What songs are meaningful to you? Are they the ones that cheer you up? Or inspire you to make a change, even a small one? Whatever the case, we can all agree that music has a way of making us reflect on different things about life. And if you’re looking for good songs for slideshows of memories (maybe for somebody’s birthday party or wedding anniversary) you’ll find there are plenty of tracks worth listening to.
In this article, we have handpicked 16 good songs for slideshows of memories. Surely, you can find a few from this list that you’ll want to reserve for any slideshow projects in the near or distant future.
1. “Best Day Of My Life” by American Authors
Here’s something upbeat and lively to start off our list! As the title suggests, it’s pretty much the national anthem for celebrating the most treasured days that one has gotten to live through. The song is all about living like you’re in a dream that you don’t want to wake up from. It’s very much akin to “seizing the day” as Robin Williams exclaimed in Dead Poets Society.
I howled at the moon with friends
And then the sun came crashing in
Wo-o-o-o-o-oh, wo-o-o-o-o-oh
But all the possibilities
No limits just epiphanies
Wo-o-o-o-o-oh, wo-o-o-o-o-oh
I'm never gonna look back
Woah, never gonna give it up
No, just don't wake me now
2. “Through The Rain” by Mariah Carey
While the message here is deeply tied to struggles, the song still makes a perfect candidate for that segment of a slideshow where one might’ve been going through not-so-great times. But the fact that those times are over — and don’t put a damper whatsoever on all the person has gotten to accomplish — means they indeed made it through the rain.
I can make it through the rain
I can stand up once again
On my own and I know
That I'm strong enough to mend
And every time I feel afraid
I hold tighter to my faith
And I live one more day
And I make it through the rain
3. “Little Wonders” by Rob Thomas
We tend to hype up the grandest of occasions, don’t we? Events where we’re in the spotlight, posing for professional photos and often dressed like a VIP. But as Rob Thomas’s track for Meet The Robinsons suggests, the littlest moments spent with those who matter — moments without an agenda, where spontaneity can change the course of many things later on — are perhaps even more powerful. If you have those moments in pictures, use this song.
Our lives are made,
In these small hours
These little wonders
These twists and turns of fate
Time falls away
But these small hours
These small hours still remain
4. “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper
This one may not be a surprise on the list. But if you take a closer look at the lyrics of the first verse, you’ll find it really captures the essence of needing to hit the ‘pause’ button sometimes. Why? So you don’t forget about all the good people surrounding you and the memories you continue creating alongside them. Life isn’t meant to be lived alone.
Suitcase of memories
Time after
Sometimes you picture me
I'm walking too far ahead
You're calling to me, I can't hear
What you've said
Then you say, "go slow"
And I fall behind
The second hand unwinds
5. “Make It Mine” by Jason Mraz
The beautiful thing about this song is that the singer talks pretty candidly in it, expressing how great it is to feel the energy of crowds he performs in front of during his tour. He intends to savour and make the most of those moments, as they are simply special. Shouldn’t we all follow suit and never take our best moments for granted?
I don't wanna break before
The tour is over
I'm gonna make it mine
Yes I, I'll own it
I'm gonna make it mine
Yes I'll make it all mine
And timing's everything
And this time there's plenty
I am balancing
Careful and steady
And reveling in energy that everyone's emitting
6. “American Honey” by Lady Antebellum
This is one sweetly sentimental song about reminiscing the good old days when life was simpler. Back when you got to spend each summer freely and enjoy your favourite food constantly. We can all relate.
Oh, I miss those days
As the years go by
Oh, nothin' sweeter than summertime
And American honey
7. “Our Lives” by The Calling
Alternative rock in the early 2000s was definitely of superb quality. And this song by The Calling has probably had its fair share of influence over people who are hesitant to embrace the lives they get to live (before the ‘You Only Live Once’ meme came into the picture).
