Top 15 tracks to get you ready for anything - by Heather Welsh

“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” - Plato

Got an audition coming up? Not sure what to listen to on the way to that all-important interview? Heather Welsh researches the tracks that will put you in the right frame of mind. Believe in yourself and take advice from some of the lyrics too!

Here they are in no particular order… (click on the song title to listen.)

1. “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” – Daft Punk

“Work it harder, make it better, do it faster, makes us stronger;” – do what Daft Punk tells you and you’re sure to succeed!

2. “You Get What You Give” – New Radicals

This catchy track reminds us – you get out what you put in, so give it your all.

3. “Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles

Sunshine and positive thinking is bound to get you pretty far in life; “Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting”.

4. “The Middle” – Jimmy Eat World

This song is a lovely message from the US band to anyone who needs a boost. In fact, the whole song is dedicated to it; “Hey, don’t write yourself off yet.  It’s only in your head you feel left out or looked down on. Just try your best, try everything you can. And don’t you worry what they tell themselves when you’re away. Live right now. Yeah, just be yourself. It doesn’t matter if it’s good enough for someone else”.

5. “Beautiful Day” – U2

“It’s a beautiful day. Don’t let it get away”. – You can’t help but smile when you hear this belter…

6. “Home” – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Such an uplifting ditty, and with the cuteness to match any love song, you’ll be in just the right place for whatever your day throws at you. “Laugh until we think we’ll die, barefoot on a summer night, never could be sweeter than with you”.

7.  “What a Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong

“I see trees of green, red roses too; I see ‘em bloom, for me and for you. And I think to myself, what a wonderful world” Listening to this, it’s easy to believe the world isn’t such a bad place really!

8. “The Show Must Go On” – Queen

With a title especially relevant to you actors, singers and musicians out there, this song reminds – you’ve got to keep going, be brave!

9. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Nirvana

Prep for that petrifying audition? Rock out like you mean business!

10. “It’s My Life” – Bon Jovi

It’s YOUR life; grab your chances with both hands!

11. “Lose Yourself” – Eminem

Because sometimes losing yourself means finding yourself again.

12. “Beautiful” – Christina Aguilera

The ultimate song for picking yourself up after a fall – “words can’t bring you down….oh no; you are beautiful in every single way”.

13. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

A song about going to any lengths for someone you love, and who doesn’t feel more upbeat thinking about what people do in the name of love!? “Ain't no mountain high enough, ain't no valley low enough, ain't no river wide enough, to keep me from getting to you”.

14. “Get up, Stand up” – Bob Marley

“Get up, stand up: don’t give up the fight!”. That’s right, battle for what you want!

15. “Walking on Sunshine” – Katrina and the Waves

And finally, an optimistic song featuring the ultimate metaphor to shout out loud; “I'm walking on sunshine, and it's starting to feel good, hey all right now”.

Let us know what your favourite feel-good songs are in the comments section below!