How to rock her world
June 16, 2010 11:22 PM Subscribe
A good friend of mine is going through a rough patch and I want to make her a cd of encouraging music. I'm starting with Don't Stop Me Now by Queen, one of her favorite bands, but I don't know where to go from there. She likes all kinds of music, particularly ska, and she's a fabulous singer and always appreciates a talented vocalist (plus a song with positive "I rock"-type lyrics to sing along to would be perfect). Suggestions?
My newest Not Dead Yet fave:
Loudon Wainwright III – Middle of the Night
posted by wemayfreeze at 11:38 PM on June 16, 2010
Loudon Wainwright III – Middle of the Night
posted by wemayfreeze at 11:38 PM on June 16, 2010
"All Fired Up," Pat Benatar
"Set Your Goals," Civ
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 11:46 PM on June 16, 2010
"Set Your Goals," Civ
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 11:46 PM on June 16, 2010
"Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing," Stevie Wonder (from *Innervisions*).
posted by chicainthecity at 11:53 PM on June 16, 2010
posted by chicainthecity at 11:53 PM on June 16, 2010
Best answer: "I Won't Back Down," Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 12:21 AM on June 17, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 12:21 AM on June 17, 2010 [1 favorite]
Move On Up, Curtis Mayfield (I'm having trouble getting it to load, but hopefully it will work for you -- it's pretty much the greatest "you can do it!" song ever)
Absolute Beginners, The Jam
Life is Grand, Camper Van Beethoven
Distant Sun, Crowded House
The Sun and the Rain, Madness
Brand New Start, Paul Weller
posted by scody at 12:24 AM on June 17, 2010 [2 favorites]
Absolute Beginners, The Jam
Life is Grand, Camper Van Beethoven
Distant Sun, Crowded House
The Sun and the Rain, Madness
Brand New Start, Paul Weller
posted by scody at 12:24 AM on June 17, 2010 [2 favorites]
Great happy songs that I know of:
"Dancing Queen," Abba
"In The Basement," Sugar Pie DeSanto and Etta James
"Classics of Love," Common Rider
posted by koeselitz at 12:26 AM on June 17, 2010
"Dancing Queen," Abba
"In The Basement," Sugar Pie DeSanto and Etta James
"Classics of Love," Common Rider
posted by koeselitz at 12:26 AM on June 17, 2010
Ride! by Pretty & Twisted - the singer is Jonette Napolitano, from concrete blonde, and she is the best
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 12:38 AM on June 17, 2010
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 12:38 AM on June 17, 2010
instant karma, by john lennon
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 12:54 AM on June 17, 2010
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 12:54 AM on June 17, 2010
Best answer: One Girl Revolution by Superchick.
posted by Year of meteors at 1:57 AM on June 17, 2010
posted by Year of meteors at 1:57 AM on June 17, 2010
Best answer: Man, I am such a huge fan of Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. This might be a good time to slip in the magic of "Go your own way" - the whole album has a sort of "everything is such a terrible disaster but goddamit i fucking rule and am gonna work this out" feel. If you do include it, it *must* be the version from the Rumours recording -- a lot of later Fleetwood Mac recordings of it sound pretty tired in comparison. Rumours, however, is gold. (aha, actually, youtube has a pretty good contemporary live version). You could also do "Don't stop (thinking about tomorrow)" - it's maybe a bit hamfisted for the occassion, but is still a sweet song.
posted by molecicco at 2:03 AM on June 17, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by molecicco at 2:03 AM on June 17, 2010 [2 favorites]
Sorry, these are very poppy. I have terrible taste in music.
Shining - Kristian Leontiou
I Can Be - Taio Cruz
And if you think she would appreciate it, Stronger - Britney Spears (don't judge)
posted by Ziggy500 at 2:49 AM on June 17, 2010
Shining - Kristian Leontiou
I Can Be - Taio Cruz
And if you think she would appreciate it, Stronger - Britney Spears (don't judge)
posted by Ziggy500 at 2:49 AM on June 17, 2010
My favorite up&happy&poppy song works all the time: The World Party - Put the message in the box
posted by ouke at 2:55 AM on June 17, 2010
posted by ouke at 2:55 AM on June 17, 2010
I always Wake the White Queen, from Mirrormask uplifting, encouraging, energising:
You can find the key and dream the darkness away
And if you search within yourself, to wake the White Queen,
The key is hidden deep inside the world you're making
And if you find it in yourself, you'll wake the White Queen
Also, I can't find a good version on youtube (because its part of a musical, the versions there have length spoken work preamble), but
Into the Fire, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Scarlet Pimpernel Encore! is a great encouraging song.
