# 5 songs that represent your views in life **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 13, 2008, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317 "2008-07-13T10:57:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Frustrated\_Wonderer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a4c791/32.png) [@Frustrated\_Wonderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frustrated_Wonderer)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2008, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317/1 "2008-07-13T10:57:21Z")
Im a fan of music, and I think lyrics can be the best, most powerful instruments we have in expressing our views/perspectives in life. My 5 songs that represent my life views are, in no order: “ **Echoes** ” by Pink Floyd - talks about feeling empathy for others and recognizing the good side each of us has the potential to have. Waters brilliantly writes “_Strangers passing in the street by chance two seperate glances meet and I am you and what I see is me_” “ **Only the Good Die Young** ” by Billy Joel - you can lead a “good” sinless life, but you’ll be missing out on plenty. Like he says “_I’d rather laugh with the sinners and cry with the saints, the sinners are much more fun_…” “ **Three Little Birds** ” by Bob Marley - somtimes, many times In fact, life comes at you with crap. Much of it depends on how you take it. A good perspective can often help. Bob sings " _Don’t worry, about a thing, cause’ every little thing is going to be alright_." “ **Imagine** ” by John Lennon - Yes, can be corny. But hell, many of these “dreamers” songs started because of this one. Wouldn’t it be nice to not have wars, not having hate. “_Imagine all the people living life in peace_” “ **Brain Damage** ” by Pink Floyd - Yes, I’m a Floyd freak, but they wrote good songs. Life dosen’t always make sense, and it isn’t always bad to be different, as Waters stated in an interview. Sometimes, it may be the madness that makes life interesting. “_And if the band you’re in starts playing different tunes, I’ll see you on the Dark Side of the Moon_”. Come on over, it’s cool over here. So what are your top 5 “life songs”? ---
**Author:** ![deadindays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@deadindays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deadindays)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2008, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317/2 "2008-07-13T13:02:10Z")
Long-time lurker, first-time poster. Here are my top six (sorry!) songs that represent the way I think: 1. These Days (Nico) 2. Imagine (John Lennon) 3. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times (The Beach Boys) 4. Two Headed Boy (Neutral Milk Hotel) 5. I’m So Tired (The Beatles) 6. Get Me Away From Here, I’m Dying (Belle and Sebastian) _sigh_ ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2008, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317/3 "2008-07-13T13:23:06Z")
**Swans** - “_God Damn The Sun_” - ties right in with my depression, sometimes, and my nihilism: “God damn anyone who ever said a kind word…” **Joy Division** - “_24 Hours_” ditto on the depression: "A cloud hangs over me, marks every move[…] Just for one moment, thought I’d found my way Destiny unfolded, I watched it slip away! " **Billy Bragg** - “_There is Power in a Union_” sums up my politics nicely: “With our brothers and our sisters from many far-off lands There is power in a Union” **Shelleyan Orphan** - “_Summer Flies_”, because I’m not always depressed: “Summer flies, buzzing bees, heavenly, and this could be - totally undone and free!” all to a jazzy accordion tune. and lastly **10 000 Maniacs** - “_Trouble Me_” is all about how I feel about my wife and now, kid: “Let me send you off to sleep with a ‘There, there, now stop your turning and tossing.’ Let me know where the hurt is and how to heal.” ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2008, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317/4 "2008-07-14T15:56:34Z")
Depend on my mood at times but three that immediately come to mind are The Moody Blues’ “Nights in White Satin”, Side One of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon”, Alan Parsons Project’s “Time” along with “Old and Wise” and the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul”. I’m a Mel/Phleg but still hopeful & Christian. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![CrowJane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a183cd/32.png) [@CrowJane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrowJane)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2008, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317/5 "2008-07-14T16:12:22Z")
[QUOTE=MrDibble] **Swans** - “_God Damn The Sun_” - ties right in with my depression, sometimes, and my nihilism: [/Quote] What an excellent choice. I would also add “Failure”, by **Swans** , for similar reasons; “People Ain’t No Good”, by **Nick Cave** ; “One Part Lullaby”, by **The Folk Implosion** ; "12305(te Nacht), by **Einsturzende Neubauten**. I’m a cheery sort, me. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2008, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317/6 "2008-07-14T19:40:18Z")
[QUOTE=FriarTed] along with “Old and Wise” [/QUOTE] Based on this information alone, I will buy you a drink if you’re ever in Charlotte. Mine, hastily- and probably ill-considered: “Uptown,” Prince “Superstition,” Stevie Wonder “Tightrope,” Stevie Ray Vaughan “Go to Zero,” The Power Station “East Bound and Down,” Jerry Reed 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2008, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317/7 "2008-07-14T20:24:28Z")
