Back To School Special

This week for many students marked the dreaded date of going back to school. I loved school (yea I am nerd, so what?) I loved getting to meet friends who are still a part of my life today, learning new things and skills, and just taking the idea of learning all in. I was even lucky enough to be able to teach elementary school and run after school and summer camp programs for a few years.


However as good as my school life was, I always am reminded of a Bruce Springsteen lyric from his song "No Surrender".

It got me thinking, what lessons from songs have I learned that either I didn't learn in school or was an addition to something I did learn?  I wanted to share with you some songs that taught me a lesson, specifically in the subjects of Family, Friends, Faith, and Future, the only "F's" you need to worry about this school year.

Music is an amazing thing. The right inspiring lyrics, or motivational songs can give you a kick in the backside; provide a quick pick me up to motivate you to accomplish your goals; or just a reminder about appreciating the beauty of the world that we live in and provides that little lift that we occasionally need. 

Family:

If you are thinking I am going to talk about Sister Sledge's "We Are Family" you don't know me that well as that is a cop out. Instead I want to highlight three songs that makes me think of my own family. It doesn't take much for me to realize the following quote is true: "Families are like fudge, mostly sweet and full of nuts".

That's My Job: Conway Twitty

"That's My Job" is a song written by Gary Burr, and recorded by American country music artist Conway Twitty. It was released in November 1987 as the third single from the album Borderline. The song reached #6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and tells the story of a dad who lets his son know exactly what it means to be a dad.  

Listening to this reminds me of my own dad and what he has done for me throughout the years and I can only to strive to be like him if I am lucky to have a child of my own one day. 

Mama Said: The Shirelles

The girl group The Shirelles made a great song that talks about the advice we get from Moms. 

Sometimes You Can't Make It Own Your Own: U2

The lyrics were written by lead singer Bono as a tribute to his father, Bob Hewson, who died of cancer in 2001; Bono sang the song at his funeral. The video to the song begins with a note from Bono about his father, saying "I wish I'd known him better." This song teaches me that no matter what is going on in life you can always rely on your family.


Friends:

Friends In Low Places: Garth Brooks

They say that friends are like stars, that even though you may not see them they are always there. I have been blessed in my life to have some great friends. We are always there for each other and I am proud to be in "low" and "high" places with them.

Two more songs that have taught me about friendship are:

With A Little Help From My Friends: Joe Cocker/Beatles

You've Got A Friend: James Taylor

Stand By Me: Ben E. King

Faith:

My faith is a big part of my life and though there was a time where I may have had doubts and questions it is the thing that keeps me grounded and who I am. Here are just a few songs that remind me of my faith and what it means to me.

It IS Well With My Soul

The River Of Dreams: Billy Joel

Put Your Hand In The Hand: Ocean

Below My Feet: Mumford and Sons

The Future:

Finally there are songs that I adore that remind me of the future and that even though I do not know what it will bring, it is not so bad because I have my faith, my family and my friends. These songs below inspire me in some way.

The Rainbow Connection and Finale from The Muppet Movie: Kermit and the Muppets
"Life's like a movie, write your own ending, keep believing, keep pretending, we've done just what we've set out to do, thanks to the lovers the dreamers and you."

Keep Banging On Your Drum: Dead Man Fall

No one lives forever, 

Business here you've got to finish 

You won’t make your mind up 

You won’t make your mind up for me 

Hang out of your window 

Shout it down to the people below. 

Everyone will hear you. 

They are going to hear you. 

Here Comes The Sun: The Beatles
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun, and I say it's all right

It's My Life: Bon Jovi
It's my life its now or never, I ain't gonna live forever.

Badlands: Bruce Springsteen

Talkin' bout a dream, trying to make it real.

It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive.

There you go, some music to do homework by.....

What lessons have you learned and from which songs? I'd love you to leave a comment!

Until next time.....

