MetaChat - Inspirational, non-religious songs?

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20 August 2007

Inspirational, non-religious songs? What are your favorite inspirational songs, of any genre? Looking for uplifting, powerful, but not-specifically-religious songs (general spiritual themes OK).

post by: desjardins at: 09:23 | 31 comments

Oh, and cheesy/popular is absolutely okay, like "I Hope You Dance," "Flying Without Wings," etc.

posted by desjardins 20 August | 09:24

Bob Dylan - Paths of Victory
Blackalicious - Making Progress
Bill Moss - Number One

posted by box 20 August | 09:34

Elbow - Grace under pressure

posted by msali 20 August | 09:40

Five Stairsteps - Oooh Child
Bruce Springsteen - Thunder Road
Rhe Who - Join Together

posted by jonmc 20 August | 09:49

Curtis Mayfield - Keep on Pushin'
Percy Sledge - Walkin' in the Sun
Jimmy McHugh (composer) - On the Sunny Side of the Street

posted by box 20 August | 09:59

well, I did say any genre... laughs.

posted by desjardins 20 August | 10:11

Brand New Day- The Wiz
We're All in This Together- "High School Musical"
Seize the Day- Newsies
Here's Where I Stand- Camp

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 20 August | 10:18

Hey Jude is pretty inspirational for me. It always makes me happy when I hear it.

Also, End of the Line by the Traveling Wilburys.

I'm probably in the very wee minority that likes Alan Jackson's Itty Bitty. It's a fun, uplifting song. Even if it's country, very cheesy, and a bit good ol' boy redneck.

I have a ton of rocking, happy songs that inspire me to dance and lift the blues. Energetic, upbeat songs like Do Ya by ELO and Dancing With Myself by Billy Idol.

posted by LoriFLA 20 August | 10:21

Gang Starr - Moment of Truth
David Bowie - Quicksand
Sing a Song - Earth, Wind & Fire
Ride On - AC/DC
The Unanswered Question - Charles Ives
John Henry - trad.
Birth, School, Work, Death - The Godfathers
Don't Cry for Me - The Zombies
Hard Time Killing Floor Blues - Skip James
Harry Bridges - Rancid

It inspires me to be reminded that my problems are my own; it inspires me to have no faith in myself; it inspires me to spin straw into gold; it inspires me to remember how easy and important it is to leave everything behind; it inspires me to know there are some thoughts we can't ever communicate; it inspires me to know that I will die with a hammer in my hand; it inspires me to know that life is dull and painful for many people; it inspires me to close a book forever; it inspires me to feel pain and loss that aren't my own; it inspires me to hear of men and women conquering misery.

posted by Hugh Janus 20 August | 10:25

We Shall Overcome

I also like Annie's Song

Aaand Longer

Hmm. Love songs. Must ruminate.

Also Let it Be and Dust in the Wind (don't know why, probably the ecclesiasticus in me coming out)

posted by lysdexic 20 August | 11:38

(I'm Still) Alive - Pearl Jam
Go Go Gadget Gospel - Gnarls Barkley
Good Thing - Everything
Running Up That Hill - Kate Bush

posted by rainbaby 20 August | 11:48

Bon Jovi - It's my life

posted by signal 20 August | 12:06

Hymn of the big wheel by Massive Attack

posted by getoffmylawn 20 August | 12:40

What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong

posted by deborah 20 August | 14:12

What, no one's mentioned "I Will Survive"? Thank you, Miss Gaynor.

posted by Specklet 20 August | 14:45

No indeed, no one has. I wonder when they'll get around to it.

posted by Hugh Janus 20 August | 14:49

Bittersweet Symphony - the Verve
Badlands - Bruce
Long Time Traveling - trad. gospel tune. Oops, that IS religious, but in an old-timey way.
I'm Going Home - trad., prison song
Bird on a Wire - I like Willie's version

posted by Miko 20 August | 15:13

Strangely enough, the one that leaped to mind first is:

The Big Rock Candy Mountains - Harry McClintock
then
Walkin' On Sunshine - Katrina and the Waves version (yes, I know it's cheesey, but it's what came to mind...)

posted by King of Prontopia 20 August | 15:46

Sanvean, by Lisa Gerrard. It's wordless, but someone I knew once called referred to is as "a long drive through night to something better while a tall Australian mezzosoprano sings a song of infinite longing and sadness and hope." It always felt that way to me.

posted by crush-onastick 20 August | 16:16

Pray for Grace and Skin On the Drum - Michael Franti & Spearhead
Tubthumping - Chumbawumba
Victory - NoMeansNo
Self Pity - NoMeansNo (inspires me to give myself a kick in the ass when I'm wallowing)

posted by elizard 20 August | 16:29

Seven Swans by Sufjan Stevens (the whole album) - it does have religious themes, but it's not sacred music.

hype machine

I know you asked for non-religous songs, but I felt this was relevant.

posted by chuckdarwin 20 August | 16:40

Five Stairsteps - Oooh Child

That's the first one I thought of! That song always gives me chills. I'd add "Here Comes the Sun." That one always gets to me, too.

posted by jrossi4r 20 August | 16:49

"Dry the Rain" - Beta Band

posted by muddgirl 20 August | 16:56

"Someone Saved My Life Tonight" by Elton John.

Kinda specific, but hey.

posted by bunnyfire 20 August | 17:32

My all-time favorite, the long, concert-encore version of Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes."

posted by deadcowdan 20 August | 17:53

Love is a battlefield

posted by seanyboy 20 August | 18:01

Hallelujiah

posted by seanyboy 20 August | 18:05

Rage Against the machine - Take the power back.
Girls Just wanna have Fun - Cyndi Lauper.
The Littlest Birds - Be Good Tanyas

posted by seanyboy 20 August | 18:18

Not ready to make nice

posted by seanyboy 20 August | 18:22

context for this question (seems like seanyboy already saw that post)

my current playlist:

Independence Day - Martina McBride
I Will Survive (thanks for the reminder)
It's my life (ditto)
Flying Without Wings
Beautiful Day - U2
Believe - Cher
Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson
Gotta Get Thru This - Daniel Bedingfield
The Middle - Jimmy Eat World
Freedom - Midnight Express

posted by desjardins 20 August | 19:53

I'd add: Presumed Lost by Splashdown, available here.

posted by crush-onastick 22 August | 07:52

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