Songs of All Hopefulness, Songs of All Joy

[pegkerr]

I'm trying to compile a playlist of songs of encouragement, hopefulness, never-say-die. On it so far:

Mary Ellen Carter - Stan Rogers
True Colors - Cyndi Lauper
Don't Give Up - Peter Gabriel
Marvelous Light - Charlie Hall
Sing a Powerful Song - Saw Doctors
Old Devil Time - Claudia Schmidt
Sun's Gonna Rise - Shannon Curfman [from Soundtrack to Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants]
Sweet Survivor - Peter Paul & Mary

What should I add to it?

Edited to add Songs I already have on my iPod that occurred to me, or people have suggested, and I'll add them:

How Can I Keep from Singing/The Great Storm is Over - Peter Paul and Mary
Ready for the Storm - Dougie MacLean
Go Go Go Joseph - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
The Reel - Secret Garden (no words, but it sounds cheerful, determined and bouncy)
Hope Has a Place - Enya
Hymn to Hope - Secret Garden
Hopeful - Michael Manring (from A Winter's Solstice)
The Rising - Bruce Springsteen

When the complete Return of the King soundtrack is released next November, I'll also add The Battle of Pelennor Fields. Nothing like having King Theoden riding to your rescue.

Edited to add again: I can't believe nobody has yet mentioned Bridge over Troubled Waters. I don't think I have a copy; I'll have to get one.

Edited to add again: The list so far:

Deliver Us - Prince of Egypt
Born at the Right Time - Paul Simon
Ready for the Storm - Dougie MacLean
The Mary Ellen Carter - Stan Rogers
The Longest Night - Peter Mayer
Carolyn's Party - Ann Reed
Green - Peter Mayer
Songs from the Wood - Jethro Tull
Old Devil Time - Claudia Schmidt
Don't Give Up - Peter Gabriel
How Can I Keep from Singing - Eva Cassidy
Marvelous Light - Charlie Hall
True Colors - Cyndi Lauper
The Reel - Secret Garden
Sing a Powerful Song - Saw Doctors
Shout - The Beatles
We Are - Sweet Honey in the Rock
Another Train - The Poozies
Step By Step - Sweet Honey in the Rock
Into the Fire - Bruce Springstein
Christmas Bells - John Gorka
Ring Out Wild Bells - Kirby Heyborne
Phoenix - Bill Staines
The Rising - Bruce Springsteen
Hymn to Hope - Secret Garden
No Fear - The Swan Princess
Sun's Gonna Shine - Shannon Curfmann
Fly Like a Bird - Boz Scaggs
Don't Be Shy - Cat Stevens
Hopeful - Michael Manning
Precious Friend You Will Be There - Arlo Guthrie Pete Seeger
Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
When You Believe - The Prince of Egypt
How Can I Keep from Singing/The Great Storm is Over - Peter Paul & Mary
99 1/2 Won't Do - Sabathani Choir
Sweet Survivor - Peter Paul & Mary
Twist & Shout - The Beatles
Where is the Light - Peter Mayer
Joy to the World (Jeremiah was a Bullfrog) - Three Dog Night
A Place in the Choir - Bill Staines
Red Red Robin - Al Jolson
Shake Your Paw - The Temptations
The Jeffersons (Movin' On Up) - TeeVee Toons
I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash
Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
We're Gonna Shine - Fred Penner
Hold On Tight - Electric Light Orchestra
Rainbow Connection - Jim Henson
Green, Green - The New Christy Minstrels
Amazing! - Robin Michael Goodnow
U.R.U. - The Happy Crowd
Every Moment - Vitamin L
Potter's Wheel - Freyda & Acoustic Attitude
Building for the Future - The Foremen
Your Shoes, My Shoes - Tom Paxton
Renaissance Faire - Blackmore's Night
Underdog - Allen Toussaint
The Happening - Diana Ross & The Supremes
High Hopes - Bing Crosby
Michael Row the Boat Ashore - Disneyland's Children's Sing-a-long Chorus
Drink Up the River - Dandelion Wine
This Land is Your Land - Kingston Trio
Dance in the Smoke - Argent
Jama Day - Peter Mayer
Five Feet High and Rising - Johnny Cash
Five Days in May - Riverfolk
Julian of Norwich - Bok, Muir & Tickett
Sweet Sir Galahad - Joan Baez
Truckin' - Grateful Dead
Partners, Brothers & Friends - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Creeque Alley - Mamas and the Papas
With a Little Help from my Friends - The Beatles
We Keep on Dancing - Nate Bucklin
I Could Have Danced All Night - Julie Andrews (My Fair Lady)
Jeannie O'Bethelnie - Andrew Calhoun
Wooden Ships - Jefferson Airplane
Superman's Song - Crash Test Dummies
Sweet Betsy from the Pike - Johnny Cash
King of the Road - Roger Miller
The Fun Side of Life - Matt Wahl
My Blackbirds are Bluebirds Now - Sleepy Jeffers
The Happy Wanderer - Bill Staines
Joy - Andrew Calhoun
At the End of the Rainbow Trail - Riders of the Purple Sage
Praan - Pabasha Siddique
American Prayer - Dave Stewart & His Fabulous Orchestra

