The OSF theme this week is This Is My “Motivation”.
Do songs motivate? Do they inspire? Of course they do. I could list inspirational/motivational songs until this blog burst, and cyberspace with it. For expediency I’ll go with the no-brainer. The number one song on the Song of the Century List — a list I was in total ignorance of until doing deep investigative research for this post. The quintessential song of motivation/inspiration, Over the Rainbow, sometimes known as Somewhere Over the Rainbow, written for The Wizard of Oz and performed by Judy Garland in the film. The
I rather love the Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole ‘IZ’ version, so you will enjoy that version here. I have listed alternate renditions below for you motivational enjoyment.
Grab a beer or a glass of wine and listen to the rest. You’ll probably find a few of your own to add to the list.
Patti LaBelle There are several very good Patti LaBelle renditions check them out.
Judy Garland Judy did many versions too.
Sarah Vaughn
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Punk Version
Queen
Jeff Beck
Eric Clapton
Rufus Wainright Nice.
Barnara Steisand
Jane Monheit lovely voice
Mandy Patinkin Never knew this man could sing.
Mariah Carey
Jason Mraz and Bushwalla
Brandon Sipes
Jewel
Aretha Franklin
What songs would you list when thinking “this is my motivation”?
Peace
I think Wilco’s Nothing’s ever gonna stand in my way (again) is up there for me.
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That is a good song. I forget about Wilco sometime.
I have motivation? I think two songs fit that category. Good Old American Guest by Merle Haggard or Smack Dab In The Middle by Ray Charles.
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I can get the Ray Charles. I am not familiar with Merle Haggard.
Loved the different versions.. Almost anything by Queen is motivational let go with “The Show Must Go On”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ADh8Fs3YdU
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Veddy nice.
Two songs come to mind:
1) when entering a championship race with the belief that everyone toeing the line was better than me, there was no song better to get me over the hump than Blue Oyster Cult’s Don’t Fear the Reaper.
2) in light of my current fascination with the bullying death of the irish lass up in South Hadley, MA, Shirley Manson’s Stupid Girl fits the mood. Ooops… group is Garbage.
My main choices, although another is winding its way thru my brain right now… what are words for, when no one listens anymore (what are words), when no one listens any mooooorrre. …
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Don’t Fear the Reaper — I like.
Never heard the other lines but looking them up I think I just found where Lady Gaga stole her whole persona from — a new wave band from the 80’s.
I too love the Israel K rendition. Motivation? Depends on my mood, time of year, time of day, what I need to do
Marvin Gaye never fails. Eric. Yes I love Queen. Still love Warren Zevon.
But to get me going. To get me out of a funk. To put me in a party mood – it’s really anything Motown – though it’s not my favorite listening music
Actually motivation can mean so many things )
Marvin Gaye will usually do it too.
Man, I could think on this one for hours. But it’s already been fifteen minutes so I’m gonna go with Chumbawamba.
And I don’t know about motivation, but “I Want You Back” always peps me up.
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good choices Bone.….
deserves more than 15 minutes doesn’t it
It depends on on the day, my mood and so on. Bob Marley and the Grateful Dead always make me happy and live music…wherever — unless it sucks.
Redemption Song, this is a good live version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJHgMD1S0bg
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I like Bob Marley but his music doesn’t usually uplift me as much as it depresses me in an uplifting way.
That is an extensive list, thanks.
I like the version you choose but the song is amazing anyway it is sung, Patti Labelle does a great job too.
My song choice would change from moment to moment.
Jewel singing “Hands” comes to mind.
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That is a lovely little Jewel song I forgot about that one. There are too many songs really and motivating songs are so personal.
I Like this version, it was a breath of fresh air when it first came out. I don’t know what my choice would be, something light and funny I think.
Jane Monheit does have a lovely voice. It’s a nice list to listen to with a beer or two.
I’d never heard her until looking that up.
Good choice for motivation, it’s been around forever and this rendition is heartwarming.
Eye of the Tiger unoriginally comes to mine.
I wasn’t much aware of that song lis either. Cool.
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I have never liked eye of the tiger — don’t know why.
Too many to pick one. Whatever gets you through the night, or the day.
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exactly
Cooper I tend to not disagree with you, This time I do. Music is too personable of a thing to allow it to have a difinative say over anything. What I think is beautiful, you would like, what you think is beautiful I would like. We need no common ground, music is personal preference and it does not matter if the rest of the world agrees. One day I would agree with you on the best of the next I would not, it does not mean that we are are in any state of agreement or disagrement it only says that yes we do appreciate music. Tonight I am drunk on my ass, let me know if I said something, will ya girl. .….….…..One of my favorites Antony Santos singing Leonard Cohen’s “If it be your will”, let me know what you think.…available on you tube.……Too drunk to try to set up any links!.……Good night sweet girl!.….….KAK
And when I hop on my star and shoot for the moon, would you go for the ride?
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Um, first comment.……“This time I do Not”, circumstances tonight forgive me>
KAK´s last blog ..Sinclair Lewis A Warning
Well not riding when you are drinking — that much I know.
Yes indeed what motivates or inspires one day and one person will not motivate or inspire another…that is the greatness of it all. But that we have music is what is important. Music and …alcohol I guess. ;)