Songs With A Cause

Hello readers! After a brief hiatus to attend an awesome Middle School and High School Summer Camp (and a little down time to recharge) the blog is back with a question for you.....

When you think of songs that were used as an anthem for a cause, charity, or as a way to spotlight an issue which one comes to your mind first?

If you are like 90% of people in the world you probably thought of  "We Are The World". This song and charity single originally recorded by the supergroup United Support of Artists (USA) for Africa in 1985. It was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy Jones for the album We Are the World. With sales in excess of 20 million copies, it is one of the fewer than 30 all-time singles to have sold at least 10 million copies worldwide. It was a big deal when I was a kid and it was always fun to try to pick out the people you knew in the video. 

For the remainder of this post, I want to spotlight songs that were used for charitable purposes and those songs that were used as anthems, manifestos, or a spotlight for change.  

Do They Know Its Christmas?

Cause: Anti-poverty efforts in Ethiopia

Performers: Roger Daltrey, Phil Collins, Bob Geldof, Paul McCartney, Steve Norman, Chris Cross, John Taylor (Duran Duran), Kiss, Paul Young, Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet), Glenn Gregory (Heaven 17), Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran), Simon Crowe (The Boomtown Rats), Marilyn, Keren Woodward (Bananarama), Martin Kemp (Spandau Ballet), Jody Watley (Shalamar), Bono (U2), Paul Weller (The Style Council and The Jam), James "J.T." Taylor (Kool & The Gang), George Michael (Wham!), Midge Ure (Ultravox), Martyn Ware (Heaven 17 and Human League), John Keeble (Spandau Ballet), Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet), Sting (The Police), Pete Briquette (The Boomtown Rats), Francis Rossi (Status Quo), Robert 'Kool' Bell (Kool & the Gang), Andy Taylor (Duran Duran), Jon Moss (Culture Club), Rick Parfitt (Status Quo), Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran), Johnny Fingers (The Boomtown Rats), David Bowie, Boy George (Culture Club), Holly Johnson (Frankie Goes to Hollywood), Big Country

Sales: More than 6 million copies in the U.S., the U.K. and Canada

One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)

Cause: Comic Relief

Performer: One Direction


Sales: 113,000 copies its first week

Free Nelson Mandela
The worldwide campaign to Free Nelson Mandela from a South African prison was voiced in many forms – including this song by the UK band The Specials AKA. Unlike most protest songs this one is upbeat and employs the rhythms of African music.

Bonus Springsteen Version

What's Going On?
Don’t be fooled by the laid-back soul style of this Marvin Gaye classic. It’s actually a political protest! This song was written to raise political awareness of the effects of the Vietnam War.

Born in the USA

Yes if you know me, Bruce will definitely make the list. Born in the USA is the title song of an album by US rocker Bruce Springsteen. The album produced seven songs all on the theme of the ordinary mans fight to pursue the American dream. This title track is often misinterpreted as a patriotic anthem when it is really about the working class heroes that hold the American economy together.

For trivia buffs, this was also the first commercial release of an album on CD in the US.

I'll Stand By You

Cause: Idol Gives Back

Performer: Carrie Underwood

Sales: Collected over 300,000 digital downloads

Candle in the Wind (1997)

Cause: Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund

Performer: Elton John


Sales: Over 33 million copies worldwide

Sunday Bloody Sunday

Irish rock band U2’s Sunday Bloody Sunday is strong political song highlighting the conflict in Northern Ireland. In particular it focuses on the effect of the Bloody Sunday incident when British troops opened fire against unarmed civil rights protesters.

Hurricane

This song by Bob Dylan was part of campaign to release Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter. He was a middleweight boxer who was wrongfully convicted of murder. After spending almost 20 years in prison, a public campaign finally secured his release.

That's What Friends Are For

Cause: American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR)

Performers: Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and Elton John

Sales: Raised over $3 million 

So there you have it, a few (not all if you research) songs related to charity or issues. Which ones are your favorites here? Did I miss one?  See ya next time for our Back to School Special......