When we need a morale boost, music has the ability to provide our spirits with newfound energy. There are times when I’m feeling particularly stressed during the week and during those times, music gives me a temporary distraction that motivates me to finish my work. Here are seven powerful songs that inspire me and are worth listening to regularly.

1. “Home” by One Direction

And it’s alright / Calling out for somebody to hold tonight / When you’re lost, I'll find the way / I’ll be your light / You’ll never feel like you’re alone / I’ll make this feel like home.

There are few songs that are unapologetically supportive without coming off as contrived or insincere. However, “Home” is one of my favorite songs because of its genuine message that reassures the listener that it’s OK to look for support when you need it. It is also a great song because it hints that the person you may think should be the one to support you isn’t necessarily the right person; even if you don't immediately realize it.

2. “Change Your Life” by Little Mix

They can rip you, bring you down, down to their size / But they will never get to the heart you hold inside / Mm, mm, mm / You’re not the only one so let them criticize, oh oh oh oh / You’re untouchable when you realize, oh oh oh.

“Change Your Life” is one of my favorite songs because it is empowering both for young men and women. It is rare that a female group would sing to more than their own gender, but the song crosses the board and speaks about finding confidence by sticking beside those who you care about and who care about you. Even if the emotions are not relatable in the moment, everyone has felt self-doubt at some point in their life and those feelings are never forgotten even if you grow and gain self-confidence.

3. “End of the Day” by One Direction

All I know at the end of the day / Is you want what you want and you say what you say / And you’ll follow your heart even though it’ll break / Sometimes / All I know at the end of the day / Is you love who you love, there ain’t no other way.

“End of the Day” is an uplifting tune that reminds people that love isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. When I listen to the song, the lyrics are relatable to any form of love — whether it’s familial, platonic or romantic. The lyrics also talk about how people will hurt you and criticize you, but ultimately, it’s your choice who you love and there will be times when it’s worth the temporary pain.

4. “Land of Hope and Dreams” by Bruce Springsteen

You’ll need a good companion now / For this part of the ride / Leave behind your sorrows / Let this day be the last / Tomorrow there’ll be sunshine / And all this darkness past.

I saw Springsteen over the summer when he played his first New Jersey show and I have never encountered such a hyped-up concert. Although “Land of Hope and Dreams” is not my favorite Springsteen song — and upon first listen sounds somber — it is undoubtedly motivational and one that brings energy to any crowd who hears it live. Despite having to settle for it being on your Spotify list, take a listen to the lyrics and I’m sure that you’ll agree with my assessment.

5. “Ladies First” by Queen Latifah and Monie Love

Who said the ladies couldn’t make it, you must be blind / If you don’t believe, well here, listen to this rhyme / Ladies first, there’s no time to rehearse / I’m divine and my mind expands throughout the universe.

I listened to “Ladies First” for the first time last spring when I was writing my final paper for my Politics of Race, Class and Gender course. The paper itself discussed the influence of women in the hip-hop genre, as well as the discrimination toward them, so I was focusing largely on the female artists who set the stage for current female hip-hop and rap artists. When I listened to the song, I immediately got lost in the beat and given the amount of times that I had to listen to it, I had the song stuck in my head for over a week.

6. “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten

This is my fight song / Take back my life song / Prove I’m alright song / My power’s turned on / Starting right now I’ll be strong / I’ll play my fight song / And I don’t really care if nobody else believes / ‘Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me.

Radio stations — and Barone — played Platten’s song to death, but nevertheless, if you’re ever looking for a song to motivate or inspire you, “Fight Song” is the one. When my roommate and I road-tripped from New Jersey to Florida last May, we created a playlist largely by asking the people we know to give us one song that they want us to listen to during the 17-hour drive. One of our dorm's former Resident Assistant’s recommended “Fight Song” to us — he went on to explain that he was going through a rough time and it inspired him — and as we drove and listened to the powerful lyrics, we couldn’t help but feel inspired ourselves.

7. “Four Five Seconds” by Rihanna ft. Kanye West & Paul McCartney

If I go to jail tonight / Promise you’ll pay my bail / See they want to buy my pride / But that just ain’t up for sale / See all of my kindness / Is taken for weakness.

I’ll admit that I’m more a fan of One Direction’s cover of Rihanna’s song — sue me — but the original is also worth listening to because of the raw emotion in the latter’s voice as she sings. My favorite part of the song is the third verse — included above — that West sings because of its unforgiving nature that shows how strong you have to be sometimes to let people know that certain aspects of your life are off-limits without exception.

All of these songs are worth listening to if you need a reminder that you’re stronger than you may feel in a particular moment. What songs inspire you?