BEYOND THE NOTES
We often think of February as the month of love: a time when we listen to songs about falling in love for the first time, songs that capture the euphoric feelings of being in love, and songs that have meaning to you and your significant other. On the flip side, there is also nothing better than listening to songs that make you feel like your best self. Self-love is incredibly important in our day-to-day lives: it pushes us to take care of ourselves and treat ourselves the way we treat others. While it is a lot easier said than done, there are so many great songs out there that can help us feel ourselves and celebrate who we are. Here are five of my personal favorite self-love songs for whenever I’m in need of a pick-me-up:
1. “Good As Hell” – Lizzo
Lizzo’s iconic song was first released in 2016 and is still being played over and over again today. It is one of those songs that fill your body with the most joyful energy, making you want to get up and dance wherever you are. “Good As Hell” is all about seeing yourself in the best light possible, and that no matter what you’re going through, you’re never alone. The line “Walk your fine ass out the door” acts as a constant reminder that you can exit a situation or version of yourself that you’re not happy in, and to work towards a better you.
2. “Just The Way You Are” – Bruno Mars
While Bruno Mars’ “Just The Way You Are” is about a man loving a woman, it’s really about how he thinks she is perfect exactly the way she is. This song truly sheds light on the importance of self love, and that “you’re amazing just the way you are.” Often, we hyperfocus on our flaws and believe that these flaws make us unlovable. However, people don’t notice these flaws unless they’re directly pointed out. More importantly, it is these imperfections that make us so unique and worthy of love.
3. “Confident” – Demi Lovato
The song “Confident” by Demi Lovato stresses the importance of embracing every inch of ourselves. This song was actually written after Demi Lovato admitted that she spent years struggling with her self-esteem and self-confidence, but now truly feels confident in her own skin. “Confident” consequently tells us there’s nothing wrong with being confident in our own skin, and that we should own our confidence because we are all strong and beautiful in our own unique ways.
4. “Lose You To Love Me” – Selena Gomez
On a more somber note, Selena Gomez’s “Lose You To Love Me” is a vulnerable song about how self-sacrifice paves the way for self-love. In this case, it took her losing a significant other and exiting a relationship in order for her to truly understand and experience the gravity of self-love. We often fear loss and what kind of emotions it tends to stir up, however, Selena’s emotional ballad indicates that loss is always worth it, because it is what led her to love herself and achieve her full potential.
5. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” – Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson’s iconic song “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” was heavily inspired by personal events. She wrote this song in hopes that people can learn that you can come out infinitely stronger in spite of a multitude of pain and tragedy. Despite the challenges you experience in your life, with time and hope, you will always come out stronger and better. Nothing beats blasting this song alone in your room (or with friends) and being inspired to be your best self.
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