Got this email from listener Andy:
“I have been a loyal listener since about episode 10. I recently found out that a friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer, at age 42. Her attitude is great, and all she is asking from her friends is below.
‘So now to you. Everyone has asked what they can do and I’m saying Help! I need you oh-so-creative and hip friends and family! Give me your suggestion for what should make it onto the ultimate kick-cancer-in-the-ass-‘mixtape.’ I’ll think of them as my special Power Songs that I can punch in on the low days when I need a boost. ‘
I thought of you immediately, and hoping you can help out.”
He may have thought of me – but I thought of you, the listener base, to help come up with the best “Optomistic Playlist” out there. Doesn’t have to be covers! C’mon hive-mind, what do you say?
In My Tree, and I Am Mine by Pearl Jam
and an amazing Mashup between Nine Inch Nails and Fiest called "1 2 3 4 My Violent Heart"
You mean besides 'Walking on Sunshine' which immediately jumped in my head? How about 'Over and Over' by Madonna
When I'm Up (I can't get down) by Great Big Sea. One of my favourites of theirs, which is actually a cover of an Oysterband song. Can't go wrong with it.
A year older than me…I wish her the best of luck. My mother in law just beat this.
When I feel a little down, a little "Village Green Preservation Society" by Kate Rusby does the trick.
Kate Rusby is amazing.
"Bring Me Down" – Pillar, "I Won't Back Down" – Tom Petty, "Never Going Back to OK" – The Afters, "Awake and Alive" – Skillet, "Anthem" – Superchick, "Hello Hurricane" – Switchfoot, "Rawkfist" – Thousand Foot Krutch, and "Tonight" by TobyMac.
I'll Be Fine by Janita
"This Must be the Place (Naive Melody)" – Talking Heads,
"Help Yourself" – Sad Brad Smith
"That's What I Think (When I Think About You)" – Cyndi Lauper
"No Woman No Cry" or "Three Little Birds" – Bob Marley
"O-o-h Child" by the Five Stairsteps is a classic. I sing it to myself when I'm down.
"I Will Survive" – Cake
If you want an obscure one, a song that helped me through tough times was '"Halfway Back", by Grey Eye Glances, from their "Eventide" album.
Wavelength by Van Morrison always gets the spirits moving. And Brian, I'd love to hear what you have in store for a great cover of it. Thanks for your show….I eagerly await each and every episode. And Andy, best of luck and good vibes to your friend!
On the Van Morrison theme, I can't recommend anything more inspiring than the whole "Into The Music" album, especially the first 2 tracks – "Bright Side of the Road" and "Full Force Gale". This album also has one of the best covers ever (never to be played as yet on Coverville) – "It's all in the game", the old Tommy Edwards classic.
The one that gets me up and running is "Happy Ways" by Joe Walsh from his album "The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get". The lines in there that I always think of at bad times are:
"Then something happens, seems to go bad
Cancel the feeling and look to the skies
No need to worry about consequences
Give it a giggle instead of a sigh"
"Rockin' and Romance" by Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers is probably the happiest album ever recorded. It ends with the optimistic "Now Is Better than Before".
AFAIK, it's not available for download anywhere. You have to have a CD burnt for you, but it's totally worth it. (I know I sound like a shill, but I have nothing to do with TwinTone records.)
http://twintone.com/projects/8558.html
Many of these songs kick butt, also make me happy and inspire me and are on the spiritual side.
"Beautiful Day" U2
"Heavenly Day" Patty Griffin
"Saturday in the Park" Chicago
"Life is a Highway" Rascal Flats
"Oh Happy Day" Queen Latifah
"Nights on Broadway" Bee Gees
"I Wish" Stevie Wonder
"Everything" Michael Buble
"Haven't Met you Yet" Michael Buble
"Steer" Missy Higgins
"Another Sunshine" Adam Ezra
"Closer to Fine" Indigo Girls
"Jesus take the Wheel" Carrie Underwood
Most of Elvis's gospel music, How Great thou Art, etc.
Stayin' Alive- The Bee Gees
Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Grace Griffith's is amazing
Uncynical positivity isn't my strong suit, so I can't really offer much, but "Fig Jam" by Butterfingers certainly demands to be the final track on such a playlist.
Also deserving of a place are "What's the Deal?" by 28 Days (who shouldn't be confused with 28 Days Later), "Days Like These" by the Cat Empire and "Bettadaze" by Boom Crash Opera.
Keep on Running – Spencer Davis Group
I'm oddly moved by the bizarre version of I Will Survive ("sur-veeve") by Tony Clifton on the Man in the Moon soundtrack.
One Day Like This by Elbow has got me through some pretty dark times…
Trying not to repeat any of the excellent suggestions above…
"Jambalaya (On the Bayou)" John Fogerty
"Soak Up the Sun" Sheryl Crow
"Dance With Me" The Sounds
"Jerk It Out" Caesars
"Break My Stride" Matthew Wilder
"Old Time Rock And Roll" Bob Seger
"Born to Be My Baby" Bon Jovi
"Stand Tall" The Dirty Heads
"Walk of Life" Dire Straits
"I'm Still Standing" Elton John
"Say Hey (I Love You)" Michael Franti & Spearhead
"Squeeze Box" The Who
"Caught Up in You" .38 Special
"Everybody Hurts" R.E.M.
"Tubthumping" Chumbawamba ("I get knocked down, but I get up again…")
"The Happening" By the Supremes
"Jackie Wilson Said" Dexy's Midnight Runners Cover of Van Morrison