Comments

[dichroic.livejournal.com]

Turning Toward the Morning - Gordon Bok
How Can I Keep from Singing - Bok, Muir and Trickett did this; so did Enya. So did lots of others. Any version of it you like will do.
Life is Large - Pete and Maura Kennedy (nice upbeat melody, too)
Ordinary Day - Great Big Sea
Flinty Kind of Woman, maybe You're Aging Well - Dar Williams
Wharf Rat - Grateful Dead (careful with one. I find it perversely cheering but that may be because of the specific memories linked to it. Check first when you're *not* in need of discouragement to see if it makes you feel better or worse.)

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

If she's doing Dar Williams, we can't leave "Better Things" off the suggestion list.

(And I am fondest of Pete Seeger's "How Can I Keep from Singing," but I am greatly fond of Pete Seeger anyway.)

Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" is one of the best encouraging songs I know, but I don't know how much it's never-say-die.

[cktraveler.livejournal.com]

My favorite recording of The Mary Ellen Carter (http://www.chivalry.com/cantaria/lyrics/mary-ellen-carter.html), by Three Pints Gone, is available free at the linked site. The site itself might also be a good resource.

Also:
Day is Done - Peter Paul and Mary

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I've downloaded that version of Mary Ellen Carter. It is very nice.

I love Peter Paul and Mary, too.

[barondave.livejournal.com]

Some of this is personal feelings, I suppose, but a quick pass through my database nets:

Wake Up and Live, The Andrews Sisters
Smile, Darn Ya, Smile, Sammy Davis Jr. (though it's an old song)
Shake Your Paw, by Garfield (The Temptations)
We're Gonna Shine, Fred Penner
Kids Can Change The World, World Patrol Kids
I'm Sitting On Top of the World, Al Jolson
Put A Little Love In Your Heart, Jackie De Shannon
Here Comes The Sun, The Beatles
Hold On Tight, Electric Light Orchestra
Let A Smile Be Your Umbrella, The Andrews Sisters (and others)
Ac-Cen-Tchu-Ate The Positive, The Andrews Sisters (and others)
I Feel Good, Michael Mish
The Rainbow Connection, The Muppets
The Bare Necessities, The Jungle Book
With A Smile And A Song, Snow White
Keepin' The Faith, Billy Joel
Less of Me, Bill Staines

[knitmeapony.livejournal.com]

Either If I Were King or Ordinary Day by Great Big Sea

[pennswoods.livejournal.com]

Tubthumping - Chubawamba

[carbonel]

Julian of Norwich, Bok, Trickett and Muir
Genie on a Table Top, Al Stewart
Happy Adoption Day, John McCutcheon
Red Rubber Ball, Cyrkle
The Longest Time, Billy Joel

some of my favorites

[mereilin.livejournal.com]

Break My Stride -- Matthew Wilder
Feelin' Groovy -- Simon and Garfunkel
I Believe -- Perry Como and many others
I Will Survive -- Gloria Gaynor (OH yeah)
I can see clearly now (the rain is gone)
You've Got A Friend -- James Taylor
We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions -- Queen

YMMV :)

[livsmama.livejournal.com]

I feel Lucky-Mary Chapin Carpenter

[huladavid.livejournal.com]

If you haven't already done this, check out Zero Church by the Roaches. It's a collection of prayers put to music. On one hand it's wonderful stuff, but on the other hand the recording sessions were to begin on Sept. 11th, 2001 and there's at least one song connected to the "event".

