Boost Your Playlist (and Bond with Your Kids) with these 20 Songs

Has anyone ever told you music has magical powers? I, for one, believe music has the power to change your outlook on the day.

Singing has always been a staple for me. Growing up, my mother used to sing lullabies to me; at family parties, we would have mariachis playing; and when my sister received her license, we would drive around listening to TLC or whatever came on the radio.

Music helps create a better bond with my children. When they get in the car from the pickup line, they pick the music, and it helps me to determine what kind of day they have had. Being the mother of two pre-teens, it’s sometimes difficult for them to tell me how they are feeling. Music has helped them express those feelings. I also have a seven year old, and she tends to listen to more of artists like Taylor Swift and occasionally wants to be just like her older siblings, so we tend to all agree on alternative rock or songs from 2006-2008.

Now, when it comes to my playlists, they range from musicals to alternative music and classical; it depends on the day and my mood. Below are a few songs that I feel are great to have on any playlist.

20 Songs to Boost Your Playlist

• “All Shook Up,” Elvis Presley
• “I Say a Little Prayer,” Aretha Franklin
• “California Dreamin’,” The Mamas & the Papas
• “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” Bob Marley
• “Dancing Queen,” ABBA
• “Shout,” The Isley Brothers
• “Stairway to Heaven,” Led Zeppelin
• “Jump,” Van Halen
• “Unbelievable,” EMF
• “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” Selena
• “U Can’t Touch This,” MC Hammer
• “Stomp,” Kirk Franklin
• “Independent Women, Pt. 1,” Destiny’s Child
• “You Got Me,” Taking Back Sunday
• “Bye Bye Bye,” *NSYNC
• “High Hopes,” Panic! at the Disco
• “Reina De Mi Amor,” Sunny & The Sunliners
• “Life Changes,” Thomas Rhett
• “Oceans,” Hillsong United
• “Shake It Out,” Florence + The Machine

Making Connections Through Music

A couple of these songs are on constant repeat in our very loud household. (Trust me; we have a stereo blasting as soon as we wake up, getting us pumped for the day.) “High Hopes” by Panic! at the Disco is a song we can’t seem to get enough of. My oldest, Lex, had me sit and watch the music video. She said, “Mom, this is kind of like what you tell us.” Then my son Petey came and sat down as well as my youngest, AJ. We all sat there, watching and listening.

Hearing the lyrics, I understood what she meant. I too encourage them daily to aim for their dreams and — no matter what they plan to do in life — to just keep reaching and never stop learning. It took a famous singer to get the message across (go figure). What they took away from this song is that life is complicated, and that as long as they have high hopes, they can and will do what they set their minds to. So maybe throw this into your playlist and see if your kids come to the same “aha” moment.

I am always up for new music and genres, so let me know in the comments below what your music playlists look like.