Music to Live For

August 7, 2010 5:22 PM

Mixtape filter: I have a friend and her brother is in the hospital with a gunshot wound to the gut. He's trying hard not to survive although he's very young. My friend wants to make a mixtape for him...

One that's both rocking and inspiring. What should she include? Short audiobooks or programs are welcome along with music. Suggestions?

posted by madred to Media & Arts (17 answers total)

I'm so sorry for your friend's brother, but your question is way too broad to evoke any useful answers. Maybe you could help narrow things down: How old is the brother? What kind/genre of music does he like? As for the audiobooks part, what kind of subject matter is he interested in?
posted by amyms at 5:35 PM on August 7, 2010

He's trying hard not to survive

Is this a typo? Or are you saying he wants to die?
posted by anazgnos at 5:43 PM on August 7, 2010 [1 favorite]

Don't Lose Yourself, Laura Veirs, Saltbreakers.

Loose Lips, Kimya Dawson, Remember That I Love You.

I Like Giants, Kimya Dawson, Remember That I Love You.
posted by Year of meteors at 5:45 PM on August 7, 2010

Also, Symphony of Science - 'We Are All Connected'.
posted by Year of meteors at 5:47 PM on August 7, 2010 [1 favorite]

Sorry, missed the "suicidal" tag. The post read to me like you were describing a non-self-inflicted injury.
posted by anazgnos at 5:48 PM on August 7, 2010

Response by poster: It was a non-self-inflicted injury but it may have been a self destructive desire that got him into the situation. Sorry for the ambiguity.
posted by madred at 5:50 PM on August 7, 2010

Response by poster: Oh, and amyms, he's in his mid twenties I think. The musical genre isn't all that important in this case. It's the gesture that important.
posted by madred at 5:53 PM on August 7, 2010

David Sedaris audiobooks might be good, especially 'Me Talk Pretty One Day.'
posted by analog at 6:03 PM on August 7, 2010

Argent's Hold Your Head Up is good for a "hey I know you're in a bad place right now, but you need to live because you're worth it" vibe.
posted by amyms at 6:07 PM on August 7, 2010

Best answer: One that's both rocking and inspiring.

OK, I have no idea if these will be useful, since, as others have said, the whole thing is a bit vague. But here's a mini-playlist that sprang to mind based on your "rocking and inspiring" description:

Queen - Friends Will Be Friends

Paul McCartney - Maybe I'm Amazed

Regina Spektor - Better

Van Halen - Right Now

Collective Soul - Shine

U2 - Where the Streets Have No Name

The Flaming Lips - Do You Realize??

Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge over Troubled Water

Of Montreal - The Repudiated Immortals

Best of luck to your friend and her brother.
posted by Jaltcoh at 6:44 PM on August 7, 2010 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Songs that lift me up (don't laugh)

"There Goes The Fear" by the Doves
"Hold Me Now" by the Polyphonic Spree
"What I got" by Sublime
"Get by" by Talib Kwali
"La la love you" by The Pixies
"Save you" by Pearl Jam
"Tropicalia" by Beck
"Postcards from Italy" by Beirut

and remember Dirpy

but I think your friend should put some messages from herself in that mix tape. I hope her brother makes it and gets better.
posted by TheyCallItPeace at 7:00 PM on August 7, 2010

The first two songs on the RVIVR LP are fantastic. I know, you've never heard of them. Their LP is free for download/listening on their website. It's fantastic, really.
posted by wayland at 11:57 PM on August 7, 2010 [1 favorite]

Best answer: The Weakerthans Plea From A Cat Named Virtue. A wonderful, hopeful song.

(the followup from their next album "Virtue The Cat Explains Her Departure" makes everyone I know who knows the song cry. Be sure you get the first one.)

I hope everything works out.
posted by bibliogrrl at 12:45 AM on August 8, 2010

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros.
posted by robotot at 2:40 AM on August 8, 2010

Tupac - Changes? Not being a smartarse I actually think it's a pretty inspiring song, was a bit of an anthem for me coming back from some pretty tough shit - see what you think?
posted by Chrysalis at 5:42 AM on August 8, 2010

Also, Nina Simone's "Feeling Good" kicks ass.
posted by TheyCallItPeace at 1:14 PM on August 8, 2010

Possibly a case of really trying to make the lyrics fit something, but this song became my mantra after a bad accident:

How Far We've Come - Matchbox 20

Good luck with your friend.
posted by randomkeystrike at 8:26 PM on August 14, 2010