# Help me put together a playlist of upbeat songs for a terminally ill friend **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 4, 2012, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691 "2012-09-04T22:53:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![skymannearth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@skymannearth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skymannearth)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2012, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691/1 "2012-09-04T22:53:43Z")
I’m trying to put together a playlist for my friend to listen to as he goes threw chemo. He and I have always bonded on our taste in classic rock,from The Dead and Joni Mitchell to The Who and The Stones. Three weeks back I was with him when he found out he had pancreatic cancer and a 1% shot at survival (at 47 years old). Since then we’ve spent a lot of his chemo time closing our eyes and listening to great music. The problem is that in the music collection he amassed over the years and then added to iTunes is filled with songs that sour his mood as they are depressing in nature. As he has such a vast collection I figured rather than filter out the sad stuff I’d make a play list of the good stuff. Here is where your help comes in. I started tonight to do it by artist, and have begun with Joni Mitchell though I’d like to give it some variety. Here is where my Joni list is. Chelsea morning California big yellow taxi? Raised on Robbery Help Me Free Man in Paris ---
**Author:** ![Roadfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc348/32.png) [@Roadfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roadfood)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691/2 "2012-09-05T00:12:02Z")
Classic rock, huh? Looking through my collection: Argent: Hold Your Head Up Bachman Turner Overdrive: Roll On Down The Highway Given’ It All Away Beach Boys: Surfin’ Safari Surfin’ U.S.A. Fun, Fun, Fun Good Vibrations Canned Heat: Going Up The Country Cream: I Feel Free I’m So Glad Sunshine Of Your Love Creedence Clearwater Revival: Green River Keep on Chooglin’ Travelin’ Band Up Around The Bend Dave Edmunds: Information Something About You Deep Purple: Space Truckin’ The Doobie Brothers: Neal’s Fandango Rockin’ Down The Highway The Doors: L.A. Woman The Guess Who: Clap for the Wolfman Dancin’ Fool Get Your Ribbons On Just Let Me Sing Star Baby Let me know if you want more like that. ---
**Author:** ![Greekfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@Greekfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greekfreak)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691/3 "2012-09-05T00:46:34Z")
X–4th of July Slowdive–When The Sun Hits Compared To What–Les McCann Starfish And Coffee–Prince The Wanderer–Dion Dance The Night Away–Van Halen Plaster Caster–KISS The Stroke–Billy Squier The Seeker–The Who Camarillo Brillo–Frank Zappa Good Morning Aztlan–Los Lobos Fat Bottomed Girls–Queen Burnin’ For You–Blue Oyster Cult ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691/4 "2012-09-05T01:24:22Z")
Mr. Blue Sky - ELO ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691/5 "2012-09-05T04:36:35Z")
I’m sorry to hear about your friend. That’s a tough diagnosis. Since he likes Joni, he might like Kate Bush too. A reminder of some of her more upbeat-ish songs: [“Eat The Music”](http://youtu.be/GPB4GM-WwwY) [“Rubberband Girl”](http://youtu.be/GPK0Oy2b0MI) [“Aerial”](http://youtu.be/vJ795x9vWp8) [“Sunset”](http://youtu.be/2YV4L-GT6oQ) [“The Morning Fog”](http://youtu.be/pUcvSVdZBRI) [“Suspended In Gaffa”](http://youtu.be/V3XAeg3B0To) [“The Big Sky”](http://youtu.be/sV7w5TaYjRA) (that’s the album version, here’s the [longer remix](http://youtu.be/PAn7ybbv9b0)) [“Pi”](http://youtu.be/j3TsRNm7SKE) [“Kite”](http://youtu.be/OwMAG-hXIwc) [“Rocket Man”](http://youtu.be/6g8v2RNLHr0) [“Rocket’s Tail”](http://youtu.be/4EhmUghu7tI) [Constellation of the Heart](http://youtu.be/n0_DIdJF2OY) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691/6 "2012-09-05T05:09:34Z")
Blue Sky by the Allman Brothers. And you can interpret their instrumentals how you like, but I think some of them would fit in. In Memory of Elizabeth Reed has a mournful quality, but Jessica is downright joyful and others like Mountain Jam and Les Brers in A Minor and High Falls are jammy and upbeat. > [@Greekfreak](#): > > Good Morning Aztlan–Los Lobos Great band. I’d add Little Japan, Cumbia Raza, 27 Spanishes, Get to This, La Playa, Peace, and The Valley. ---
**Author:** ![Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/43a26b/32.png) [@Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pine_Fresh_Scent)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691/7 "2012-09-05T06:38:54Z")
I’m very sorry to hear about your friend, I hope this helps in some tiny way. I’d like to recommend the [second side](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sibCXG20_dE&feature=player_detailpage#t=1497s) of Abbey Road: - Here Comes the Sun - Because - Medley (You Never Give Me Your Money, Sun King, Mean Mr. Mustard, Polythene Pam She Came In Through the Bathroom Window, Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight, The End) - Her Majesty - The Doobies’ “China Grove” Not a Classic Rock track, but I could listen to the Talking Heads’ [“This Must Be The Place” (Naive Melody)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTPqPZzH-LA) for days straight. Love that song. Good call on “Jessica”, **Marley23.** ---
**Author:** ![phxjcc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phxjcc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phxjcc)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691/8 "2012-09-05T07:21:41Z")
Ode to Joy - from Mr Beethoven’s 9th Try to get a copy of In The Digital Mood, a collection Glenn Miller standards Sure to raise the spirits of anyone ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691/9 "2012-09-05T07:57:24Z")