...Never hold back your step for a moment
Never doubt that your courage will grow
Hold your head ever higher and into the fire we go...
...Never hold back your step for a moment
Look alive! Oh, your courage will grow
Yes, it's higher and higher and into the fire we go
Into fire! Onward, ho!
posted by Year of meteors at 3:14 AM on June 17, 2010
You can find the key and dream the darkness away
And if you search within yourself, to wake the White Queen,
The key is hidden deep inside the world you're making
And if you find it in yourself, you'll wake the White Queen
Also, I can't find a good version on youtube (because its part of a musical, the versions there have length spoken work preamble), but
Into the Fire, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Scarlet Pimpernel Encore! is a great encouraging song.
...Never hold back your step for a moment
Never doubt that your courage will grow
Hold your head ever higher and into the fire we go...
...Never hold back your step for a moment
Look alive! Oh, your courage will grow
Yes, it's higher and higher and into the fire we go
Into fire! Onward, ho!
posted by Year of meteors at 3:14 AM on June 17, 2010
You Can Get it if You Really Want - Jimmy Cliff
Enjoy Yourself - Prince Buster
Life - Sly & the Family Stone
posted by misteraitch at 3:16 AM on June 17, 2010 [2 favorites]
Enjoy Yourself - Prince Buster
Life - Sly & the Family Stone
posted by misteraitch at 3:16 AM on June 17, 2010 [2 favorites]
I freaking love that song ouke!
Black Masses Wonderful Person is another go-to awesome song for me. The lyrics are fabulous and I love House-y female vocals. [this one also gets me to do housework.]
posted by honey-barbara at 3:21 AM on June 17, 2010 [1 favorite]
Black Masses Wonderful Person is another go-to awesome song for me. The lyrics are fabulous and I love House-y female vocals. [this one also gets me to do housework.]
posted by honey-barbara at 3:21 AM on June 17, 2010 [1 favorite]
Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves is, technically, a love song but it's so positive and happy that it puts a smile on my face every time I hear it. And it's very singable.
posted by woot at 3:27 AM on June 17, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by woot at 3:27 AM on June 17, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'm Still Standing - Elton John
I'm Coming Out - Diana Ross
Got To Be Real - Cheryl Lynn
posted by ladybird at 4:41 AM on June 17, 2010
I'm Coming Out - Diana Ross
Got To Be Real - Cheryl Lynn
posted by ladybird at 4:41 AM on June 17, 2010
Best answer: it's hard to get much more upbeat and awesome than The Aquabats - Look At Me (I'm A Winner!)
posted by namewithoutwords at 4:43 AM on June 17, 2010
posted by namewithoutwords at 4:43 AM on June 17, 2010
Carly Simon's "Let the River Run"
Elbow, "One Day Like This"
Bebel Gilberto, "Chica Chica Boom Chic"
Billy Bragg and Wilco, "Airline to Heaven"
General Public, "I'll Take You There"
Jimmy Cliff, "I Can See Clearly Now"
Nancy Griffith, "Ford Econoline"
posted by MonkeyToes at 4:53 AM on June 17, 2010
Elbow, "One Day Like This"
Bebel Gilberto, "Chica Chica Boom Chic"
Billy Bragg and Wilco, "Airline to Heaven"
General Public, "I'll Take You There"
Jimmy Cliff, "I Can See Clearly Now"
Nancy Griffith, "Ford Econoline"
posted by MonkeyToes at 4:53 AM on June 17, 2010
Sinatra - That's Life
The classic. Suitable for all of life's rough patches.
posted by three blind mice at 5:05 AM on June 17, 2010
The classic. Suitable for all of life's rough patches.
posted by three blind mice at 5:05 AM on June 17, 2010
Best answer: It's a little cheesy, but I've always loved Everything I Want to Be by Save Ferris. This is ska.
posted by frecklefaerie at 6:52 AM on June 17, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by frecklefaerie at 6:52 AM on June 17, 2010 [1 favorite]
Any of the duets between Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.
posted by electroboy at 6:52 AM on June 17, 2010
posted by electroboy at 6:52 AM on June 17, 2010
Not necessarily "I rock" but otherwise extremely happy-making (also ska + talented vocalist):
Los Fabulosos Cadilliacs w/Debbie Harry doing Strawberry Fields Forever
posted by neroli at 7:26 AM on June 17, 2010
Los Fabulosos Cadilliacs w/Debbie Harry doing Strawberry Fields Forever
posted by neroli at 7:26 AM on June 17, 2010
Whenever I'm in a bad mood, I listen to Slung Lo by Erin McKeown.
posted by shaun uh at 8:18 AM on June 17, 2010
posted by shaun uh at 8:18 AM on June 17, 2010
Best answer: I second Better Things, but the Dar Williams version instead of the Kinks.
