Message Songs to Inspire
Every now and then, we need inspiration to thrive and persist. To illuminate the dark recesses of our souls. To enliven and keep hope alive. But, sometimes, it doesn’t always emerge from the orthodox avenues that we expect like family and friends.
It ought to be common knowledge that inspiration can also be derived from music.
Through music, we can learn lessons, gain insights, strength and determination; find joy, hope, encouragement, and healing. Music can be a conduit of revelation about themes that are seldom discussed freely. Music can inspire the journey to self-discovery. All these and more can occur, but only if you take the time to listen.
Such songs are called message songs. They are powered by a deliberate artistic intention to disseminate message(s) which empower and inspire. Here is a playlist of message songs which have inspired me over the years, drawn from the cesspool of R&B/Soul, Reggae, Pop and Jazz idioms. May these inspire you in this new year.
Anita Baker. "Only for a While" Rhythm of Love (1994).
Aretha Franklin. "I Dreamed a Dream" What You See Is What You Sweat (1991).
Arthur Baker & The Backbeat Disciples, feat Al Green. "Leave the Guns at Home" Give In To The Rhythm (1991).
Chaka Khan. "Angel" Funk This (2007).
Damian Marley. "Everybody Wants to be Somebody" Stony Hill (2017).
En Vogue. "This Is Your Life" Funky Divas (1992).
Emotions. "Flowers" Flowers (1976).
Earth Wind and Fire. "Let Your Feelings Show" I Am (1979).
Gloria Estefan. "Get On Your Feet" Cuts Both Ways (1989).
Helen Baylor. "More Than A Friend" Start All Over (1993).
India Arie. "Strength, Courage and Wisdom" Acoustic Soul (2001).
India Arie. "I Am Not My Hair" Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship (2006).
Jill Scott. "Golden" Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds, Vol 2 (2004).
Jody Watley. "Affairs of the Heart" Affairs of the Heart (1991).
Kabaka Pyramid. "Meaning of Life" Kontraband (2018).
Kenny G, feat Chaka Khan. "Beautiful" At Last…The Duets Album (2004).
Lauryn Hill. "Everything Is Everything" The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998).
Lee Ann Womack. "I Hope You Dance" I Hope You Dance (2000).
Lighthouse Family. "High" Postcards From Heaven (1997).
Luther Vandross. "The Impossible Dream" Songs (1994).
Majek Fashek. "Religion na Politics" Spirit of Love (1991).
Mary J. Blige. "Doubt" The London Sessions (2014).
Maxwell. "Fistful of Tears" BLACKsummers’night (2009).
MC Hammer. "Pray" Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em (1990).
Nancy Wilson. "Born Free" The Best of Nancy Wilson (1996).
Nina Simone. "Ain't Got No" (Remix) Remixed and Reimagined (2006).
Prince. "Gold" The Gold Experience (1995).
R.Kelly. "I Believe I Can Fly" R. (1996).
Rude Boy. "Audio Money" (Non-album single, 2020).
Shaggy. "Keep'n It Real" Hot Shot (2000).
Sounds of Blackness. "Hold On (Change Is Coming) Africa To America: The Journey of the Drum (1994).
Stokely Williams. "Organic" Introducing Stokely (2017).
Tamia. "Keep Hope Alive" Soundtrack to the film The Associate (1996).
TLC. "Unpretty" Fan Mail (1999).
Toni Braxton. "Let It Flow" Secrets (1996).
Twista, feat Faith Evans. "Hope" Soundtrack to the film Coach Carter (2005).
Westlife. "Dreams Come True" Coast to Coast (2000).
Whitney Houston. "Step By Step" Soudtrack to the film The Preacher’s Wife (1996).
Yolanda Adams. "I Gotta Believe" Believe (2001).
DISCLAIMER: The songs on this page are not personal property. They serve the purpose of entertainment and enlightenment. Please support the the creators of the music.
