For the past 17 years, I have created slideshows of images for school-wide assemblies (as well as for my family) that help create a positive culture and help us reflect on the many moments from the past few weeks/months. Finding newer music that shares a positive message and is appropriate for elementary school students can be a bit of a challenge so I have created this list of songs we have used. I will continue to add to this list so if you have a great song that is newer and beyond the traditional slideshow music, please add it in the comments section below. These songs are in no particular order but I have separated them into slower and more upbeat tunes. Some have been hyperlinked so if you click on these, it will take you to the video.
More Upbeat Songs:
- I Ain’t Worried – One Republic
- It’s Time – Imagine Dragons
- Gone, Gone, Gone – Phillip Phillips
- Compass – Lady A
- Moments We Live For – In Paradise
- Days I Will Remember – Tyrone Wells (more for family)
- Cover Me in Sunshine – P!nk
- Clearly – Grace VanderWaal
- Got It In You – Banners
- Live Like Legends – Ruelle (slower but powerful)
- Our Own House – Mister Wives
- Don’t Give Up On Me – Andy Grammer
- This is Where We Come Alive – Ruelle
- This Is Our Time – Where Oceans Meet
- Feels Just Like Home – Melissa Etheridge and Josh Kelly
- You Can’t Stop the Girl – Bebe Rexha (a bit slower)
- I Found You – Andy Grammer
- High Hopes – Panic! at the Disco
- I’m a Champion – Bishop Briggs (for high school/adults)
- Courage – Pink (for high school/adults)
- Rise Again – Tyrone Wells (for high school/adults)
- Just Watch Me Now – The Phantoms (for sports teams)
- Brighter Than Gold – Louis II
- Born for This – The Score (for sports teams))
- Proud – Marshmello
- Glory – The Score
- Unstoppable – Camila Mora
- Blood, Sweat, and Tears – Magical Thinker
- Legends are Made – Sam Tinnesz
- Legendary – Welshly Arms
- Someone to You – Banners
- The Champion – Carrie Underwood ft Ludacris
- Let’s Go – Tiesto ft Icona Pop
- Whatever It Takes – Imagine Dragons
- Never Gonna Let You Down – Colbie Caillat
- Children of a Miracle – Don Diablo
- Unstoppable – The Score
- Home – Phillip Phillips
- It’s Time – Imagine Dragons (better suited for older kids)
- We Will March On – Cathy Heller
- Let Your Colours Shine – Cathy Heller
- The Greatest – Sia
- Rise – Katy Perry
- Hall of Fame – The Script
- Spread a Little Love – Cathy Heller
- Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile – Sia
- Get Up, Get Up – Zach Berkman
- Back Home – Andy Grammer
- I’ll Be By Your Side – Cathy Heller
- Brand New – Ben Rector
- Beautiful Day – Lee Dewyze (remake of U2)
- Try Everything – Shakira (Zootopia Soundtrack)
- We Are Brave – Shawn McDonald
- We Are Stars – Virginia to Vegas ft. Alyssa Reid
- Living in the Moment – Jason Mraz
- Best Day of My Life – American Authors
- Happy – Pharrell
- Brave – Sara Bareilles
- Count On Me – Bruno Mars
- Everybody – Ingrid Michaelson
- Everything is Awesome – Tegan and Sara
- Heroes – Alesso
- We Weren’t Born to Follow – Bon Jovi
- Gonna Be Happy – Cathy Heller
- Keep Your Head Up – Andy Grammer
- Marchin On – One Republic
- On Top of the World – Imagine Dragons
- Soundwave – Trevor Guthrie
- Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap
- Upside Down – Jack Johnson
- What I Wouldn’t Do – Serena Ryder
- When We Stand Together – Nickelback
- Firework – Katy Perry
- Touch the Sky – Brave Soundtrack
- Beautiful Life – Nick Fradiani (for older students)
- Best of Friends – Andrew Jed
- Smile – Keegan Smith
- One Day – Matisyahu
- Better Place – Rachel Platten (more suitable for family)
Slower Songs
- Seamless – Sabrina Carpenter
- I’ll Always Remember You – Miley Cyrus
- Walking in the Wind – One Direction
- You Say – Lauren Daigle
- Butterfly Fly Away – Miley Cyrus (w/ Billy Ray Cyrus)
- Never Grow Up – Taylor Swift
- A Million Dreams – Cast of The Greatest Showman
- Got It In You – Banners
- The Time of Our Lives – Tyrone Wells
- It Will Be Me – Melissa Etheridge
- Dance With My Daughter – Jason Blaine
- I Believe Most People Are Good – Luke Bryan
- We Are the Lucky Ones – Jack and Tim
- This Is Me – The Greatest Showman Soundtrack
- Stronger Than I’ve Ever Been – Kaleena Zanders
- Anything’s Possible – Lea Michele
- How Long Will I Love You? – Ellie Goulding
- Count On Me – Cathy Heller
- I’ll Be Your Man (Song For A Daughter) – Zac Brown Band
- I’ll Keep You Safe – Sleeping at Last
- Scars to Your Beautiful – Alessia Cara
- This Gift – Glen Hansard
- Rise Up – Andra Day
- Slow Down – Nichole Nordeman
- Whenever You Remember – Carrie Underwood
- Beautiful World – Jim Brickman
- Diamonds – Rihanna
- Born To Be Somebody – Justin Bieber
- Heal The World – Michael Jackson
- I Believe – Nikki Yanofsky
- I Was Here – Beyonce
- My Little Girl – Tim McGraw
- Let Them Be Little – Beverly Mahood (cover)
- If I Could Change the World – Todd Richard
- My Wish – Rascal Flatts
- Shine – John Legend and the Roots
- These Are the Days – Keith Urban
- The Time of My Life – David Cook
- Today I’m Gonna Try and Change the World – Johnny Reid
- True Colors – Artists Against Bullying (cover)
- Watch Them Grow – Zach Gill
- Wavin Flag – Artists for Haiti
- We’re Going to be Friends – Jack Johnson (great for start of school)
- If I Didn’t Have You – Monsters, Inc Soundtrack
- Handprints on the Wall – Kenny Rogers (Dad to child)
Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves
First, THANK YOU! Just doing up an farewell to Grade 7 slideshow and these are some great picks!
Another suggestions: Family of the Year – Hero
“Nature Boy” by Jose Feleciano. Ive listened to it a gazillion times. never gets old to me.