Music, oh how I adore and treasure it.
Music, like nothing else, has the power to transport emotions and memories through time and space. Knowingly or not, a certain song has the power to leave an imprint on your mind, never to be erased again.
Once you hear that song, even if  a decade has passed, the vault of feelings opens itself and spills a bunch of memories you thought you’d long forgotten.
There’s the memorie of us kids singing It’s Raining Men on the top of our lungs on the 9-hour ride to Saint Tropez driving our parents and grandparents craaaaazy.
Or the memory of the warm Mistral breeze going through my hair while I’m listening to Christine Aguilera’s Somebody’s Somebody and wistfully dreaming of the Slovakian guy next door.
Or the time my sister and I took a road trip through the US rocking out to The Black Eyed Peas’ I Gotta Feeling for hours upon hours.
And my favorite: hearing Train’s Drops of Jupiter the moment I set foot on American soil for the very first time in my life; a magical moment I’ll never ever forget.
I could go on and on and on and on.
To me, music is invaluable, it’s often visceral, it’s love and joy and sadness and nostalgia. It’s an elixir of life.
But not only that, it’s also a perfect way of empowering yourself, giving you that extra boost of self-esteem when you’re insecure, nervous, feeling down or beaten by life.
There are a few songs that will never fail to pick you up when life is hard and here are my 50 favorite ones. Not all of them have incredible lyrics (even though that’s something I’m especially cautious of), but sometimes we just need songs with an upbeat tempo, no matter the message, right?
To make this list a bit more diverse, I’ve accumulated a wide range of songs: some make you dance, some make you think, some make you cry and some make you cheer.
Enjoy these self-esteem songs and be sure to tell me YOURS.
1. F**ckin’ Perfect by P!nk
2. What’s Up by 4 Non Blondes
3. Roar by Katy Perry
4. Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
5. Euphoria by Loreen
6. Stronger by Kelly Clarkson
7. Fly by Nicki Minaj featuring Rihanna
8. Beautiful Flower by India Arie
9. Born this Way by Lady Gaga
10. Love Me by Katie Perry
11. Beautiful by Christina Aguilera
12. Brave by Sara Bareilles
13. Fighter by Christina Aguilera
14. Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys
15. Love Myself by Hailee Steinfeld
16. The Voice Within by Christina Aguilera
17. I’m OK by Christina Aguilera
18. Soar by Christina Aguilera
19. Hair by Lady Gaga
20. Masterpiece by Jessie J
21. Independent Women by Destiny’s Child
22. Flawless by Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj
23. I Am Woman by Jordin Sparks
24. Survivor by Destiny’s Child
25. All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor
26. Respect by Aretha Franklin
27. Yellow Flicker Beat by Lorde
28. Don’t Stop Believin’ by the Glee Cast
29. Stay Beautiful by Taylor Swift
30. The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson
31. She Wolf by Shakira
32. Shake it off by Taylor Swift
33. Feeling Myself by Nicki Minaj (feat. Beyoncé)
34. My Prerogative by Britney Spears
35. Run the World (Girls) by Beyoncé
36. I Am Not My Hair by India.Arie featuring P!nk
37. Big girl (you are beautiful) by Mika
38. Superwoman by Alicia Keys
39. Be OK by Ingrid Michaelson
40. Secrets by Mary Lambert
41. Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
42. Who you are by Jessie J
43. Smile by Michael Jackson
44. Body Of My Own by Charli XCX
45. Somewhere over the Rainbow by  Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole
46. Stronger by Britney Spears
47. Keep Breathing by Ingrid Michaelson
48. A Woman’s Worth by Alicia Keys
49. BO$$ by Fifth Harmony
50. The Climb by Miley Cyrus (yes, I’m serious!)
I’m sure I’ve forgotten many incredible songs. So, please share yours with me.
I used to DJ at a local pub and my favourite feel good songs was, I will follow him-Sister Act. Difficult to sing without doing all the choir hand movements.
I personally love Ingrid Michaelson-Be Ok, Amy MacDonald-this is the life, Black eyes peas-Boom boom and anything by Bruno Mars. I go along with Miley Cyrus as well 🙂 Many more but I would be here all night.
Jackie, I loooooved that Sister Act song as well. We even did a choreography and performed it at our local carnival celebration. LOL That’s an awkward memory. Thanks a lot for sharing. Sounds like we have a similar taste in music.
I’m showing my age here, but “Rush” from Big Audio Dynamite always gets me going and makes me feel great. It was really big when I was in high school, and I always play the song when I need to get going.
