like ol' Jimmy Durante used to say, "I got a million of 'em!" so many i could pick, but probably the one song i'd have to identify as speaking to who i am and how i try to live my life is "Changes in Attitudes, Changes in Latitudes" by Jimmy Buffett. the entire song, the album, the time i first heard it (and a bunch of early Buffett albums: i bought his first four or five at once and so kind of fell deep into my parrottheadism); all were so influential to changing me from the youth i was into (slowly slowly) the man i became.

If it suddenly ended tomorrow, I could somehow adjust to the fall
Good times and riches and son-of-a-bitches, I've seen more than I can recall.

and

Yesterday's are over my shoulders, so I can't look back for too long
There's just too much to see waiting in front of me, and I know that I just can't go wrong

people who only know one or two Buffett songs (and that's most people) snicker at parrottheads like me who can find elements of a positive, productive life philosophy in his music. but we can, because the music extends far beyond the actual songs. my journey from fundamentalist christian to semi-Zen was aided hugely by Jimmy Buffett; if that seems bizarre to you, then you're seeing it just right.

great post, Kevin. as another great band said, "Keep on chooglin'!"

Great song suggestions so far.

Due to my sole tattoo being of a tropical sunset behind a single palm tree on a tiny island and which is prominantly placed on my shoulder, I've been asked many times if I'm a parrothead. I'm not per se, although Jimmy Buffet is clearly a kindred spirit. I do like his stuff and have a number of his songs in my MP3 collection. My favorite one is his live "lost verse" version of Margaritaville which I believe was recorded on Martha's Vineyard.

And MTC, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is on my shortlist of favorite songs ever. And I absolutely agree about the emotional content conveyed just by the music alone. Pure genius. Ditto for CS&N's "Southern Cross," Clapton's "Tears in Heaven," Paul Simon's "Slip Slidin' Away," Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," Neil Young's "Southern Man" and so many others.

I think one of my favorites right now has to be "How Far We've Come" from Matchbox Twenty. Definitely describes how I often feel about where we've been headed.

definitely the song hat fits the specific category is "You Gotta Work" by Amerie. I saw it as the bed for an obama mashup from TX and it was PUMPING. Search obama Texas mashup, it's worth it--so inspiring with that great Stax style horn section:

Some days are gonna be hard like this Some days there's gonna be rain like this Some days you're gonna feel pain like this Some days you gotta work hard for it

Cos when you're feelin' low and you can't get no lower that's when you know you're close sometimes you gotta work hard for it

A few songs come to mind. This one came to mind first. I still get misty every time I hear it.

Anybody here seen my old friend Abraham? Can you tell me where he's gone? He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young You know I just looked around and he's gone

Anybody here seen my old friend John? Can you tell me where he's gone? He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young I just looked around and he's gone

Anybody here seen my old friend Martin? Can you tell me where he's gone? He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young I just looked around and he's gone

Didn't you love the things that they stood for? Didn't they try to find some good for you and me? And we'll be free Some day soon, it's gonna be one day

Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby? Can you tell me where he's gone? I thought I saw him walkin' up over the hill With Abraham, Martin, and John

I also have a serious weakness for the songs of Steve Goodman. He was seldom overtly political but he observed political realities with a sly cynicism I love.

One of my favorites is "Banana Republics."

Down to the Banana Republics, down to the tropical sun Go the expatriated Americans, hopin' to find some fun Some of them go for the sailing, caught by the lure of the sea Tryin' to find what is ailing, livin' in the land of the free

Some of them are running from lovers, leaving no forward address Some of them are running marijuana Some are running from the I.R.S.

Chorus: Late at night you will see them In the cheap hotels and bars Hustling the senoritas as they dance beneath the stars Spending those renegade pesos on a bottle of rum and a lime Singin' give me some words I can dance to Or a melody that rhymes

First you learn the native customs soon a word of spanish or two You know that you cannot trust them 'Cause they know they can't trust you Expatriated Americans feelin' so all alone Telling themselves the same lies That they told themselves back home

Down to the Banana Republics, things aren't as warm as they seem None of the natives are buying any second-hand American dreams

Chorus: Late at night you will see them In the cheap hotels and bars Hustling the senoritas as they dance beneath the stars Spending those renegade pesos on a bottle of rum and a lime Singin' give me some words I can dance to Or a melody that rhymes

Down to the Banana Republics, down to the tropical sun Go the expatriated Americans hopin' to find some fun

And then there is his classic "Election Year Rag."

Come on babe, won't you take a chance, Your papa's gonna show you a brand new dance, You shuffle on down, now don't you be no drag And do that Election Year Rag.

You take two steps to the left and two steps to the right, Then just land in the middle and you hang on tight. Come on down now, don't feel mad, You can do that Election Year Rag.

Jump on that old bandwagon, Here's what you gonna do: Go down to the Precinct Captain's house this morning And scarf up some lame duck stew.

