The Power of a Song That Lifts You Up
There’s something about certain songs that can shift your mood almost instantly. You might be having an ordinary day, or a difficult one, and then a familiar melody comes on, and something changes.
Your shoulders relax.
Your thoughts soften. You might even find yourself humming along before you realize it. It’s not just the music itself. It’s the meaning behind it, the memories it holds, and the way it meets you right where you are.
Take Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles. George Harrison wrote it during a particularly stressful
time when business tensions within the band were weighing heavily on him, along with the pressures that came with fame.
One day, he stepped away from it all and spent time at a friend’s garden. As he sat in the sunlight, he felt a sense of relief
after what he described as a long, cold "winter." That feeling became the song and a simple but powerful reminder that difficult seasons don’t last forever.
Or think about What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong. Released during the late 1960s, a time marked by social unrest and uncertainty, it offered something
completely different. Instead of focusing on what was wrong, it gently pointed listeners back to what was still good: trees, the sky, friendships, and small everyday moments. It wasn’t meant to ignore reality, but to balance it with perspective.
Then there’s Don’t Stop Believin' by Journey, a song about holding
onto hope even when the outcome isn’t certain. It tells the story of ordinary people moving through life, chasing something more, and refusing to give up. It’s one of those songs that people instinctively sing along to, perhaps because the message feels so personal.
Over the Rainbow, made famous by Judy Garland in
The Wizard of Oz, is a song built around longing, hope, and the idea that something better might be waiting just ahead. Garland was only 16 when she performed it, yet there’s a sincerity in her voice that has made the song timeless.
While the
emotion comes from the story of her character dreaming of a different life, it’s also worth noting that even at that young age, Garland was working under intense pressure in the Hollywood studio system. Long hours, strict expectations, and constant oversight were part of her daily life. And as many people know, her life later ended tragically, which adds another layer of poignancy when listening to her voice.
Whether or not her circumstances directly shaped that performance, there’s no denying that the song carries a depth that feels very real.
And then
there’s Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver. Interestingly, the songwriters hadn’t even visited West Virginia when they wrote it. The feeling came from imagination and emotion rather than direct experience, yet it became one of the most recognizable songs about home, comfort, and belonging. It taps into something many people feel...a quiet pull toward a place, a memory, or a sense of peace.
Songs like these remind us that music is more than background noise. It can lift us, ground us, and sometimes even carry us through a moment we didn’t quite have the words for. Maybe today is a good day to put on a song that lifts you up and let it do what it does best.
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Here's what just one GON reader had to say...
"Maria, I really enjoy your newsletter. Many of the articles have a lot of wisdom. Like the one
in your March 22nd issue. Reminding us that 'just like in baseball, our days come with a mix of results.' That allows me to give myself some kindness when I have hard days. And to 'keep swinging' tomorrow. Thanks!" -- Angela in Mesa, AZ
