Sometimes going within and excavating the deepest parts of our inner self is exactly what’s needed to get in touch with our soul.
Sometimes surrounding ourselves with loving people whom we can connect on an intimate level with is exactly what our soul is yearning for.
Sometimes reading and soaking up wisdom from others who have walked the road before us is a surefire way to help us on our own journey home to the soul.
These paths to the soul are all equally wonderful and equally powerful. I have spent many years living exactly this way, and my soul and I are very close because of it. 🙂
But sometimes, something else is needed. Sometimes, your soul wants to connect with you on a physical level. Sometimes, it’s about something that you can’t read or explain through words. Sometimes, our soul asks us to connect with our body through movement and through song and through an inner happiness that can only come alive through music.
That’s where I am today. I sat down to write, and I realized that instead I needed to put on some of my favorite songs and just soak them up. I realized that I have been working extra hard lately, and I felt deep inside that it was time to just let loose. Dance. Sing. Be silly. Be free.
And so I listened to my Soul-Connecting playlist, and that’s exactly what happened. Every time I listen to these songs, something inside of me stirs and awakens. Something inside of me remembers ME. The part that’s connected with everything else in this beautiful world. The part that’s connected with the music and with life itself.
And it feels amazing to feel this connection. It feels amazing to get out of my head for a moment, put myself back into my body, and just dance.
I’m so happy to share some of the songs from my list. They always connect me to my soul, make me feel great, and get me up and moving!
Now it’s your turn! I would love to hear some of the songs from your Soul-Connecting playlist!
In the comments below, please share either the song title or the YouTube link. Feel free to share how it makes you feel, too! Although that’s definitely not necessary – part of the point of music is that it transcends words and explanation. We don’t really know why it touches us or makes us feel a certain way; we just know that it does. (If you’re reading this through a reader or email, please click here to comment.)
I can’t wait to read some of your soul-connecting songs!
Please help spread the love by sharing this post on Facebook and Twitter.
Hugs!
P.S. – We have two amazing deals on the DailyOM website right now: Our Soulful Journaling Set and our Soul Clarity Cards! Be sure to check them out – the sale ends very soon!
Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror, “Heal the World” always gets me choked up for I can feel the hurt and meaning of what Michael was trying to convey . Christina Perri’s “For A Thousand Years”, “Secret Garden”, All of the music of Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera.
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful list, Virginia! I completely agree with both of Michael Jackson’s songs that you mentioned.
I enjoyed this post, thanks! Music is a soul-connection for me, too. Sooooo many songs to choose from, but I recently announced a Better Life “theme song” with one of my favorites. http://choosingthebetterlife.com/2013/01/life-had-other-plans-for-me.html
Hi Dawn! Thanks for sharing – the lyrics to this song are so powerful and so fitting, aren’t they? I love it – a perfect theme song for sure!
Really great post! Thank you.
Eminem’s, Not Afraid is my fave.
Rapper TI’s Dead and Gone.
MJ’s Man in the Mirror is a great one.
Phil Collins, In the Air Tonight
Coming Home by PDiddy.
Angel- Aerosmith
Scorpions, Wind of Change and Send me an angel
I could go on and on…
but those are off the top of my head and some of what I like to listen to when I’m on the treadmill. Makes me want to sing and feels energized
Great list, Molly! I love Angel from Aerosmith and In the Air Tonight – two wonderful songs!
this is right where i am. music is my source.
here’s just a few of my favorites i consider soul-filling, affirming:
Lamb — Gorecki
http://vimeo.com/11576945
Imogen Heap– Hide and Seek
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYIAfiVGluk&list=AL94UKMTqg-9DJz6VG9XglrqxIbYRBh9wN
Frou Frou– Let Go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kLkNICTdgc
Dead Can Dance– Sanvean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGmvXGBBfjs
Bon Iver– Wolves (I and II)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9lrVZdaluk
Alexi Murdoch — Orange Sky
http://www.donnieeichar.com/AM/01.htm
(my 2nd cousin directed this! 🙂
Led Zeppelin– Tangerine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5c5870ztSg
Wonderful list, Rachel!
Imogen Heap is one of my go-tos when I am looking to feed my soul, and Let Go is always at the top. 🙂
The one song that to this day reaffirms that I am ok being different and unique is the song title. Love grows where my Rosemary goes… as a child I wanted to be the rosemary that was wild and free (never happend) but the thought was nice. The dressed kinda funny- oh yeah that was/is me and if just one person felt that I had made a space or a occassion better by my presense and that love grew from that Love grows where my rosemary goes…what better compliement could be said.
That’s beautiful that you’ve carried that song title with you, Rosemary! I love that – and it’s so true that it’s a beautiful compliment for you to take in and keep inside your heart. I love that we are all unique – no two gifts inside of us are the same. And so that makes it extra important to share our individuality. 🙂
Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida” gets me every time, but I love everything by them, I feel as though they music has cleansing and healing properties, and help me get rid of all the negative feelings I might have. “Grace Kelly” by Mika makes me energetic and happy. Songs created for football championships like “Waka, Waka” and “Forca” are so amazing and encouraging.
Thanks for sharing your list, Silvija! I don’t know the song from Mika, so I’ll go listen to that now. 🙂
Yes, music is DEFINITELY a soul-connector for me, too! If I want a musical pick-me-up, I usually turn to the music I loved while growing up: The Beatles or The Smiths or almost any other great early-’80s rock/pop/new wave: English Beat, Talk Talk, New Order, or almost anything by anyone who had a mullet — or sounded like they did. 😉
But if I really want to connect to my soul through music, I go to the mellow, mostly acoustic music I’ve loved throughout my life. I’ll attempt the near-impossible task of narrowing a list down to 10, knowing that it’s just a sampling of the music that nourishes a deep part of me:
* Bob Dylan – “You’re a Big Girl Now”
* Joni Mitchell – “Cactus Tree”
* Nick Drake – “Pink Moon”
* Van Morrison – “Astral Weeks”
* Joan Armatrading – “Whatever’s for Us”
* Suzanne Vega – “Cracking”
* Beth Orton – “Central Reservation” (original version)
* Elliott Smith – “Between the Bars”
* Ryan Adams – “La Cienega Just Smiled”
* Badly Drawn Boy – “The Shining”
* Ray LaMontagne – “Be Here Now”
(OK, so that was 11, but I still had to leave out tons of favorites.)
I loved seeing what music connects with other people’s souls—awesome how everyone’s got their own unique point of connection (musically and otherwise), and so much fun to share!
Thanks for the fun post, Jodi–and the great reminder to feed our souls in lots of different ways, including music!
I love that you separated your lists by the songs that get you up and grooving and the ones that speak directly to your soul.
And I loved reading your list – none of the artists surprised me, but I wasn’t sure which song you would pick. 🙂
Some of my soul-stirring songs:
Stop this Train – John Mayer (although anything from him calms me down and gets me into a great heart space)
Superstar – Luther Vandross
Let Go – Frou Frou
anything by Ambrosia
Hummm – that’s all I can think of right now. I know there are many more! … XOXO
Thanks Jodi,
At first i used to listen only to the so called “christian music” but now i’ve realized that there is more to soul searching and touching music than just that, hence i don’t deny my soul of any music that it desires to listen to for empowerment.
Sam.