Well, don't you cry, don't shed no tears, You know it only comes around every four years, And I am your dark horse and you're my nag, Do that Election Year Rag.

If you feel like you need a score card, Well, you really don't have to fuss. You know the winner's always somebody else And the loser is always us.

And it's shake it to the East, shake it to the West, Hand me down my bullet-proof vest. It's nobody's choice and it's anybody's guess And do that Election -

There ain't no selection, And do that Election Year Rag.

Thank you for sharing that, Jamie. Songs which express our deepest, most intimately felt emotions have always been the ones that I love the most, even if the emotions are bittersweet. Or perhaps it's because the emotions are often bitersweet...

I am deeply sorry for your loss. If I'm fortunate then I will die before my lover does. But if I don't then that song will perfectly encapsulate what she's meant to me. However, at the end of the day I'll be able to honestly say that I wouldn't have missed one second of it for all the fame, riches or material "things" in the universe. Life's funny that way. There is a price to be paid for great loves. Yet I firmly believe that there is an even higher price to be paid for avoiding great loves for fear of having to ever feel pain and loss.

Jamie:

I don't think there are words to express how sorry I am to hear that.

One of my favorites is "Banana Republics."

For some reason that made me think of Warren Zevon's "Lawyers, Guns and Money."

Now I'm hiding in Honduras I'm a desperate man Send lawyers, guns and money The shit has hit the fan

Yikes!

But the greatest Steve Goodman song of all time is "The Dying Cub Fan's Last Request."

By the shore's of old Lake Michigan Where the "hawk wind" blows so cold An old Cub fan lay dying In his midnight hour that tolled 'Round his bed, his friends had all gathered They knew his time was short And on his head they put this bright blue cap From his all-time favorite sport He told them "it's late and it's getting dark in here And I know it's time to go But before I leave the line-up There's just one thing I'd like to know"

Do they still play the blues in Chicago When baseball season rolls around When the snow melts away, Do the Cubbies still play In their ivy covered burial ground When I was a boy they were my pride and joy But now they only bring fatigue To the home of the brave The land of the free And the doormat of the national league (talking blues) Told his friends "You know the law of averages says: Anything will happen that can." That's what it says. "But the year the Cubs last won a national league pennant Was the year we dropped the bomb on Japan" The Cubs made me a criminal Sent me down a wayward path They stole my youth from me (that's the truth) I'd forsake my teachers To go sit in the bleachers In flagrant truancy and then one thing led to another soon I'd discovered alcohol, gambling, dope football, hockey, lacrosse, tennis But what do you expect, When you raise up a young boy's hopes And then just crush 'em like so many paper beer cups. Year after year after year after year, after year, after year, after year, after year 'Til those hopes are just so much popcorn for pigeons beneath the "EL" track to eat He said "You know I'll never see Wrigley Field anymore before my eternal rest So if you have your pencils and your score cards ready, and I'll read you my last request Give me a double header funeral in Wrigley Field On some sunny weekend day (no lights) Have the organ play the National Anthem and then a little "na, na, na, hey hey, hey, Goodbye" Make six bullpen pitchers, carry my coffin and six ground keepers clear my path Have the umpires bark me out at every base In all their holy wrath Its a beautiful day for a funeral, Hey Ernie lets play two! Somebody go get Jack Brickhouse to come back, and conduct just one more interview Have the Cubbies run right out into the middle of the field, Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt And I'll be ready to die Build a big fire on home plate out of your 'Louisville Sluggers' baseball bats, And toss my coffin in Let my ashes blow in the beautiful snow From the prevailing 30 mile an hour south west wind When my last remains go flying over the left field wall Will bid the bleacher bums adieu I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue The dying man's friends told him to cut it out They said stop it that's an awful shame He whispered, "Don't Cry, we'll meet by and by near the Heavenly Hall of Fame He said I've got season's tickets to watch the Angels now, So its just what I'm going to do He said but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs, So its me that feels sorry for you! And he said "Ahh Play, play that lonesome losers tune, The one I like the best And he closed his eyes, and slipped away What we got is the Dying Cub fan's last request (Chorus, big finish, sung) Do they still play the blues in Chicago When baseball season rolls around When the snow melts away, Do the Cubbies still play In their ivy covered burial ground When I was a boy they were my pride and joy But now they only bring fatigue To the home of the brave The land of the free And the doormat of the national league

Nothing gets me going faster than "Holiday" by Green Day, the first mainstream group to come out with an anti-Bush album.

I'm a big fan of folk these days; it's something about how it soothes and has a big message.

Stuff like James Taylor. His voice is butter.

Although I listen to a lot of 60s, 70s, and 80s pop/rock at work.

I can really relate to that, Ben. I've come to appreciate pop/folk music more and more as I get older.

