Inspiring Songs

[Latrinsorm]

From that death thread, I think it deserves its own.

Songs that are inspiring, and feel free to say why! :)

.

Mirah - While We Have the Sun
---The first time I listened to the song, I was sitting in a car with one of my very best friends looking out over a river at night; a legitimately perfect scenario for a legitimately perfect song. It helps a lot that I'm a bit melancholic at times and this song is a monument to melancholic rumination.

Lavender Diamond - You Broke My Heart
---I listened to this one every time I left therapy this past summer. It's not totally clear to me what the song is about because she kind of slurs her words in the middle but I know for sure that this song has the most triumphant ending I've ever heard.

Bruce Springsteen - My City of Ruins
---Originally written about Atlantic City or some Jersey bullshit, Bruce switched it over for New York after 9/11, playing it acoustic on that big show they had on TV. Honestly if this song doesn't move you even a little you're probably a zombie or an android (or a zombie android!!).
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zld2cSIVUO4&feature=related

Protomen - The Will of One
---In case there was ever any doubt about my nerd-dom, the Protomen are a band that took the elements of the Mega Man video games and made a Greek tragic rock opera. This particular song describes Mega Man's challenging Dr. Light's reticence, visiting Proto Man's grave, and rallying a mob of supporters in an assault on Dr. Wily's fortress. Hugely nerdy, yes; still incredibly inspirational.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5AOb7ztQLAY
(takes awhile to load)

Hem - Half Acre
---All Hem songs are pretty much the same; ridiculously pretty singing, subtly gorgeous orchestration, vague air of melancholy. This is another one that I'm not totally sure what it's about, but as near as I can figure the narrator goes to her childhood home and something really GOOD happens (or possibly kills herself, but I'm pretty sure it's something GOOD).

How about other folks? :)

[Stanley Burrell]

Tomorrow Belongs To Me, from Cabaret :whistle:

[Fallen]

Protomen - The Will of One
---In case there was ever any doubt about my nerd-dom, the Protomen are a band that took the elements of the Mega Man video games and made a Greek tragic rock opera. This particular song describes Mega Man's challenging Dr. Light's reticence, visiting Proto Man's grave, and rallying a mob of supporters in an assault on Dr. Wily's fortress. Hugely nerdy, yes; still incredibly inspirational.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5AOb7ztQLAY
(takes awhile to load)


You, sir, are a genious. I own the CD and love it.

[Snapp]

No Avril on the list? :(

[Stanley Burrell]

... :lol: @ teh Snapp.

Forgot about that one, I did.

[Tisket]

I've got a few. Some of them aren't what you might call "inspiring" because they are a bit dark, but they make me feel that things could be worse. These usually make me feel good:

In My Life - Beatles
Let The Good Times Roll - Carrs
Bad Moon Rising - CCR
Black Horse and the Cherry Tree - KT Tunstall
River - Sara Bareilles
The Reel and Daughters of Erin - Secret Garden
Friends In Low Places - Brooks

I'm too lazy to link to Youtube. Bite me.

[Stanley Burrell]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fkk442eCgFc

The trumpet heralds. Stuff.

NSFJesus.

[Itachi]

LIVE TO WIN

[TheEschaton]

High Hopes, Pink Floyd, off The Division Bell - it's such a mellow CD in many ways, and you almost always veg out on the couch to it, and then out of nowhere in the last track - "The grass was greener...the light was brighter..." We'd be stoned and almost comatose and then this lyric came out and we'd instantly all sit up and sing the rest of the album out...

Everything, Lifehouse. I know they're a Christian rock band, and the song is about God, but to me it expresses a sentiment about how I try and approach everyone in my daily life.

Both Hands, Ani DiFranco. Really anything she does, but this is the best first song, first album ever. And it reminds me of a girl who I would walk a million millions for. Hell, I've already gone halfway around the world for her.

There's more, but I'm gonna go listen to some music now.

[diethx]

Ani DiFranco

I :heart: her.

[Jahira]

Last Resort - Papa Roach

[Gan]

The Wall - Pink Floyd
Letter to Me - Brad Paisley
I'm No Stranger to the Rain - Keith Whitley
I Can See Clearly Now the Rain is Gone - Johnny Nash (Corrected)*
On the Turning Away - Pink Floyd
The Boxer - Simon and Garfunkel
Come Sail Away - Styx
Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World (mix) - Meet Joe Black Soundtrack
Just the Two of Us - Wil Smith version
Get Over It - Eagles
The Land of Confusion - Genesis
*Theme from Raiders of th Lost Ark - John Williams
*Olympic Fanfare March - John Williams

There's probably a few more, these are the ones I could find after a quick scan of my music list.

