Music is a way of expression. It makes you feel things that maybe you wouldn’t experience in your normal daily routine. Or maybe it does just that. It can help you explain the emotions that you are feeling because you connect with it on a deeper level. Music is the voice that you may not have. It can tell a story that you’ve been wanting to tell but could never find a way to say it. Here are some of my favorite songs from various genres that I feel everyone should appreciate. Even if these are not something you would normally listen to, I hope I can help you expand your horizons.

1. "This is Gospel" by Panic! At the Disco (Piano Version)

This song helps me understand the pain that someone could be going through after losing someone they love. The stripped-down version of this song really shows the vulnerability of lead singer, Brendon Urie. You can hear and feel the pain that he was going through when he wrote this song. This song was released in 2013 on his album Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die!

2. "Don’t Let Me Down" by The Chainsmokers ft. Daya

This song just makes me want to dance even though I'm not very good at it. If you pay attention, it definitely has a deeper meaning to it. That deeper meaning can vary from person to person, depending on their life experiences. For some people, it can be abandonment. For others, it could be the loss of a loved one. This song was recently released as a single in 2016.

3. "Let It Go" by James Bay

I. Love. This. Song. I love this song so much. Can you tell that I love this song? Has a song ever made you feel like empowered even though it is one of the slowest songs ever? THIS IS THAT SONG. In this song he is saying “hey, we’re done. I’m gonna be the person I was meant to be without you holding me back” and personally, that’s how I want to feel every single day. This song was originally released as a single in 2014.

4. "Livin’ On A Prayer" by Bon Jovi

You know the saying “an oldie but a goodie?” This song is the definition of that saying. I don’t know about you, but anytime I hear this song, it puts me in a good mood and makes me feel like dancing. This song is timeless and I will never forget playing it on guitar hero and imagining I was literally the coolest person to ever walk the face of the earth. This song was released in 2009 on their album No Bragging Rights.

5. "On My Way Home" by Pentatonix

Over the summer, I had the honor of seeing Pentatonix in concert, and they sang this song. I almost cried because they are even better in person. This is a song that I can see myself jamming out to with my friends on a Saturday night while playing in a park. I don’t know why a park but maybe it’s because that’s happened before? I don’t know. But it’s a great song and you guys should definitely go check it out! This song was released on their album PTX, VOL. III in 2014.

Music is a way to touch people and explain the stories or emotions that you or the writer cannot express any other way. I encourage you to grab your phone, iPod, iPad, laptop, or anything that you can get your hands on to listen to these songs. You never know, one of these songs could change your life or at least the way you are feeling that day. Music tends to have that effect on you. Tell me about your experiences.