All's you need's a hug

May 12, 2011 5:08 PM

[PlaylistFilter] Theme: "It's gonna be okay."

Inspiration:
"Never Quite Free" by The Mountain Goats.
"Come On Up To the House" by Tom Waits.

Basically, songs you'd play for someone (or yourself) when they really need to hear that things are gonna be alright. No specific hardship to be overcome need be in view, so while post-breakup songs are potentials, they are by no means required. Daniel Powter goes in the "obvious" column, but pop is not off limits by any means. Open to basically any genre. Major keys are preferred.

Come through for me here, MeFites! Thanks!

posted by valkyryn to media & arts (112 answers total)

I always trot this out, but Morcheeba's Rome Wasn't Built in a Day.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 5:11 PM on May 12, 2011

"I'm Alive" by Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews
posted by Sal and Richard at 5:12 PM on May 12, 2011

The Middle by Jimmy Eat World
posted by lettuchi at 5:12 PM on May 12, 2011 [5 favorites]

Ze's Chill Out song.
posted by tomswift at 5:13 PM on May 12, 2011 [7 favorites]

Rancid - I Ain't Worried
Odd first one to mind, but I know there are a ton more.
posted by Seamus at 5:15 PM on May 12, 2011

Three Little Birds
posted by contessa at 5:16 PM on May 12, 2011 [4 favorites]

McFly - I'll Be Ok
posted by elsietheeel at 5:18 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

All Shall Be Well Again as sung by Gordon, Muir and Bok (title song on the Cd of the same name, scroll down).

"This Too Shall Pass" by OK Go.
posted by not that girl at 5:20 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

Float On (Modest Mouse)
posted by anotherthink at 5:24 PM on May 12, 2011 [5 favorites]

"Nothing Wrong With You" by the Finn Brothers.
posted by darksong at 5:25 PM on May 12, 2011 [2 favorites]

"No Woman, No Cry" by Bob Marley and the Wailers
posted by 4ster at 5:26 PM on May 12, 2011

'On the Sunny Side of the Street.'
posted by box at 5:29 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

Kinda obvious, maybe, but Ooh Child
posted by craichead at 5:29 PM on May 12, 2011 [6 favorites]

The Mountain Goats - This Year
Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
posted by scarykarrey at 5:30 PM on May 12, 2011 [4 favorites]

It's Going to be Alright by Sara Groves. (Lyrics)
posted by BurntHombre at 5:33 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

Hang in there! The Craig Ferguson theme song is best with the video, but surprisingly good without.
posted by yaymukund at 5:36 PM on May 12, 2011

It's a Great Day to be Alive by Travis Tritt
posted by jedicus at 5:43 PM on May 12, 2011

How about It's Not Up to You, or Les and Ray?
posted by simulacra at 5:44 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

Jem "it's amazing"
Uplifting and catchy :)
posted by foxhat10 at 5:45 PM on May 12, 2011

Social Distortion - Angel's Wings
posted by wondermouse at 5:46 PM on May 12, 2011

Float On - Modest Mouse.
Dashboard - Modest Mouse.
My Way - Frank Sinatra.
Bob Marley (any and all songs)
Just A Girl - No Doubt.
Jesus, Etc. - Wilco
posted by J. Wilson at 5:46 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

Journey - Don't Stop Believing

As cheeseball as it is, singing along with this at full volume never ceases to lift my mood.
posted by Zoyashka at 5:46 PM on May 12, 2011 [3 favorites]

Here Comes the Sun
posted by Knappster at 5:47 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

How's about, "If there's somethin inside that you wanna say, say it out loud it'll be ok, it'll be alright it'll be allright"

Beta Band- Dry the Rain
posted by xarnop at 5:49 PM on May 12, 2011 [2 favorites]

The Kinks: Better Things
posted by mattdidthat at 5:50 PM on May 12, 2011 [2 favorites]

Hey Jude.
posted by DarlingBri at 5:53 PM on May 12, 2011

I kind of like "Cycles". I think Sinatra sings it.
posted by ambulatorybird at 5:53 PM on May 12, 2011

And, of course, Alice Smith's Woodstock. To add, Yoko Ono with Cat Power's Revelations. Y Sólo le pido a Dios.
posted by simulacra at 5:55 PM on May 12, 2011

I also like Sparklehorse's "Mountains", specifically the chorus. But since Mark Linkous' story is pretty tragic, well ...
posted by darksong at 5:56 PM on May 12, 2011

Think About Your Troubles by Harry Nilsson is also a classic.
Move On Up by Curtis Mayfield!
posted by yaymukund at 5:58 PM on May 12, 2011

Do you Realize?
posted by dizziest at 5:59 PM on May 12, 2011 [3 favorites]

Badlands by Bruce Springsteen

Both Sides Now by Judy Collins

Beautiful Day by U2
posted by jgirl at 5:59 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back) by the Eurythmics.
posted by Dragonness at 6:06 PM on May 12, 2011

Ooh Child was mentioned up thread, but I find Beth Orton's version calmer and more restorative.

