109 Best Songs That Offer Life Advice

Where Music Meets Life Advice

My teen daughter wanted nothing to do with my life lessons, philosophical nuggets, or pearls of wisdom. She didn't want to hear about what anyone learned from their mistakes. "Hurry up and get to the point," was her refrain. She was too busy texting with friends and listening to music.

But this mother was creative and not easily dissuaded. So if a direct approach didn't work, I decided to let the music speak on my behalf.

Here is a list of diverse songs that offer memorable tidbits on how to live a better life. Make your own Life Advice playlist and enjoy listening to the enduring lessons that life has to teach, compliments of pop, rock, country, and R&B music.

1. "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by The Rolling Stones

Youth is filled with limitless optimism, the feeling that you can achieve anything, be anybody if you just try hard enough. But in comes this 1969 rock ditty that tempers that optimism with reality that is forthright but not bitter. If you look hard enough you can find something redeeming in even the worst of situations.

Best words of wisdom from the song:

You can't always get what you want
And if you try sometime, you find
You get what you need.

2. "Beautiful" by Christina Aguilera

Look around you at all the pretty people. Do you feel attractive enough? There is so much pressure to be thinner, leaner, stronger. Between skinny jeans and "Swimsuit Illustrated" covers, amidst thigh gaps and social media, it wouldn't be a stretch to imagine that your self-esteem could use a bit of a boost.

In this 2002 pop ballad, Christina Aguilera puts it all in perspective. She reminds you that no matter what others say, you are indeed good enough. Let the only words that truly matter be the ones you tell yourself.

Best pearl of wisdom from the song:

You're beautiful
No matter what they say
Words can't bring you down.

3. "Love Can Build a Bridge" by The Judds

In 1990, mother-daughter country music duo The Judds used this song to advocate the importance of joining hands and hearts. When in conflict with a friend, a family member, or another nation, it's easy to forget that we're all just human.

Best words of wisdom from the song:

Love can build a bridge
Between your heart and mine.

4. "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson

In this 1988 pop release, Michael Jackson echoes the sentiments of an old Chinese proverb, "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness."

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Rather than lamenting all that is wrong with the world and further spread negativity, hopelessness and inaction, dare to take action instead. Start with the one person you can directly impact, and that is you. You could be surprised by the reverberating change you can create.

Best piece of advice from the song:

If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change.

5. "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor

This 1978 disco hit is one of those songs to keep in your playlist for when things are really going wrong. When you're through sulking and feeling sorry for yourself, suck it up and fight back. Put on your big girl panties (or big boy briefs) and make a comeback with this song as your anthem.

Words to live by:

Do you think I'd crumble
Did you think I'd lay down and die?
No, not I, I will survive
Long as I know how to love
I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live
And all my love to give and I'll survive.
I, I, I will survive.

6. "The Gambler" by Kenny Rogers

A down-on-his-luck poker player meets an experienced old timer in this classic 1978 country song. He imparts some sage advice about not only card playing but also life in general.

Whether in love, money, or other endeavors, know when to cut your losses. Also, understand the danger of drawing unnecessary attention to yourself, obviously The Gambler says it prettier.

Words to live by:

You've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away, and know when to run.
You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table
There'll be time enough for countin'
When the dealin's done.

Kenny Rogers Was Right: Beware of Sunk Costs

You've probably heard these popular phrases:

• "in for a penny, in for a pound,"
• "going all in," and
• "throwing good money after bad."

The sunk cost fallacy or escalation of commitment to a failing course of action is what Kenny's warning us about, and it's a very real social psychological phenomenon.

People tend to become increasingly and irrationally invested in a prior decision when we've already committed substantial resources against it. The result could mean enormous losses.

We can engage in the sunk cost fallacy on a national scale (e.g., the Vietnam War, Iraq War) or as individuals. If you've ever found yourself in a bidding war on eBay or with a real estate deal, then you know how bids can quickly spiral upwards. Suddenly, you may find that it's more about winning than anything else. Other examples include home renovation projects, gambling, bad relationships, and unsatisfying jobs or career choices.

How to Know When to Walk Away

In your personal life, consider the following recommendations when you seek to honor Kenny Rogers' advice about knowing when to walk away and knowing when to run:

1. Rely on accurate data. Knowing what (e.g., time, money) and how much you've lost thus far can help you make a more rational decision.
2. Define what "failure" or "success" look like before you start, and write these down. For example, is there a price point above which you will not pay? The sunk cost fallacy depends on you being emotionally over-invested and having soft or shifting definitions of failure and success.
3. Rather than working yourself into a corner defending your chosen path, invest the up-front time in developing multiple options. If well-meaning others voice concerns about your decision, consider whether you have truly listened.
4. Consider your decision from an outsider's reference point.

7. "Daughters" by John Mayer

In this 2003 pop ballad, John Mayer cautions men that the way they treat their daughters has a lasting impact on how those daughters live and love throughout their lives. It creates a lasting foundation of trust—or alternatively, a lingering fear of abandonment.

Best words of wisdom from this song:

You are the guide and the weight of her world
So fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do.

8. "I Believe I Can Fly" by Yolanda Adams

In this 2001 cover of R. Kelly's R&B original, the talented songstress encourages perseverance and self-belief in the face of obstacles. May you take strength from the message.

Best words of wisdom from the song:

If I can see it, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
I believe I can fly.

9. "Same Love" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

The first time I heard this 2012 single, I was profoundly moved. It takes a lot for a hip hop song to do that, but this is no ordinary hip hop song. It advocates dignified acceptance of others at a very basic human level. The pearl of wisdom from this song: "Strip away the fear, underneath, it's all the same love."

10. "I Gotta Feeling" by The Black Eyed Peas

This is a celebration tune by The Black Eyed Peas (2009), and what I like about this is that they're thinking ahead: "I gotta feeling that tonight's gonna be a good night." Let's hope that translates into responsible partying.

11. "Dream On" by Aerosmith

You cannot permit this cynical world to rob you of your dreams. Don't let the naysayers win by giving in like that. Remember that some of the most successful companies of our time started out as a couple of dudes in a garage, hell-bent on a dream (e.g., Apple).

This 1973 rock release urges you to "Dream until your dreams come true."

12. "Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M.

In this 1993 rock hit, R.E.M. reminds listeners they are not alone in this life. It urges them to hold on even during the lowest of points, because everybody hurts sometimes.

Best pearl of wisdom in this song:

Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten.