If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out
October 9, 2013 4:35 AM Subscribe
Looking for songs about doing whatever you want and feeling free. Help me get inspired!
I love the sense of freedom in songs about doing whatever you want and I'm looking for more -- songs about personal freedom, making your own choices, expressing yourself, going your own way.
Not looking for explicit breakup songs or road trip songs or "I don't need a man" songs (although if they are really good please share).
Here are some examples:
Cat Stevens: If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out
Eric Hutchinson: Rock and Roll (the song is actually not about this, but the chorus makes it sound like it)
Fred Small: Everything is Possible
Eden Brent: Ain't Got No Troubles
I love the sense of freedom in songs about doing whatever you want and I'm looking for more -- songs about personal freedom, making your own choices, expressing yourself, going your own way.
Not looking for explicit breakup songs or road trip songs or "I don't need a man" songs (although if they are really good please share).
Here are some examples:
Cat Stevens: If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out
Eric Hutchinson: Rock and Roll (the song is actually not about this, but the chorus makes it sound like it)
Fred Small: Everything is Possible
Eden Brent: Ain't Got No Troubles
Vienna Teng's Level Up from her new album. You can hear it on her site.
posted by halcyonday at 4:45 AM on October 9, 2013
posted by halcyonday at 4:45 AM on October 9, 2013
Most of these seem like obvious ones...
Daydream by Lovin' Spoonful
Go your own way by Fleetwood Mac
You Can't Stop Me by Lena
Express Yourself by Madonna
Don't Stop Me Now by Queen
Do Your Thing by Basement Jaxx
I Love Myself Today by Bif Naked
Born This Way by Lady Gaga
Raise Your Glass by Pink
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 4:53 AM on October 9, 2013
Daydream by Lovin' Spoonful
Go your own way by Fleetwood Mac
You Can't Stop Me by Lena
Express Yourself by Madonna
Don't Stop Me Now by Queen
Do Your Thing by Basement Jaxx
I Love Myself Today by Bif Naked
Born This Way by Lady Gaga
Raise Your Glass by Pink
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 4:53 AM on October 9, 2013
Every Day is yours to Win - REM
Sing Your Life - Morrissey
posted by crocomancer at 4:56 AM on October 9, 2013
Sing Your Life - Morrissey
posted by crocomancer at 4:56 AM on October 9, 2013
Supergrass - Alright
The Housemartins - Happy Hour
Herman's Hermits - I'm Into Something Good
and of course...
Ren & Stimpy - Happy Happy Joy Joy
posted by pipeski at 5:01 AM on October 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
The Housemartins - Happy Hour
Herman's Hermits - I'm Into Something Good
and of course...
Ren & Stimpy - Happy Happy Joy Joy
posted by pipeski at 5:01 AM on October 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
See yourself anew and free yourself: Mavis Staples, "I Like The Things About Me." Damn!
posted by MonkeyToes at 5:23 AM on October 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by MonkeyToes at 5:23 AM on October 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
It doesn't get more directly on point than Amy aka Spent Gladiator 1 by The Mountain Goats.
posted by valkyryn at 5:26 AM on October 9, 2013
posted by valkyryn at 5:26 AM on October 9, 2013
"Hooray for Me" by Bad Religion:
can you imagine, for a second, doing
Anything just 'cause you want to?
Well, that's just what I do so hooray for me
posted by jbickers at 5:26 AM on October 9, 2013
can you imagine, for a second, doing
Anything just 'cause you want to?
Well, that's just what I do so hooray for me
posted by jbickers at 5:26 AM on October 9, 2013
Don't be afraid of your freedom: Soup Dragons, "I'm Free."
posted by MonkeyToes at 5:31 AM on October 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by MonkeyToes at 5:31 AM on October 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
You Get What you Give - New Radicals
posted by any major dude at 5:41 AM on October 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by any major dude at 5:41 AM on October 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Brave by Sara Bareilles.
posted by purpleclover at 5:47 AM on October 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by purpleclover at 5:47 AM on October 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Human Being - Cat Power
I'm Alright - Kim Richey
Everything I Need - Melissa Ferrick
Wonder - Emeli Sande
Brand New Me - Alicia Keys
Make Your Own Kind of Music - Mama Cass
Ain't Got No, I Got Life - Nina Simone
Brave - Sara Bareilles
and my very favorite -- Attitude, Belief & Determination - Martin L. Dumas, Jr.
All available on Spotify...
posted by valeries at 5:51 AM on October 9, 2013
I'm Alright - Kim Richey
Everything I Need - Melissa Ferrick
Wonder - Emeli Sande
Brand New Me - Alicia Keys
Make Your Own Kind of Music - Mama Cass
Ain't Got No, I Got Life - Nina Simone
Brave - Sara Bareilles
and my very favorite -- Attitude, Belief & Determination - Martin L. Dumas, Jr.