Other songs on my playlist:

Rare Earth - I Just Want to Celebrate
Duran Duran - Reach Up for the Sunrise
Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive
Avalon - Testify To Love

Yes, last one is not secular, but I love it. Ignore it if you wish.
posted by forthright at 6:07 PM on May 12, 2011

I was in need of a pick me up and made a playlist like this for myself. I'm a lyrics girl, so there are lines in all of these songs make me feel better, no matter how bad things are. Swim and It's Alright are the best of set. I've linked the obscure ones for you.

Hand in My Pocket-Alanis Morisette
Swim- Jack's Mannequin
Let It Be- The Beatles
It's Alright- Seal
Make You Feel My Love- Adele
La Vie en Rose- Madeleine Peyroux
Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes- Paul Simon
Shining- Badly Drawn Boy
Hot Snow- LeeDM101
Under My Thumb- The Rolling Stones
Feeling Good- Michael Buble
With a Little Help from My Friends- The Beatles
posted by chatongriffes at 6:15 PM on May 12, 2011 [3 favorites]

Sinead O'Connor's Daddy, I'm fine

We're Okay! from the Rent Soundtrack

Touch of Grey by The Grateful Dead

Midnight Oil's Forgotten Years

And if the person in need of comfort is a nerd, you really can't go wrong with the Firefly theme.

I also strongly second This Year by The Mountain Goats and Journey's Don't Stop Believing.

Finally, though it's more an "I'm your friend no matter what," song than an "Everything will be fine" song, I find The Saw Doctors' Never Mind the Strangers very sweet and comforting.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 6:16 PM on May 12, 2011

The Rapture's "Get Myself Into It" was on my tenure year playlist.

Speaking of my tenure list, if there's an element of irrational rage in your need to feel better, "Porcupine" by Mary's Danish is great (but this could be the opposite of what you're looking for, as it's "a little song about hating everyone you know").

If you're ok with pop-rock musical theatre genderfuck sentimentality, "Wig in a Box" from Hedwig and the Angry Inch is another great one in the "pull yourself together" category.

If you can handle more mainstream musical theatre pop-rock, "I'll Cover You" (live Bway video recording) from Rent is pretty sweet, but definitely not post-breakup--more something to play for someone else to say you're there for them.

Finally, for really wallowing in it, you can't beat Le Tigre's "Much Finer": "I've got this thing that's been going around / called please pretend that I'm out of town"
posted by Mngo at 6:18 PM on May 12, 2011

"All Will Be Well" - The Gabe Dixon Band (love this song - fits your request the best)
"Hold On" - Good Charlotte
Jeff Buckley - "Hallelujah"

Unsolicited Bible verses following the same theme (I'm just getting into this stuff, and find it so uplifting)-
Jeremiah 29:11
Matthew 28:20
Philippians 4:13
posted by sunnychef88 at 6:24 PM on May 12, 2011

Actually, take out "Hallelujah" (I'd confused that with a different song) and replace it with "Swim" by Jack's Mannequin. Another post reminded of me of how great that song is. :)
posted by sunnychef88 at 6:26 PM on May 12, 2011

A couple more from my "law school is the worst thing ever, but it's only three miserable years" mix:

Prince Buster A Change is Gonna Come (or any version of this song)
Mint Royale Don't Falter (with Lauren Laverne from Kenickie, who still has a chance to marry me, if she's quick)
Morcheeba Fear and Love
Boo Radleys Put Your Arms Around Me And Tell Me Everything's Going to Be Alright (can't seem to find this online)
Catatonia Stone by Stone
posted by Admiral Haddock at 6:28 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out
posted by keep it under cover at 6:31 PM on May 12, 2011

Everything will be Alright - The Killers
posted by katypickle at 6:40 PM on May 12, 2011

Well that didn't take very long.

This is awesome. Keep 'em coming! I'm making a playlist out of these--and songs they inspire--which I'll post in the next day or two.
posted by valkyryn at 6:43 PM on May 12, 2011

Aquabats - Lobster Bucket (So jaunty! And the first line of the chorus is "Friends help each other/any way they can!)