Some other songs that I find encouraging:
Bright Eyes: Bowl of Oranges
Rilo Kiley: Silver Lining
Regina Spektor: On the Radio
The Rolling Stones: Dance Part 1
Nina Simone: Feeling Good
posted by spinto at 8:26 AM on June 17, 2010
Some other songs that I find encouraging:
Bright Eyes: Bowl of Oranges
Rilo Kiley: Silver Lining
Regina Spektor: On the Radio
The Rolling Stones: Dance Part 1
Nina Simone: Feeling Good
posted by spinto at 8:26 AM on June 17, 2010
Best answer: Listening to Ted Leo and the Pharmacists' "Little Dawn" on repeat got me through some bad times. (And while Ted Leo doesn't really play ska, it's clearly a major influence, so there's that too.)
posted by nicepersonality at 9:09 AM on June 17, 2010
posted by nicepersonality at 9:09 AM on June 17, 2010
Can't link using my itouch but Center of Attention by Guster is great for singing along to.
posted by alygator at 9:49 AM on June 17, 2010
posted by alygator at 9:49 AM on June 17, 2010
Best answer: For a good ska song in this vein, Big Fucking Star by Reel Big Fish might work.
Unbreakable by Michael Jackson.
This Year, by the Mountain Goats.
Chicago, by Sufjan Stevens.
Sing, by the Dresden Dolls
Ramble On, by the Led.
This Too Shall Pass, by Ok Go.
And Something's Coming, from the beloved West Side Story.
posted by Lutoslawski at 9:56 AM on June 17, 2010 [1 favorite]
Unbreakable by Michael Jackson.
This Year, by the Mountain Goats.
Chicago, by Sufjan Stevens.
Sing, by the Dresden Dolls
Ramble On, by the Led.
This Too Shall Pass, by Ok Go.
And Something's Coming, from the beloved West Side Story.
posted by Lutoslawski at 9:56 AM on June 17, 2010 [1 favorite]
Keep on the Sunny Side, either the original Carter Family or The Whites (from the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack).
posted by chez shoes at 10:14 AM on June 17, 2010
posted by chez shoes at 10:14 AM on June 17, 2010
STRONGLY seconding "Everything I Want To Be" by Save Ferris - exactly what you're looking for, I've used it to great effect on similar mixes in the past. (You can find the album version on Grooveshark.)
posted by Ash3000 at 1:08 PM on June 17, 2010
posted by Ash3000 at 1:08 PM on June 17, 2010
Best answer: Oh hey! You sent up the Frank Turner signal!
Poetry of the Deed
Photosynthisis<>
Live Fast, Die Old
Also, The Riverboat Gamblers:
Don't Bury Me...I'm Still Not Dead!
Can I interest you in The Planet Smashers?
Life of the Party
Or the Pietasters?
New Breed
Harvey Danger:
Sad Sweetheart in the Rodeo A little wistful, but it rocks and has an empowering message.
Finally, The Lady is a Tramp is maybe the most wry "I rock" song you'll ever hear.
posted by Doublewhiskeycokenoice at 9:23 PM on June 17, 2010
Poetry of the Deed
Photosynthisis<>
Live Fast, Die Old
Also, The Riverboat Gamblers:
Don't Bury Me...I'm Still Not Dead!
Can I interest you in The Planet Smashers?
Life of the Party
Or the Pietasters?
New Breed
Harvey Danger:
Sad Sweetheart in the Rodeo A little wistful, but it rocks and has an empowering message.
Finally, The Lady is a Tramp is maybe the most wry "I rock" song you'll ever hear.
posted by Doublewhiskeycokenoice at 9:23 PM on June 17, 2010
Stan Bush: The Touch
So that's what Stan Bush looks like. I'm surprised by the fact that he played lead guitar. Not surprised by the hair.
That and the equally uplifting "Dare" did cross my mind, but I couldn't post it with a straight face. But the most amusing label I ever heard for those songs: "You can do it" music.
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 12:57 AM on June 18, 2010
So that's what Stan Bush looks like. I'm surprised by the fact that he played lead guitar. Not surprised by the hair.
That and the equally uplifting "Dare" did cross my mind, but I couldn't post it with a straight face. But the most amusing label I ever heard for those songs: "You can do it" music.
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 12:57 AM on June 18, 2010
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posted by hermitosis at 11:27 PM on June 16, 2010