Joy for the Journey
My “joy for the journey” playlist is code for: music to help when the fog of depression comes in. Sometimes, I’m ready to go with the darkness. But other times, I just want out.
So here’s a taste of what’s on the playlist:
Keb Mo, “Life Is Beautiful”
Brett Dennen, “Blessed”
Louis Armstrong, “What a Wonderful World”
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, “Over the Rainbow”
Jack Johnson, “Banana Pancakes”
Three Dog Night, “Celebrate”
Jimmy Buffett, “I Love the Now”
Zac Brown Band, “Where the Boat Leaves From”
The Beatles, “Twist and Shout” (makes me think of my granddaughter)
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, “House at Pooh Corner” (makes me think of my boys when young)
The Doobie Brothers, “Listen to the Music”
The Allman Brothers, “Blue Sky”
Ben Harper, “Get It Like You Like It” (associated with coaching little league …)
Coldplay, “Viva La Vida”
Dave Matthews, “Every Day”
Rare Earth, “I Just Want to Celebrate”
Eagles, “Already Gone”
Grand Funk Railroad, “Some Kind of Wonderful”
Steppenwolf, “Magic Carpet Ride” (live)
Ah, well, there are a few pick-me-ups. What other suggestions do you have? What music can lift you?
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On a music theme, have you listened to Marc Cohn’s new recording, “Listening Booth: 1970″? It’s amazing!
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Congrats to Dr. Randy Lowry, who just finished five years as president of David Lipscomb University. He (and Rhonda!) have built an amazing leadership team and faculty. It’s a top-flight school — a wonderful success story!
I love this. I do this, too. I was most depressed when I worked in an environment in which I couldn’t listen to my music and there were very few other external stimuli. No windows, no other people, no music. I bought my first iPod in self-defense — and that’s when I learned I can’t listen to music without singing. ^_^
Praise You In This Storm – Casting Crowns
Alligator Pie — Dave Matthews
Otto Titsling — Bette Middler (from Beaches. It’s hilarious.)
I’m Not Who I Was — Brandon Heath
Blue Skies — Lyle Lovett
Voice of Truth — Casting Crowns
Another Postcard — Barenaked Ladies
I’m Gonna Take That Mountain — Reba McEntire
When I Want To Get Funky — Bela Fleck and the Flecktones
Riot Nrrrrd — 2 Skinnee J’s
Safety Dance — Men Without Hats
Southern Cross — Jimmy Buffett
Dirty Ol’ Egg Suckin’ Dog — Johnny Cash
Big Butter Jesus – Heywood Banks
…I have somewhat eclectic taste…
Niiiice! And thanks for including JB’s cover of “Southern Cross”!
Depending on the day, the mood, and the severity of the depression, it can range from Mozart to Beach Boys. Not sayin’ I’m proud of it (Beach Boys); just sayin’ it sometimes helps.
Nothing to be ashamed of with The Beach Boys. Wouldnt it be Nice is my favorite. For your listening pleasure:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEWcS9f4Ewo
O Happy Day performed by Acapella
Long Winter by Walt Wilkins (slightly obscure and beautiful)
Peace, Be Still by Acapella
a cd of praise songs recorded by the North Street Church of Christ Youth Group in 1999
Thomas’ Song
Martina McBride…most all of it
Dead Skunk in the Middle of Road…awesomeness
and many more!
John Hiatt – “Real Fine Love”
Chris Isaak – “American Boy”
Lyle Lovett – “If I Had A Boat”
Last Train Home – “Lorelei”
The Grandsons – “Hip Replacement”
Thin Lizzy – “The Boys Are Back in Town”
The Allman Brothers Band – “Blue Sky”
Reckless Kelly – “Desolation Angels”
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals – “Nothing But the Water”
Pat McGee Band – “Run Away”
Jackie Greene – “Honey I Been Thinkin’ About You”
Willie Nelson – “On the Road Again”
James Taylor – “How Sweet It Is”
Robert Randolph and the Family Band – “Goin in the Right Direction”
Marshall Crenshaw – “Starless Summer Sky”
Led Zeppelin – “Celebration Day”
Rolling Stones – “Rip This Joint”
The Kinks – “You Really Got Me”
This Too Shall Be Made Right – Derek Webb
The Silence of God – Andrew Peterson
Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show
You’ve Got A Friend – James Taylor
I Thank You God For Most This Amazing Day – Eric Whitacre (choral)
A Lover Like You – The Avett Brothers
Army – Ben Folds
Tall Green Grass – Cory Branan
Off the top of my head, and by no means complete:
Staple Singers – I’ll Take You There
Eddie Money – Two Tickets To Paradise
Toto – Rosanna
Thomas Dolby – She Blinded Me With Science
The Imperials – What I Can Do For You, I’m Forgiven, Finish What You Started
Russ Taff – all of the “Walls of Glass” and “Medals” albums
Amy Grant – all of the “Age to Age” album
A lot of music you’ve never heard of…
I’m reading your list and remembering you strumming your guitar to Cat Stevens or some Eagles tune way back when; enjoyed reading through your list! Favorite tunes to lift me up? Music is next to breathing so here’s mine and like a lot of folks, it’s where I turn (daily) for a pick me up (btw, list is everchanging):
1. I Believe (Third Day)
2. Takin’ Care of Business (BTO)
3. Flood (Jars of Clay)
4. Til I See You (Hillsong United)
5. Never Been To Spain (Three Dog Night)
6. Unwritten (Natasha Bedingfield)
7. Turn It Out (Peter White)
8. Born Again (Newsboys)
9. Here In This Moment (Beckah Shae)
10. Can’t Get Next to You (Temptations)
11. Southern Cross (CSN&Y)
12. Slow Down (Third Day)
13. Miss Sun (Boz Scaggs)
14. Let the Music Play (Shannon)
15. Live Out Loud (Steven Curtis Chapman)
Some feel-good favorites from the Elliott family (kids included!):
Wouldn’t It Be Nice — Beach Boys (good call, gt. Woulda included this anyway!)