I love Jason Webley for this mood: There's Not a Step We Can Take That Does Not Bring Us Closer Together, Dance While the Sky Crashes Down, Against the Night, Icarus.
posted by mollymayhem at 6:55 PM on May 12, 2011

"Two More Bottles of Wine" written by Delbert McClinton, but I'm partial to Emmylou Harris's version

"Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1" by the Flaming Lips - she won't let those robots eat you!

"Hip Hop Just Saved My Life" by Lupe Fiasco

It's kind of hard not to smile after listening to "Animal Shapes" by Silver Jews.
posted by bbq_ribs at 7:13 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

"Odditty," by the Clean. They yell "It's OK, it's all right, it's OK, it's all right, it's OK, it's all right, oh yeah" and you believe it.
posted by escabeche at 7:16 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

Patience (Mark Sandman)
posted by anotherthink at 7:20 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

Israel Kamakawiwo Ole' - Over the rainbow
posted by Neekee at 7:22 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

Alright by Jesse Dee. Trust me on this one.
posted by allen.spaulding at 7:31 PM on May 12, 2011

I can't believe this hasn't been posted yet: Don't give up - Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush
posted by bonehead at 7:32 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

Waiting for my real life to begin - Colin Hay
Better Days - Goo Goo Dolls
Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
posted by jazzman at 7:34 PM on May 12, 2011

Josh Groban - You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)
posted by sunnychef88 at 7:47 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

Fiona Apple - Waltz
posted by wondermouse at 7:48 PM on May 12, 2011 [2 favorites]

I always find the Mountain Goats' Up the Wolves to be comforting in this way, and Counting Crows' A Murder of One.

Also Whitest Boy Alive's Don't Give Up.
posted by mlle valentine at 7:49 PM on May 12, 2011

The Burning Hell, Everything Will Probably Be Ok
posted by LobsterMitten at 7:49 PM on May 12, 2011

The Zombies: both This Will Be Our Year and Walking in the Sun
Modest Mouse: Float On
Johnny Mercer: Accentuate the Positive
ELO: Hold on Tight
The Earlies: Wayward Song
posted by Francolin at 7:51 PM on May 12, 2011

Jeer if you must. Michael Bolton, "Back On My Feet Again"
posted by Trurl at 8:06 PM on May 12, 2011

Do you realize - the flaming lips
its a wonderful world - the flaming lips
posted by lrobertjones at 8:16 PM on May 12, 2011

"All Right" by Christopher Cross
posted by cp311 at 8:32 PM on May 12, 2011

I love Mates of State's "Get Better" -- there's one line that goes, "everything's gonna get lighter, even if it never gets better" that I love so much because it's not a fake platitude.
posted by so_gracefully at 8:33 PM on May 12, 2011

jeffrey lewis - heavy heart can't get any simpler or sweeter than this
also, the shirelles - mama said.
posted by ilk at 8:52 PM on May 12, 2011

It's Alright by Dar Williams
Cold Beer and Remote Control by Indigo Girls
Mr. Blue Sky by ELO
You Gotta Be by Des'ree
I've Got a Name by Jim Croce

Some of these are more appropriate than others, but they usually work for me during times where I'm feeling down.
posted by lucy.jakobs at 9:03 PM on May 12, 2011 [2 favorites]

Heck yeah, Jim Croce "I Got a Name", lucy.jacobs!

Also: Cat Stevens "Don't Be Shy" (although to be fair, when I'm in deep spiritual doldrums, I watch Harold & Maude).
Nina Simone "I Ain't Got No/I Got Life"
Morrissey "Do Your Best and Don't Worry"
The Avett Brothers "Please Pardon Yourself"
posted by smirkette at 9:17 PM on May 12, 2011

I Can See Clearly Now.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:34 PM on May 12, 2011

Heard one more song on the radio on the way home and thought of you:

Dog Days Are Over- Florence and the Machine
posted by chatongriffes at 9:42 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

I'm Still Standing - Elton John
I'm Gonna Be Alright - Jennifer Lopez
posted by SisterHavana at 9:42 PM on May 12, 2011

Also Good Day by Nappy Roots
posted by lucy.jakobs at 9:50 PM on May 12, 2011

hey ya. seriously.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 10:05 PM on May 12, 2011

Ivy At the Edge of the Ocean
posted by a humble nudibranch at 10:06 PM on May 12, 2011

Revolution Rock – The Clash
Revolution – The Beatles
posted by kimota at 10:08 PM on May 12, 2011