[Sean]

Even though I don't particularly care for most of his music I find Warren Zevon's Keep Me In Your Heart to be pretty inspiring given the circumstances of knowing he was dying at the time of it's recording.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=j3c9RydEz3A

[Sean]

I Can See Clearly Now the Rain is Gone - Otis Redding


Do you have a copy of this? I always thought it was a Jimmy Cliff song so I went to look it up, turns out I was wrong in that it was just a Jimmy Cliff cover of someone elses song. I've never heard an Otis version of it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Can_See_Clearly_Now

[Gan]

Do you have a copy of this? I always thought it was a Jimmy Cliff song so I went to look it up, turns out I was wrong in that it was just a Jimmy Cliff cover of someone elses song. I've never heard an Otis version of it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Can_See_Clearly_Now

I do!

Let me know if you want it.

*Upon further review - its the Johnny Nash version. LimeWire FTL

[TheEschaton]

I :heart: her.

She's from my hometown, and I saw her in the mid-90s for the first time. Her music was what brought me and the girl of my dreams together for the first time, since she's a dirty little dredlocked hippie chick. ;)

-TheE-

[thefarmer]

Probably not as deep as other people's choices, but listening to the early stuff from Jump, Little Children always puts me in a good mood.

EDIT: I think partially it's because they seem to be able to channel the energy from their live shows (been to like 5 or 6) into their recordings.

[Back]

Lenny Kravitz - Love Revolution

This the time
This is the vibe
Don't you want to get onto the ride
Come on inside
From the outside
The truth will set you free and you will find
That there is a love
That won't let you down
And it always holds ground
Wear your crown

This love will never leave you
This love will never let you go
It is time for a love revolution
It is time for a new constitution
You are a child of the most high
There is nothing you can't do and that is no lie
You were designed
To use your mind
To move what you can't see so don't be blind
There is a love
That wont let you down and it always holds ground
Wear your crown,

This love will never leave you
This love will never let you go
It is time for a love revolution
It is time for a new constitution

It is time for a love revolution
It is time for a new constitution
It is time for a love revolution
It is time for a new constitution
Yeah yeah yeah
It is time for a love revolution
It is time for a new constitution
Yeah yeah yeah

[iJin]

Tool-Sober
A Perfect Circle- 3 Libras

[Nilandia]

Just a few to toss out. I'll probably add more as I think of them. These are all by Christian groups, but they're still great songs.

Red ~ Let Go (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0-1itzygWs)

Skillet ~ Whispers in the Dark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8FoMTlSfdU)

Skillet ~ The Last Night (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jRBsbm0EA0)

Barlowgirl ~ Never Alone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNz-XQ6uYWI)

Demon Hunter ~ Carry Me Down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD2t1qLJGLQ)

Kutless ~ Promise of a Lifetime (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igWo_iGMTIY)

Relient K ~ Forgiven (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcaxvJxrlvE)

Gretchen

[Latrinsorm]

No Avril on the list? :(As I was driving home from university today, I was scanning the radio to try and find the Cavs game. I happened across Radio Disney (or something) who decided at that moment to play My Happy Ending by the aforementioned Ms. Lavigne. It was at that moment that I realized I had GRAVELY ERRED in the composition of this list; it is evidence of a divine (albeit mischievous) design that you would come to the same conclusion at roughly the same time.
Black Horse and the Cherry Tree - KT TunstallSerious question: is this song about being on acid? I used to listen to it all the time and I still have no idea wtf is going on in it.
I own the CD and love it.\m/
High Hopes, Pink Floyd, off The Division Bell - it's such a mellow CD in many ways, and you almost always veg out on the couch to it, and then out of nowhere in the last track - "The grass was greener...the light was brighter..." We'd be stoned and almost comatose and then this lyric came out and we'd instantly all sit up and sing the rest of the album out...Nightwish did a cover of this song that is epic beyond all measure (like most Nightwish songs). Of course, due to this epicocity it is far less suited to vegging out; on the other hand, it is far more suited to ROCKIN' out.

Am I the only one who didn't know that Lifehouse was a Christian band?

[Tisket]

Serious question: is this song about being on acid? I used to listen to it all the time and I still have no idea wtf is going on in it.

Serious answer: I don't know. I just know I like it. Can't break it down more for you. I love this take on it where she does the entire thing while being her own band: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYEU91d8ngc

[landy]

The song and skill required to play it is absolutely hypnotic, one of the finest pieces of guitar music ever written.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YcrGUkdD1I

[Nilandia]

Am I the only one who didn't know that Lifehouse was a Christian band?
A lot of people aren't aware of some popular groups being Christian. Others include Sixpence None the Richer, Blindside, P.O.D., Flyleaf, Norma Jean and Relient K. Others started off in the Christian circles and moved into the mainstream, such as Chevelle and Evanescence.

Gretchen

[thefarmer]

Might as well add Flyleaf to those who've already to sold out to make a buck.

