Song Spotlight: “Respect Yourself”

Photo of three black women in matching checkered dresses and two black men in suits - the Staple Singers at their height of popularity - Song Spotlight genre label reads "Soul/Rock"

Mood: Confident Themes: Respect, Social Activism Music, Family Bands Tempo: Moderate Genre/Style: Soul, Rock The Staple Singers were a family band, featuring the Staples family, and founded by Roebuck “Pop” Staples, who was the father of the family. They got their early start in Chicago singing at church, and they quickly rose to prominence, singing…

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Song Spotlight: “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head”

Closeup image of water droplets bouncing off a hard surface. Song spotlight label reads "1960s pop"

Mood: Optimistic Themes: Spring, Rain, Positivity  Tempo: Moderate Genre/Style: 1960s pop music It is finally spring again! Though it is early in the season, I am happy to welcome the rain and the flowers that will soon follow. I can’t help but hum the song “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” as I walk out…

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Song Spotlight: “Here Comes The Sun”

Sun rising over the mountain tops with sparse clouds overhead. Label reads "folk-pop"

Mood: Supportive, Optimistic Themes: Weather, Moods Tempo: Moderate Genre/Style: Folk-Pop The Beatles are well known across generations and are known for their rock and folk-pop songs. George Harrison wrote the lyrics and melody to this song after experiencing a variety of stress from work, personal trials, and difficult times with the band. On a whim,…

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Song Spotlight: “King of the Road”

Railroad tracks reaching into the distance.

Mood: Relaxed Themes: Transportation, Country songs Tempo: Moderate Genre/Style: Country Roger Miller was said to be the Class Clown of Country Music. With his humorous novelty songs, he used his voice as an instrument, with rhythmic vocalizations and catchy melodies. His songs often speak to comedic situations and light hearted or true to life topics…

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Song Spotlight: “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)”

Four hands with dark brown skin embracing. Label reads "soul"

Mood: Supportive Themes: Love, Community Tempo: Slow Genre/Style: Soul Diana Ross is known for her solo work and her time spent with the iconic singing group, The Supremes. The featured song of our spotlight,”Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)” was the first track she released at the start of her solo career. Diana Ross even…

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Song Spotlight: “Love Is”

Hand-drawn heart in black pen, with the pen that made the mark showing at the bottom of the image. Label reads "R&B"

Mood: Supportive Themes: Love, Community Tempo: Moderate Genre/Style: Funk/Soul Bill Withers is known for his Grammy-winning hits including “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean On Me,” and “Just the Two of Us.” However, his songs of support and connection to those around us do not stop there. “Love Is” explores a variety of things that love can…

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Song Spotlight: “Thank You For The Music”

Mood: Reflective, Happy Themes: Thankfulness, Music Tempo: Moderate Genre/Style: Pop When examining our gratitude, we often try to think of the larger things in life or the people who we are thankful for. In addition to the large things, there are so many hidden gems – the things that bring you joy in your day…

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Song Spotlight: “Proud Mary”

Mood: Optimistic  Themes: Jobs, Changes in Life, and Rock and Roll Tempo: Slow start to Up-beat Genre/Style: R&B/Soul Before her stunning comeback solo career, Tina Turner was known for the Ike and Tina Turner Revue. Starting in the late 1950s, the group made step after step towards fame, recording many songs and touring widely, including…

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Top 10 Benefits of Music Therapy: Make Social Connections

Two older white women smile, looking at two more older people with their backs to the camera. Label reads "make social connections"

Why music therapy?  While the answer varies depending on the person and what they need, there are several benefits that music therapy provides over and over for older adult clients. This is true whether they are dealing with cognitive decline and/or physical limitations from conditions like Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, depression,…

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Song Spotlight: “I’ve Been Everywhere”

Blue vintage automobile with luggage on the top rack. Label reads "country"

Mood: Cheerful  Themes: Travel Tempo: Medium Genre/Style: Country Here’s a great song to celebrate travel, at any time of year.  This song is also a great start to dreaming up all of the places you could possibly go.  In 1959, an Australian songwriter named Geoff Mack wrote this tune to highlight many Australian towns. It…

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