Song Recommendations for Every Music Therapist to Know
As a music therapist, it can be helpful to have go-to songs and music experiences to pull out in any music therapy session. We’ve worked with all ages and have found that while this list is not all inclusive and doesn’t account for a client’s specific music preference, these are some of our top songs with each age group.
Kids
There are many children’s songs out there, but we put together a list of our most used tunes with kiddos, including artists such as Raffi and the Laurie Berkner Band. (We also love Stephanie Leavell with Music For Kiddos!) These songs feature opportunities for instrument play (i.e. shakers), movement, and emotion exploration.
Baby Shark by Pinkfong
Happy by Pharrell Williams
Shake It Off by Taylor Swift
Can’t Stop the Feeling! by Justin Timberlake
We Are the Dinosaurs from the Laurie Berkner Band
Shake My Sillies Out by Raffi
Down By the Bay by Raffi
Teens
These songs have been most popular among teen clients and present in the USA’s top hits over the past few years. Well known artists for teens include Olivia Rodrigo, Post Malone, Taylor Swift, SZA, Sabrina Carpenter, and Harry Styles. Clients may be familiar with these songs due to exposure on the radio as well as media forms.
Drivers License by Olivia Rodrigo
Stick Season by Noah Kahan
Anti-Hero by Taylor Swift
Old Town Road by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus
Stay by The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber
Flowers by Miley Cyrus
Sunflower by Post Malone and Swae Lee
Adults
Our list of songs for adults features songs mainly from the 80s-90s, including groups such as the Spice girls and artists like Billy Joel and Tracy Chapman. These songs have been popular among adult clientele and could benefit an adult-aged client group. Since adults include a wide range of ages, check to see if clients have a preferred artist or genre compared to what we have compiled below.
Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus
Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey
I Wanna Dance with Somebody by Whitney Houston
Fast Car by Tracy Chapman
Hit Me With Your Best Shot by Pat Benatar
Uptown Girl by Billy Joel
Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and The Waves
9 to 5 by Dolly Parton
Bye Bye Bye by NSYNC
Wannabe by The Spice Girls
Older Adults
Various songs from the 50s-60s are popular among older adults, including iconic artists such as Elvis and Johnny Cash. These songs may be used in individual sessions with older adults as well as with client groups in nursing home settings. While these songs are well known, feel free to explore each artist’s discography for more applicable music.
Hound Dog by Elvis Presley
Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash
Stand By Me by Ben E. King
Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles
Down on the Corner by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and His Comets
Lean on Me by Bill Withers
Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
Disney
Disney movies and characters are popular among all age groups. Many clients are familiar with Disney songs and prefer them in music therapy sessions. We’ve compiled a list of traditional and newer Disney tunes that are commonly requested by clients.
The Bare Necessities from The Jungle Book
Hakuna Matata from The Lion King
A Whole New World from Aladdin
Let It Go from Frozen
How Far I’ll Go from Moana
Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid
You’ve Got a Friend in Me from Toy Story
We Don’t Talk About Bruno from Encanto
Holiday
Here is a list of various holiday songs compiled to aid your music therapy experiences throughout the year! Songs included may be used around Valentine’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Winter Holidays.
L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole
Little Bunny Foo Foo (traditional)
Party in the U.S.A. by Miley Cyrus
Firework by Katy Perry
Monster Mash by Bobby “Boris” Pickett
Things I’m Thankful For by Hap Palmer
I Have a Little Dreidel (traditional)
We Wish You a Merry Christmas (traditional)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Gene Autry