[Asha]

She sounds hot.

[Asha]

Oh to add..
'Stairway To Heaven' by Led Zeppelin.
The ending where Robert Plant sings to his last breath has always inspired me. Clearly they've inspired some of my favourite bands too, such as Blind Melon and Reef.

And touching on Blind Melon, 'Change' on their self titled album is just heart lifting.

[Misun]

Throwing another Christian band into the mix, Jars of Clay-Work. Currently an inspiring song for me. I don't know why.

I know I have so many others but for the moment and because it's too early in the morning, this is what's on my mind.

[Valthissa]

We occasionally (3 to 4 times a year) attend Bruton Parish church in Williamsburg.

When they play the hallelujah chorus form Handel's Messiah it is impossible (at least from my perspective) not to feel inspired.

I encourage anyone that visits Williamsburg to attend a service, particularly a Sunday evening organ recital.

C/Valth

[TheEschaton]

I like O Holy Night, when Christmas comes around, done by a proper choir.

And that Nightwish version isn't bad Latrin...

[Gan]

Inspirational Christmas songs are another matter.

O Holy Night is my absolute favorite. I like the choral version (Mormon Tabernacle Choir) and an instrumental with soprano saxophone (Kenny G among others).

Here's one of my recent favorites.

Christmas Canon - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGrhzCgy_bg

[Misun]

This version of O Holy Night is my new favorite. Poor video quality but you get the feeling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZFxG6-WSnI

[Ogreslayer]

Inspirational by lyrics, or by power of the song?

O Holy Night is high on my list of inspiring songs when done well. The version by David Phelps (it's on YouTube) is fantastic.

For inspiring through the power of the song, Carmina Burana - Carl Orff

[Gan]

For inspiring through the power of the song, Carmina Burana - Carl Orff

Carmina Burana - that was one of our marching songs in band. (Yes, I was a band geek as well as a jock).

Excellent song and yes, lots of power.

So is the Aggie War Hymn as played by the FIGHTIN TEXAS AGGIE BAND!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o29Q7T3oBV8

[Nilandia]

For inspiring through the power of the song, Carmina Burana - Carl Orff
I got to see the Philadephia Orchestra perform that a few months ago. Definitely a "Holy crap, that's awesome!" night.

Seconded for Händel's Messiah and Jars of Clay. I got sing in a performance of the Messiah which was recorded, and it still gives me chills. Jars of Clay is just pure awesomeness. Much as I love harder music styles, I still adore them.

And to add a couple more...

Switchfoot ~ Only Hope (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGIR8lsOVl8)

Skillet ~ Looking for Angels (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STIv7yItkYc)

Beethoven ~ 9th Symphony "An die Freude (Ode to Joy)"
I can't not name this one. Beethoven wrote it when he was completely deaf, and had to be turned around by the woman singing the alto part to be able to receive the five standing ovations, yet he created a piece that still stands today as a testament to the brotherhood of all men. I got to see it performed live by the Philadelphia Orchestra, and I was in tears by the end.
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2AEaQJuKDY
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSEqQsAXbJw
Wikipedia with lyrics in German and English: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._9_(Beethoven)

Aaron Copeland ~ Fanfare for the Common Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJBx_aFfgyo - the picture is of the composer)

Gretchen

[Furrowfoot]

I'll take a shot at this, with my very (or is it veryy?) odd taste/range of music.


Here I Go Again - Whitesnake
This ended up being my little brother's senior class song (he's 22 now) and I was extremely amused by the amount of "protest" that came from some of the parents... good lord.

The River - Garth Brooks
Following the senior HS class song theme, this one was mine. I'm not a big Garth fan, and not terribly into country, but this song has hit me since I first heard it 13 years ago.

With Imagination (I'll Get There) - Harry Connick, Jr.
I'm still not sure how I got into HCJ, but this is one of the first songs that did it. Just fantastic.

I've Got the World on a String - Frank Sinatra
One of the best songs I've ever heard at expressing that just pointless happy feeling that hits sometimes.

Living and Living Well - George Strait
One of the country artists that I really consider myself a fan of - also a sure sign I've been drinking too much southern tap water, I suppose.

Road to Nowhere - Ozzy Osbourne
A life retrospective of a sort, including "Through all the happiness and sorrow,
I guess I'd do it all again."

Yesterday Don't Mean Shit - Pantera
"Because tomorrow's the day you have to face." More of a brutal eye opener than "inspiring", but more just another method of inspiration.

Nothin' But a Good Time - Poison
The perfect song when the grind of work gets you down. Cheesy and campy, but great all the same.

There's more, but that's it for now.

[Sweets]

I will remember you-Sara McLaughlin

Everytime I hear it, I think of my Mom and smile.

http://www.ilike.com/artist/Sarah+Maclaughlin/track/I+Will+Remember+You