that's what i call music: songs with soul

I love and live for music.  Music has the ability to move you, both spiritually and physically.  On a spiritual level, music has the power to help you heal.  Songs have personal significance.  Music shapes our memories, reminding us of special moments.  On a physical level, high energy music can motivate you when you’re working out.

My appreciation for music stems from childhood, as I took piano lessons for ten years.  This was part and parcel of having a Tiger Mother, long before Amy Chua made it a fashionable style of parenting. 

I was a little nervous about writing a series of articles about music.  When it comes to music, preferences can be deeply personal.  You mightn’t enjoy what I do, but that goes for features in the other sections of In the Circle, too.  I don’t slavishly follow the latest trends, much like fashion.  On the contrary, I tend to like older music.  I don’t connect much with what everyone seems to enjoy listening to on Spotify these days.  I must be getting old.

My view is that people should listen to what they like. I can’t stand it when people are pretentious about music.  If you genuinely like classical and opera, then by all means listen to that but don’t do it because you want to be seen as upper class.  I love a world where we can mix and match.  To me, there’s nothing wrong with reading academic articles about law with a bit of Guns N’ Roses playing in the background. 

This is the first post in a series about music which I find inspiring and uplifting.  In this post, I will cover 5 songs with soul.  Whether you take the time to meditate, pray, connect or just reflect on things, it sometimes helps having something playing in the background, either before, during or after your personal time.  Here are my 5 favourite songs with soul.
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1.       Into the fire by Thirteen Senses
Where you might have heard it: It’s one of the theme songs on Grey’s Anatomy. 
Why I like it: One word sums up this song – soulful.  The use of the piano is also extremely powerful.
2.       Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls
Where you might have heard it: It’s part of the soundtrack of the film City of Angels
Why I like it: One word sums up this song – beautiful
3.       Rolling in the Deep by Adele
Where you might have heard it: It’s on the soundtrack for the Les Mills fitness programme Body Balance (Release 54, track 6, core). 
Why I like it: The texture of the music is rich and deep
4.       Stay by Hurts
Where you might have heard it: It’s on the soundtrack for the Les Mills fitness programme Body Balance (Release 53, track 8)
Why I like it: Like Iris (see above), this song can only be described as beautiful
5.       Black Box by Stan Walker
Where you might have heard it: It’s on the soundtrack for the Les Mills fitness programme Body Combat (Release 45, track 8, cool down)
Why I like it: This song has depth.  I also love the use of the piano, which is extremely powerful especially at the beginning.