[huladavid.livejournal.com]

Had I but been thinking I would'a done some research first, then post to you. Anyway, here's a site with info on the CD:

http://www.roches.com/discography/zerochurch.html

[barondave.livejournal.com]

Other comments gave me more keywords to search on:

Listen to Your Heart, Children
Green Green, The New Christie Minstrels
I Can See Clearly Now, Johnny Nash (per merelin)
Dance In The Smoke, Argent
The Old Philosopher, Eddie Lawrence
Rock N' Roll To The Rescue, The Beach Boys
I Can Feel The Sweet Wind Blowing, Bill Staines
Building For The Future, by the Foremen (sort of)
Born To Be Alive, Patrick Hernandez (disco)
In My Arms, Erasure
You've Made Me So Very Happy, Blood Sweat & Tears
You Can Do It If You Try, Fred Penner
Let Your Mind Be Free, Soul Rebels
Hey Look Me Over, Judy Garland
Amazing! Robin and Michael Goodrow
Prayer For This Land, Dana Lyons

[akamarykate.livejournal.com]

Since you're listening to Carrie Newcomer (I've been a fan of hers since she was with Stone Soup!)--what about "The Bird or the Wing" or "Only One Shoe"?

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I'm not familiar with her work, actually; that's just the song that was playing on Pandora Radio when I made the entry. I'll have to check these out. Thanks.

[aome.livejournal.com]

I don't know if these will suit you or not, but it's what came to mind as I went through our mp3 collection....

Gloria Estafan: Get on Your Feet

Simon & Garfunkle: The Boxer - I know it's not exactly a bouncing song, but I come away with a sense of perseverence.

Hoobastank: Right Before Your Eyes (I am changing). This is from the Daredevil soundtrack.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Go Go Go Joseph

And not because they're particularly uplifting songs, lyric-wise, but because I think you can't help but feel a bit bouncier just by listening to them:

Lipp Inc: Funkytown. :D

Three Dog Night: Joy to the World (not the carol)

Martha and the Vandellas: Dancing in the Street

Sister Act soundtrack: Hail Holy Queen (that version, in particular)

[sraun]

"Jeremiah was a bull-frog, was a good friend of mine. Never understood a single word he said, but he always had some mighty fine wine." I haven't heard that song in years! I may have to add it to my 'get a new copy sometime' list.

[sraun]

I'm not certain why, but Billy Joel's Pressure has always been a never-say-die song for me.
For uplifting encouragement - the Fourth Movement of Beethoven's Ninth, AKA the Ode to Joy
How about When the Saints Go Marching In?
Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man
Maybe Leslie Fish's Hope Eyrie?
Sibelius' Finlandia
A number of songs from The Sound of Music - My Favorite Things, Climb Every Mountain, I Have Confidence
"Promenade" and "The Great Gate of Kiev" from Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition - especially one of the big orchestra versions
Just about any classical church choral music with the title starting with "Ave" - "Ave Maria" is the first one to come to mind
You do have the MPR Morning Show Comfort Keepers CD, don't you? Just about everything on that may qualify.

All of which probably shows that we have very different tastes in music!

[aeditimi.livejournal.com]

some newer ones from the young'un:

Pendulum Swinger, by the Indigo Girls
You are Beautiful, by Christina Aguillera (or however you spell it)

[morganmalfoy.livejournal.com]

Pendulum Swinger is such a good song! On the Indigo Girls note, I would also recommend Watershed, Least Complicated, and Closer to Fine. Actually, all Indigo Girls music perks me up.

[rysmiel.livejournal.com]

Lots of good suggestions here, overlapping enough with what came to my mind that I'm left with a couple of things that will look a bit odd on their own.

Leonard Cohen, "Anthem". There are others of his I read as near the tone you're looking for, but this one's undeniable.

I don't know what your feelings for industrial/electronica are like, but if you are even mildly positive about it, rather a lot of VNV Nation is coming very much from a philosophy of hope as virtue and obligation in a world where that is really difficult. "Solitary" for the Praise the Fallen album and "Standing" and particularly "Kingdom" from Empires are ones I very much lean on for support of hope.

