Empowering songs, for hard times.

[BeeOrchid]

This may sound trivial, but I don't think it is. Music can make a big difference to our mood.
There's so many victim songs in our culture "What can I do to make you love me?" Kind of thing. But what about the strong, I can do this songs?

I'll start: "I'm still standing" Elton John - bernie taupin knew what he was writing about.

[swingonastar]

Definitely, and I think that anyone who grew up in (as I did) / has lived in a small place will particularly understand what she's getting at!

I consider moving back to my home town (tiny village!) more and more these days...but then worry I'll be the one 'sockin' it to them' with the home truths...or the one wreaking of gin at meetings come Christmas! And I'd be one of the teachers! Best stay where I am for now ;-)

[IndianBlueGlass]

Loving this thread -
OK not strictly speaking 'uplifting' in the getting over heartbreak sense of things, but great cheerful tunes that can't help but pick you up off the floor:

Spring King - Can I?
Plastic Bertrand - Ca Plain Pour Moi
The Vaccines - If You Wanna
Mumm-Ra- She's Got You High

If you are of an indie bent...

[FrancesNiadova]

Miss Celie' s Blues - Love it!

[BeeOrchid]

Indianblueglass how are you doing? Still having to hurriedly exit shops? Our garden centre is the worst, always playing songs of luurve and heartbreak. I must be one of their best customers so I'm thinking that if I ever crack and rip the speakers off the walls they won't give me a lifetime ban as it would hit their bottom line.

Andy Williams was crooning some mushy song on the radio yesterday which had me lip-wobbling round tesco.

monny I love the idea of time travel through music.

Thanks to several of you I have discovered Paloma Faith. I'd only ever seen her on panel show type stuff, not actually heRd her sing. What a great voice. I'm loving "Changing".

[Idontknowhowtohelpher]

Hold On by Wilson Phillips - old but brilliant!

[Waltermittythesequel]

Titanium

What's that R. Kelly one? World's Greatest I think it's called.

[Waltermittythesequel]

[upnotdown]

My favourite's a bit shouty but I like them like that...

Demons - Sleigh Bells

Also

Homewrecker - Marina and The Diamonds
Run, Baby, Run - Sheryl Crow
Seven Nation Army - White Stripes (NOT MARCUS COLLINS)
Ring The Bells - James
Calm After The Storm - The Common Linnets
Beauty In The World - Macy Gray
At Your Best - Sarah Blasko (Love this - and We Won't Run)

[Vada]

Am I really the first to suggest Helen Reddy's 'I am Woman'?! Super kitsch too! I once listened to it on a loop 8 times before going into a difficult situation when I was so low I thought I'd instantly cry. It did the trick!

[JessePinkmansHoody]

The Sun Is Rising - Britt Nicole

[saoirse31]

young hearts run free .. candy staten

[RainbowMamaDarling]

Stronger by Kelly Clarkson!!! Brilliant!

[BeeOrchid]

Thanks RainbowMamaDarling, and others who recommended Stronger. Just downloaded it.

[patronisingbitchinthewardrobe]

Neil Young 'Don't let it bring you down'.... its only castles burning...just find someone who's turning... and you will come around.

[simontowers2]

Agadoo - black lace

[forumdonkey]

I love this song and it is amazing full blast especially when it kicks in :-) Its on my ipod in the car and I'm loving it at the moment

It's raining, it's pouring
My lovelife is boring me to tears,
After all these years

No sunshine, no moonlight,
No stardust, no sign of romance
We don't stand a chance

I've always dreamed I found the perfect lover
But he turned out to be like every other man
Our love, our love

Raining (raining)
Pouring (pouring)
There's nothing left for us here
And we won't waist another tear

If you've had enough,
Don't put up with his stuff,
Don't you do it
If you've had your fill,
Get the check pay the bill,
You can do it

Tell him to just get out
Nothing left to talk about
Pack his raincoat show him out
Just look him in the eyes and simple shout

Enough is enough is enough
I can't go on, I can't go on, no more no
Enough is enough, is enough
I want him out, I want him out that door now

Enough is enough

If you've reached the end,
Don't pretend that is right
When it's over (It's over)
If the feeling is gone
Don't think twice just move on
Get it over (over, over)
Tell him to just get out, say it clearly, spell it out

