My Heartsongs

Kaya Newman

Songs are known to provide comfort in hard times and bring about change throughout society.
This year especially, music has been an important part of my life. I have compiled a list of my
favorite songs that bring me peace and comfort that times can get better than the ones we are
in now. All of these songs remind me that everyone goes through rough times in their lives no
matter the generation and I am grateful for that knowledge.

1: I Am Woman - Helen Reddy (1971)

In the middle of the crucial times of the Women’s Rights Movement, Helen Reddy was looking
for songs that were empowering and supported women’s efforts to be treated as equal. Reddy
had a hard time finding any that got the right message across and was not demoralizing towards
women, so she wrote her own, empowering women around her. I personally love this song
because it makes myself as a woman feel like I am strong and can do anything I set my mind to.
Being a woman does not make me any less as a person and I can feel the importance of this
meaning in this song.

Yes, I've paid the price

But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman
https://youtu.be/rptW7zOPX2E

2: People Get Ready - Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions (1965)

This song was written while the Civil Rights Movement was at a high and other countries of
poverty were struggling with all time lows. “People Get Ready” gave people around the world
hope for a better tomorrow in unity. I personally love this song because it has a great beat to it
and I am a sucker for harmonies (which this song does beautifully). Not only does it have a
great beat, the message that comes with it is so uplifting. It gives me a sense that one day we
have people and humans can come together as one and
work together instead of against each other. Today
especially, there are too many people seeking division
instead of unity and this song is a breath of fresh air for the
unity and peace that I and others are seeking.

Open the doors and board

them
 There's room for all
Among the loved the most

https://youtu.be/NdKEbnS1eBE

3: 1-800-273-8255 - Logic, Aleesia Cara, and Khalid (2017)

This song made headlines as the title of it is the U.S. National Suicide Hotline number. The
whole song is a story about a kid who wants to kill himself but because one person gave him the
time of day he decided to not go through with it. This song came out in a year that suicide rates
were at an all time high and raised attention because it is one of the first songs to directly talk
about suicide. I have a personal connection to this song because I have a little brother that
struggles with depression and has had moments of mentioning wanting to die. Whenever I feel
like he’s had a rough day I make sure to play this song around him to remind him that there is
always a better answer. This continues to work to lift his spirits.

I want you to be alive, I want you to be alive

You don't gotta die today, you don't gotta die
I want you to be alive, I want you to be alive
You don't gotta die, now let me tell you why

https://youtu.be/Kb24RrHIbFk

4: Black or White - Michael Jackson (1991)

Michael Jackson is known around the world. When he came out with his song, “Black or White,”
everyone was talking about it. The song is a song of inclusion of all no matter the race and was
a big fan favorite for a lot. For others however, it was controversial because Michael Jackson
was talking about black and white people just the same, but there were also speculations that
he was trying to be white when he was born black. Regardless of what society thinks, I love this
song. Not only is the song catchy with an upbeat tune it has a great message of inclusion
behind it. This is my mom’s favorite song and whenever I hear it I think about her. Me and my
mom are very close so everything brings a sentimental feeling.

And I told about equality and it's true

Either you're wrong or you're right
But, if you're thinkin' about my baby
It don't matter if you're black or white
 https://youtu.be/F2AitTPI5U0

5: These Boots are Made for Walking - Nancy Sinatra (1966)

Nancy Sinatra is widely known for this song as a feminist movement song. At a time where
women were looked down upon and appeared to “belong in the kitchen,” Sinatra wrote this song
giving off the impression that she was not going to be walked on anymore. Growing up my dad
would sing this song to me to teach me that people could not walk all over me. The song has
resonated with me and I will never forget the sense of empowerment I get while listening to it.
Sinatra’s voice is so strong and reminds me that I can and need to be strong in life.

These boots are made for walkin'

And that's just what they'll do
One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you
Ya

https://youtu.be/wpwLIdScdrc

6: God Bless America - Irving Berlin (1938)

Everyone in at least America knows what this song is and what it is about. Irving Berlin wrote
this song during World War I to have a sense of peace of the uncertain times. The public loved
the song as we still hear it sung and played at a lot of national sporting events and other
get-togethers. This past year, me and my family went to Lake Powell for the 4th of July. The
memory that sticks with all of us the most is when my little brother stood at the front of our boat
and sang this song at the top of his lungs to fellow boaters. Later that night, while driving home
from the lake, the family sang this song as loud as we could with the windows rolled down
watching fireworks go off all around us. I have never felt more proud to be an American than
that time in life.

God bless America, land that I love

Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with the light from above

https://youtu.be/Vmc-pEyUHTs