[ckd]

Some selections from one of my playlists (that haven't been mentioned already):
Hold On - Wilson Phillips
It's Gonna Get Better - Genesis
Trouble Me - 10,000 Maniacs
Breakout - Swing Out Sister
Let Your Troubles Roll By - Carbon Leaf
Never Surrender - Corey Hart
Alive And Kicking - Simple Minds

Now, some songs that aren't specifically encouragment, hopefulness, never-say-die but are just energetic and get me going:
Let The Day Begin - The Call
One Vision - Queen
All Right Now - Free
What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy) - Information Society
Run Runaway - Slade
New Moon On Monday - Duran Duran
Happy Hour - The Housemartins

Last but not least, the ones that are just too silly and goofy not to bring a smile to my face:
Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport - Rolf Harris (also, his cover of Stairway To Heaven)
The Elements - Tom Lehrer
White And Nerdy - "Weird Al" Yankovic (also, many of his other songs)
If I Had $1000000 - Barenaked Ladies
Gitarzan - Ray Stevens
Fish Heads - Barnes & Barnes

Yeah, I imprinted on '80s music. How'd you guess?

[1crowdedhour.livejournal.com]

Linda Thompson One Clear Moment

[morganmalfoy.livejournal.com]

I listen to mainly Christian music, but these are a few other songs I think are good:

Sara Groves-Maybe there's a loving God
Chris Tomlin-Everlasting God (actually the whole 'See the Morning' album is about encouragement--I saw several people rec How Can I Keep From Singing, which is on this album)
Charlie Hall-You Are God

These are songs I listen to when I need encouragement.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I really loved the song you sent me, and as you can see, I've added it to the list. I'll have to check these out, too.

If you can stand country (I know many people can't)

[aranel.livejournal.com]

There is a recent, rollicking country song called "If you're going through hell, keep on going" by someone named Rodney Atkins. Worth listening to the iTunes sample to see whether it's going to perk you up or simply drive you mad.

Re: If you can stand country (I know many people can't)

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

That was the title of kijjohnson's LiveJournal for awhile. I didn't know it was from a song. I'll check it out, thanks!

[nmsunbear.livejournal.com]

I'll think of more later -- I should be leaving the house right now -- but what immediately springs to mind are the Kinks' "Everybody's Gonna Be Happy" and Fiona Apple's "Extraordinary Machine."

Uplifting songs

[markiv1111.livejournal.com]

Peg, is it kosher for a songwriter to name one of his own works? "We Kept on Dancing" (which is on my second CD, *Water Over the Bridge*) is quite definitely about survival, and a lot of people picked up on this, at least in part because it's so upbeat. The last couple of lines of the chorus are, "Till the moon fell and cracked the skylight/And the sun came shining through/I just want you to know what we kept on dancing/What else was there to do?" I don't think I've written anything else even remotely that clear-cut, though.

Nate B.

Re: Uplifting songs

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Of course it's kosher to mention your own work! I don't have that CD--will have to try to find someone who has it.

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

Here Comes The Sun -- The Beatles
Better Days -- The Kinks (although I like the Dar Williams cover)


And makes me smile every time, although not explicitly "cheerup"ish:
The Lottery Song -- Harry Nilsson

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

Oops. "Better THINGS" -- The Kinks

[tinymich.livejournal.com]

I don't know if this is your style of music, but just this morning I started playing Journey's "Don't Stop Believing", and it got me to work with a smile on my face and bounce in my step.

Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A Prayer" is my go-to fight song (holdover from college) -- the mood it inspires in me is "you can take on this -- and WIN!"

CD exchange!!

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

Now THERE'S a playlist I'd like a copy of! Wanna do a CD exchange on the topic? Despite my extensive collection of Leonard Cohen and horrifying old ballads, I think I could come up with a CD full of uplifting and hopeful songs.

Re: CD exchange!!

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I would love to do this! I would love to get some of these songs, and I have at least some of these to offer to other people. I might need some technological guidance, however--I've never done anything like this before.

I think I remember that when you did the drinking song exchange, you posted a how-to guide. Can you point me to it?