Inspire Great Music for Spring 2019

The music I listen to often influences my writing. I seem to always have music playing in my office. I believe there's a song for every mood. Every lyric tells a story. Rhythms and beats send chills down my spine. When I listen to music, I feel more engaged in my work--more energized and I seem to work better. And I know I'm not alone.

There is a song for everybody. We each connect to different music genres, and we fall in love with songs because of how they make us feel. In this post, I'm here to offer you five songs I'm currently listening to on repeat. These songs speak to me in a way I need them most. I connect with them. I love them and I'll happily hit the "repeat button" over and over again.

Here's what I'm currently listening to, so get ready to listen and feel inspired.

1. "God's Country" - Blake Shelton 

Blake Shelton (photo/Headline Planet)

Blake Shelton's newest single, "God's Country," is described as a "remedy." It's a cure. It's everything you need to hear in a good country song. The song brings us back to our roots--allows us to remember that we live in God's country. We live in God's world that He created...for us. Farmers have crops because God gave us the land. We have sunrises and sunsets because God brings light. We have dogs because God created them. Everything we love about life came first from God, and I'm proud Blake Shelton decided to remind his audience of these values.

"God's Country" reminds me of Blake Shelton's earlier music, including "Ole Red" and "A Country Boy Can Survive." It's also a nice follow-up to his 2017 hit, "I Lived It," reminding us of the simple pleasures of country life. This song is a reminder to be proud to be alive in God's beautiful country. The country singer said his newest single is a Southern anthem and a rare song that people need to listen to and really absorb the lyrics.

We are, Blake, we are. We're listening. Keep the good songs coming.

2. "Work Song" - Hozier

Hozier (photo/uDiscoverMusic)

With a big, soulful voice, Hozier's 2014 folk single "Work Song" leaves me speechless. Yes, it's not a new song, but I'm still listening to it in 2019. The song features a steady beat and rhythm, a simple melody, and subtle humming. That's all the Irish musician (Andrew Hozier-Byrne) needs to orchestrate this powerful anthem of passion.

"Work Song" explores the two extremes of life: love and death. Love does not end at death. As the lyrics suggest, even when our time comes around and we're laid gently in the deep ground, our love for one another won't stop, especially if our loved one is still alive. We still love that person. Death won't take that away from us. Hozier's lyrics are so powerful. This is a folk song I'll keep listening to all season long, and probably even longer than that.

3. "The Ones Who Didn't Make It Back Home" - Justin Moore 

Justin Moore (photo/Country Fancast)

So many of these songs on my list feature important life lessons we need to hear. I think we sometimes forget we can learn from music. We shouldn't just listen to the songs for the beat or the rhythm of the music. We should also listen to the lyrics and understand what the artist is expressing. With Justin Moore's newest single, "The Ones Who Didn't Make It Back Home," it's a reminder that we need to think about the people who don't come home to their loved ones.

Think about the soldiers, police officers, firefighters, teachers, etc. Many of these individuals leave for work, but they don't come home at the end of the day because of a tragic accident at work. Whenever your loved ones leave the house, you don't know if they'll come home. Life is unpredictable. That's why we should appreciate each day we have with our loved ones.

Justin Moore said this song is for the families who lost a loved one in a tragic accident, but it's also for the people who didn't make it back home. We still remember them and thank them for their service. Seriously, this is a song you need to listen to; it has an important message we can all learn from.

4. "Ready or Not" - Drakeford 

Drakeford (photo/Puckett's - Grocery & Restaurant)

Everyone needs to listen to an uplifting song that has a meaningful message. That includes "Ready or Not" by the husband and wife folk duo Drakeford. The song discusses that in life, you have to make decisions. You grow up, whether you're ready or not. You have to finish the race.

But it's still okay to take your time. It's okay to slow things down. Don't take the decision lightly. It's okay to be unsure, but that's when you need to turn to God. He will reveal His plans for you. He is always with us, guiding us on a path. Trust Him at all times and you'll be okay.

We need to be reminded of this message. With a great beat and folk instruments, "Ready or Not" reminds us to trust God and understand that you don't always have to know what the future holds. As long as you hang tight and finish the race, you'll be fine.

5. "Ladies in the '90s" - Lauren Alaina 

Lauren Alaina (photo/NY Country Swag)

When I first heard this song, I immediately related to it. I'm a '90s kid. My childhood music memories consist of listening to The Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, and others. I think the 1990s will always be a special decade. '90s kids were the last group to essentially grow up like their parents--without mobile devices and technology being forced down our throats. I'd like to say the '90s were a simpler time.

That's why I enjoy Lauren Alaina's new single "Ladies in the '90s." It reminds me of the '90s, with direct references to Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Shania Twain, and more. Female music artists were emerging and dominating the music industry, not to mention beginning to dominate the work environment, as well.

If you wish to time travel back to the '90s, listen to Lauren Alaina's newest song. You won't regret it. This is a song you'll want to sing along to every time you hear it. Don't be embarrassed.

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(photo/ResearchGate)

I love discovering new songs. I recently heard someone comment, though, that they sometimes wish they had the ability to go back and have the experience of listening to a song for the first time again. When you hear a new song, you're listening to the music (the rhythm and beat). Then, you focus on the lyrics and the song's message begins to make more sense.

Music is one of the most powerful creative tools in existence. Music is always inspiring me. It motivates me to work harder, to finish an assignment, and more. There really is a song for everyone, and these songs are currently the ones that speak to me. Find your own songs and slap the "repeat" button this spring season. Dance and sing along to the songs.

They deserve to be loved!

-KJL-