Right off the top of my head… Dear God - XTC Are The Good Times Really Over For Good - Merle Haggard Heroes - David and David Nothin’ Without You - Steve Earle Chug a Lug - Roger Miller Also in the running… Lesson Pony - The Tripwires Lost in the Supermarket - The Clash Rock and Roll Can Rescue the World - Electric Eel Shock ---
**Author:** ![HelloKitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecccb3/32.png) [@HelloKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelloKitty)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2008, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317/8 "2008-07-14T23:01:47Z")
**Imagine** is the first song that came to mind. “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one…” **Like a Prayer** , Madonna - “Life is a mystery, everyone must stand all alone. I hear you call my name and it feels like…home” **No Woman, No Cry** , Bob Marley - The part of this song that gets me is in the middle when he starts singing “Everything’s gonna be alright!” That song has taught me not to worry, that nothing comes from worry, and more often than not, everything IS alright. **Kyrie** , Mister Mister - This song is totally uplifting to me, inspiring. **Life is a Highway** , Tom Cochrane - This one never fails to put me in a good mood, and I love the thought - “Life is a highway, I want to ride it all night long!” ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2008, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317/9 "2008-07-15T02:33:39Z")
1. [100 Years](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmoE8_U-JTw) by **Five for Fighting**. Yes, I know it’s cheesy. But it epitomizes the inevitability of life - how each stage of life is its own milestone, how there’s no sense holding on to memories of time gone by, etc. Sample lyric: “Every day’s a new day.” 2. [If I Stand](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1L-QATxP4Y) by **Rich Mullins**. A flawed man’s assessment of his relationship with God. Or something like that. That’s me - the flawed man. Sample lyric: “If I weep let it be as a man who is longing for his home.” 3. [Remember Me](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-80UzhAQlAg) by **Mark Schultz**. I hope that I leave a lasting impact on the kids I work with, and that when I’m gone they remember me. Sample lyric: “Remember me when the children leave their Sunday School with smiles.” Yes I know that’s only three, but those are the only three I really need (I think). ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2008, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317/10 "2008-07-15T03:08:12Z")
[QUOTE=deadindays] … 1. Two Headed Boy (Neutral Milk Hotel) … [/QUOTE] This song represents your views on life? Do you want to put your fingers in the notches of my spine? The world that you need is wrapped in gold silver sleeves placed beneath Christmas trees in the snow? ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2008, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317/11 "2008-07-15T13:21:53Z")
**If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out** , Cat Stevens _Well if you want to say yes, say yes And if you want to say no, say no 'Cause there’s a million ways to go You know that there are_ **Virginia Woolf** , Indigo Girls _the apathy of time laughs in my face you say each life has its place_ **God Shiva** , Me’Shell Ndegeocello _Desire no more what you already possess You are already free_ **Train in the Distance** , Paul Simon _What is the point of this story What information pertains The thought that life could be better Is woven indelibly Into our hearts And our brains_ Whole bunches of stuff by **Pink Floyd** _For long you live and high you fly The smiles you give and tears you cry And all you touch and all you see Is all your life will ever be_ _New car, caviar Four-star daydream Think I’ll buy me a football team_ _When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse Out of the corner of my eye I turned to look, but it was gone I cannot put my finger on it now The child is grown, the dream is gone_ ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2008, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317/12 "2008-07-15T13:52:07Z")
\*\*“What’s Going On” \*\* by Marvin Gaye - This has been my favorite album for almost my whole life and the message is still needed. **"She’s Strange"** by Cameo - This is how I’ve always seen myself - strange in a good way. \*\* You’ve Got To Be Taught \*\* - South Pacific - _You’ve got to be taught To hate and fear You’ve got to be taught From year to Year It’s got to be drummed in your dear little ear You’ve got to be carefully taught_ This song really moves me. \*\* The Age of Aquarius\*\* - This song just makes me feel good, and I would like to believe that we’re almost there. “…harmony and understanding…” \*\*Imagine \*\* John Lennon - perfect ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2008, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317/13 "2008-07-16T00:53:46Z")
“Isn’t She Lovely,” Stevie Wonder. “Centerfield,” John Fogerty. Pretty much does it right there. ---
