January is always a great time to reflect on past years by setting new goals to further personal growth, and this January is no different. But while 2025 brings exciting hopes, it can also bring daunting and unexpected change. Music is an effective medium for helping understand the situations one faces, so here are three songs that are particularly perfect for getting listeners through 2025’s trying moments and for even celebrating the change.
These songs come from three different genres — country, synth-pop and pop — but they are all introspective, honest and reassuring. For those whose only New Year’s resolution is to simply try their best, these songs emphasize that it is okay to be figuring things out and encourage listeners to make mistakes and take change as it comes.
“Slow Burn” by Kacey Musgraves
“Slow Burn,” released in 2018, is a contemplative and soothing song by country-music icon Kacey Musgraves. The track features soft acoustic guitar, banjo, strings and drums, creating a laid-back vibe. The peaceful instrumentals, along with Musgraves’ distinctly sweet voice, gives “Slow Burn” a calming quality, making it the perfect song to ease into the new year.
The track’s strength lies in Musgraves’ reflective, personal lyrics as she sings of her desire to slow down and take in life’s little moments. She sings, “I’m alright with a slow burn / taking my time, let the world turn / I’m gonna do it my way, it’ll be alright.” These lyrics invite listeners to join Musgraves as she lives in the moment and enjoys the journey, rather than the destination.
Many people create lofty New Year’s resolutions and goals, but the process of accomplishing them can be overwhelming and can cause people to miss life’s positive experiences. Taking the time to appreciate slow burns can make these goals — and 2025 on the whole — all the more special and memorable.
“Yes I’m Changing” by Tame Impala
The title says it all — “Yes I’m Changing,” a groovy song by the Australian solo artist Tame Impala, discusses embracing change and personal growth. The 2015 track features dreamy vocals, delivered by the project’s lead vocalist Kevin Parker, and layered synths in harmony. In the outro, sounds of cars and car horns are layered atop the song’s smooth sonic landscape, painting the image of constant motion and cleverly symbolizing that life is always moving forward.
The lyrics wistfully detail how nobody quite expects change and the personal growth it can lead to. Parker sings, “Yes I’m changing, can’t stop it now / and even if I wanted, I wouldn’t know how.” In this way, Tame Impala encourages the listener to embrace that change and the new opportunities it can bring.
Change is difficult for anybody to deal with — “Yes I’m Changing” acknowledges that even though new beginnings can be scary, change is an exciting opportunity for profound personal growth. Parker sings, “There is a world out there and it’s calling my name / and it’s calling yours, girl / it’s calling yours too,” reminding listeners that a lush world exists after moments of tumultuous change — and it is theirs to embrace and savor.
“Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield
“Unwritten” is a certified classic of the 2000s. With lyrics that make the listener feel infinitely energized and uplifted, the 2004 pop track has been cemented as a backtrack for joyous moments — it delivers timeless, encouraging messages about self-worth and perseverance that can be taken into 2025.
The track features bright acoustic guitar and steady drums as Bedingfield shows off her vocal prowess, delivering lines with emotion and belting at times. Throughout the song, Bedingfield is earnestly honest — she has no trouble admitting when she is wrong, singing, “We’ve been conditioned to not make mistakes / but I can’t live that way.” She also sings, “I am unwritten,” triumphantly declaring she is still an imperfect work-in-progress.
During the chorus, Bedingfield turns this sentiment back on the listener when she sings, “drench yourself in words unspoken / live your life with arms wide open / today is where your book begins / the rest is still unwritten,” telling listeners that each day is a new chance to try again.
The lively track reminds listeners to live each day with “arms wide open,” welcoming all experiences that 2025 will have to offer.
Consider these three songs to be musical companions for the new year. They will give each listener the courage to seize opportunities, provide motivation during tough times and impart affirming messages during cheerful ones. Nobody truly knows what 2025 has in store for them — but listeners can use these songs to help them through it all. Welcome, 2025!
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