I have never heard of this song, Amanda. Checking it out now. Thanks so much for sharing it here.
I love hearing LMFAO – sexy and I know it. It just makes me smile and sing and bop along in my car! 🙂
They are AMAZING and yes, you can’t help but move. 🙂
They are a great band.
Am 04.02.2013 um 17:15 schrieb “Disqus” :
ok, are ready to have your mind BLOWN?! Listen to this song, and tell me if your Self-esteem doesn’t just blast up thru the roof. “It’s Allright (Preaching Paris)” by David Guetta.
That IS a pretty awesome song. LOOOOVE the lyrics.
The Lighthouse Family: Lifted
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPZ6CXuiHdQ
That brings up a LOT of memories, Sang-gye.
Never heard this one, but I LOVE it!
They used to play it over and over and over again in the 90s.
oh and new: The Balkan Beat Box: Part of the Glory
Glorious!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcVCs3MDBvI
I’ve never heard this song. This is a fun one. Sexy guys are always good….
These are not necessarily self esteem boosters, but are songs that make me feel great, because of a memory attached, a goofy dance made up with friends or kids, and maybe because I just know all of the words. Here goes (and don’t judge ) : Dancing Queen (and anything by ABBA, really). Spice Girls, I think the name is “Stop”. Had a blast when my daughter and nieces were little and we would dance and dance to this. The BeeGees (I grew up in the age of disco and I am not apologizing for it Saturday Night Fever came out in Jr High and it was a huge time of change in a young girls life) so many fond memories. Ummm…I need to think some more. C’mon people, I am SO dating and embarrassing myself here… I do love the list already up. Love the Black Eyed Peas flashmob on Oprah! Can’t help but feel good and dance to that!
I stil know the whole choreo for the STOP (wanna see it???). I haven’t seen the Blog Eyed Peas flashmob, but I need to find this one. I looooove your suggestions and you are not embarrassing yourself. I too love ABBA and I’m sure man generations will. Good music never goes out of fashion. 🙂
Oh yes. I SOOOO wanna see it on this Friday’s video! Here is the flashmob. Oprah had NO idea! Watch her face when she suddenly realizes it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CttB6FmMgT4
Now I have tears in my eyes and goosebumps. I loooove flashmobs. Thank you so miuch for sharing this.
I’m sure there are many that I can’t think of right now, but one song that always gets me feeling great is One Republic – Good Life This is really a Good Life 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZhQOvvV45w
I had no idea that this was a One Republic song. We used to workout to it in BodyAttack and I think the song has been ruined for me ever since… LOL Lots of sweaty and painful memories…
“I Am What I Am” by Gloria Gaynor… the prototype for any upbeat self-empowerment song…
I agree, it’s a great song, Asaf! Thanks for sharing. xxx
Beautiful – Mariah Carey ft. Miguel and also Pretty Hurts – Beyonce
Pretty Hurts is my favorite thanks for posting this one. The cover by Chloe and Halle is the on i listen to the most. I love the message in this song with every word!!
Pretty hearts is a great song indeed. Thanks for sharing, Kaylynn.
I also recommend Pink – F*cking Perfect
Love that one.
I know you guys are probably thinking that I post too much but i found another song. Bruno Mars – Just The Way You Are
Good list, you just forgot Katy Perry’s “Firework”!
Greta, you’re right. That IS a great, empowering song.
Little Me by Little Mix and Firework by Katy Perry. Plus, Born this way by Lady Gaga.
Love these songs, Rita!
Thanks a lot for this comment. I loved little me 🙂 It’s beautiful 🙂
“Body Love” by Mary Lambert is amazing, but it has some triggers in it like cutting (talking about how you don’t need to),
“Who Says” by Selena Gomez Its amazing I can so relate to it it makes me feel better when I’m down but maybe thsts just me
“Who Says” by Selena Gomez Its amazing I can so relate to it it makes me feel better when I’m down but maybe thats just me
“Don’t you know you’re beautiful” by kellie pickler
“Hate on Me” by Jill Scott – obsessed with it.
More beautiful you by Johnny Diaz What makes you beautiful by 1 Direction.
There’s Happy by Pharell Williams and Me too by Megan Trainer.
SIA – Unstoppable
Try – Colbie Caillat =)
What are your thoughts of Kelis-“Milkshake”. I had a young lady tell me when first hearing this song, she felt like she can get up and dance and sing real loud and not act or be some type of way, such as feeling closed-off or less than, that the singer was very beautiful and confident and so was she.
I actually don’t know the song but it sounds like a really great one! 🙂