Music and Happiness Mindset: Inspired by Carl B. Barney’s The Happiness Experiment

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Did you know that the music you listen to can actually shape your happiness mindset? Songs can even increase your happiness?

In The Happiness Experiment, Carl B. Barney writes,

“Music has a powerful impact on people’s beliefs and emotions. . . . Listening to music can have a profound effect. It can inspire us to work on and create a positive mental operating system.” (p. 250)

As homeschoolers, we shouldn’t overlook the power of music to uplift, encourage, and retrain our minds, and our kids’ minds, to embrace joy and gratitude and live lives with purpose and meaning.

Music and Happiness Mindset: How Songs Can Train Us for Happiness Inspired by Carl B. Barney’s The Happiness Experiment

Songs That Uplift and Empower

Here are some of the songs Barney includes in his Happiness Planning Workbook, along with insights on how helpful they truly are for happiness mindset and emotional growth. These songs can support a healthy, hopeful mindset :

“I Love My Life” – Robbie Williams: A joyful anthem about embracing life, purpose, and self-worth.
“The Power of the Dream” – Celine Dion: Encourages big dreams and believing in the impossible—perfect for inspiring kids!

“Man in the Mirror” – Michael Jackson: Promotes self-reflection and personal change—valuable for character development.
“I Will Survive” – Gloria Gaynor: A classic resilience song about overcoming challenges and standing strong.
“America the Beautiful” – Ray Charles and “America” – Neil Diamond: Stir patriotism and gratitude—great for American history tie-ins.

“Fighter” – Christina Aguilera: A powerful anthem of growth through adversity.
“Respect” – Aretha Franklin: Promotes self-worth and mutual respect—great for family discussions.
“Shake It Off” – Taylor Swift: Encourages letting go of negativity and not taking critics to heart.
“One Moment in Time” – Whitney Houston: Perfect for goal-setting and envisioning personal success.
“We Believe in Happy Endings” – Emmylou Harris & Earl Thomas Conley: A sweet reminder of hope and restoration.

Songs That Might Not Help with a Happiness Mindset

Some songs, while musically interesting, may reinforce negative or limiting beliefs. You’ll want to avoid these types of songs:

“Born to Lose” – Ray Charles: Listening to lyrics saying you’re destined for failure isn’t helpful for mental perseverance.
“I Can’t Stop Loving You” – Ray Charles: Might make you feel emotionally stuck rather than growth-oriented.
“Everybody Hurts” – R.E.M.: Acknowledging universal pain is good—but without a message of hope, it can feel too heavy.
“I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston: Beautiful, but tied to heartbreak—use with care depending on emotional context.

7 More Songs to Add to Your Happiness Mindset Playlist

Here are seven additional songs I chose for you to use in your homeschool to build a happiness-focused mindset:

“Smile” – Michael Bublé – Encourages finding joy even through sadness.

“What a Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong – A classic celebration of looking for and seeing beauty in everyday life.

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow”– Judy Garland (from The Wizard of Oz)– Another classic song that encourages us to dream and have hope for what’s coming.

“Happy” – Pharrell Williams – Upbeat and impossible not to move to–and the words tell you exactly how to feel!

“Count on Me” – Bruno Mars – A reminder of faithful friendships and community.

“You’ve Got a Friend” – James Taylor and Carole King – Comforting and reassuring for all ages.

“Lovely Day” – Bill Withers – Simple and positive—great morning playlist starter.

“You Say” – Lauren Daigle – Christian-based reminder of our identity and value in God’s eyes.

Teach Your Kids How Music Shapes the Mind

As you use music in your homeschool to encourage a growth and happiness mindset, talk with your kids about song lyrics. Ask questions like:

How did this song make you feel?
Did it encourage you or make you feel sad or stuck?
What is it asking you to do?
What truth does it communicate about God, life, or yourself?

Action Steps: Make a Happiness Mindset Playlist and Read The Happiness Experiment

Make a family Happiness Mindset Playlist today. Let each family member choose a few uplifting songs. Play it during chores, car rides, or quiet time. Let music serve your family’s joy.

I’d also encourage you to pick up the book The Happiness Experiment: A Revolutionary Way to Increase Happiness by Carl B. Barney. My favorite part was the Happiness Planning Workbook included in the back that will help you plan out happiness for yourself and your family. It shows you how to turn ideas into action. It’s a great read if you’re ready to increase your happiness and pursue joy on purpose.