Many songs have a message for us. One that is very relevant to me these days is by the Stones, and its one I'd like my son to "get" also. The song is, "You Can't Always Get What You Want", but damn it, if you TRY, sometimes you get what you NEED! (key words, want, try and need).
My goal is to ask some famous Rapper to re-record some songs with POSITIVE messages so my son will actually listen to and perhaps adopt the message.
What songs can you add to the list?
(To those of you following the saga of my son, thanks for listening between the lines , he's still not learning his lessons but at least he's someplace "safe" for the moment. Addiction is an ugly, evil disease).
22 comments:
"Gimme Shelter."
Yes, it's very bleak, but at the end, it seems to say that love can survive, or even triumph, in desperate circumstances. (It also seems like it would transform to rapping pretty neatly, actually.)
Good luck and prayers to your son and to you.
Bridey, thank you so much. That's one of my favorites!
A few verses from "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" comes to mind..
When you're weary, feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes, I'll dry them all.
I'm on your side, oh, when times get rough,
And friends just can't be found,
...
When you're down and out,
when you're on the street,
When evening falls so hard,
I will comfort you.
I'll take your part,
oh, when darkness comes,
And pain is all around,
Like a bridge over troubled water,
I will ease your mind,
Like a bridge over troubled water,
I will ease your mind.
Bob, LOVE that song!!!!!
Bridey - I changed my question to include ALL musicians if you want to add another one :)
You know how much I hate the Stones! However, when my kids are acting up about something they want, I just ask, "What do the Stones say?" They know. Of course sometimes, my daughter simply reminds me that the Stones suck and keeps on complaining.
LOL@ Bob! Barb, the Stones always do it for me because that is such an important message, and one that humans tend to forget.
Yeah I just can't get into trying to positivify songs and rap has a long cultural history as protest music. I don't think it is musics responsibility to always provide a positive message. There are some thought provoking lessons to be learned from the bad. Most of us can listen to those songs and learn without experiencing the actions.
Well, "What A Wonderful World" is probably the most positive song I can think of right now.
Hi Barb,
First off, hang in there. Here are some positive songs:
You Get What You Give by New Radicals
Reach Out (I'll Be There) by The Four Tops
Keep Ya Head Up by 2Pac
People Everyday by Arrested Development
That last one reminded me of Sly and the Family Stone and I always found "Stand," among other songs of theirs, to be pretty positive.
Of course if you're talking positive, you have to include the Bad Brains, Minor Threat and 7 Seconds!
I enjoy the more subtle "messages" that certain artists build into their songs.
I do hope that your son gets through this. You are doing all that you can.
Thanks, Barbara -- then how about the Kinks' "Wonder Boy"?
Not a single, and a bit of an odd record -- a very hopeful song, but with a tinge of sadness to it. With Dave Davies' wonderful "la la la la"s throughout.
Wonder boy, life's just begun,
Turn your sorrow into wonder,
Dream alone, don't sigh, don't groan
Life is only what you wonder.
Day is as light as your brightest dreams,
Night is as dark as you feel it ought to be.
Time is as fast as the slowest thing,
Life is only....
Wonder boy....
Barbara, a couple of quick thoughts come to mind:
King's X has many songs with positive messages borne from less than desirable situations.
blues guitarist Chris Duarte has documented his struggles/troubles with heroin, but manages to have positive messages in his songs.
instrumentals like "Summer Song" by Joe Satriani - no literal words of course but "Summer Song" makes the listener think of uplifting experiences like sunny days riding in a convertible.
Bob, you don't like the Stones? I am shocked at this news! (not!)
Your daughter cracks me up :)
Jess, yep I agree!
Starr, I have to re-read your comment tomorrow when I am more awake...I think I get it but am not sure.
Beck!!!! So cool to see you stop by! That's always a classic happy song.
That's what happens when I post after taking migraine meds =)
Hi Malcolm! Wow you and Becky in the same day!!! I haven't heard some of those but will check them out.
Bob, "Stand" - GREAT song.
Thanks, Sean, I appreciate it. Its surreal at times.
CJK, wow. thanks so much for giving me some ideas....I like King's X but hardly ever listen to them.
It's kinda corny, but Triumph's "Fight the Good Fight" was always a good uplifter for me back in high school.
The "Ode to Joy" chorus (last movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony) always moved me very deeply (even if I didn't know how to speak German).
Dr. John, No way, that is not corny at all. I am always inspired by that song!!! Thanks!
A few that come to mind - Make Me Smile and Saturday In the Park by Chicago, You've Made Me So Very Happy by Blood Sweat & Tears, Colorful by The Verve Pipe ("Stayed for a drama, though you paid for a comedy"-- actually this song is fully of great lyrics), and Shelter From the Storm by Bob Dylan.
Fight the good Fight: absolutely!!! This was my sister's "stand up and get it done" song throughout her fight and continues on as mine.
Stand- Sly and the Family Stone
Let it Be-Beatles
Beautiful Day-U2
Won't Get Fooled Again-The Who
Keep Yourself Alive-Queen
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