Quick pop question for anyone reading this thread: Do you remember when 620 AM on the radio dial, where KPOJ is today, was "KGW 62" and played a steady diet of current pop songs? I came of age listening to that station. I remember they used to have Casey Kassem's Top 40 countdown every Friday night. My older brother was heavily into KGON 92 FM back then and I remember flat out not getting the appeal of what he was listening to. But as I got older I got into classic rock and now I love those 60s and 70s rock and pop song, even though they were all hits before I came of age and became interested in pop music.

There are so many artists out there whose passion and convictions speak to my own, but here are a few from over the years:

Against Me! - The Politics of Starving Ten Years After - I'd Love to Change the World Quasi - Peace and Love Lou Reed - Dirty Boulevard Clapton - Politician Rx Bandits - In All Rwanda's Glory

Free Four--Pink Floyd Another one bites the dust--Freddy Mercury Last time you're gonna let me down--Eurythmics Teen Spirit--Nirvana Excitable Boy & Big Gorilla--Warren Zevon Thrashers--Neil Young Paper in the Wind--Tom Petty Lonesome way back when--Tom Jans No Romance--Rainmakers

Quasi - Peace and Love

Yes! Local talent!

Add "Death Culture Blues" from the same album to my list. My wife and I saw them New Year's before last and they WERE FANTASTIC.

Rx Bandits - In All Rwanda's Glory

Ah, excellent suggestion! My parents were living in Kigali Rwanda when the genocide broke out. Turning a blind eye to it until most of the slaughter was through is one of the things that I don't believe I'll ever fully forgive Bill Clinton for.

My personal fav along racial lines is Creed's "One"

I just have to say that although I don't recognize some of the songs being shouted out here... I just love the fact that you all feel passionately enough about whatever the songs are to want to share both that passion and the song with the rest of us. That's seriously good stuff!

I'd also like to say that I am very appreciative of how everyone has largely set aside current political biases to step back and just look at the larger, much more enduring picture.

Thanks!

"What's So Funny 'Bout Peace Love and Understanding" (Nick Lowe, but mostly known by Elvis Costello version) "Peace In Our Time" (Costello) "Imagine" (John Lennon) "Short Memories" (Graham Parker) "Democracy Is Coming To The USA" (Leonard Cohen - Don Henley version at http://www.talkleft.com/story/2007/1/4/1235/13850)

Kevin, glad to have you with us, in every sense of the expression!

Jimmy Buffett recorded "Banana Republics" on "A1A" which is easily his best album; a beautiful recording (he did several Goodman songs and was a friend of Steve's; he was one of the gang on the cover of Steve's "Someone Else's Troubles" album, along with John Prine). my sons know that when i go, the one song that will be played at my service will be "Tin Cup Chalice" from "A1A" -- in fact, i named my political blog just that.

there's not enough space for all the songs i could name, starting with Prine, moving on to John Hiatt, Emmylou, Nanci Griffith, Sara Hickman... oy. love me my music.

For those who might not have heard the song, I'll post the lyrics here...

Matchbox Twenty, How Far We've Come

Waking up at the start of the end of the world, But its feeling just like every morning before, Now I wonder what my life is going to mean if its gone, The cars are moving like a half a mile an hour if that I started staring at the passengers waving goodbye Can you tell me what was ever really special about me all this time

[chorus] But I believe the world is burning to the ground Oh well I guess we're gonna find out Let's see how far we've come Let's see how far we've come

Well I, believe, its all, coming to an end Oh well, I guess, we're gonna pretend, Let's see how far we've come Let's see how far we've come

I think its turning to a crock but I don't really know I can't remember caring for an hour or so Started crying and I couldn't stop myself I started running but there was no where to run to I sat down on the street and took a look at myself Said where you going you know the world is heading for hell Say your goodbyes if you've got someone you can say goodbye to

[chorus] I believe the world is burning to the ground Oh well I guess we're gonna find out Let's see how far we've come Let's see how far we've come

Well I, believe, its all, coming to an end Oh well, I guess, we're gonna pretend, Let's see how far we've come Let's see how far we've come

Its gone gone baby its all gone There is no one on the corner and there's no one at home It was cool cool, it was just all cool Now it's over for me and it's over for you Well its gone gone baby its all gone There is no one on the corner and there's no one at home Well it was cool cool, it was just all cool Now it's over for me and it's over for you

[chorus] But I believe the world is burning to the ground Oh well I guess we're gonna find out Let's see how far we've come Let's see how far we've come Well I, believe, its all, coming to an end Oh well, I guess, we're gonna pretend, Let's see how far we've come Let's see how far we've come Let's see how far we've come Let's see how far we've come Let's see how far we've come Let's see how far we've come Let's see how far we've come Let's see how far we've come Let's see how far we've come

I hope that I'm not the only one watching the John Denver special on OPB right now. He's right up there with Paul Simon in terms of a musical poet. And of course he was a serious and very influential environmental activist.

In memory of John Denver - Annie's Song

That song just melts me every time I hear it. But I loved everything he did. He was truely and infectious spirit who, it seems to me, was very much a kindred spirit with Pete Seeger.