Anything Goes

Cole Porter wrote the song, "Anything Goes" in 1934, but it is as apropos today. The community choir in which I sing recently performed the piece. The phrase, "Good authors too, who once knew better words, now only use four-letter words writing prose... anything goes" has since been stuck in my head.

The "F-bomb" really has become common place. I've heard it in grocery stores, restaurants, and even at the school at which I teach music. Middle school students use it like it's been a part of their vocabulary from day one despite constant reminders from teachers and administrators. I've heard it from students as young as second grade. What are these kids learning at home? It's so sad.

In that spirit, I compiled a list of upbeat, uplifting, mostly more recent music, with clean lyrics. I've been using these songs for special days in the music room, whether for dancing, bucket drumming, musical chairs, or a special day with the trampoline and disco ball.

You'll notice that I use mostly lyric versions. This is because sometimes the visuals are a bit graphic for my K-8 students. It's the message that I want, not the images.

Enjoy!

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First, the biggest hit from Black Eyed Peas, released in 2009. This track, I Gotta Feeling, has garnered over 2 billion streams from Spotify and earned the band a Grammy award. It's probably one of the most requested songs for weddings. "Tonight's gonna be a good night?" Makes sense to me.

Miley Cyrus wrote and recorded the song, Flowers, in 2022. It's all about loving oneself.

I love Green Day's sound. I chose their song, Holiday, because it's fun. Is it an anti-war protest song? Yes! Do I personally appreciate that? Yes, but I don't preach at school for obvious reasons. I'm there to teach music. Yes, I can choose songs strategically, but I don't intentionally take a political stand in that setting. I doubt the students really focus on the lyrics unless they happen to know the song, and even then, many wouldn't correctly interpret them. No country is specifically mentioned anyway. Also, I stop this song about halfway, because there is content young ones are better off not hearing at school.

Katy Perry, with her powerful voice, is the perfect pairing for the song, Roar. Written in 2013, the song is about standing up for oneself.

OneRepublic is up next. Counting Stars, written by lead singer Ryan Tedder in 2013, is a reflection on life and overcoming financial struggle.

Alicia Keys, another power singer, made the song Girl on Fire famous in 2012.

The song, Happy, written and produced by Perrell Williams in 2014, is all about joy. It was featured on the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack.

Firework, written by Katy Perry in 2010, is yet another song about self-actualization. Sensing a pattern here?

The song, Believer, by Imagine Dragons, penned by lead vocalist Dan Reynolds, is about using pain as tool for personal growth.

Shake it Off, co-written by Taylor Swift, Max Martin, and Shellback in 2014, is about letting go of the small stuff. Not always easy, but Taylor Swift makes it seem so.

Can't Stop the Feeling, by Justin Timberlake, was written in 2016 for the Dreamworks movie, "Trolls."

I love the cross-cultural aspect of Ed Sheeran's Sapphire, recorded mostly in India in 2025. Of course, the message of love is also great.

The talented Kelly Clarkson wrote Stronger in 2012, using themes of self-confidence and recovery.

Although I prefer Numb and In the End from Linkin Park, Up From the Bottom is still a great song, and it's more upbeat and more recent, with a release date in 2025.

I hope I have introduced you to some songs you may not have otherwise heard. Further, I hope you have renewed faith that not all more current music is unworthy of your time and attention.