BBC - 1Xtra - Feed Your Head - Beats for the Blues

Beats for the Blues

We want to know which tunes you turn to when times are tough.

When things aren't going as planned, sometimes the best remedy is an inspirational tune.

Some people call it music for the soul and everyone's got at least one song that can take the sting out of most situations, making the bad times seem almost worthwhile. We wanna hear what your beat for the blues is.

Tell us the name of the song, the artist and tell us why this song is inspirational for you.

To get the ball rolling, we asked a handful of artists and djs about their favourite tracks to beat the blues. Hear what they said and a sample of their selection:

Akon

The hip hop and RnB king of hooks told us about Bobby McFerrin's blues lifting powers.

Hear Akon | Hear his selection

Annie Mac

Radio 1's very own Annie Mac turns to Roy Ayers and Nuyorican Soul when she's down.

Hear Annie | Hear her selection

Ace

One half of the Troublemakers lifts the lid on his favourite beat for the blues.

Hear Ace | Hear his selection

Jocelyn Jee

Little Miss Jocelyn gets all acid jazz to get inspiration in tough times.

Hear Jocelyn | Hear her selection

Nathan

Nathan turns to the States for comfort when things are looking down.

Hear Nathan | Hear his selection

Omarion

Omarion likes to get lifted up by sugar voiced soul from Vikter Duplaix.

Hear Omarion | Hear his selection

Vis

Vis gets his boost from rhymes courtesy of Def Squad rapper Keith Murray.

Hear Vis | Hear his selection

Trouble listening?

n
MGMT ELETRIC FEEL good song im down atm and it makes me feel better

jAcKisHeRe
Slipknot-Spit it Out.Its a gr8 way to relieve ur frustration at da worldppl shud get ova der stereotypes about slipknot. dey pwn

Abbie =]
Keisha White- I Choose Life!

Chloe
got to be chasing cars by snow patrol, the tears pour from me and my friend each time we hear it. Everytime Britney Spears! makes you think. Also nine crimes by Damien rice such a tearjerker.

zoe
beyonce - he still loves me

Amy...x
Things That Go Bump In The Night-Allstars When You Here It You Jus Gotta Get Up & Sing Along!OrI Can't Help Falling In Love With You-Elvis Presley is the sweetest song ever!& The Version By DJ Boonie Is Wiked To Get Up And Sing n Dance Too! x

Scaz
Gotaa be all the oldies!*Dancing on the ceiling*Oh happy days!*I wanna dance with somebody*Dont stop me now!cant beat them! xx

Jasmine
killing in the name, rage against the machine - my monday morning song, makes me smile :]

Jazzie
janie jones - the clash or teenage kicks - the undertones,they make me smile :]

:]
i'm not ok, my chemical romance - fab to sing along to really loud whilst jumping on your bed!

Jodee
MOCKINGBIRD-EMINEM (ANY OTHER DEEP MEANING SONGS). SOMETHING I CAN RELATE TO ALSO EMINEM HAS DONE BAD BUT STILL LOVES HIS DAUGHTER, DOES MY DAD LOVE ME? MAYBE I AM JUST DREAMING BUT NEVERMIND. i ALSO LIKE FAMILY PORTRAIT, I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE!!

MiNx
linkin park, one step closer. its a good tune that expresses anger if played really loudly!

demi
works on anyone 1st lady missing you help's every time. : ) try it?!

Natz
Beating Hearts baby by Head Automatic! gets you dancing round the room n doing the robot!!! lol n adam n andrew emo kid!

Cathh
Ray-j, Keep Your Head Up.

ladyemzy
neyo because of you jst makes me dance since me n ma bf spilt

x-outrageous-x
destinys child - emotions followed by the fray - over my head and christina aguilera-soar also you raise me up! to cheer me up tho it has to be im walking on sunshine - guaranteed 2 put a smile back on your face!!xxx

Lisa
I've got three: 'Shine' by Take That because the lyrics make me feel soooo good especialy "When you can have it all, all, all", 'Fill My Little World' by The Feeling because everytime I listen to it I smile and think of holidays and summer even if I'm in a really bad mood and American Idiot by Green Day because if I'm angry at someone I can imagine they're the 'american idiot' being sung about and I soon calm down!

lorr 17
different songs go to different problems. like if you and you partner have just split up its good to listen to songs like 'single' (Natasha Beddingfield) etc, or other problems can have the tune of All the small things, Blink 182, some nickelback, Christina Aug lots of different things! x

Ella-Mae
Spoiled by Joss Stone cos its magic and evrytime i listen to it i can just forget...:)her voice just shines out from the dark!