All available on Spotify...
posted by valeries at 5:51 AM on October 9, 2013
Isn't there a song from Sesame Street called Sing? Sing, sing a song, sing out loud, sing out strong?
There's also one on Glee that Mike and Tina sing - not sure what it's called, but it's also about singing.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 5:55 AM on October 9, 2013
There's also one on Glee that Mike and Tina sing - not sure what it's called, but it's also about singing.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 5:55 AM on October 9, 2013
Isn't there a song from Sesame Street called Sing? Sing, sing a song, sing out loud, sing out strong?
Shirley Bassey's version: "Sing (Sing a Song...Sing Out Loud)"
posted by MonkeyToes at 5:57 AM on October 9, 2013
Shirley Bassey's version: "Sing (Sing a Song...Sing Out Loud)"
posted by MonkeyToes at 5:57 AM on October 9, 2013
Primal Scream - Loaded
Notable for the intro sample from The Wild Angels:
Just what is it that you want to do?
We wanna be free.
We wanna be free to do what we wanna do,
And we wanna get loaded,
And we wanna have a good time.
That's what we're gonna do.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Funky Crime
Why do you do? what you do?
I do what I want to do.
Who said you could do what you do?
I told you who told me to!
I do what I want to do, I do what I want to do!"
posted by cocoagirl at 5:59 AM on October 9, 2013
Notable for the intro sample from The Wild Angels:
Just what is it that you want to do?
We wanna be free.
We wanna be free to do what we wanna do,
And we wanna get loaded,
And we wanna have a good time.
That's what we're gonna do.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Funky Crime
Why do you do? what you do?
I do what I want to do.
Who said you could do what you do?
I told you who told me to!
I do what I want to do, I do what I want to do!"
posted by cocoagirl at 5:59 AM on October 9, 2013
Iron Maiden - Running Free
Metallica - Whiplash
Anthrax - I'm the Man
Public Enemy - Rebel without a Pause (lyrics)
posted by ignignokt at 5:59 AM on October 9, 2013
Metallica - Whiplash
Anthrax - I'm the Man
Public Enemy - Rebel without a Pause (lyrics)
posted by ignignokt at 5:59 AM on October 9, 2013
The lyrics are a little vague, but Luscious Life - Patrick Watson.
Also, Whatever It Is - Ben Lee.
posted by Naanwhal at 6:06 AM on October 9, 2013
Also, Whatever It Is - Ben Lee.
posted by Naanwhal at 6:06 AM on October 9, 2013
Belinda Carlisle - Live Your Life, Be Free
posted by NordyneDefenceDynamics at 6:06 AM on October 9, 2013
posted by NordyneDefenceDynamics at 6:06 AM on October 9, 2013
Sound of Music, "I Have Confidence"
posted by Ms Vegetable at 6:20 AM on October 9, 2013
posted by Ms Vegetable at 6:20 AM on October 9, 2013
It's Your Thing - The Isley Brothers
We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
posted by Nanukthedog at 6:23 AM on October 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
posted by Nanukthedog at 6:23 AM on October 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
This Little Light of Mine
posted by figgy_finicky at 6:31 AM on October 9, 2013
posted by figgy_finicky at 6:31 AM on October 9, 2013
Do Whatcha Wanna - Dirt Bike Annie (email me if you can't find a copy)
posted by mikepop at 6:47 AM on October 9, 2013
posted by mikepop at 6:47 AM on October 9, 2013
Do Your Thing by Isaac Hayes
Do Anything You Want To by Thin Lizzy
posted by alphanerd at 7:05 AM on October 9, 2013
Do Anything You Want To by Thin Lizzy
posted by alphanerd at 7:05 AM on October 9, 2013
John Barry's Born Free - Matt Monro version for maximum zestiness!
We're gonna change the world - also Matt Monro
Joni Mitchel's Free Man in Paris.
Cream: I Feel Free
Richard and Linda Thompson: I want to see the Bright Lights Tonight
The S
posted by rongorongo at 7:28 AM on October 9, 2013
We're gonna change the world - also Matt Monro
Joni Mitchel's Free Man in Paris.
Cream: I Feel Free
Richard and Linda Thompson: I want to see the Bright Lights Tonight
The S
posted by rongorongo at 7:28 AM on October 9, 2013
Harry Connick Jr. -- With Imagination (I'll Get There)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 7:45 AM on October 9, 2013
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 7:45 AM on October 9, 2013
Civ - Can't Wait One Minute More
Ke$ha - Die Young
Sam Bush - Howlin' At The Moon
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 7:48 AM on October 9, 2013
Ke$ha - Die Young
Sam Bush - Howlin' At The Moon
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 7:48 AM on October 9, 2013
"Let me do my thing." Hot 8 Brass Band version. (Rebirth Brass Band does a great version too, but I can only find a youtube of a 15-minute documentary about the band called "Let Me Do My Thang.")
