Ten of My Favorite Songs by Various Artists

I love music, it's a universal language. I listen to it all the time. I thought I would share some of them, which also have some sort of meaning to me. Listen to a few, you might be able to relate to one or two of them yourself.

1. "Never Would Have Made It" (Marvin Sapp) - The first song from this preacher's seventh album "Thirsty" released in 2007, topping Gospel music and R&B charts as the #1 single for over 40 weeks. His debut album was released in 1996.

I watched him perform this song on the 2008 BET Music Awards, as well as winning Best Gospel Artist for it. This song is a reminder of God's mercy, grace and love. Even though we have experienced some tough times, we could not have made it without the Lord. This song is a testimony for all who believe. I thank God for making me stronger, wiser and better.

2. "Angel" (Chaka Khan) - A song from this R&B singer's "Funk This" album released September 2007. She covers songs originally recorded by Prince, Jimi Hendrix and others, in addition to new material. It is a strong, soft ballad that sounds like her late '70s and early '80s material, which is her first R&B hit in nearly fifteen years. Her debut album was released in 1973.

We all have angels and we all are angels. We just need to open our hearts, love and spread love.

3. "What's Going On" (Marvin Gaye) - A song from this soul singer's album of the same name released May 1971. This was the first album to be credited as produced solely by him. He began his career at Motown in 1961. In 2003, the album ranked number 6 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

The lyrics in the song expressed his feelings about drug abuse, poverty and the Vietnam War. The world is struggling with the same types of issues today.

4. "Keep Your Head To The Sky" (Earth, Wind & Fire) - The title song from this soul band's fourth studio album "Head To The Sky" released in 1973. The band was going through some personnel changes when this album was released. Their debut album was released in 1970.

We all need to keep our heads to the sky. I heard someone say "If you can look up, you can get up".

5. "Teach Me" (Musiq Soulchild) - A song from this soul artist's fourth album
"Luvanmusiq" (Love and Music) released in 2007. His debut album was released in 2000.

This song is about a man asking his woman to show him how to love, as opposed to how society labels men and their feelings. I know all women can appreciate this in a man.

6. "Take Me As I Am" (Mary J. Blige) - A song from this singer, rapper's seventh studio album "The Breakthrough" released December 2005. She is widely known as the "Queen of Hip Hop Soul". In 1989 she was signed to her first label, becoming the company's youngest and first female artist. Her debut album was released in 1992.

We all should be accepted and loved for who we are.

7. "No One" (Alicia Keys) - The lead song from this R&B and soul singer's third studio album "As I Am" released November 2007. Her debut album was released in 2002.

This song is about relationships and the constant outside influences trying to distract those in the relationship. Two people who are committed must stay committed by ignoring these influences, which may cause their relationship harm.

8. "Should Have Let You Go" (Keyshia Cole) - A song from this R&B singer's second album "Just Like You" released in 2007. Her debut album was released in 2005.

This song is for those who hold on to relationships a little too long before letting go. I know someone can relate to this song.

9. "Bye Bye" (Mariah Carey) - The second song released from this singer's eleventh studio album "E = MC2 " (The Emancipation of Mariah Carey 2) released April 2008. She made her recording debut in 1990.

I read an article in which she told the interviewer some think this song is about her deceased father, but it's about death for anybody. It's for those who just lost somebody they truly care about or lost someone they hate, either feeling guilty or missing them. By making the song more open, she felt this song would be for everybody who could be healed and have their own experience listening to it.

We all have experienced some type of lost in our lives, whether we are young or old. I'm sure someone can relate to this song too.

10. "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" (Mahalia Jackson) - This song was composed by Thomas A. Dorsey in 1932, known as the "Father of Gospel Music". In the early '30s it became the signature song for Ms. Jackson, a gospel singer, widely known as the first "Queen of Gospel".

This song has a very sentimental meaning to me. It is usually sung at funerals. It has touched my heart forever since it was sung at my Grandmother's funeral.

If you would like to listen to any of these songs, enter www.playlist.com and click on Project Playlist, scroll down to search for user "Jacqui50", click on Evette57, go down the left side of the page and listen to Evette's Playlist. Enjoy!