Lucy
Dancing in the Moonlight- ToplaoderYou just have to dance and sing along!

Kate xox
I've got lots of songs that cheer me up. Check out 'THE MIDDLE - BY JIMMY EATS WORLD' it talks about the feeling that you aren't as good as everyone else and it is reassuring to anyone who feels left out at school or whatever. Also 'SHUT UP - BY SIMPLE PLAN' me and my friend love this song beacause its just like a realase of the feelings you might have towards anyone who ever hurt your feelings. Finally 'TRULY MADLY DEEPLY - BY SAVAGE GARDEN' because it is mine and my boyfriends song!!!!! :]

MikeyP, Bristol
Into the White by the Pixies. Reminds me of a nice big cold wet wipeout, good times and a rockin' tune.

Becca
Till' Kingdom Come by Clodplay, they rock and remind me of how myich my life could be...cause it has been worse!

Rayven
Just a Day by Feeder. It just seems to sum up everything that's wrong, but in an undepressing way. It always makes me smile.

princess
one,tyrese,cuz he's just fine.

Liam
Probably All Along the Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix... it really gets me thinking, is an amazingly good and skilled song and has a really positive feel to it, even if the lyrics aren't so positive.

abby
Just a day by Feeder makes me smile sing and dance like no ones watching :P :D

Coral Pink
Rangeen or Huqa Pani by Ali Zafar because it's funny, and fast, and cute, and very upbeat.

poppathy
first i listen to daniel powter had a bad day because then it gets it all out my system, but then something happy like mika or gossip or the feeling to cheer me up!

victoria
snow patrol chasing cars love the song and it makes me feel good

ErinShadows
Avenged Sevenfold - Warmness on The Soul, it just makes me think of my boyfriend and how happy he makes me, its the best song in the world! i love it!

shystaaa
it wud probly haffi be 2pac-keep ur head up n life goes on. He's truly missed mayyynnnnn. And ummm... Jah Cure- reflections

J3
"Sometimes", Karen Clark Sheard

TAMZYN
OHH WHERE DO I BEGIN, FIRST OFF-MICHAEL JACKSON - SMILE (COS IT REMINDS ME OF MY MUM AND MY CHILDHOOD)OASIS- DONT LOOK BACK IN ANGER (REMINDS ME OF SITTING ROUND THE POOL IN AYIA NPA 04 WITH THE GIRLIES SINGING AT THE TOP OF OUR VOICES) LAST BUT NOT LEAST MY FAV SONG EVER- JONES TOWN- SWEETHANG!! THIS IS ALL I NEED TO MAKE ME FEEL COMPLETELY HAPPY AND TAKE ME BACK TO MY YOUTH,AHHH THE OCEAN DAYS!!

Suzzi
Damien Rice to get the tears out, followed by Staind for the anger... then Take That to dance and be happy again!!!

louisa
the futureheads - hounds of love, you can't listnen to it without singin along or jumping around like a loony!!! perfect to get your spirits up!!!

DJBosco
The entire Dummy album by Portishead

Julia
I just HAVE to play something to make me weap and get it out my system and that's Hard-Fi; Move on Now. Then something which lifts me out of the bleakness and makes me dance round the room and that is - The Space Brothers; Forgiven (I feel your love).

Kid One (Birmingham)
A Tribe Called Quest - "Electice Relaxation" cos its soulfully melodic with a street edge. Also the KAnye West remix of it. Trust me its great for a comedown after a night out!!!

Aaron Chekk
Dreamy Days, Roots Manuva, This track jus makes me fink that u gotta do, whatever u need to do to get things back on the rails,

Marina
valentine by Delays...impossible to listen to it without singing along with the oo oo oos!!!

maaza
Irreplaceable, Beyonce coz it reflects a true incident that happened to me

Stefan,BG
Africanism-Hearthbeat

r
LTJ Bukem - Suspended space

Lorna
Jimmy Eat World - The Middle. Cos.... it just takes sometime little girl your in the middle of the ride everything will just be just fine....

Anthony
The streets - stay positive that says it all. mobb deep shook ones coz makes u feel like u can battle ne1 like in the eminem film same with hustlers ambition 50 cent also if i cant - 50 cent B.I.G - Juicy mint tune through the struggle and pow by leathal uplifting an traffic jam by damien an stephen marley coz its just class always puts a smile on ma face.

EssexBoyBen
Groove Armada - Friends, or Easy. Both wicked uplifting tunes...and of course the old guilty pleasure of any club classic tunes!

