When I’m feeling generally down or just not inspired to create anymore, sometimes I use music to help me get back some of those drained creative juices. So I’ll turn on a little music to make me happy, or some music that makes me want to achieve the same kind of beauty I’m hearing. It always works–sooner rather than later, my mood is lifted and my Muse is hard at work again.

Here’s a short playlist of songs that work for me, to make me happy and excited about music all over again. Listen through and enjoy!

Songs for a Happy, Inspired Creator

Flashdance (What a Feeling) – Irene Cara

Uptight (Everything’s Alright) – Stevie Wonder

Shout – The Isley Brothers

The Touch – Stan Bush (from Transformers)

(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life – Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes (from Dirty Dancing)

When Love Takes Over (feat. Kelly Rowland) – David Guetta

How Will I Know (Junior Vasquez Mix) – Whitney Houston

Let’s Get Loud – Jennifer Lopez

That’s the Way It Is – Celine Dion

Pyramid (Dave Aude Radio Edit) – Charice

Somewhere Only We Know – Keane

Songs to Make Me Want to Sing and Play

Bloody Tears from Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest (performed by Rey Tang on Youtube)

Lux Aurumque – Eric Whitacre’s YouTube Choir

To Zanarkand (from Final Fantasy X) – Final Fantasy Orchestra

Saltwater – Chicane

Speak Softly Love – City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra

Radical Dreamers (Instrumental) – Yasunori Mitsuda (from Chrono Cross)

All I Ask of You (from Phantom of the Opera) – Sarah Brightman and Cliff Richard

Water World Theme (from Super Mario 64) – Koji Kondo

The Call – Regina Spektor

Before Dawn – Isaac Shepard

I giorni – Ludovico Einaudi