Music for Nonprofit Devotees, Part II: 10 Songs to (Re)Invigorate Changemakers
Last month I wrote about how a song from my youth inspired me at the end of a taxing day. I stated a firm belief that music can invigorate and drive us to work to help others and make positive changes in the world around us if we let it. It’s hard to put a finger on what it is about music that allows us to feel this way, and I’m very curious about how different music affects different people differently.
Throughout the years I’ve compiled playlists for myself that I can easily access when I’m in need of a “save the world pick-me-up.” These are songs I know I can count on to get me “in tune” with empathy and pondering worldly problems so I can draw upon the emotions I feel to reinforce my dedication. Or, they are songs that energize me and make me feel determined to tackle tough work or issues that may be hurdles to my goals.
Here are 10 songs that (re)invigorate me as an aspiring-changemaker (in no particular order). Yes, some of these are totally cheesy and cliche, but that’s okay with me. I’m not ashamed! I hope these songs will inspire you, too:
- Scorpions – Wind Of Change
- Joan Baez – Dona Dona
- Wicked – Defying Gravity
- Blessed Union of Souls – I Believe
- Michael Bolton – Disney’s Hercules – Go The Distance
- Peter, Paul, and Mary – Light One Candle
- New Radicals – You Get What You Give
- Superchick – One Girl Revolution
- Bon Jovi – Livin’ on a Prayer and It’s My Life are both worthy candidates.
- Man of La Mancha – The Impossible Dream, though Man of La Mancha (the song) is also good! Extra points if it’s Linda Eder singing it.
- BONUS TRACK – Muse – Invincible
What songs are on your list?
5 Responses to “Music for Nonprofit Devotees, Part II: 10 Songs to (Re)Invigorate Changemakers”
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Fantastic list! I vote for Eye of the Tiger, Feeling Good (Nina Simone), and my 2 year old daughter singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Eye of the Tiger! I should do an extended list with that on it – it’s definitely on my longer playlist!
I wrote an entire blog post around ‘Feeling Good’ (though the video link on it seems to be broken now): http://www.unitedwaytriangle.org/blog/2010/08/30/feeling-good/
Michael Franti & Spearhead: The Sound of Sunshine, Ben Harper: My Own Two Hands, Avett Brothers: January Wedding (to inject a little love into whatever I am doing/about to do), U2: One….there are so many more.
<3 U2: One!