Queen - Bicycle Race Elton John - Crocodile Rock (Maybe?) David Bowie - Fame (Maybe?) The Monkees - Daydream Believer Simon and Garfunkel - Feelin Groovy The Moody Blues - Ride My Seesaw Heart - Barracuda Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song The Pretenders - Back On The Chain Gang (Maybe?) The Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop The Rolling Stones - Start Me Up AC/DC - Dirty Deeds Quiet Riot - Cum On Feel The Noize Van Halen - Jump (Maybe, unless there is something by them he likes better.) Jeff Beck - His cover of Manic Depression from the album Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix (As well as any others you know he loves.) Three Dog Night - Joy To The World Creedence Clearwater Revival - Proud Mary Iggy Pop and the Stooges - The Passenger Billy Idol - Dancin With Myself (Maybe?) Sly and the Family Stone - Dance To The Music The Police - Who Can It Be Now? (Maybe?) Santana - Oye Como Va, Black Magic Woman Hope these help? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691/10 "2012-09-05T08:34:16Z")
In the Summertime - Mungo Jerry Devil with a Blue Dress on - Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels Penny Lane - The Beatles Going up the Country - Canned Heat I Feel the Earth Move - Carole King One Fine Day - The Chiffons Judy in Disguise - John Fred and His Playboy Band Mony Mony - Tommy James and the Shondells Joy to the World - Three Dog Night Down on the Corner - Creedence Clearwater Revival I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash Crocodile Rock - Elton John Frankenstein - Edgar Winter Group ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691/11 "2012-09-05T12:48:27Z")
Lynyrd Skynyrd–_Sweet Home Alabama_, _Down South Juking_, _Gimme Three Steps_, _What’s Your Name_ Janis Joplin—_Mercedes Benz_ Led Zeppelin—_Whole Lotta Love_, _Rock and Roll_ Jimi Hendric----_Purple Haze_, _Foxy Lady_ The Troggs—_Wild Thing_ Steppenwolf—_Born to be Wild_, _Magic Carpet Ride_ ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691/12 "2012-09-05T12:52:48Z")
Just about anything by The Ventures, if surfer music qualifies. ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691/13 "2012-09-05T14:23:26Z")
Sorry these aren’t classic rock, but they are some of the happiest/most comforting songs I have (I have used them on CDs for other people to try to help them through tough spots): Michael Franti & Spearhead - [The Sound of Sunshine](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqgHosrqJ8o) G. Love - [Rainbow](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V6110tbJZo) Jill Scott -[Golden](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QCXr79Rkcw) Great Big Sea - [Something Beautiful](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO3qILwdkBo)\* Macy Gray - [Beauty in the World](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qX7ZsxD3Ik) The Strange Familiar - [Courage Is…](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXrWRM0E6YA) Bonnie McKee - [When it All Comes Down](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0dkwT25UEE) Josh Kelley - [You Are a Part of Everything](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrH5aG2fdao) The Gabe Dixon Band - [All Will be Well](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2-3ooX_XkQ) Saving Jane - [Better Day](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BwuSfbICBs) Gary Go - [Wonderful](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a28s_wyqkyc) Eric Bibb - [Shine On](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZvd_OZ_Lvs) Carbon Leaf - [Let Your Troubles Roll By](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWfSA8mxpVY) Uncle Kracker - [Hey Hey Hey](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWB_UCs4j7s) ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691/14 "2012-09-05T19:24:49Z")
Add **Twisted** to the Joni Mitchell list Monty Python \*\*The Galaxy Song \*\* **Always Look on the Bright Side of Life** ---
**Author:** ![getitrite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@getitrite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/getitrite)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691/15 "2012-09-06T00:01:53Z")
This one has help me, sorry that your friend also has cancer. Celtic Women - Oronicco flow who couldn’t use some sail away music. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691/16 "2012-09-06T00:14:30Z")
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher - Jackie Wilson ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691/17 "2012-09-06T00:39:52Z")
Hmmm…I suspect this pushes your envelope too far past the early 70’s stuff you’ve cited, but just about anything from Triumph will tend to be up-beat (rather Triumphant, if you ask me). Fight the Good Fight Hold On Magic Power etcetera –G! Rock and Roll Machine! Faster than you ever seen! . --Gil Moore (Triumph) . _Rock and Roll Machine_ . Rock and Roll Machine ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691/18 "2012-09-06T01:02:48Z")
You turn me on, I’m a radio. Car on a hill. River All Joni Mitchell. Put 'em on the list, I say! ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691/19 "2012-09-06T05:07:46Z")
[Saya’s Victory](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJhBL_qRHoc) [Party Party Party—Andrew WK](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A1SiQkPqYM) [Smile Smile Smile—Pinkie Pie](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNrXMOSkBas) [Smile—Vitamin C](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRPLaobXG2k) [Chorus of the Janissaries—Mozart](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KcP-IY2gsc) [Jupiter, Bringer of Jolity—Holst](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz0b4STz1lo) [Yeager’s Triumph—The Right Stuff](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmimRZSVIyo&feature=related) (The recording I prefer is a tad bit more manic) [Mach I—The Right Stuff](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LEoNQPQXsY) ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691/20 "2012-09-06T05:51:54Z")
Try some Japanese bubblegum pop. I have no idea what they are saying but those chicks are happy. It’s like listening to sugar. (and I was going to post smile smile smile, I recommend watching the show. It’s like 22mins of happiness applied directly to the eyeballs) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-put-together-a-playlist-of-upbeat-songs-for-a-terminally-ill-friend/633691.md?page=2)