When going through my repertoire and personal playlists to put this post together, I noticed that many songs, if not all, had some message of finding or losing hope within them. The overall message of hope can be dependent on personal circumstances, so there are such a myriad of options out there for music therapists to draw upon when working with a variety of clients, from youth at risk, substance abuse, oncology, rehabilitation, and other populations.I hope you enjoy these examples and that they can be useful to you in your practice. I also encourage readers to make their own personal 'Songs of Hope' playlist, and use it purposefully when you may be feeling like you are running low on hope. You may want to make a playlist of, for example, 10 songs, where the first 5 are more reflective of feelings of hopelessness, and the last 5 reflect regaining hope. It is so important to ride out the low emotions to get to the positive ones.
I hope you enjoy these examples:
1. Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Judy Garland
Lyric: Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dream that you dare to dream
really do come true.
2. Imagine - John Lennon
Lyric: You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
3. One Day - Matisyahu
Lyric: Sometimes in my tears I drown
But I never let it get me down
So when negativity surrounds
I know some day it'll all turn around
4. The Climb - Miley Cyrus
Lyric: Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking, but I
Gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high
5. Hope - Natasha Bedingfeild
Lyric: Remember morning always comes
As night surrenders to the sun
No matter how dark it may become
Don't stop your light from shining on
6. Here's Hope - Owl City
Lyric: Here's hope (Here's hope) Showing up at your front door Here's hope (Here's hope) Yeah what's everybody looking for
7. Keep Holding On - Avril Lavigne
Lyric: And it feels like the end
There's no place to go
You know I won't give in
No, I won't give in
Keep holding on'
Cause you know we'll make it through
8. In My Blood - Shawn Mendes
Lyric: Help me, it's like the walls are caving in
Sometimes I feel like giving up
No medicine is strong enough
Someone help meI'm crawling in my skin
Sometimes I feel like giving up
But I just can't
It isn't in my blood
9. High Hopes: Kodaline
Lyric: But I've got high hopes, it takes me back to when we started
High hopes, when you let it go, go out and start again
High hopes, ooh when it all comes to an end
But the world keeps spinning around
10. Don't Stop Believing
Lyric: Some will win, some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on, and on, and on
11. Only Hope: Mandy Moore
Lyric: There's a song that's inside of my soul
It's the one that I've tried to write
Over and over again
I'm awake in the infinite cold
But you sing to me over and over and over again
12. Let it Be: The Beatles
Lyric: And when the night is cloudy
There is still a light that shines on me
Shine until tomorrow
Let it be
13. Rise Up - Andra Day
Lyric: When the silence isn't quiet
And it feels like it's getting hard to breathe
And I know you feel like dying
But I promise we'll take the world to its feet
And move mountains
We'll take it to its feet
And move mountains
14. Hold On - Good Charlotte
Lyric: Hold on, if you feel like letting go Hold on, it gets better than you know
15. When You Believe - Maria Carey & Whitney Houston
Lyric: There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail ,It's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe
Songwriting Intervention Idea
Some of the songs listed above, reflect the theme of hope on a global level, not just an individual level. These themes often come up in group music therapy if there has recently been a tragedy, either close to home or afar. I have found in working with seniors, that when these tragedies occur, they can often trigger emotions and memories of their experiences living through the war.
A songwriting intervention that I have used in this group setting is changing the lyrics to the song 'One Love' by Bob Marley and having each participant contribute a line as to what they hope for the world and for the future. These lines get replaced with the verses, and then the group sings the chorus of the song together.
I hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead!