These 10 beautiful songs all share wonderful messages about how beautiful life can be and how we can make it what we want.
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1. What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
Everything about this song is wonderful. It’s a reminder of how beautiful life and the world around us really is. Plus, how can you listen to Louis’ voice without smiling yourself.
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I see skies of blue and clouds of white
Louis Armstrong
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
Learn more about Louis Armstrong:
Louis Armstrong is one of my all-time favorite artists. His beautiful ballads span the ages. If you want to listen to him more check out The Definitive Collection available in CD or MP3.
Or if you like a good biography as much as I do to learn more about the man himself by reading Pops: A Life of Louis Armstrong or Louis Armstrong: An Extravagant Life.
Related: 8 Upbeat Songs To Brighten Your Day
2. We Are the Champions – Queen
This is a classic good time feel song everybody knows. We all know the chorus “We are the champions,” but, this song does go a bit deeper reminding us that we’ve all gone through rough times and we all have the ability to get through it.
I’ve paid my dues
Time after time
I’ve done my sentence
But committed no crime
And bad mistakes
I’ve made a few
I’ve had my share of sand
Kicked in my face
But I’ve come throughAnd we mean to go on and on and on and on
We are the champions – my friends
Queen
And we’ll keep on fighting
Till the end
Learn more about Queen
Just like Louis, Queen is a classic from a different era. Get all the classic songs on The Greatist Hits album. Alternatively, learn more about Freddie Mercury and his iconic band in Queen All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track. This book also features beautiful photos of the band with their iconic 80’s hair. What more would you want?
If you prefer a televisual experience check out the Amazon prime documentary Queen: Mercury Rising. Finally, If you haven’t yet seen the 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody, it is a must. In this movie, you will learn about the tragic yet highly influential story of frontman Freddie Mercury and his rise to fame with the band. (P.S. If you haven’t subscribed to Amazon Prime yet you can watch for free on their trial)
3. Man in the Mirror – Michael Jackson
This is the best advice in a song. As long as we’re not talking about plastic surgery…
I’m gonna make a change,
For once in my life
It’s gonna feel real good,
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it rightIf you want to make the world a better place
Michael Jackson
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
Learn more about Michael Jackson
As a child of the 90’s one of my earliest memories is recording the Thriller Michael Jackson concert on tape and watching it over and over again. Dancing around the living room, singing, and practicing the moonwalk. Although tapes are a thing of the past, music still lives on. Listen to more Michael with The Essential Michael Jackson.
If you would like to learn more about the man and his songs, here is another Michael Jackson All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track.
For a visual experience, Amazon Prime is dominating the scene in Rock Docos with one about Michael titled Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland told through the eyes of his trusted bodyguards based on the best-selling book Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days (Pro tip: Watch for free when you first sign up for an Amazon Prime account and listen to the book for free when you open an Audible account). Another good watch is Michael Jackson’s This Is It.
4. It’s My Life – Bon Jovi
This is a classic. Seize the day and live your life the way you want to.
It’s my life
Bon Jovi
It’s now or never
I ain’t gonna live forever
I just want to live while I’m alive
Learn more about Bon Jovi
Since this is a list of uplifting songs about life, I thought it would be fun and appropriate to include the Bon Jovi Coloring Book. What a way to immerse yourself in Bon Jovi. Even better, listen to the Bon Jovi Greatest Hits while you color. Finally, to cover another visual medium, learn more about Bon Jovi watching Bon Jovi – In Performance.
5. Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield
Natasha is such a ray of sunshine with beautiful, upbeat songs.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and live your life the way you want to and write your own future, no one will do it for you.
I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines
We’ve been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can’t live that way….Feel the rain on your skin
Natasha Bedingfield
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
Learn more about Natasha Bedingfield
With her beautiful voice, and uplifting lyrics Natasha wrote several hits in the mid-2000s including Unwritten which sold over 2.3 million copies globally and Pocketful Of Sunshine which did even better selling over 10 million copies.
6. Over the Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
A song for all ages.
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
And the dreams that you dream of, once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dream of, dreams really do come true
Learn more about Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
This version of Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole has got to be one of the most heart-clenching editions of this song. Learn more about this Hawaiian treasure in Israel Kamakawiwo’ole: IZ – The Man Behind The Music.
7. Anything’s Possible – Lea Michele
The lyrics in this song will make you want to take on the world!
I push to the limits, I climb every wall
Lea Michele
I keep on believing anything’s possible
I run ’til I’m breathless, I stand ten feet tall
I keep on believing anything’s possible
Learn more about Lea Michele
Lea is a woman of many talents. Aside from creating two albums Louder and Places she has also starred in on Broadway multiple times including Les Misérables when she was 9-10 years old and acted in several TV series including the hit series Scream Queens and Glee.
Related: 14 Songs to Remind You Everything is OK When You Are Feeling Down
8. Happy – Pharrell Williams
This is just such a fun upbeat song!
Huh, because I’m happy
Pharrell Williams
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do
Learn more about Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams is an entrepreneurial man that’s for sure. He started his career in music with the hip hop band The Neptunes who went on to produce numerous hit singles including “Drop it Like its Hot” by Snoop Dog and “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani. Aside from his busy producing career, he was also part of the band N.E.R.D. Later he went on to working on the music for Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2 before he went on to find solo international success with Happy.
On top of all that he’s also worked as a fashion designer co-creating the brand’s Billionaire Boys Club, Ice Cream Footwear, and a jewelry line with Louis Vitton.
9. Beautiful Day – U2
This is a classic. You know the words
It’s a beautiful day
U2
Sky falls, you feel like
It’s a beautiful day
Don’t let it get away
Learn more about U2
U2 is one of those bands that really needs no introduction. I mean, two of the members names are Bono, and the Edge as well as Larry Mullen Jr. and Clayton Bass. Need I say more?
But , if you do want to learn more about this iconic band a good place to start is the book U2 By U2 and of course listen to their The Best of 1980-1990 album.
Related: 14 Songs to Remind You Everything is OK When You Are Feeling Down
10. Always Look On the Bright Side Of Life – Monty Python’s Life Of Brian
Monty Python is sure to make you smile. Here is one of their uplifting ditties from The Life Of Brian.
If life seems jolly rotten
There’s something you’ve forgotten
And that’s to laugh and smile and dance and sing
When you’re feeling in the dumps
Don’t be silly chumpsJust purse your lips and whistle -that’s the thing. And…
Monty Python
Always look on the bright side of life
(Whistle)
Learn more about Monty Python
If you’re not familiar with Monty Python you’re in for a treat. Starring Graham Chapman,John Cleese,Terry Gilliam,Eric Idle,Terry Jones, andMichael Palin; this surreal comedy troupe is famous for their BBC television series called Monty Python’s Flying Circus which first aired in 1969. They also went on to create classic British films such as And Now For Something Completely Different, Monty Python And The Holy Grail, Monty Python’s Life Of Brian (which is where this song is from), Live from the Hollywood Bowl, and Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life.
