PositLive Music: “Brave”
“Brave” Written by: Sara Bareilles and Jack Antonoff Released: April 23, 2013 Singer-Songwriter, Sara Bareilles, revealed that the lyrics to this song were inspired by a close friend. “Say what you wanna say, and let the words fall out, honestly I want to see you be brave,” are what she would say to her friend, who was struggling to come out (source). However, the song lyrics apply to anyone who is struggling to be themselves, express themselves, or express their opinion. It’s for anyone who needs that boost of encouragement to be brave. “There’s so much honor and integrity and beauty in being able to be who you are, [and]…
PositLive Music: “Fight Song”
“Fight Song” Written by: Rachel Platten and Dave Bassett Released: February 19, 2015 Less than a year before this song’s release, singer-songwriter, Rachel Platten, was struggling to make it in the music industry. However, she found the strength to go on, as expressed in this song (Source). In short, it’s a song about hope and perseverance. Rachel recalls her struggle saying, “Ten months ago I was on a house concert tour in a van playing to like twenty or thirty people a night…I wrote the song when I was going through such a hard time, and I needed to remember to believe in myself” (Source). Select PositLive Music: Lyrical Playlist…
PositLive Music: “You Gotta Be”
“You Gotta Be” Written by: Des’ree (born Desiree Weeks) and Ashley Ingram Released: March 28, 1994, Re-released February 27, 1995, 1999 Mix–March 22, 1999 According to singer-songwriter, Des’ree, this song came about after reflecting on how she would stop herself every day to think about how she has to be. (Source). The music video is in black and white, and it plays with those colors–in a way, highlighting the juxtaposition in how we’re sometimes forced to feel and act. “You have to be cool and calm in [one] situation, and then you have to be bold and strong in another situation,” Des’ree noted. The parent album is about “having the…
PositLive Music: “Keep Your Head Up”
“Keep Your Head Up” Written by: Andy Grammer Released: February 24, 2011 Andrew Grammer wrote this song at the beginning of his professional music career. It was written after a long day in the streets, trying to sell his album with little success. It was meant to be a pep talk to himself to not give up–to keep his head up. Ironically, the song he wrote in this low point in his career would end up launching his career. The song was a personal note to himself. However, the message applies to all of us. In those moments when we’re downtrodden, feeling hopeless, or struggling to make ends meet, let…
PositLive Music: “Be Kind To Yourself”
“Be Kind To Yourself” Written by: Andrew Peterson Released: October 7, 2015 Andrew Peterson wrote this song for his daughter who was 13 at the time. The title says it all. It’s a song about being kind to yourself. It’s about silencing negative self-talk and not harboring self-hatred. The lyrics carry a message we all need to hear from time to time no matter our age. Select PositLive Music: Lyrical Playlist to view all playlist songs as they’re being added.Select Exploring New Ways to PositLive to read about the inspiration for PositLive Music. “Be Kind to Yourself” Sung by Andrew Peterson Be Kind to Yourself: Lyrics You got all that…
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“Whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go, just remember how far you have come. Remember everything you have faced, all the battles you have won, and all the fears you have overcome.”
“Pray, and let God worry.”
“Make a pledge to yourself right now, to declare that you are worth your time and energy.”
PositLive Music: “Try”
“Try” Written by: Colbie Caillat, Babyface, and Jason Reeves Released: June 9, 2014 This song was inspired by the pressures singer-songwriter, Colbie Caillat, faced in the music industry to be someone else (Source). It’s about not stripping away your identity to be someone you’re not in order to please others. In Caillat’s words, “[‘Try’] is about how us women feel like we need to change ourselves in so many different ways for people to accept us and like us” (Source). However, the core message is something anyone can relate to. We all sometimes feel like we need to change ourselves in different ways for people to like and accept us. And the…
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Living Life Poetically: “The Road”
“Someday soon, we’ll all be together. If the fates allow. Until then, we’ll have to muddle through somehow.”
“We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.”
PositLive Music: “Better Days”
“Better Days” Written by: Ryan Tedder, Brent Kutzle, and John Nathaniel Released: March 25, 2020 The writers of this song, including lead singer Ryan Tedder, were inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic (Source). The promise of “better days” is in the context of a global pandemic. However, the lyrics to the song can be applied to any situation in which we might feel helpless. This song is about having hope that better days will come whenever we’re faced with such situations. Select PositLive Music: Lyrical Playlist to view all playlist songs as they’re being added.Select Exploring New Ways to PositLive to read about the inspiration for PositLive Music. “Better Days” Sung…
PositLive Music: “It’s All Right”
“It’s All Right” Written by: Curtis Mayfield Released: October 1963 This song is a declaration that “it’s all right.” It was originally recorded by The Impressions with singer-songwriter, Curtis Mayfield, as lead singer. Mayfield would always write songs inspired by things he’d hear people say. “It’s all right” was said by fellow band member, Fred Cash, while performing in Nashville as they discussed the future of their group (Source). “It’s All Right” Cover sung by Jon Batiste & Celeste It’s All Right: Lyrics from “Soul” Cover Say it’s all right.Say it’s all right.It’s all right, have a good time‘Cause it’s all right, whoa, it’s all right. Now listen to the…
PositLive Music: “Put Your Records On”
“Put Your Records On” Written by: Corinne Bailey Rae, John Beck, and Steve Chrisanthou Released: February 20, 2006 First and foremost, this song is about marching to the beat of your own drum. It’s about not worrying so much about what people think and putting your worries aside. Furthermore, it’s about taking chances and having faith that things will work out in the end. In the song, Corinne Bailey Rae is singing to her younger self. She’s encouraging her younger self to fully embrace who she is (Source). Therefore, the lyrics read “Girl, put your records on.” However, the general message can be given to anyone. Select PositLive Music: Lyrical…
PositLive Music: “The Climb”
“The Climb” Written by: Jessi Alexander and Jon Mabe Released: March 5, 2009 This song is about overcoming the obstacles we face in life. The songwriters experienced their own obstacles in the music business. So they wrote this song about their experience (Source)–acknowledging that life is not a race but a journey–a climb. Select PositLive Music: Lyrical Playlist to view all playlist songs as they’re being added.Select Exploring New Ways to PositLive to read about the inspiration for PositLive Music. “The Climb”: Cover sung by Point of Grace The Climb: Original Lyrics I can almost see it.That dream I’m dreaming, butThere’s a voice inside my head sayingYou’ll never reach it.…