Toni da 1 n Onli
yeh yeh, ma jam in times of troubles wud av to be.......... Donnell Jones 'you no dat i luv u'. and destinys childs 'writings on the wall' album. and anything of omarions cos its omarion!!! xTx

Tenne
Young Gifted Black - Nina Simone, Maybe i Deserve - Tank, any old skool R-Kelly and God Loves Us, Nas

Sudhi Melvridge
Meri Shaddi - Perry Mason, Teri Bhund Vich - Gulzar Sidhu. love these trax....really get me high....so high.

Kim
Allstar by Smashmouth when you're feeling down - I defy anyone to listen to it and not bounce around at least a bit! But if you're actually angry - either Rage Against the Machine Bombtrack or Enter Sandman by Metallica. If you're going to be angry may as well enjoy it...

Gemma
New Shoes, Paolo Nutini because it's a really chilled happy tune with lyrics that just put life in perspective "short of money, but long on time, just strolling in the sweet sunshine..." :)

Mounsor
Gotta be "OOh Wee" Mark ronson. Jus shout and bawl to the music!

Raw_07
Pain in my Life - Saigon. More hard hittin than runaway love

Lauren
Moorish Delta 7 - Dont Leave me Lonely...brings back both good and bad memories reminding me that if I got through bad times before then I can do it again :)

Cathy
Anything by Bloc Party; turn on, tune in, sing out - brilliant for forgetting the rest of the world!

david
bow wow - let me hold you down such a chilled bk track wit omarion on the chorus track is nang

Sandeep
2Pac - Keep Ya Head Up!!!

Omarion lover
Bump,Bump,Bump B2K....you want to know why??...because i love Omarion and his music!!!!...and i love that song...holla back at me!!!!!!

Nisha
Lauren Hill - anything from miseducation...Aaliyah - anything...lyfe jennings - keep your head up! Simbad Soul fever makes me happy!

RicK D
Alive pearl Jam, one of the most upbeat songs I can listen to, when im feeling down. Makes me feel like I am still alive

Basti
I Love you by Dhru Paul, because its beautiful

Mook Mook
Man in the Mirror-Michael Jackson

Michael Alexander Jolley
Outkast - Prototype. Simply Beautiful. Goodnight.

Oli
Star Guitar - Chemical Brothers Voyager - Daft Punk Space Cowboy (Remix) - Jamiroquai etc etc etc

JackieA
Any Coldplay songs as they are so easy to relate to when you're down

Sparky
Purple Rain - Prince just for the guitar solo

Ashley
Runaway love by ludachris is my favorite "down" song. This is because it is really strong and I can feel the lyrics down deep and hearing that song makes me feel like others are going through the same thing and makes me feel like things are gonna be ok.

frost
oasis wonderwall just sing at the top of ur voice and forget everything

phil rustell
Hero, Nickleback, Best for cheering up a gloomy day because everyone needs to be a hero for themselves at some point!!

Lisa, Bournemouth
Hey Ya. Outkast. Coz you just cant help but sing along, even if u is well miserable.

Marrianne
Has 2 be Kanye West never let you down, some nickelback like saving me, Eminem and R.Kelly The world's greatest. These tunez are just gr8 2 pick u bak up!

The rockstar
Reef- Place your hands - cheesy but a tuune none the less, always reminds me of the days of Fez and Jaks

Mali - (Manchester)
He Say She Say & Hurt Me Soul Lupe Fiasco ... Because his lyrics are really powerfull and they are similar to the condtions i'm in !!

Rooney
I think its between lemar call me daddy and the entire damian marley welcome to jamrock album cos they are both brilliant!!

jake
50cent many man

Nicholas
Musiq Soulchild - Love Musiq Soulchild - Dont Change

Davkom 62
Don't you worry about a thing - Incognito. Its really uplifting spiritually and physically. Please try it any day.

Jimbo D
Lord Give me Strength - Luciano

Khalid
One of the songs I would listen to if I was feeling down is Young, Gifted and Black by Donny Hathaway because I think its a great song that inspires me.

da black scientist
bone thugs n harmony ft akon - i try big tune still and t.i - motivation that tune is motavating lool!!

Vinnie
smiley faces by Gnarles Barkley and Fat Boy Slims tunes

tonder
ls7 battlers - split wigs on youtube

Girl101
I love to listen to "He Is" by Copyright (featuring Song Williamson) and "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers when I'm feeling a little low. Both are uplifting and joyful noise.