Good Vibrations – Beach Boys (especially when it’s snowing in CO)
Private Idaho – B52s
I Wish – Stevie Wonder
Burning Love – Elvis de Pelvis
Two of Us – Beatles
Up on Cripple Creek – The Band
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out – Springsteen
Up Around the Bend – CCR
Twistin’ By The Pool – Dire Straits
Move Along – All-American Rejects
500 Miles (I’m Gonna Be) – The Proclaimers
Another One Rides the Bus – Weird Al
Chick-Fil-A (to the tune of “Yesterday) – Tim Hawkins
Let God Arise – Chris Tomlin
Sing Sing Sing – Chris Tomlin
And hey — nice touch with that NGDB version of “Pooh.” That’s the one I love, too.
Gonna Change My Way of Thinkin’ – Bob Dylan & Mavis Staples
Elias – Dispatch: Zimbabwe
Amazing Grace – Jean Shy & the Shy Guys
Looking Forward (Live) – Over The Rhine
and YouTube videos of Roy Rogers (not that Roy Rogers, the other Roy Rogers) playing Look Over Yonders Wall or Walking Blues or Tip Walk on his slide guitar.
Well-deserved congratulations to Randy and Rhonda. They are both great people doing great work in a great place.
I would add James Taylor’s “Mean Old Man” to the anti-depression mix. You can’t take yourself too seriously after listening to that one.
Two words: Sheryl Crow.
“. . . until the sun comes up over Santa Monica Boulevard.”
Feelin’ Stronger Every Day–Chicago
Old Days–Chicago
Tomorrow from Annie–(Reminds me of my daughter singing as a little girl)
You Found Me–FFH
You Are a Child of Mine–Mark Schultz
Saturday in the Park–Chicago
China Grove–Dooobie Brothers
My Hope is Built on Nothing Less–Glad
Lay Down Your Burden–Amy Grant
Hot Diggity–Perry Como (Real oldie, but real goodie. My kids just roll their eyes when I play it)
I Choose You–Point of Grace
Long Lost Friend–Restless Heart
God is in Control–Twila Paris
Wow! Thanks, Mike! This really made my day. My list would have been longer, but you got some of mine!!
I can see clearly now…Jimmy Cliff
“Night Moves” Bob Seger
“Boys Of Summer” Don Henley
“Forgiveness” Don Henley
“Gimme Three Steps”
Anything by Stevie Ray Vaughn
“The Weather Is Here, I Wish You Were Beautiful” Jimmy Buffett
“Pour Some Sugar On Me” Def Leppard
“Jesus Done Left Chicago” ZZ Top
“Heard It In A Lovesong” Marshall Tucker Band
“Green Grass And High Tides” Outlaws
“Third Rate Romance” Amazing Rhythm Aces
“He Stopped Loving Her Today” George Jones
“In The Air Tonight” Phil Collins
“Don’t Fear The Reaper” Blue Oyster Cult (More Cowbell)
“Amarillo By Morning” George Strait
“Faded Lover” Jerry Jeff Walker
“LaGrange” ZZ Top
“Stranglehold” Ted Nugent
Since country western is not of my personal predilection [I know, I know - blasphemy for one living in West Texas]
my list is shorter. Also, I am so rarely ‘down’ it’s difficult to choose what music lifts me out of that pit, but the few times some of these have helped me grab His hand, letting Him pull me back to sunshine and Light. PTL!! \o/
Revelation Song – all versions
Anything by Casting Crowns, Mercy Me or Steven Curtis Chapman
Most requiems – including Verdi, Berlioz, Mozart, Faure
The darker the classical genre, the more my spirit is lifted; Bartok, Wagner, Mahler for instance.
That’s what happens to one not born, reared, indoctrinated in West Texas. ~giggle – wink~
Kathy,
No need to apologize. Besides, most of us can two-step to that music you listed anyway.
So many song come to mind that I can’t pick tonight…but I do have a couple of TV commercials that I love: the new iPhone4 ads and the Travelers ad with the peaceable kingdom scenes.
Charlie S.
Another example of loving responses from West Texans!! Love it!
You did, however, paint a couple of odd mental pictures – a bunch of guys ‘n gals, booted and hatted (sic), two-stepping to Mahler. His first probably – it has many folk songs that fit, but the 5th or 6th? ~shaking head~ I don’t know about that. LOL Now you know what I’ll think about the next time the black hole threatens. How could anyone be depressed when thinking of your word pictures.
Most recent addition to my playlist: Echoes of My Sins, by Anders Osborne. Oh my goodness!