# Upbeat Songs for a Young Woman Leaving Home **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 17, 2004, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172 "2004-08-17T01:46:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172/1 "2004-08-17T01:46:23Z")
My seventeen year old granddaughter will be leaving home for the first time in a few months. Her mother would like to put together a CD of some songs that are positive and upbeat. The songs should be things that will lift her spirits when she’s down and keep her in contact with her own strength and new found freedom. (Doesn’t she have just the coolest mom ever!) The songs can be from any time period. Please give the title, artist and, if you know, the CD that it is on. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172/2 "2004-08-17T02:12:11Z")
My “leaving home” anthem was the Dixie Chicks’ “Wide Open Spaces,” on the album of the same name. > [@](#): > > Who doesn’t know what I’m talking about? > Who’s never left home? Who’s never struck out > To find a dream and a life of their own? > A place in the clouds, a foundation of stone… > … > As her folks drive away, her dad yells “Check the oil!” > Her mama stares out the window and says “I’m leaving my girl.” > She says it didn’t seem like that long ago > When she stood there and let her own folks know ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172/3 "2004-08-17T02:20:19Z")
Room to Move - John Mayall I’m Free - The Who Urge for Going - Joni Mitchell ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172/4 "2004-08-17T02:25:56Z")
Movin’ Out - Billy Joel ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172/5 "2004-08-17T02:40:07Z")
“I’m Free” (from _Tommy_, the Who) ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172/6 "2004-08-17T02:41:15Z")
Sorry, **koeeoaddi** beat me to it. ---
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172/7 "2004-08-17T02:42:13Z")
_Baby Girl_ the debut single of a great brand spanking new Country band out of Atlanta called **Sugarland**. It was released in Mid July, and is about to reach Top 40 country radio. In some cities and regions it has been number one for many weeks. Currently [available for download](http://musicdownloads.walmart.com/catalog/servlet/SearchServlet?action=artist&term=sugarland) on [walmart.com](http://walmart.com). ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172/8 "2004-08-17T02:48:04Z")
Creeping Up Slowly - Taxiride ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172/9 "2004-08-17T02:49:51Z")
“Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves” Annie Lennox and Aretha Franklin “Now there was a time when they used to say, that behind every great man, there had to be a great woman. In these times of change, you know that that’s no longer true, we’re coming out of the kitchen, to say these words to you: Don’t you know that sisters are doing it for themselves! We’re standing on our own two feet and ringing our own bells.” “Wild Women Do” Natalie Cole Wild women do And they don’t regret it Wild women show What they’re goin’ through Wild women do What you think they’ll never What you only dream about Wild women do. ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172/10 "2004-08-17T03:57:39Z")
Caveat: my own taste in music is eclectic, to say the least. I Hope You Dance - Leann Womack Forever Toung - Rod Stewart You’ll Be In My Heart - Phil Collins Don’t Look Back - Boston Life Is A Highway - Tom Cochrane You Are My Sunshine - John Prine I Believe in Love - Barbra Streisand I Can Go The Distance - Michael Bolton Accentuate The Positive - Dr. John I Gotta Be Me - Sammy Davis Jr. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper You Gotta Be - Des’ree Time Of Your Life - Green Day ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172/11 "2004-08-17T03:59:23Z")
> [@LifeOnWry](#): > > Forever Toung - Rod Stewart Er. Freudian slip, that. It’s “Forever Young”. :o 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172/12 "2004-08-17T04:42:16Z")
“Glad Goodbye,” Marshall Crenshaw, _#447_ “Time to Move On,” Tom Petty, _Wildflowers_ “Garden of Earthly Delights,” XTC, _Oranges & Lemons_ (technically written for a newborn, but good for anyone venturing out into the world) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172/13 "2004-08-17T04:46:58Z")
What? Nobody’s suggesting the theme from _The Mary Tyler Moore Show_? ---
**Author:** ![Atticus\_Finch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ec9cab/32.png) [@Atticus\_Finch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atticus_Finch)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172/14 "2004-08-17T05:21:47Z")
Jebediah, _Leaving Home_. Title says it all, really. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172/15 "2004-08-17T05:41:42Z")
Alanis Morisette “Hand In My Pocket” _Jagged Little Pill_ > [@](#): > > I’m broke but I’m happy > I’m poor but I’m kind > I’m short but I’m healthy, yeah > I’m high but I’m grounded > I’m sane but I’m overwhelmed > I’m lost but I’m hopeful baby > > What it all comes down to > Is that everthing’s gonna be fine, fine, fine > I’ve got one hand in my pocket > And the other one is giving a high five… > > [http://www.lyricsfreak.com/a/alanis-morissette/5454.html](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/a/alanis-morissette/5454.html) ---
**Author:** ![AzRaek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/azraek/32/16739_2.png) [@AzRaek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AzRaek)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172/16 "2004-08-17T05:46:16Z")
“Mother, Mother” by Tracey Bonham. Starts out soft and sweet, then goes into screaming and back to sweet then ends with… I miss you, I love you. ---
**Author:** ![Ilsa\_Lund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ilsa\_Lund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ilsa_Lund)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172/17 "2004-08-17T05:55:29Z")
The Beatles - She’s Leaving Home (a happy song, listen closely) The Beatles - Good Day, Sunshine Radiohead - Let Down Radiohead - Exit Music (For A Film)😃 Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - Freefallin’ Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - American Girl Bob Dylan - The Times They Are A Changin’ Paul Simon - Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Feet ---
**Author:** ![dry\_gear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@dry\_gear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dry_gear)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172/18 "2004-08-17T06:00:56Z")
> [@](#): > > The Beatles - She’s Leaving Home (a happy song, listen closely) Are you serious? Ummm… The Smiths- Sheila Take a Bow ? ---
**Author:** ![Kallessa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7993a0/32.png) [@Kallessa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kallessa)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172/19 "2004-08-17T06:50:55Z")
From India. Aire’s Acoustic Soul CD, I’d suggest _Strength, Courage and Wisdom; Video_ and _I See God in You_. Carole King’s _Beautiful_, from Tapestry And, _The House at Pooh Corner_ by Loggins and Messina, because everyone needs to remember childhood once in a while, especially when they’re walking so close to adulthood. Best of luck to your granddaughter! ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172/20 "2004-08-17T07:30:43Z")
I’m kinda hoping a few of these are jokes. She’s Leaving Home is not a happy song, it’s about a girl sneaking away from home! (Maybe the parents are happy they won’t have to feed her?) 😛 Time of Your Life… the real title is Good Riddance, I think that may be more of the real message. Movin’ Out is upbeat musically but I wouldn’t say it’s hopeful or anything. Let Down isn’t about leaving, it’s about being stuck someplace for good and feeling useless. [Gonna Move](http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Gonna-Move-lyrics-Susan-Tedeschi/2711A2882F40644E48256CA900296D4C) by Paul Pena. Susan Tedeschi’s cover is excellent and sung from a woman’s point of view, but it doesn’t make too much difference either way. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upbeat-songs-for-a-young-woman-leaving-home/260172.md?page=2)