Katherine
2Pac - Keep Ya Head Up

GufMan
Kanye West - Spaceship, OTB - Closer and Move on now by Hard Fi. These all help me 2 chill and relax

Alex
Top 4 have to be 2Pac - Me against the world, Klashnekoff - All i got, Sizzla - Dry cry, J Dilla - Won't do. Give hope during many low situations.

saloua ragbi
honey moonday, arrested development its up beat reminds me of gorgeous summer days out having fun and just chilling out. its a happy song.x

GufMan
Kanye West - spaceship, OTB - closer and Hard Fi - move on now - all help me 2 jus chill

T
Eminem - 8mile, Rabbit Run, Till I Collapse, Lose Yourself & many more.. EMINEM LEGEND!

junior3d
listen to T.I motivation. this tune keep me focus and go "GET ON YOUR JOB". and Beanie sigel feel it in the air tell me is not a big tune!

Dolts
Jon B - They dont NO Good Good tune every time I listen 2 it, it remindes me of my lovely boyfriend Marky and makes me smile and think of the good times Also u cant go wrong with a few Pac tunes x

charlotte
downtown by petula clarke it gets me in the mood when i am upset

Rikimaru
Klashnekoff and Terrafirma's dragged me out of my darkest moments; Let it go, Parrow dice, Son of Niah, Freedom Fighters, Angels, The revolution will not be televised on Channel U, Black Rose, Mental flight, Sometimes etc, are just a hand full of the tunes that remind all of us of out commitment to the struggle.

Sophs
alot to learn - wiley respect to him still for retireing, but alllll of his tunes have meaning. so worth it.

Luke
Slippin - DMX Just describes how feel sometimes

SWEETZ
tribe called quest stressed out

maxwell antwi
PRISON WALLS! JAH CURE PLAYING IT ON MY DADS FUNERAL! BIG TUNE

big gunzs
listing to 2pac only god can judge me cuz when im angry thats how i feel so get out ma Bness holla me

Wonder Woman
Wonderful World - Louie Armstrong. I feel for you - Chaka Khan Gonna Fly Now - Rocky Theme However it does depend on the situation or circumstances. But these are 3 that hold a place in my heart and remind me of my childhood!

Adam Downey
Baby J: 'Let It Go' (remix) featuring Ruckus, TY, Klashnekoff & Yogi

peter Soltysiak
Jump by Van Halen. Just the tune to crank up the volume and get the 'air keyboard' out on. I find it uplifting

Erika
New Style - Shystie Love Me Or Hate Me - Lady Sovereign

Tasha
'careful Click Click' - Wu Tang Clan I prefer bleak songs when I'm feeling down. I don't want to hear some happy clappy, smiley ish! I want grimey, dark tunes like this one - put it on loud on your MP3 player and stalk the streets feeling mean until all that anger and depression has cleared!

Jay
Just as I am - Kelly Price. It's a gospel song, even though Im not religious it's very uplifting.

Sarah
Soul Fever by Simbad and Steelo, luv dis tune coz everytime i hear it it grabs me, incredible tune in clubs as well, gets everyone jumpin'! Also Bootylala by Bugz in the attic, great uplifting tune !

babycham
j majik & wickerman ft kathy brown - crazy world. its upbeat, gets me in the mood to just go out n forget what evers geting me down, gives me a positive outlook and great to listen to wherever u are sounds crisp in the car;)

Bob Dole
Radiohead - Let Down

Dae, Manchester
Letter 2 my unborn by Pac. thers a pac song for every emotion, least 3 an album but this is a cracker. Pac tells his whole life story and really puts most problems into perspective.

Maria
Search for the hero inside your self ( not sure of artists name!!) It is a thoroughly uplifting piece of music when you are down on your luck - recommend it strongly!!

ROBYN
BOB MARLEY - JAMMIN - FAVOURITE TUNE OF ALL TIME!!!

7, Sweden
Janelle Monae - Peachtree Blues

Tyrone, london
93 to infinity by souls of mischief - everytime i hear this beat im chillllin

Yolande
Feeling Good, Nina Simone - because I can't help but feel happy and hopeful when I hear it.

Robert
If you could read my mind - Stars on 54: Ultra Naté, Amber & Jocelyn Enriquez This song makes me feel good; reminds me of a beach party on holiday with my mates. Such a tune!

Foxychick
All The Small Things, Blink 182

Johnny 5
Got to be Easy like sunday morning by the commodores just because its THE tune for jumping around the house in underpants singing into mops!

If you had one wish...

What would you change in life?

My job
760 votes
(30.6%)
My looks
913 votes
(36.7%)
My home
382 votes
(15.4%)
Nothing thanks
432 votes
(17.4%)

Total votes: 2487

This is not a representative poll and the figures do not purport to represent public opinion as a whole on this issue