Cause these are the days worth living
These are the years we're given
And these are the moments
These are the times
Let's make the best out of our lives
8. “Everything Has Changed” by Taylor Swift featuring Ed Sheeran
A softer, easy-listening choice for your slideshow, this duet between two of the most popular songwriters these days would go nicely for a couple’s wedding anniversary. If it makes people cry, we’d call that job well done.
'Cause all I know is we said, "Hello"
And your eyes look like comin' home
All I know is a simple name
Everything has changed
All I know is you held the door
And you'll be mine and I'll be yours
All I know since yesterday
Is everything has changed
9. “Fields of Gold” by Sting
There’s something about memories of the summers from way back then, isn’t there? Sting’s song really describes in detail the summer days that he remembers.
Many years have passed since those summer days
Among the fields of barley
See the children run as the sun goes down
Among the fields of gold
You'll remember me when the west wind moves
10. “In My Life” by The Beatles
Old is good, as they say. And this classic hit song by The Beatles is no exception. It’s composed in a low-key, restrained fashion and yet the lyrics are extremely moving. Not many songs out there have that nice combination.
There are places I remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I’ve loved them all
11. “Do You Remember” by Jay Sean
Now for another song that’s perfect for wedding anniversary slideshows. It’s energetic and catchy, but the message couldn’t be more relatable: relish the good memories you’ve made with the person you love, and keep making new ones.
I've been thinking about you
And how we used to be then
Back when we didn't have to live we could start again
There's nothing left to say
Don't waste another day
Just you and me tonight
Everything will be okay
If it's alright with you then it's alright with me
Baby let's take this time let's make new memories
12. “It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” by Boyz II Men
The song title is pretty much the main message of this song. And while we all have those moments in the past we always wish to turn back the clock and relive, that’s not what we’re meant to do. So don’t cry because it’s over — celebrate the fact that it happened.
All I know is where we've been
And what we've been through.
If we get to see tomorrow
I hope it's worth all the wait
It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.
13. “Yesterday When I Was Young” by Dusty Springfield
The way many of us live our lives these days, it’s like we’re compelled to keep thinking “me, me, me” instead of seeing the bigger picture. What is life all about, really? Hopefully with a song like us, people viewing your slideshow can answer that for themselves.
I ran so fast that time and youth at last ran out,
I never stopped to think what life was all about
And every conversation I can now recall
concerned itself with me, and nothing else at all
14. “Simple Things” by Usher
Not only is this a great choice for R&B fans. The first line of the chorus couldn’t be more appropriate for a slideshow that takes people on a journey covering someone’s wonderful life. The simple things matter, and time that you choose not to spend for those simple things is time wasted.
It's the simple things in life we forget
You hear her talking, but don't hear what she said
Why do you make something so easy so complicated?
Searching for what's right in front of your face
15. “If We Hold On Together” by Diana Ross
The soundtrack of The Land Before Time, this song serves as a beautiful reminder about listening to your heart, recognising your dreams that deserve to be fulfilled, and truly living your life with a purpose.
Live believing
Dreams are for weaving
Wonders are waiting to start
Live your story
Faith, hope and glory
Hold to the truth in your heart
16. “Daydream” by Bobby Darin
Last on our list is another classic, feel-good piece. There are special things we experience that, right in the moment, seem typical and ordinary. But later on as we revisit them in slideshows, we realise how daydream-worthy they are. That makes this song a fantastic choice.
What a day for a daydream
What a day for a daydreamin' boy
And I'm lost in a daydream
Dreamin' 'bout my bundle of joy
And even if time ain't really on my side
It's one of those days for takin' a walk outside
So you’ve seen our list of good songs for slideshows of memories. But how do you get started on preparing photos for slideshows you’ll be making in the future? Consider using Memories to digitise old childhood pictures, family photos and other memorabilia. Store them on our safe, digital platform. Memories can be accessed through your desktop browser or the mobile app (available on iOS and Android). Use it to create Timelines containing pictures that represent all those memorable experiences with your friends and family, which you can re-visit and share with others at any time. Click here to set up an account on Memories and preserve your precious memories.
