26 Jul What Was Your Childhood Anthem?

Who wants a 90s packed, child-friendly playlist guaranteed to give you all the good feels? 

Music is a powerful thing. It can revive memories, instantly change a mood and really get your blood flowing on a cold morning.

I was quite a shy kid with a bundle of worries. When I was feeling particularly down or lost in thought, I would retreat to the trampoline in our backyard with a discman and my fave tunes – ready to jump to a song.

My go to? John Farnham’s You’re The Voice naturally. Whenever I listened to it I felt like I could do anything. I became empowered and it became my personal anthem.

Our lovely Facebook community recently shared with us the tunes that get them through their tough times and challenging moments, the ones that lift their spirits, and became their personal anthem.

Ahhh the power of song!

We wanted to do something extra special to celebrate the songs that were your ‘childhood anthems’ so we put them into a Spotify playlistwith some of our faves thrown in the mix!

“I have always been moved by the simple lyrics and stirring emotion of Joe Cocker’s You Are So Beautiful, and have sung this softly to my daughters many a night.” – Kate

“I Was Only 19 by Redgum evokes sharp memories in our family. Losing family members in the Vietnam War always played on Dad’s mind. He always reminded us how lucky he was that he missed out on the call up and how his brother suffered and close relatives died from this tragic war. When times are tough, I instantly draw on his words and remind myself that my experiences really are incomparable compared to what these boys endured and their immediate family, my immediate family suffered as a result. I buck up then.” – Rachel

“You are my Sunshine was what I used to sing to put the girls to sleep when they were babies, it still helps when they are sick or just need mummy cuddles.” – Teena

“The Lion King’s Hakuna Matata was my song that used to get me through my tough days… It just lifted my spirits high. Even now I sing it to my bub, who also enjoys it.” – Natasha

“When I was sad or worried about things as a kid my mum always used to sing Stevie Wonders’ You Are The Sunshine Of My Life and it always made me feel happy again.” – Kate

“I would often sing Tomorrow from the movie Annie to lift my spirits whenever I was having a really bad day. I still hum the tune whenever I feel I need a bit of a lift.” – Yenne

“Believe by Cher. This song has such a great beat and clearly the song title is such an encouraging and inspiring message for anyone on any day.” – Kathleen

“If You’re Happy And You Know It, Clap Your Hands. Mr One and I perk up instantly when we sing this together.” – Briony

“Don Henley, Boys Of Summer…..’A little voice inside my head said don’t look back, you can never look back’.” – Krishelyn

“Somewhere Over The Rainbow from the Wizard of Oz always helped me smile.” – Maree

“With A Little Help From My Friends by Joe Cocker. What a great uplifting theme tune to a fab show The Wonder Years. I loved the antics of Kevin and his best friend Paul.” – Katy

“We are the Champions by Freddie Mercury of Queen. This would play in my mind and always cheer me on and upwards.” – Bery

“I’ve been thinking about this all day and the song I keep coming back to is My Favourite Things from The Sound of Music. It is such a wonderful song and lifts the spirit.” – Maree

“We had a record called Doris Day Sings Songs For Children. We played it over and over so all the tracks are a familiar soundtrack to my childhood. The one song that most inspired me and lifted my spirits was called, very appropriately, High Hopes. It taught me not to be discouraged and like the little ant in the song, with high hopes you can achieve big things.” – Karen

“I was always and still am an ABBA fanatic and being a 70s kid I loved Dancing Queen. I used to dance around in my room being young and free and wishing to be 17 so I could move out of home. I actually did that as soon as I got my licence.” – Susanna

“From my earliest memories I remember singing When You’re Smiling, by Doris Day, to lift my spirits. ‘When you’re smiling, when you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you; when you’re laughing, when you’re laughing, the sun comes smiling through; but when you’re crying, you bring on the rain, so stop your sighing, be happy again…’. To me, this epitomises how you choose your attitude and your choice impacts, not only how you feel but the whole world around you.” – Toni

“Best Day of My Life by American Authors. When I feel down, I listen to this song and I automatically am taken back to my nostalgic memories – the good ones that I’ll never forget. It instantly puts me in a good mood and helps me get through my day and see the sunshine at the end of the tunnel.” – Bella

“As a child growing up in the 80s I have vivid memories of using Break My Stride by Unique II -‘Ain’t nothin’ gonna break my stride, nobody gonna slow me down’ to keep me going when I wanted to give up. I still like the message: ‘I’ve got to keep on moving!'” – Reena

“I sang, Oh, What A Beautiful Morning, in primary school and I still sing it many years later, giving me memories of how I can overcome whatever comes my way.” – Marilyn

“Aretha Franklin’s R-E-S-P-E-C-T. This song always made me feel so alive and made me feel strong and ready to take on the world.” – Erin

“Let’s Go Fly A Kite from the movie Mary Poppins. It showed me that you didn’t have to have much of anything to have a good time or life. With love and imagination and little else you could make things happen.” – Brenton

“Showing my age but I loved the song, I Will Survive! I always had a fighting attitude!” – Tamara

“You’re never too young for Eye of The Tiger – Boxing gloves help too!” – Vanessa

“Walking On Sunshine. Bright and cheerful, it makes me smile and reminds me that things always get better.” – Tracy

“Spice Girls, Wannabe, was a great mood lifter.” – Jessica

“Amazing Grace – brought me back to feeling peaceful.” – Tara

“You Are The Wind Beneath My Wings – Fran

“That’s What Friends Are For, was always a great feel good song.” – Natasha

Download the CHILD Magazines’ CHILDhood anthem playlist HERE.

Do you have you own childhood anthem that we haven’t included?

Words + Playlist Compilation by  Jenna Templeton / Photography Alice Moore