From the classic lullabies your mother sang to you in your crib to the guitar-charged melodies you mosh to at concerts, music is more ubiquitous than you think it is. Think about it: can you really imagine life without music? Can you imagine how drab birthday parties would be without hearing the overlapping rhythms of claps and cheers as you blow the candles on your cake? I certainly can’t, and chances are that you can’t either.

They say that you are what you eat. Well, I am what I listen to, and so are you. No matter who you are or what you’re interested in, there is always a song to uplift your spirits and inspire you to achieve greater things. Here a few of my favorites to get you started:

1. For the brooding artist who scribbles poems on the door of the bathroom stall: “Breakable” by Ingrid Michaelson

Maybe you know her for her hit “The Way I Am.” Maybe you know her for her music video for “Girls Chase Boys.” But, Ingrid Michaelson’s “Breakable” is introspective and creatively written, just like the rest of her album Girls and Boys.

2. For the fiery, bold personality who never takes “no” for an answer: “Did I” by Kehlani

Yas, queen. This is the perfect soundtrack for someone ready to slay, whether it be on the red carpet or in a college lecture hall. An anthem for those who started from the bottom and made it to the top through tears and sweat.

3. For those with a penchant for the quirky and off-beat: “Sippy Cup” by Melanie Martinez

I’m always afraid of recommending this ex-Voice contestant to people because her artistry is more eccentric and unconventional than that of typical mainstream musicians. But, I know you’ll appreciate Melanie’s candy-coated vocals and hypnotic synths, as well as the dark shadows hidden underneath.

4. For the hopeless romantic: “Lullabies” by Yuna

An ode to first (unrequited?) love. Yuna’s sweet, fluid voice effortlessly blends in with rich piano chords and a lingering acoustic guitar to create a smooth, silky lullaby. Yuna is an artistic genius, and I know that she won’t let you down.

5. For the Francophile: “Tous les mêmes” by Stromae

Don’t know French? That’s alright, too! Music transcends all boundaries, including language. While Stromae (anagram for the word “maestro” maybe?) is all the rage in Europe, especially in his home country Belgium, he remains largely unknown in the United States. That needs to change. Now.