"Let Me Clear My Throat" by DJ Kool.
posted by Presidente de China at 8:16 AM on October 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
"Let Me Clear My Throat" by DJ Kool.
posted by Presidente de China at 8:16 AM on October 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Robbie Schaefer, Fits Right In
Katy Perry, Firework
Jimi Hendrix, If 6 Was 9
posted by The corpse in the library at 9:00 AM on October 9, 2013
Katy Perry, Firework
Jimi Hendrix, If 6 Was 9
posted by The corpse in the library at 9:00 AM on October 9, 2013
"Go Where You Wanna Go" by The Mamas and The Papas or, better yet, by The 5th Dimension.
posted by Rash at 9:06 AM on October 9, 2013
posted by Rash at 9:06 AM on October 9, 2013
Kris Delmhorst, Little Wings
Now I don't want to be a jet airliner
I just want to be a little bird
I don't want to rip the skies wide open
I just want my song to be heard
And I don't want to be state of the art
I don't want to get there overnight
I just want to be part of all this beauty
Want to be part of all this flight on little wings
posted by drlith at 10:31 AM on October 9, 2013
Now I don't want to be a jet airliner
I just want to be a little bird
I don't want to rip the skies wide open
I just want my song to be heard
And I don't want to be state of the art
I don't want to get there overnight
I just want to be part of all this beauty
Want to be part of all this flight on little wings
posted by drlith at 10:31 AM on October 9, 2013
Amanda Palmer - Do You Swear To Tell The Truth, The Whole Truth, And Nothing But The Truth So Help Your Black Ass
posted by missrachael at 10:35 AM on October 9, 2013
posted by missrachael at 10:35 AM on October 9, 2013
Janelle Monae - Q.U.E.E.N.
They be like ooo, let them eat cake/but we eat wings and throw them bones on the ground.
posted by sparklemotion at 10:37 AM on October 9, 2013
They be like ooo, let them eat cake/but we eat wings and throw them bones on the ground.
posted by sparklemotion at 10:37 AM on October 9, 2013
Shining Light - Annie Lennox
Magic - Olivia Newton-John
posted by valeries at 12:16 PM on October 9, 2013
Magic - Olivia Newton-John
posted by valeries at 12:16 PM on October 9, 2013
Weezer "Pork and Beans"
I'ma do the things that I wanna do
I ain't got a thing to prove to you
I eat my candy with the pork and beans
Excuse my manners if I make a scene
I ain't gonna wear the clothes that you like
I'm fine and dandy with the me inside
One look in the mirror and I'm tickled pink
I don't give a hoot about what you think
posted by billiebee at 1:58 PM on October 9, 2013
I'ma do the things that I wanna do
I ain't got a thing to prove to you
I eat my candy with the pork and beans
Excuse my manners if I make a scene
I ain't gonna wear the clothes that you like
I'm fine and dandy with the me inside
One look in the mirror and I'm tickled pink
I don't give a hoot about what you think
posted by billiebee at 1:58 PM on October 9, 2013
Toyah Wilcox I Want To Be Free.
Girls Just Want To Have Fun, surely? Sigh. It all seemed so new at the time. These days it's the parents who have my sympathy.
And, even though it's more about not being free, anything for Freddie.
posted by glasseyes at 3:00 PM on October 9, 2013
Girls Just Want To Have Fun, surely? Sigh. It all seemed so new at the time. These days it's the parents who have my sympathy.
And, even though it's more about not being free, anything for Freddie.
posted by glasseyes at 3:00 PM on October 9, 2013
I am the World's Greatest - R. Kelly (complete with R. Kelly insanity)
I am the greatest - Kenny Rogers
As Cool as I am - Dar Williams
Yes We Can - Harry Connick Jr. (Tempo is up on the YouTube version)
posted by Nanukthedog at 7:17 PM on October 9, 2013
I am the greatest - Kenny Rogers
As Cool as I am - Dar Williams
Yes We Can - Harry Connick Jr. (Tempo is up on the YouTube version)
posted by Nanukthedog at 7:17 PM on October 9, 2013
Roar by Katy Perry
posted by dinosaurprincess at 10:17 AM on October 10, 2013
posted by dinosaurprincess at 10:17 AM on October 10, 2013
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posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:41 AM on October 9, 2013 [1 favorite]