Inspirational songs like "Born this Way"
April 23, 2013 6:10 PM   Subscribe

I'm looking for songs that are inspirational with a particular theme: inherent worth of the individual (details inside)

I'm looking for songs that have a theme similar to Lady Gaga's "Born this Way", that is:

- about inherent worth of the individual, loving yourself
- especially in spite of (or because of) diversity
- non-cheesy (no Whitney Houston's "Greatest Love of All", no hair ballads...)
- preferably not religiously based
- not about recovering from a relationship and surviving, having a relationship and finding worth, being physically beautiful, etc.
- bonus points for fun, pretty songs that are fun to listen to or dance to!
- any genre

Thanks, Mefites for adding to my musical life!
posted by carolinaherrera to Media & Arts (33 answers total) 22 users marked this as a favorite
 
Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield?
posted by justonegirl at 6:16 PM on April 23, 2013


Just Fine by Mary J Blige might fit this description.
posted by shortyJBot at 6:19 PM on April 23, 2013


Selena Gomez "Who Says," maybe?
posted by starscream at 6:30 PM on April 23, 2013


One Girl Revolution - Superchick
posted by SisterHavana at 6:37 PM on April 23, 2013


I can't vouch for her personally, but my dad says he is a huge fan of Pink because of this theme of acceptance, diversity, and self-worth that is a common thread in her songs.
posted by capricorn at 6:43 PM on April 23, 2013 [3 favorites]




And

Ani DiFranco - Joyful Girl
posted by cairdeas at 6:58 PM on April 23, 2013


Yup, Pink is great for this kind of thing.

Pink - Fuckin' Perfect:
Pretty, pretty, please --
If you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than
Fuckin' perfect*

Pretty, pretty, please --
If you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing
You are perfect
*"Less than perfect" in the clean version, which is the one linked above)

Warning: swearing (if not obvious from title), depictions of anorexia, self-injury, and suicide.
posted by tickingclock at 7:00 PM on April 23, 2013 [1 favorite]


Keep on Livin' by Le Tigre
posted by kitty teeth at 7:05 PM on April 23, 2013




Everything Possible
posted by Daily Alice at 7:11 PM on April 23, 2013 [2 favorites]


And, here are 3 that might be over the cheesiness line for you, but you can give them a listen -

Firework - Katy Perry
Survivor - Destiny's Child
Don't Rain on My Parade - Barbra Streisand (really all of Funny Girl could work for this.)
posted by cairdeas at 7:13 PM on April 23, 2013


"Video" by India Arie

"This Girl is on Fire" by Alicia Keys

"Sir Duke" by Mr. Stevie Wonder
posted by zooropa at 7:17 PM on April 23, 2013




It may too much about homophobia, and it may be the sweet video but I tear up every time I watch it on youtube. it's such a sweet video*. MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS - SAME LOVE feat. MARY LAMBERT

Disclaimer: I also tear up at coffee commercials, when rafiki holds Simba up, and seeing really old people at bus stops.
posted by beccaj at 7:29 PM on April 23, 2013 [2 favorites]


It's more about overcoming adversity then natural gifts, but the adversity is real and so is the diversity:

Wavin' Flag by K'naan.
posted by dry white toast at 7:59 PM on April 23, 2013 [1 favorite]


James Brown - Say it Loud
posted by cairdeas at 9:21 PM on April 23, 2013


Beautiful
I like Clem Snide doing it, but Christina Aguilera did it originally.
posted by carsonb at 11:54 PM on April 23, 2013


I was listening to Carry On by FUN. when I saw this post. Though it's directly about getting through tough times, I think it fits the bill in, er, vibe.
posted by JuliaIglesias at 11:54 PM on April 23, 2013


Thirding P!nk. Also, Gavin Degraw's I Don't Wanna Be. It's musically really weird sounding, but the lyrics are all about self-worth.
posted by Enchanting Grasshopper at 1:43 AM on April 24, 2013


Have to say it, but why not go to the source of who she's trying to emulate-
Madonna "Express Yourself."
Old funny video/live performance with attitude.
posted by readygo at 2:25 AM on April 24, 2013






Don't know the title. Christina Aguilera song that has the refrain, "I am beautiful/no matter what they say/words can't bring me down."
posted by Thistledown at 4:05 AM on April 24, 2013


Crass - Do They Owe Us a Living
posted by Beardman at 4:51 AM on April 24, 2013


Melissa Ferrick - Everything I Need
posted by Mchelly at 4:52 AM on April 24, 2013


A tiny bit ballad-y, but I would go with Heather Small's Proud, which is unfortunately linked to the Biggest Loser, but is still pretty great. Adding Natasha Bedingfield's Weightless to the Bedingfield parade - she has several in this vein, but that's my favorite.

Also, a vote for Nicki Minaj's Fly: I heard some of the lyrics mixed into a "supermix" (tragically not currently available, but so many of those other mixes are SO GREAT) and loved it enough to track down the song
posted by deliriouscool at 6:24 AM on April 24, 2013


"I am what I am" from La Cage aux Folles. There was a dance version done by Gloria Gaynor that was pretty fun.
posted by rmd1023 at 8:33 AM on April 24, 2013


I still get all fluttery at Gloria Gaynor's "I will survive." Bonus video points for roller disco. And while you're going all retro-cheezy.... Backstreet Boys "Bye Bye Bye;" seeing JT looking just post mouseketeer might make you smile.
posted by answergrape at 8:35 AM on April 24, 2013


I was going to add Raise Your Glass, also by Pink. Can't link to it from work but I think it apples.
posted by aclevername at 9:38 AM on April 24, 2013


Brave, the new song by Sara Bareilles might fit.
posted by yawper at 1:02 PM on April 24, 2013


"TGIF" - Le Tigre
posted by ifjuly at 3:11 PM on April 24, 2013


Make Your Own Kind of Music by Mama Cass (lyrics)
My Way by Frank Sinatra (lyrics)
It's Amazing by Jem (lyrics)
posted by datarose at 9:45 PM on April 24, 2013


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