My Heart Songs - May 2021

Isabelle Dunn

This semester I had an assignment to find 15 songs that are close to my heart. It was a
hard decision narrowing it down to only 15 but also hard going back in time finding
incredible songs from generations before. There is something about music that you can
just connect with and it can put you in a good mood or let you relate to something, no
matter what, music is good for the heart and soul.

Heartsong #1- “Dancing Queen” - ABBA

This song brings such a happy vibe to it. It is all about having fun
and dancing your own unique way without a care in the world.
Dancing queen is this band's most famous recording and known to
be one of the greatest pop songs ever. Over 3 million copies of
“Dancing Queen” have been sold and even today the song is still
being added to people's playlists. In 1976, the song was number
one in 15 countries and stayed that way for over 5 weeks. For me,
the song brings a carefree feeling and a joyful touch. It symbolizes
what it is like to be young and to have fun, in the song it says, “You are the dancing
queen, young and sweet, only seventeen” and for me, being 17 it makes the song feel
almost personal and reminds me to enjoy the time of my life I am experiencing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFrGuyw1V8s

Heartsong #2- “A Change is Gonna Come” - Sam Cooke

Most music is made to have an impact. Many songs have that effect and can speak to
people's hearts, this song especially. This song is about supporting the civil rights
movements in 1964. Sam Cooke wrote this song because during the
time there were racial differences and he wanted to help change that.
He says in the song, “It’s been a long time coming” meaning that a
change needs to happen. I feel like this song speaks to the heart
because with the previous year that just occurred, there were many
racial arguments and riots, fights, fires, and so much more happened
and time repeated itself like it did when this song came out. The
message was strong and was meant to bring equality and shine light
on the problems in the world. This song can relate to today because a
change needs to come just like Cooke said. With all the issues that happened, the song
brings a calming and motivational tone to share what is going on and how something
needs to be done. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEBlaMOmKV4
Heartsong #3- “Beautiful” - Christina Aguilera

Everybody goes through hard days and difficult times. It is hard to remember your
importance and worth. Christina Aguliera’s song, “beautiful” reminds you that you are
beautiful and important in every way. The song encourages standing up against bullies
by not letting their words get to you. It is intended to remind the audience to accept
themselves and to stay strong. To me this song has always held a good impact and
reminder that no matter what, everyone is special and different in their own perfect way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoYEQgG4-JY

Heartsong #4 - “Free Falling” - Tom Petty

This song is Tom Petty’s most iconic song he has written. It

is so simple and makes you feel free. The song relates to
basically anybody, anyone can put the lyrics to their own
lives and try to free themselves from any pain or stress they
are going through. I feel like it speaks to the heart because
it isn’t too aggressive for too calm, it is the perfect tone and
energy that can make a heart happy and relaxed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIuAFrLeXfY
Heartsong #5 - “Life Changes” - Thomas Rhett

The first time I heard this song, it truly made me realize that life changes. I had just
moved schools and this song gave me a comfort better perspective on how to adjust to
a whole new environment. This song helped me and reminded me that no matter what
you do, things go on. It symbolizes that things that seem so big in your life right now are
only temporary. It is a reminder to just keep on living because there is nothing you can
do except for having a good attitude and work around life's changes. This song is my go
to country song and always brings an uplifting mood.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a6SCzD7dJ0

Heartsong #6 - “Keep Your Head Up” - Andy Grammar

A pop song with a hint of reality to it, happy tone, nice beat, with realistic WORDS. It
reminds people that good things are always coming, using this PUN, “only rainbows
after rain” to emphasize the good that comes from the bad. It can teach people to
always think of the positive and not let others bring you down. This song has always
had a happy tune to it until I really listened to the
words and thought that people who deal with bad
things everyday could really use this reminder for a
little shine on the darkness. The lyrics symbolize
that staying positive can really help in hard times
and give a new perspective to troubles we face.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LMVJ2xd1g8
Heartsong #7 - “Five More Minutes” - Scott McCreery

A soft-spoken country song that goes through a timeline of moments in life where just
five more minutes were wanted. Starting at a young age, the song describes a scene of
friends outside playing by the creek and then their mother tells them dinner is ready, but
they just wanted five more minutes to play. Moving through life, next thing he knows, he
is graduating and just wanted five more minutes
because time is going by so fast. The song is all
about times in life that at the time did not seem too
special, but now looking back, he is wishing for
just five more minutes to live in those moments
that he can't believe are gone. This song reminds
me that time goes by so fast and as the song
says, “the clock don’t stop.” I remember that I
need to take more time embracing the good times
and creating memories with the people I love
because before you know it you're just wishing for five more minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dPDBU9MC8c

