On Sundays, before I host my chat show, my colleague Eve presents the Chart Show and does a run down of the 20 biggest hits of the week. Before we switch over, in between shows, we’ll try and out smart each other by sneaking into the studio to scare the other; have a wrestling match; or, she’ll try to spray me with perfume and I’ll spray her with some man-scent! All battles which, because of my superior size and intellect, and because I have a mini copy of ‘The Art of War’ on my desk, I usually emerge victorious!
Anyway, with that in mind I wanted to present you all with a list of my top 30 chart of the most uplifting songs of all time! You’ll see some familiar ones in there and some not so familiar, either way all of these songs have some kind of special memory for me and songs you can listen to any time and anywhere!
30. Low Deep – Get Set
This is the only grime track that has made it into the list. I love it; the beat is awesome, it’s one of those tracks where if you feel you’re giving up, the beat alone is enough to get you going again!
29 – Survivor – Burning Heart
This list would not be complete without some of the Rocky sound tracks; this one of course being from Rocky IV where he had to fight the evil Russian Ivan Drago!
28. JoJo – Anything
Simply a great song with a sample of Toto – Africa and used so well. A song you can listen to any time and for any occasion!
27. Tupac – Until The End Of Time
Using a sample of Mr. Mister – Broken Wings Tupac came up with a track that never fails to make me feel good.
26. John Legend – Ordinary People
One of the smoothest R n’ B artists around and I still remember being in the car hearing this track and falling instantly in love with it!
25. Phil Collins – Take Me Home
Simply a classic!
24. The Family Stand – Ghetto Heaven
I love this track with a beat and melody that just can’t help you unwind.
23. Kenny Loggins – Highway To The Dangerzone
We all knew that this list wouldn’t be complete with at least one of the songs from the Top Gun sound track.
22. Joe Ft Papoose – Baby Where You At
This is a bit of a sad song but I just love the melody and the beat and it always makes me feel good!
21. Nickelback – How You Remind Me
Nickelback is the only rock concert I’ve ever been to. One of their awesome tracks that you just never get tired of!
20. Sam Sparro – Black And Gold
A recent song, probably one of those ones you either love or hate. I just happen to love it!
19. Timbaland Ft Keri Hilson – The Way I Are
I’ve always said that Timbaland is the Mozart of Hip Hop and here’s a good example of why. In a club this never fails to get people onto the dance floor!
18. Snoop Dogg Ft Justin Timberlake – Signs
It’s just a great chooooooon!
17. Chaka Demus & Pliers – Twist And Shout
This is one of those that you’ll unconsciously start moving your butt to…in public places.
16. Notch – Nuttin No Go So
I don’t know what he’s saying and I don’t care. If happiness had a sound, this is it!
15. Eric Benet – The Hunger
A live performance on Ellen. Eric has got to be one of the smoothest RnB artist/singers out there! This track is sheer heaven!
14. Bomfunk MC’s – Freestyler
Another one of those tracks that just gives you that get-up and go!
13. Chaka Khan – I Feel For You
An all time classic that will be around and played forever!
12. Tina Turner – Simply The Best
No personal development seminar would be complete without some TT!
11. Pointer Sisters – Jump
A happy go lucky track with clips from the 1984 Olympics.
10. Bruce Horsby And The Range – The Way It Is
A mellow classic that just makes you chillax!
(Or the Tupac ‘Changes’ version)
9. Ollie & Jerry – There’s No Stoppin’ Us
Okay, I was a huge break-dance fan when I was a kid and yes, I do have both movies on DVD. What’s not to like about this song!
8. The Sounds Of Blackness – Optimistic
An up-tempo RnB track with a message of never giving up!
7. Blackstreet – Joy
In my opinion, THE most beautiful song of all time. We played this for my sister at her funeral as they did for one of my friends when she passed away too. Watch the video, if it doesn’t bring a tear to your eye, nothing will!
6. Black Men United – You Will Know
The sound track for Jason’s Lyric with a great message to all men who get involved in violence!
5. Survivor – Eye Of The Tiger
Yes, of course it had to be in there! Still one of the best!
4. Florence + The Machine – You’ve Got The Love
A very recent cover of Candi Stanton’s original but I like this one even more for some reason, one of the best covers of all time!
3. James Brown – I Feel Good
You know you’ve pretended to be JB when this one comes on! Go on, admit it!
2. Guru Josh – Infinity
I believe everyone has a secret love affair with the saxophone. In the case of this track, it has not only a killer beat, but the sax just totally blows it away!
1. The Jackson 5 – Can You Feel It
In my opinion the greatest uplifting track of all time and still my personal favourite!
