So I’ve been listening to a number of songs that I felt needed to be shared. Most of them are pop songs that you have probably heard on the radio and yes, Ed Sheeran and Alessia Cara are on here more than once. But they both deserve to be celebrated. I hope you enjoy the following songs as much as I do!

  1. “Supermarket Flowers” –Ed Sheeran

This song is definitely a tearjerker, but it’s also a powerful song to listen to. Most of us have experienced loss of a family member or close friend and this song recognizes death and celebrates life with lyrics like “…a life with love is a life that’s been lived.” The lyrics are very sentimental and bring back memories of those lost.

  1. “Rockabye” –Clean Bandit (feat. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie)

I have multiple friends who are single mothers and this song is really a tribute to them. It speaks to the struggles and strength of single mothers and the love they give to their children such as “Single mama, you doing out there, facing the hard life without no fear…” I also like this song because it has a nice tropical-house beat.

  1. “How Far I’ll Go” –Alessia Cara (from Disney’s “Moana”)

I’m a sucker for anything Disney, but this song in particular really pumps you up when you’re down. It’s about finding your place and chasing your dreams. If you have not seen “Moana” yet, you should. Also, I love Alessia Cara, so you just can’t go wrong with this song.

  1. “It Ain’t Me” –Kygo, Selena Gomez

I mostly like this song because of the beat, but I think it also has a good message about limits. At some point, you have to draw the line and say enough is enough. This is evident in the lyrics, “Somewhere along the lines, we stopped seeing eye to eye, you were staying out all night and I had enough.”

  1. “Castle on the Hill” –Ed Sheeran

Here’s another Ed Sheeran song to give you the feels and bring back old memories of running around with your friends. I think it really highlights the importance of your roots and old friends. “I still remember these old country lanes, when we did not know the answers…” brings me back to the innocence of youth.

  1. “Stay” –Zedd, Alessia Cara

This song is about not wanting to let someone go. As college students, I think we can all relate to the lyrics “Make it on my own, but I don’t wanna grow up, we can stay forever young.” Also, Alessia Cara’s voice is just beautiful.

  1. “Say You Won’t Let Go” –James Arthur

If you want your heart to feel full, listen to this song. It’s just a really cute love song with lyrics like “So I wrote this song for you, now everybody knows, that it’s just you and me, until we’re grey and old…”

  1. “Galway Girl” –Ed Sheeran

Yes, more Ed Sheeran. You should really just check out his whole album “Divide.” I really wish I had found this song before St. Patrick’s Day because of its beautiful Celtic undertones.

  1. “September Song” –JP Cooper

Better known for his song “Perfect Strangers,” Cooper has a smooth voice that is really showcased in “September Song.” This song also has a nice tropical feel.

  1. “Bright” –Echosmith

This song will make you smile. The indie style of this song with lyrics like “And I see colors in a different way, you make what doesn’t matter fade to grey…” makes it the perfect way to brighten your day.

  1. “Scars To Your Beautiful” –Alessia Cara

This has been my favorite song since it came out. With lyrics like “So to all the girls that’s hurting, let me be your mirror, help you see a little bit clearer, the light that shines within” it sends a powerful message to women that we are enough and it encourages women to recognize their beauty.