Heartsong #8 - “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” - The Beach Boys

The beach boys are the ultimate musical group with

their super fun in the sun music that puts out good vibes
and good times. This song includes incredible
harmonizing and upbeat music that is good for many
occasions to enjoy alone or with others. It speaks to my
heart because it is about wishing they were older so
they could be together and do more things, it reminds
me to spend time with the people I care about before I
don’t have that chance. The song brings hope to me for
some reason and a happiness that is just calming and
peaceful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD4sxxoJGkA
Heartsong #9 - “Downtown” - Petula Clark

This hit from the sixties is about heading downtown and

experiencing things you don’t usually see in your
everyday life. The song emphasizes that if you are
feeling lonely you can always just head downtown and
escape your troubles. This song speaks to my heart
because it describes how just a little escape from reality
can help tremendously, “You can forget all your troubles,
forget all your cares” meaning for a little while you can
feel free and not have to worry. Clark explains that
everything is brighter and better downtown and once
you are there, everything will be alright. This song is
upbeat but calming at the same time to remind you that
everything will be okay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx06XNfDvk0

Heartsong #10 - “Rise Up” - Andra Day

When life gets hard and things seem impossible, it can be

difficult to see a bright side or the will to get through it. This
song perfectly describes that feeling and offers strength and
hope to “rise up” through the hard times. The song says “I’ll
rise up” repeatedly to reflect on the feeling that although it
won't be easy and it can be painful, you will get through it and
you will see the other end. I chose this as one of my heart
songs because whenever I hear it, the lyrics and tune change
my whole mindset and give me the power to push through
whatever I need to overcome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNKu1uNBVkU
Heartsong #11 - “I’ll Always Remember You” - Hannah Montana

I have heard this song plenty of times when I was younger and I liked the tune and feel
the song gave. It was not until recently that I actually could relate and understand the
lyrics. This song speaks to my heart especially now because I am about to graduate
high school and say goodbye to many people that have had an influence on the person
I am today. This song is about saying goodbye and how hard it is. The lyrics perfectly
represent saying a bittersweet goodbye, “but yesterday’s gone, we gotta keep moving
on, I’m so thankful for the moments, so glad I got to
know you.” Claiming that we can’t stop and life will go
on but we can always have the memories. This song
makes me sad but encourages me to believe that I
can always be thankful for the moments and use them
to grow in whatever path I take next.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63Lp8vo5XWI

Heartsong #12 - “Flowers on the Freeway” - Cody Lovaas

This is a song I heard recently and I really enjoyed the message

it was trying to convey. It is about finding beautiful things in an
ugly place. There is a line that says, “The only reason there’s a
smile on my face.” That line reminds me that there is always a
reason for someone to smile. It may not be a big deal, but it
makes a huge difference in someone else's life. I like the idea of
making a difference and being the reason someone smiles
today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfyLtbvZlgc
Heartsong #13 - “Man In the Mirror” - Michael Jackson

Known by many, this song is a hit by the legend himself,

Micahel Jackson. This song is catchy and relaxed with a
good message. The message comes across clearly, this
song is about wanting to make a change and the best
and usually only way to do it, is to start with yourself.
This song inspires me whenever I hear it and reminds
me that if I am upset about something, instead of
waiting around for it to get better, I need to make the
change and make the world a better place. Whether it is
just a little thing that makes my world a better place or a
larger change that impacts others as well, it encourages
me to do great things and reach my full potential.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqe5NP86OCc

Heartsong #14 - “ Supermarket Flowers” - Ed Sheeran

Most people grow up idolizing their mom, at least I know I did. This song highlights the
impact mothers have on their children, in the song it says, “when I fell down you’d be
there holding me up.” That line proves that mothers are always there in times of need.
The song is about packing up his mom's house after she passed away. It is sad and
reflects that a loved one is gone. The song has some encouraging lyrics in it such as,
“memories of a life that's been loved” to show that she was loved and the memories will
live on forever. It is a reminder to cherish the time we have with our loved ones while we
have the chance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIB8EWqCPrQ
Heartsong #15 - “ Never Grow Up” - Taylor Swift

A heartwarming song about a girl at multiple ages in

her life just wishing she was older. The song
emphasizes telling the young girl to memorize the little
things like her dad getting home from work or her little
brother's favorite song because before she knows it,
she won't be able to remember those things and she
will wish she could go back. The end of the song is
when she is on her own but wishes she could go back
to being little again. She wishes she could go back to
the times that at the time she didn't realize, but they
were the good days. It reminds me to not rush growing
up and enjoy the little things because before I know it,
they will be gone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq34Zy0s1mA