"It's a Beautiful Day," by Queen.
"Just Keep Passing the Open Windows," also by Queen.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 10:09 PM on May 12, 2011

Oh, yeah, definitely seconding The Zombies' "This Will Be Our Year," which should be one of the most popular wedding songs ever, but is pretty darn obscure.
posted by kimota at 10:10 PM on May 12, 2011

New Radicals You Get What You Give
posted by vespabelle at 10:11 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

Jason Webley: "Music that Puts Everything Together"
posted by Neofelis at 10:21 PM on May 12, 2011

goofy and great
Die Ärzte - Hurra (Hip Hip Hurra)
Liam Lynch - Baby Arlo's theme song (L is for Ellen Degeneres!)

angry and great
Steve Earle - I feel alright

sk8er boi but great
Lupe Fiasco - Kick Push

STEVIE WONDER, GREATEST EVER GUEST ON SESAME STREET
Superstition (seriously, watch those kids and tell me you don't feel better afterwards)

Also, nthing "This Year", and realizing that most of my favorite songs are either sad or angry or both.
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 10:56 PM on May 12, 2011

Brand New Start and Wild Wood, Paul Weller
The Ballad of El Goodo, Big Star
Tonight We Fly, The Divine Comedy
One Small Day, Ultravox
The Sun and the Rain, Madness
Hope, Bauhaus (yes, really: a hopeful Bauhaus song!)
Waterfall, The Stone Roses
Distant Sun, Crowded House
Beethoven's Ode to Joy as reimagined by Billy Bragg
posted by scody at 11:00 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

Foo Fighters - These Days
posted by XhaustedProphet at 11:10 PM on May 12, 2011

Everybody is a Star - Sly & The Family Stone
Put Your Records On - Corinne Bailey Rae
posted by Dixon Ticonderoga at 11:13 PM on May 12, 2011

Chris Thile - It'll Happen
Ben Taylor - You're Not Alone
Eels - Things the Grandchildren Should Know
Jakob Dylan - Nothing but the Whole Wide World
Josh Ritter - Still Beating
Punch Brothers - This is the Song
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings - Better Things to Do
Wilco - Either Way
posted by SarahElizaP at 11:52 PM on May 12, 2011

Chin Up, Cheer Up by Ryan Adams
Feels Like Home by Newton Faulkner
Ocean Drive by The Lighthouse Family
Don't Give Up by Chicane (ft Bryan Adams)
posted by *becca* at 12:28 AM on May 13, 2011

I needed a good "keep going" song the other day, and Janelle Monae's Tightrope did it for me.
posted by Concordia at 1:38 AM on May 13, 2011

"I'll Be OK" by Sondre Lerche
posted by sleepy boy at 2:42 AM on May 13, 2011

Neil Young - Walk On
posted by anagrama at 3:47 AM on May 13, 2011

My favourite song with this theme is Unfold by Jason Mraz. He also does another great one called Details in the Fabric. Also, previously.
posted by yawper at 5:10 AM on May 13, 2011

"Keep Hanging On" by Husker Du
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 5:25 AM on May 13, 2011

Little Dawn - Ted Leo & the Pharmacists
posted by nicepersonality at 6:50 AM on May 13, 2011 [1 favorite]

The Rasmus - in the shadows
posted by fizzix at 6:52 AM on May 13, 2011

Stan Rogers - Mary Ellen Carter
posted by a person of few words at 6:59 AM on May 13, 2011 [1 favorite]

erk. on looking at some of the other suggestions, maybe some fine old cheese.

Styx - I'm OK
posted by a person of few words at 7:04 AM on May 13, 2011

Stevie Wonder - Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing
posted by a person of few words at 7:07 AM on May 13, 2011

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Alright For Now
posted by castlebravo at 7:30 AM on May 13, 2011

Also relevant: Chumbawumba's Tubthumping.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 7:44 AM on May 13, 2011 [1 favorite]

I will always associate this song with a drag show, so take it for what it's worth, but the lyrics fit with your theme of getting over a breakup:

Lara Fabian - I Will Love Again
posted by desjardins at 7:52 AM on May 13, 2011

Guster's Hang On. (lyrics)

Mi gusta Guster!
posted by rinosaur at 8:40 AM on May 13, 2011

Ze Frank - chillout
posted by puddleglum at 9:46 AM on May 13, 2011

I'll second Jem. Also, extremely upbeat, although not quite there in sentiment, Ingrid Michaelson - Be OK. I'll hum that compulsively under my breath when trying to get through something.
posted by mimo at 9:57 AM on May 13, 2011

