Whitney Houston said it best, "Learning to love yourself - it is the greatest love of all". When working with clients who come to therapy for personal development, to improve self-confidence, or to better the relationships in their lives - a place we often have to start is with self-love, or self-acceptance, or self-compassion. One way to explore this in a music therapy session is by either re-creating or listening to pieces of music and doing lyric analysis or reflecting on what comes forth for the client. A playlist can also be created in collaboration with the client so that they can use songs as prompts to mindfully practice self-love throughout their week.
Here is a list of 10 songs that may be applicable to your practice if working with clients towards these goals!
1. It's Alright - Mother Mother
Lyric: I'm alright, I'm okay, I'm alright, I'm okay I'm not a monster, I'm a human And I've made a few mistakes
2. Beautiful - Christina Aguilera
Lyric: I am beautiful No matter what they say Words can't bring me down
3. Let it Go - James Bay
Lyric: So come on, let it go Just let it be Why don't you be you And I'll be me
4. “Born This Way” – Lady Gaga
Lyric: Don't hide yourself in regret Just love yourself and you're set I'm on the right track, baby I was born this way
5, Try - Colbie Caillat
Lyric: Wait a second, Why, should you care, what they think of you When you're all alone, by yourself, do you like you? Do you like you?
6. You Learn - Alanis Morissette
Lyric: You grieve you learn, you choke you learn You laugh you learn, you choose you learn You pray you learn, you ask you learn You live you learn
7. Who Says - Selena Gomez + The Scene
Lyric: Who says Who says you're not perfect Who says you're not worth it Who says you're the only one that's hurting
8. I Love Myself Today - Bif Naked
Lyric: I love myself today Not like yesterday I'm cool, I'm calm I'm gonna be okay! Uh huh
9. Greatest Love Of All - Whitney Houston
Lyric: The greatest love of all Is easy to achieve Learning to love yourself It is the greatest love of all
10. i - Kendrick Lamar
Lyric: Everybody looking at you crazy (Crazy) What you gone do? (What you gone do?) Lift up your head and keep moving (Keep moving) Or let the paranoia haunt you? (Haunt you)