**Author:** ![phil417](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6bbea6/32.png) [@phil417](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phil417)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2008, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317/14 "2008-07-16T08:36:17Z")
What a great question! I just turned 55, and as I consider my life, my choices are these: (1) “Amazing Grace” this version sung by Mahalia Jackson works for mehttp://youtube.com/watch?v=ZJg5Op5W7yw TheFury, I’ve had 55 years of screwups, bangups, & just plain stupid stuff I’ve done. It just amazes me that first, I’m still here and second, God loves me anyhow. (A wise woman wrote this dialogue between her & God: Woman: “God, how can you still love me with my foot in my mouth?” God: “Honey, who do you think created both that mouth and that foot?”) (2) “I Am Blessed” (sung by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir): “I am blessed, I am blessed, from the moment I awake until I lay my head to rest.” Amen. I’ve noted in my will that I want this played at my wake. (3) “Jesus is Just Alright” [http://youtube.com/watch?v=u2ClBlp9crA](http://youtube.com/watch?v=u2ClBlp9crA) – gotta have me some Doobie Brothers! (4) “Thank God for Kids” (the Oak Ridge Boys) [http://youtube.com/watch?v=AHWaTXMKT3s](http://youtube.com/watch?v=AHWaTXMKT3s) my babies (& grandbabies) are my life. (5) This last one is hard. Do I choose Sir Elton John’s “The Circle of Life” in honor of my granchildren [http://youtube.com/watch?v=vX07j9SDFcc](http://youtube.com/watch?v=vX07j9SDFcc), or Alice Cooper’s “You & Me” [http://youtube.com/watch?v=\_15VPVK6MEI](http://youtube.com/watch?v=_15VPVK6MEI) Either of these are great, but I think I’ll go back to the beginning: “Amazing Grace” (“I’ve Been Set Free”) [http://youtube.com/watch?v=cyFxArMeRDI](http://youtube.com/watch?v=cyFxArMeRDI) For years I’ve fought alcohol, & I think I’ll fight it until I die. My daughters and their families are the best things that ever happened to me (Erma Bombeck once defined family as "wearing your heart outside your body for the rest of your life:). I’m staying sober to be a good good Grandma. Love, Phil ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2008, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317/15 "2008-07-16T14:28:34Z")
Everyones got to learn sometime by the Korgis Working Class Hero by John Lennon Insomnia by Faithless Never take me alive by Spear of Destiny Dont worry be Happy,any Brit whos served in XMG during the troubles will recognise why I chose that one. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2008, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317/16 "2008-07-16T19:37:23Z")
My philosophy in 5 songs? [_Why Can’t We Be Friends?_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5FfJ89rGPc) - War [_Going Up the Country_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXY_CaVvnPU) - Canned Heat [_Have a Good Time_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiZ0Gld0lrk) - Paul Simon (Ignore the Harry Potter images; it was the only video clip of the song I could find.) [_Southern Accents_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ticcOE_0sLw) - Tom Petty [_I Can Help_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkZLgJKQ46w&feature=related) - Elvis Presley Give or take. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2008, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317/17 "2008-07-16T20:07:01Z")
**Still Crazy After All These Years** - Paul Simon **It’s A Beautiful Morning** - Young Rascals **At Last** - written by Mack Gordon **Bye Bye Blackbird** - written by Henderson/Dixon **Feeling Good** - as sung by [Nina Simone](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBy4QXAAil8) ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2008, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317/18 "2008-07-16T21:18:22Z")
“Sit Down” by James. Apparently written about Patti Smith, it’s about being bipolar and spiritual at the same time. “Drawn by the undertow/My life is out of control/I believe this wave will bear my weight/So let it flow.” I hope to one day have it sung at my wedding. “The Bug” and “I Take My Chances” by Mary Chapin Carpenter. Ever buy an album that has absolutely no wasted tracks? These are two high points off MCC’s flawless _Come On Come On_. Not exactly a girly-girl. These are songs about balancing fate with your own determination; neither one will cut it alone. “All For the Best,” _Godspell_ original soundtrack. Life isn’t fair; roll with it. “Strawberry Jam,” Michelle Shocked, _Arkansas Traveler_. Some people can get subversive joy out of just about anything–! ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2008, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317/19 "2008-07-17T02:57:51Z")
**Cut My Hair** , The Who: _“Why do I have to move with a crowd Of kids that hardly notice I’m around, I work myself to death just to fit in”_ **Pure and Easy** , Townshend: _“We all know success when we all find our own dreams And our love is enough to knock down any wall And the future’s been seen as men try to realize The simple secret of the note in us all”_ **Love of the Common Man** , Todd Rundgren _“Ive been burned in my prime The simple things in life Seem so hard to learn sometimes And it takes so long Catch it while you can Too late tomorrow…”_ **Question** , Moody Blues: \*“Why do we never get an answer When we’re knocking at the door With a thousand million questions About hate and death and war?” \* **Lick It Up** , Kiss: _“You’ve gotta live like you’re on vacation”_ ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2008, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317/20 "2008-07-17T04:44:59Z")
The ultimate? [Here We Go - Jon Brion](http://www.lyricsmania.com/lyrics/jon_brion_lyrics_27391/other_lyrics_57917/here_we_go_lyrics_588580.html) Anything else I could name pales in comparison. But I’ll do it anyway, because I like to. 😛 _Light Years_ - **Sloan** _…That I’m only realizing just how/She is light years away from me now_ _Ladyfingers_ - **Luscious Jackson** _Well i got ladyfingers baby,i got kid gloves baby i got heart_ _Bone Bag_ -\*\* Blur\*\*\* I don’t want to hurt you, no not ever\* _Come and Play in the Milky Night_ - **Stereolab** _Led astray/Before the/Fragile defense of words/Come and stay/Bring the stars/Play in the milky night_ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-songs-that-represent-your-views-in-life/456317.md?page=2)