Better Things by Dar Williams.
posted by fignewton at 10:06 AM on May 13, 2011 [1 favorite]

I had to throw in a couple:
C'mon Sea Legs - Immaculate Machine
That's How Things Get Done - Howe Gelb
Space Walk, by Lemon Jelly, never fails to make me feel better, somehow.
posted by sparkatito at 12:25 PM on May 13, 2011

The Eric Clapton cover of Don't Think Twice It's Alright is absolutely perfect for this kind of thing. Sorry about the crappy site, it's not on YouTube.
posted by kate blank at 12:32 PM on May 13, 2011

Eyes on the Prize by the Emmaus Group Singers (the song at the end of Green Card)

keep your eyes on the prize
don't be dismayed
don't be dismayed
deep in your heart
you must believe
everything is gonna be all right
everything is gonna be all right someday
posted by mefireader at 12:42 PM on May 13, 2011

Aretha just KILLING IT in her version of A Change Is Gonna Come
posted by AceRock at 1:20 PM on May 13, 2011

Oh!

Off the soundtrack to the show "Passing Strange" -- the song "Keys/Amsterdam". It's kind of a double-headed song -- one song leading into another; the first part describes the main character's reaction when he first lands in Amsterdam, where he's moved to sort of embark on his Great Life's Journey, and he's just walked into a coffeeshop and introduced himself and asked if anyone knows a place he can stay; and a young woman working there hands him her housekeys and says "you can stay with me." So the first part is pretty much about her insisting that no, really, she did mean it, and his shock and gratitude that someone could even be that generous.

But then the second part is when the character segues from "wow this stranger lent me her house keys just to give me a place to say" to a more general "wow, I really am going to be okay here", and the whole rest of the cast joins in with this absolute explosion of hope, and a call-and-response in the lyrics with the cast singing the words "Yeah, it's alright" over and over. Here's the whole sequence from the film Spike Lee made of the play.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:35 PM on May 13, 2011

"Everything in its Right Place" - Radiohead
posted by Windigo at 2:08 PM on May 13, 2011

Still Fighting It — Ben Folds
Mr. Blue Sky — ELO
If I Ever Leave This World Alive — Flogging Molly
Ring The Bells — James
I Wish I Was The Moon — Neko Case
Halcyon (Beautiful Days) — MONO
She — Over The Rhine
Won't Get to Heaven (The State I'm In) — Spiritualized

These are some of the songs that do it for me, along with a lot of what's in the list above. Good luck to your friend.
posted by gauche at 2:29 PM on May 14, 2011

Another of my favorites for this: Big Rude Jake's "Walk Tall".
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 10:47 PM on May 14, 2011

Lastly One of my very favorite pick-myself-up-and-get-moving songs is Mike Doughty's Grey Ghost. It works Prozac for me, though I'm not really sure why.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 11:01 PM on May 14, 2011

Ooh, great thread.

Doing the Unstuck - The Cure (yes, an uplifting cure song!)

Adventures in Solitude by The New Pornographers ("we thought we lost you, welcome back")

Baby, We'll Be Fine by The National

Bring On The Dancing Horses by Echo and the Bunnymen

And nthing This Year by The Mountain Goats
posted by jacquilinala at 6:22 PM on May 16, 2011

The Kinks - Waterloo Sunset (I'm partial though to Elliott Smith's live cover, which is hard to find a clean recording of on YT)
posted by ifjuly at 9:39 AM on May 17, 2011

Ohohohoh! And Le Tigre's "T.G.I.F." for the end (I think it looks alright/we got friends in sight/yeah tomorrow we fight/so let's have fun tonight), and because it's specifically supposed to a rah-rah supporting anthem for when your soul-sucking job that keeps you from your passions gets you down.
posted by ifjuly at 9:47 AM on May 17, 2011

Drive by The Gaslight Anthem

Stay Positive by The Hold Steady

Reasons Not To Be An Idiot by Frank Turner

nthing all the Kinks and Mountain Goats recs
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 8:51 PM on May 17, 2011

"little star" by Robyn ("little star, I got you, you'll be ok" and kind of paraphrases Carl Sagan a bit)
"You should be doubly gratifid" by Mike Doughty
posted by sarahnade at 12:37 PM on May 18, 2011

One Day Like This- Elbow
Jump- Van Halen
Hoppipolla- Sigur Ros
So Alive- Ryan Adams
Here Comes The Sun- The Beatles
I Won't Back Down- Tom Petty
posted by Rufus T. Firefly at 10:12 AM on May 19, 2011