By Jackie Helton, the Music Mama

It’s August, and most kids are headed back to school soon. This month can be a stressful time for kids AND moms, so I’m offering a playlist with some uplifting, take-on-the-world songs that are guaranteed to pump you up. Whether you’re taking on a new job, a new baby or you’re helping your kiddo brave the bold new world of Kindergarten, we hope this month goes smoothly for you.

If you have a favorite song that always motivates you and it’s not already on this list, click the word “comment” below and add it to our list!

1.      The Best, by Tina Turner

2.      The Time of My Life, by David Cook

3.      Gonna’ Fly Now (Theme from “Rocky�), by Bill Conti

4.      We’ll Sing In The Sunshine, by Sonny and Cher

5.      Rockstar, by Nickelback

6.      Stand, by Rascal Flatts

7.      I’ll Be There For You, by Rembrandts

8.      Eye of The Tiger, by Survivor

9.      Don’t Bring Me Down, by Electric Light Orchestra

10.   Feelin’ Good, by Michael Buble’

11.   Have A Nice Day, by Bon Jovi

12.   I’m Alright, by Kenny Loggins

13.   I Believe I Can Fly, by James Ingram

14.   I Will Survive, by Gloria Gaynor

15.   Let’s Get It Started, by Black Eyed Peas

16.   Get The Party Started, by Pink!

17.   Nobody Does It Better, by Carly Simon

18.   Breathe, by Faith Hill

19.   Stand By Me, by Ben E. King

20.   (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life, by Jennifer Warnes and Bill Medley

The Music Mama is back during the first week of each month with a new playlist of music. Just print the list and use it to shop for your favorite songs on any online music store like iTunes. Happy listening!

By Jackie Helton, the Music Mama

They may not technically be “kids’ songs,” but some songs have a melody and catchy words that kids fall in love with. So this month I’ve put together a playlist that’s fun for kids and the whole family to sing, so use this playlist on your next car trip, airplane ride, or even a spontaneous dance session in the kitchen.

Some of these tunes are definitely “oldies but goodies,” so I hope you’ll have as much fun as I did on this little trip down a musical memory lane. To put this playlist on your iPod or MP3 player, print the list and use it to find your favorites when you’re shopping at your favorite online music store. Happy summer!

Tutti Frutti, by Little Richard

Lollipop, by The Chordettes

Coconut, by Nilsson

Bye Bye Bye, by NSYNC

The Lion Sleeps Tonight, by The Tokens

Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, by Brian Hyland

Yakety Yak, by The Coasters

Da Doo Ron Ron, by The Crystals

Splish Splash, by  Bobby Darin

Life Is A Highway, by Rascal Flatts

The Unicorn, by The Irish Rovers

Yellow Submarine, by The Beatles

Wild, Wild West, by Will Smith

House at Pooh Corner, by Loggins and Messina

Somewhere Over The Rainbow, by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

Your Mama Don’t Dance, by Kenny Loggins

Me and You and a Dog Named Boo, by Lobo

Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows, by Lesley Gore

Blue Moon, by The Marcels

I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles), by The Proclaimers

Puff, the Magic Dragon, by Peter, Paul and Mary

Chick-A-Boom (Don’t Ya’Jes’ Love It), by Daddy Dewdrop

Did we forget a good one? Click the word “comment” below and let us know! The Music Mama is back during the first week of each month with a new playlist. Print the list and use it to find your favorites at an online music store like iTunes. Check out her previously published playlists by clicking HERE.

 Note from the mamas: Congratulations to Meredith Hutchins! She won the four movie passes

By Jackie Helton, the Music Mama

Hey, mamas! Can you believe it’s already June? I’m betting some of you will be attending a few weddings this month for friends or family (or maybe one for yourself!). So this playlist is full of great love songs about living happily ever after. (Send this list to any brides-to-be so they can load up their iPods!) This is also a great list of music to listen to during the week of your wedding anniversary.

GIVEAWAY: What songs did you have played at your wedding? (Or, which ones would you like to have played at your future wedding?) Click on the big, orange comment button below and let us know about your favorite wedding music. When you leave a comment, you’ll be entered in a drawing for 4 movie passes at any Malco movie theater. Winning movie passes would be a great way to kick off your summer, don’t ya think?

Because You Loved Me, by Celine Dion

Con Te Partiro, by Andrea Bocelli

A Time For Us (Love Theme from “Romeo and Juliet�), by Johnny Mathis

Always, by Bon Jovi

And I Love You So, by Perry Como

Evergreen, by Barbra Streisand

Longer, by Dan Fogelberg

The Wedding Song, by Kenny G.

Can’t Help Falling In Love, by Elvis Presley

Forever, by Kenny Loggins

I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, by  ABBA

In The Chapel In The Moonlight, by Dean Martin

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, by Josh Groban

Love’s Theme, by Barry White

Unchained Melody, by The Righteous Brothers

Sunrise, Sunset, by Eddie Fisher

We’ve Only Just Begun, by The Carpenters

Love Me Tender, by Elvis Presley

Wind Beneath My Wings, by Bette Midler

Cherish, by The Association

All You Need Is Love, by The Beatles

A Moment Like This, by Kelly Clarkson

Forever In Love, by Kenny G

I Do (Cherish You), by 98 Degrees

Everything I Do, I Do It For You, by Bryan Adams

I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing, by Aerosmith

I’ll Be There For You, by Bon Jovi

This I Swear, by Nick Lachey

When I Fall In Love, by Nat King Cole

Always and Forever, by Luther Vandross

You Are So Beautiful, by Joe Cocker

Have I Told You Lately?, by Van Morrison

There You’ll Be, by Faith Hill

Tip from the Music Mama:  Did you ever get a song stuck in  your head, and couldn’t get it out? (Maybe like the theme song from Barney or “Fruit Salad” by the Wiggles?  Sing “Happy Birthdayâ€� to yourself or out loud! It will replace the song you’ve had stuck in your head, and it will go away quickly, just like it always does. Try it!

Click below to throw your name in for the drawing for 4 Malco movie passes!

NOTE FROM THE MAMAS: Hey, girls, speaking of music, we’ll be on the 107.9 Magic in the Morning show on Wednesdays. We’d love for you to listen — and maybe even call in!

By Jackie Helton, the Music Mama

After what had to be the longest, coldest, snowiest winter on record, I think we’ve all earned a warm, fun playlist of music that’s perfect for springtime. Guaranteed to put some spring in your step, this playlist will give you some great tunes to listen to while you’re in the yard watching kids play or lounging in a hammock with the hubby. Enjoy Spring!

Walking On Sunshine, by Katrina and the Waves

Summer Nights, by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (from “Grease�)

Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows, by Lesley Gore

Summer Song, by Chad and Jeremy

Sunshine and Summertime, by Faith Hill

The Rain, The Park, and Other Things, by The Cowsills

One Fine Day, by The Chiffons

Beach Baby, by Tony Burrows and the Hit Squad

Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes), by Edison Lighthouse

In The Summertime, by Mungo Jerry

Smile, by Uncle Kracker

Good Vibrations, by The Beach Boys

Sunshine Superman, by Donovan

Jump, by Van Halen

Little Red Corvette, by Prince

Pink Cadillac, by Bruce Springsteen

Twist and Shout, by The Beatles

Summertime, by Kenny Chesney

Boat Drinks, by Jimmy Buffett

Kokomo, by The Beach Boys

Soak Up The Sun, by Sheryl Crow

The Tide Is High, by Blondie

The Music Mama is back during the first week of each month with a new playlist. Print the list and use it to find your favorites at an online music store like iTunes. Check out her previously published playlists by clicking HERE.