Did I miss any? What would you have added to the list? You can also check out this playlist on youtube
{ 8 trackbacks }
{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
One Love by Bob Marley is a great track, my friend!
.-= New at Jonathan Figaro’s blog ..You’ll Never Be Successful =-.
Twitter: amitsodha
January 30, 2010 at 1:06 am
Excellent choice Jonathan, I’m sure I’ll do a follow up to this at some point and BM will definitely be in that list!
there’s loads to add to the list! Black Eyed Peas – I’ve got a feeling’, Kool and the Gang – ‘Get down on it’, Grandmaster Flash – ‘White lines’, Jackson 5 – ‘Blame it on the boogie’, Earth, Wind and Fire – ‘September’, Jamiroquai – ‘Canned Heat’, Journey – ‘Don’t stop believing’, Bon Jovi – ‘It’s my life’…….I could go on and on!
and Bob Marley – ‘Jammin’!
Twitter: amitsodha
January 30, 2010 at 1:07 am
Great selection there SS. Yep my list could’ve been much longer as well…I had to draw the line somewhere though!
Twitter: lessordinaryli
January 29, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Amit – I was thinking this afternoon on my run about the power of music to inspire. These tracks can teach us more about life and how to live it – or simply bring some joy into our lives. Loving Chaka Demus and Plier and Bruce Hornby and the Range.
My favourite inspiring tunes at the moment are Praise You by Fat Boy Slim and Change by Tracy Chapman.
Keep up the great work
Phil
.-= New at Phil Bolton’s blog ..Six steps to Stress-free Productivity =-.
Twitter: amitsodha
January 30, 2010 at 1:13 am
Hey Phil,
I love that Fatboy Slim song too…I just added it to my Spotify play-list and my youtube play-list. Thanks for the fab suggestion.
Hi Amit, nice work on compiling these songs. Eye of the Tiger is very motivational, and personally I think it’s one of the best uplifting songs of all time. Thanks for sharing the music man!
.-= New at Hulbert’s blog ..Trust Your Intuition – How I Almost Joined a Pyramid Scheme =-.
Twitter: amitsodha
January 30, 2010 at 1:15 am
Good choice Hulbert, it was tough choosing the top 5…the only reason it didn’t get higher up on my list was because one of my co-hosts used to play it every week so I got a bit sick of it. But when I’m out running and it comes on, on my ipod then it kicks me up a gear always!
I can tell by the big number of songs you’re really into motivational music Amit. I’ll look into it.
My playlist needs a refresh. I do have one very uplifting song in it now though: Duran Duran – Reach Up For The Sunrise.
.-= New at Eduard @ Ideas With A Kick’s blog ..Facing your fears the right way =-.
Twitter: amitsodha
January 30, 2010 at 1:17 am
Great suggestion Eduard, I haven’t heard that one in years!! I just added it to my youtube play-list!
AWSUM SELECTION! tunnnneeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!! x
Twitter: amitsodha
January 30, 2010 at 1:18 am
Yeah baby! xx
Good post… I’m always on the lookout for good blogs.
Hi Amit,
Great list! Phil Collins and Tina Turner are definitely great!
Of course, anything from the late 60s was great too.
I happen to love “My Sweet Lord” by George Harrison. I’m not sure I would call it “uplifting” but definitely “inspirational.”
Twitter: amitsodha
January 31, 2010 at 5:00 pm
I’ll be sure to check that out Michelle, I’ve had some fantastic suggestions. My brother gave me a great one the other day, License to Kill, Gladys Knight and the Pips, one of the bond theme songs and a great track!
Twitter: zeenatsyal
January 31, 2010 at 11:36 am
Oh Amit, I feel like hosting my own Happy party right now…what an awesome list of songs….woohooo….
I ma gonna show this to my hubby. Both of us a music junkies…;)
You never know i might just have a private party with these tracks playing in the background.
I love almost all of these songs…such classic uplifting numbers…
YAY you!
z~
Twitter: amitsodha
January 31, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Hey Zeenat, just make sure the rest of us are invited to your happy party!
Twitter: fatibony
February 1, 2010 at 12:00 am
I love this uplifting awesome collection .Beautiful Beautiful ! One Love
.-= New at Fatibony@Expressivewellness’s blog ..How Do We Find Meaning in Life ? =-.
Twitter: amitsodha
February 1, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Hey Fatima, glad you loved the collection!
I love the idea behind this post and it’s inspired me to refine my list of favorite songs and videos that motivate me. Not too many of your favorites would be on my list (maybe Simply the Best), but that’s what made it fun to look at. Worth it just to check out that old Phil Collins tune.
Twitter: amitsodha
February 1, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Hey thanks for commenting. Feel free to share which ones would be on your list!
