song – Rachel Platten
The first time I heard this song, it was by complete accident. I stumbled upon it a few weeks before it finally started to get some air time and immediately knew it was going to be something. I sent it to a friend that was having a rough time, I sent it around to others like, “LISTEN TO THIS.” I squealed the first time I heard it on the radio, and I screamed when Taylor Swift brought her out in Philadelphia to sing it in front of 50,000 people. I am so unbelievably here for this song, and here it is for you.
Favorite Lyrics: And all those things I didn’t say, wrecking balls inside my brain. I will scream them loud tonight; can you hear my voice this time?