Enough is enough is enough
I can't go on, I can't go on, no more no
Enough is enough is enough
I want him out, I want him out that door now

Enough is enough

I've always dreamed to find the perfect lover,
But he turns out to be like every other man
Our love (I had no choice from the start)
Our love (I've gotta listen to my heart)
Our love (tearing us apart)

Enough, is enough, is enough
I can't go on, I can't go on no more no
Enough, is enough, is enough
I want him out, I want him out that door now

Enough is enough

No more tears (no more tears)
No more tears (no more tears)
No more tears (no more tears)
No more tears (no more tears)
Enough is enough is enough is enough is enough is enough
I've had it, you've had it, he's had it, we've had it
Enough is enough is enough is enough is enough is enough
I've hat it, you've had it, he's had it, we've had it

I always dreamed I find the perfect lover
But he turned out to be like every other man

I had no choice from the start
I've gotta listen to my heart
Tearing us apart

Enough is enough is enough
I can't go on, I can't go on, no more no
Enough is enough is enough
I want him out, I want him out that door now

Goodbye mister, goodbye, goodbye mister, goodbye sugar

It's raining, it's pouring
There's nothing left for us here
And we won't waist another tear

No more tears
Is enough is enough is enough is enough
Is enough is enough is enough is ENOUGH!!!

[weedinthepool]

patronisingbitch I'm living off Neil Young at the moment. Old Man, Harvest, Heart of Gold etc.

I'm in a refuge at the moment. Have to share a bed with the youngest DC, other 2 dc's on mattresses on the floor. If I didn't have my music to listen too my world would be even darker.

[BeeOrchid]

weedinthepool sorry to hear things are so hard for you at the moment. I hope this will be the beginning of a new happy life for you and your children

[puds11isNAUGHTYnotNAICE]

All woman- Lisa Stansfield

Send me on my way- Rusted Roots. Never fails to make me smile.

[PoppyField]

I second McAlmont and Butler for triumphant positivity...

But for pure, unadulterated, cathartic contempt...nothing beats Positively Fourth Street. Dylan is a master. Read this...and it is searingly better when you hear him sing it:


You got a lotta nerve to say you are my friend
When I was down, you just stood there grinning
You got a lotta nerve to say you gotta helping hand to lend
You just want to be on the side that's winning

You say I let you down, you know it's not like that
If you're so hurt why then don't you show it?
You say you lost your faith, but that's not where it's at
You have no faith to lose and you know it

I know the reason that you talk behind my back
I used to be among the crowd you're in with
Do you take me for such a fool to think I'd make contact
With the one who tries to hide what he don't know to begin with?

You see me on the street, you always act surprised
You say, "How are you? Good luck," but you don't mean it
When you know as well as me you'd rather see me paralyzed
Why don't you just come out once and scream it?

No, I do not feel that good when I see the heartbreaks you embrace
If I was a master thief perhaps I'd rob them
And now I know you're dissatisfied with your position and your place
Don't you understand, it's not my problem

I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes
And just for that one moment, I could be you
Yes, I wish that for just one time, you could stand inside my shoes
You'd know what a drag it is to see you

[PoppyField]

weedinthepool I'm with you with Neil Young. Everything except 'A Man Needs a Maid' - where did he get that one?! Hope things get better for you. x

[perfectlyincapable]

P!nk ~ The King is dead.

I listen to it about 20x a day when I start second guessing myself.

[lauranorder50]

springlamb - I agree re: U2 Stuck in the moment:

'I am not afraid of anything in this world, there is nothing you can throw at me that I haven't already heard'

Very empowering.

Crawl by Kings of Leon is very empowering. 'You cut my mouth, the bloody bits I'm spitting out....I'm gonna make you crawl before I walk away.'

Fantasy revenge anyone ?

[bloodystupidfriend]

Shitlist by L7

[Grokette]

No-one has mentioned Let It Go yet!?!??

More seriously, You Can't Always Get What You Want by the Stones is my choice for woman-ing up.

Also After The Storm by Mumford and Sons:

and there will come a time, you'll see
with no more tears
and love will not break your heart
but dismiss your fears