It’s a cliche as old as time, but life truly is unpredictable. And while it’s easy to scoff at such an obvious statement, it’s not as easy to get over your hardships and start over. This is even more true when you’re struggling to get over the past or you just can’t seem to let go of certain events or people.
Sometimes, you just need to clean up your room to get started. Or maybe, just go buy the groceries you’ve been putting off buying for the past week. It could be the littlest of things, but what’s important is to get started. And in case you’re struggling to find the motivation to get started, we’ve got the perfect songs about new beginnings that could help ignite that spark in you.
When creating a playlist consisting of songs about new beginnings, it’s important to keep in mind that the song selections that we’re recommending are just that. If there are songs that are personally significant to you that get you going, then you should definitely include them as well.
But with the vast variety of songs that exist, coming up with a mere 10 or 20 songs can seem like a daunting task. Which songs to include? Which ones would be apt? Well luckily for you, we’ve made a list of 15 Wonderful Songs About New Beginnings.
Happy Songs About New Beginnings
1. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Israel Kamakawiwoʻole)
There’s a certain magical charm to this song that brings a smile to anyone’s face when they hear it. Perhaps it’s Israel’s singing, perhaps it’s the simple ukelele, or maybe it’s the beautiful lyrics. But what’s certain is that this song will remind you that it’s not all doom and gloom. It never is.
2. What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
Another classic and uplifting song, What A Wonderful World never fails to give you the hope that you would require following the death of a loved one. For all its flaws, humanity still has a way of redeeming itself. And that is the wonderful world that Armstrong is singing about. This also makes it a wonderful happy funeral song for a loved one.
3. Up And Up (Coldplay)
A perfect song to listen to when you’re feeling down and in need of a boost. This song provides a self-reassurance of how you’ll be able to gather your bearings. Life can only go Up and Up from here on.
4. Here Comes The Sun (The Beatles)
Here Comes The Sun is a sweet song that reminds you that no matter how tough things might get, better things will eventually come around.
5. Don’t Worry, Be Happy (Bobby McFerrin)
The iconic whistle, the straightforward, almost too simplistic lyrics, McFerrin’s jovial voice. This song was meant to lift moods, and it does a very good job of doing that. No matter how bad things may get, just weather through it because good times will come.
Religious Songs About New Beginnings
6. Amazing Grace (Various)
A timeless Christian hymn written by an enslaver seeking repentance, Amazing Grace is a catholic funeral song about repenting for our sins by asking for forgiveness from God.
7. Start A Fire (Unspoken)
Sometimes, you need a new spark in an otherwise monotonous life. By starting a fire in your soul, you motivate yourself to be a better version of yourself than you were yesterday.
8. You Are I Am (Mercy Me)
This song is a reminder that we as people share an inherent bond with each other not just through our familiarity with Christ, but also because of the knowledge that we share the same spirit that Christ possessed.
9. I Will Rise (Chris Tomlin)
I Will Rise is a song that aims to inspire its listeners by telling the tale of Christ’s resurrection. Tomlin urges the listener to rise up to the challenges that life hits us with.
10. How He Loves (David Crowder)
Written in the aftermath of Crowder’s best friend dying in a car crash, this song is about wrestling with pain and eventually coming to terms with it. Ultimately, it’s the pain and suffering in life that make us stronger.
Inspiring Song About New Beginnings
11. Feeling Good (Nina Simone)
From Michael Buble’s Jazzy version to Muse’s hard-hitting metal version, Feeling Good is a song that’s been widely covered. While the iconic lines of “It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life” that raises up to a crescendo provides us with a sense of upliftment no matter what the version, it’s Simone’s original that we’re sticking to here.
12. Man In The Mirror (Michael Jackson)
An iconic song by the King of Pop, Man In The Mirror is all about making a change to the world. But before setting out on making the world right, Jackson urges everyone to take a look at themselves and make the changes there first.
13. Beautiful Day (U2)
While the track has an upbeat nature to it, the song is about moving on in life no matter what the hardships. Beautiful Day is about being grateful for the wonderful days that are yet to come.
14. I Hope You Dance (Lee Ann Womack)
When life comes at you fast, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and lose sight of what’s really important. I Hope You Dance is a song about having the courage to start over no matter what happens.
15. Brand New Day (Sting)
Everyone hurts. And it can be hard to bounce back to your good old happy self. But Sting’s song about seeing each day as a new opportunity for a better life is sure to help you in getting one step closer to a new beginning.
If you’re looking for songs to play at a funeral or memorial service, do keep in mind that funerals can be somber affairs, and it should be noted that creating a playlist and playing it is done in accordance with the deceased’s wishes from when they were alive.
For a more comprehensive guide on creating a general funeral playlist, check out the Top 30 Funeral Songs of All Time.