Good list !
Twitter: amitsodha
February 2, 2010 at 8:47 am
Thanks Sarju!
Amit,
Interesting list. There are a quite a few other songs that are uplifting or has upbeat music to make you dance and be happy during those moments. Music has that capability!
.-= New at Zengirl’s blog ..You are richer than you think! =-.
Twitter: amitsodha
February 2, 2010 at 8:47 am
Care to share any Zengirl?
Amit,
There are too many that I like; Here are a few old classic ones that has never failed to cheer me up;
I feel good: James brown
I can see clearly now that rain is gone: Johnny Nash
You are the sunshine of my life: Stevie Wonder
What a wonderful world: Louis Armstrong
I believe I can fly: R Kelly
.-= New at Zengirl’s blog ..You are richer than you think! =-.
Twitter: amitsodha
February 3, 2010 at 1:19 am
Awesome, I may have to add some of those to my follow up list!
I have to say that your list is really inspiring
I’d like to share with you some of my beloved songs:
Musiq Souldchild – Future, Michael Bolton – Go the distance; Des’ree – You gotta be; Dima Bilan – Believe; Hope you’ll like them, Amit
By the way, I recommend you India.Arie, her songs are simply beautiful
Twitter: amitsodha
February 2, 2010 at 11:27 am
Hey Aneta!
I love those, especially Musiq Soulchild and Des’ree! I love Inida Airee, and in particular, Wings of forgiveness and I am not my hair. Amazing songs! Thanks for the awesome suggestions!
Twitter: mightyrasing
February 2, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Rock and roll!!! \m/ Music sometimes expresses more than just the lyrics! great selection! you must have spent some time compiling these!! you rock dude!
.-= New at Mighty’s blog ..John Gokongwei Jr. Biography: Lessons in Entrepreneurship =-.
Twitter: amitsodha
February 2, 2010 at 4:52 pm
Hey Mighty! Thanks for sharing and glad you appreciated! Yep it took me a while but it was certainly worth it! I could’ve added so many more so I’m going to do a follow up soon!
Twitter: freelancerant
February 2, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Thanks for a trip back to some of those forgotten songs. Nice reminder to put the ipod down and dust off those old cassettes and cds and give them a listen. That Top Gun soundtrack is killer!
.-= New at Johnny’s blog ..Introducing A New Sort-Of Twitter (More Than 140 Characters Allowed!) =-.
Twitter: amitsodha
February 3, 2010 at 1:21 am
Hey Johnny, thanks and you’re right, can’t do wrong with a bit of Top Gun music!
Twitter: nealoa
September 28, 2010 at 12:54 am
James Brown’s I Feel Good is a great pick me up. Listening to it in the morning is an awesome start to the day.
New at Nea | Self Improvement Saga\’s [type] ..Is Positive Thinking a Waste of Time
Twitter: amitsodha
November 9, 2010 at 10:11 pm
And not to mention mimicking the moves!!
Gotta have a montage… Montage!!! Oooo Rocky had a montage! Montage!!!
Twitter: amitsodha
November 9, 2010 at 10:12 pm
LOL Thanks Samuel!
Nuttin no go so is one of my favorite songs!!! I always get happy when i listen it!
I do know what he is saying but the sound is really all that matters!!!!!! <3<3<3
New at Beautista\’s [type] ..Shoplog 24-2-11
Twitter: amitsodha
February 28, 2011 at 9:36 am
LOL same here, I have no clue what he’s saying but I love that song, just always makes me feel High!!
‘Lovely Day’ by Bill Withers
“for the longest time” billy joel
Twitter: amitsodha
July 22, 2011 at 5:31 pm
Great suggestion, I love that song, totally accapella
I really hope you don’t mind, but I was having one of the worst days ever and I came across your list. After listening through a lot of the songs the difference to my mood was amazing.
I’ve linked to it in this post http://whatyouneverknewaboutme.blogspot.com/2011/08/embrace-it-fight-it-maybe-bit-of-both.html
but if you’d prefer I can remove it.
anyway, just wanted to say thank you!
Twitter: amitsodha
September 6, 2011 at 9:24 pm
Hi Rachel, not at all, of course I don’t mind the link, thank you and I’m so glad it was helpful to you!
Amit x
There’s Mumford and sons’ “Little Lion Man”.
There’s also a new band, VS42, which came up with this awesome song called “One Step”. It’s nothing like the classics, of course, but since we’re looking at feel-good songs, it might as well be here, in the comments at least
I think that your song selection is absolutely amazing. Especially I Feel Good, By: James Brown. He has such a good voice and it makes you want to laugh out loud. I just wanted to say thanks. (It’s amazing how one song can totally change your attitude.)