The end of Jan-YOU-Ary is drawing near, but we believe that feeling good about yourself should be a year-’round hobby. One surefire way to maintain an awesome mood is with great music. We count down the best inspirational songs, guaranteed to build confidence and contentment — songs to live by. Just sing one of these babies to yourself in the mirror each morning for a happy day. Stop by your neighborhood Bookmans to find these gems on vinyl or compact disc. Don’t worry if you lack the pipes of the Queen of Soul. We have musical accompaniments from harmonicas to ukuleles to karaoke machines. Sing solo or grab some friends to add harmony to your high spirits. Check out our list and get started today!

Songs to Live By

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, Monty Python
This classic from The Life of Brian reminds us to forget about our troubles and have a good laugh. Written by the comedic geniuses themselves, Monty Python, the song is also a showstopper in the Broadway musical hit Spamalot.

I Believe in You, Sarah Vaughan
Written in 1961 by Frank Loesser for the musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, this snappy tune was made famous by Robert Morse. The protagonist of the musical, J. Pierrepont Finch, sings the song to himself in the mirror before a big meeting. Sarah Vaughan adds soul and jazzes this number up for her album, The Explosive Side of Sarah Vaughan.

All I Do Is Win, DJ Khaled
It may be scientifically impossible to not feel amazing after singing this one out loud. From DJ Khaled’s aptly titled album Victory, this track features a venerable smorgasbord of artists including T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg and Rick Ross.

Born This Way, Lady Gaga
The ultimate anthem for being yourself, Born This Way is sure to pick you up and get you on the right track. With a compelling self-empowerment message and a whole lot of moxie, this tune is one of the best-selling singles of all time.

Don’t Stop Me Now, Queen
Quite possibly one of Freddie Mercury’s finest performances, this masterpiece is full of hyperbolic action verbs. The perfectly engineered crescendo builds from ballad to rock-n-roll juggernaut in the first 30 seconds. Who doesn’t want to be a “shooting star leaping through the skies, like a tiger defying the laws of gravity”? For an extra boost, watch Paul Rudd’s lip synced interpretation on the Jimmy Fallon show.

Grab a hairbrush, a Guitar Hero axe, a real microphone or a prop of your choice. It’s time to look yourself in the face and declare your merits in song. Bookmans will be here to back you up with music, instruments, and a friendly third place. Here’s to feeling great all year!

* Bookmans can not guarantee stock. If there is a specific album mentioned in this post that you are interested in, give your local Bookmans a call and a staff member will be happy to assist you.