YVALIKS

I love music.

I always say I love music more than most people I know.

Ever since I was a little girl, I used to dance and sing along to songs (some of these songs I truly had not business singing).

Back then I didn’t even know English, but I will make up words as long as there were sounding the same as to what I was hearing. I cannot explain it, but nothing make me feel more alive that singing, and nothing make feel more warm inside than listening to a song I love.

I am still fond of the many songs that I have filled my childhood and my teenage years. Some songs just take me back to certain moments of my life. I smile just thinking about them. I cherish songs.

I remember someone told me that when you go through heartbreak, the best thing to do is to listen to happy music. This can actually offset your emotions and help you feel better.

This is the power of music:

It can bring a level of joy.

It can stir up strength.

It can bring another perspectives.

I am so grateful for the many songs that spoke to me during specific moments; they sometimes spoke the words that I could not expresses. Lyrics can have a way to sneak up on you and give a voice to exactly what you are feeling or what you didn’t know are feeling.

Last year, I did a playlist of the energy I wanted to carry into 2022.

I fully enjoyed that. So, I did the same this year.

I managed to compile a playlist of 140 songs for 2023.

This post is essentially me sharing with you ten of the tracks and lyrics, that I have chosen to carry with me this year.

1. You learn – Alanis Morisette

This is a reminder that for every experience, good or bad, there is a lesson to be learn.

‘You live, you learn

you love, you learn

you cry, you learn

You lose, you learn

You bleed, you learn

You scream, you learn’

2. You make me brave – Amanda Cook & Bethel Music

This is one of my fight anthems, where I remember that God make me brave enough to deal with the hard situation in my life.

‘ You make me brave, you call me out beyond the shore into the waves…no fear can hinder now the love that made a way’

3. God Morning – Natalie Lauren

This is the morning song that lift my mood as I wake up to focus on the right things.

‘I feel love surrounding me and your spirit guiding me

Just breathe and pray, there’s grace for today’

4. Breathin – Ariana Grande

This one is an invitation to keep going by taking small breath along the way.

‘Sometimes it’s hard to find my way up into the clouds, tune it out, they can be so loud’

5. Love Yourz – J. Cole

One of my all time favourite. There is no need to compare your life to others, learn to appreciate yours

‘Always gon’ be some clothes that’s fresher than the one’s you rock…But you ain’t never gon’ be happy ’til you love yours…No such as a life that’s better than yours ‘

6. Express Yourself – Labrinth

This year is all about my writing and not holding back on my passion for words. This song is actually a remix. The original was sung by Charles Wright and the Watts. There is also an NWA version. I prefer Labrinth’s one.

‘Now it’s your time to shine, express yourself…whatever you do, do it good’

7. Fear is not my future – Maverick City

This was my most listened song last year. I want to continue to listen to it this year. This is to remember to not be fearful of the future but, to be hopeful instead.

‘Hello Peace…Goodbye fear, it’s a new horizon’

8. I got my smile back – Stormzy

After all the difficult times I went through these past five years, I feel like I am at a more peaceful place. This song reminds me of the perspective I have now gained and my growth.

‘Finally my eyes can see the sun behind the rain…cause through the storm, I found my smile back’

9. Toast – Koffee

This is my Birthday Party’s song. I really want to celebrate this year and be grateful for reaching a new decade.

‘Blessing all pon mi life and Me thank God for di Journey, di earnings a jus fi di plus, gratitude is a must’

10. A Kinshasa – Ninho

This is my ‘coming back home’ song. I made de decision to spend most of this year in Kinshasa. This song is what I play when I walk in the city. This is the place to be right now for me.

‘Viens j’temmene avec moi, la nuit j’ai reve que de ca, construire une villa a Kinshasa…243, j’ai leve haut le drapeau’

(Come with me, I dreamt about it last night, to build a villa in Kinshasa, 243 I raise the flag high up’

So I recommend that you do your own playlist and blast it throughout the year.

Believe me, you will not regret it.