Comments on: Question of the Week: What song or artist is most inspiring…

By: Working On A Dream disc

Working On A Dream disc — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 21:25:39 +0000

Working On A Dream Bruce Springsteen…

…The best Bruce Springsteen studio disc, ‘Working On A Dream’, is introduced January 27th. I have had the opportunity of enjoying it but I had to listen to it on headphones……

By: humanpunkgeoff

humanpunkgeoff — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:41:16 +0000

In times of trouble, I tend to find stimulus from my carefree childhood and the music that sountracked those happy times.

The Clash’s “I’m Not Down” from “London Calling” is a perfect example.

“If it’s true a rich man leads a sad life
That’s what they say, from day to day
Then what do the poor do with their lives?
On judgment day, with nothin’ to say?

I’ve been beat up, I’ve been thrown Out
But I’m not down, Oh I’m not down
I’ve been shown up, but I’ve grown up
And I’m not down, Oh I’m not down

On my own I faced a gang of jeering
In strange streets
When my nerves were pumping out
I Fought my fear in, I didn’t run
I was not done

I’ve been beat up, I’ve been thrown Out
But I’m not down, No I’m not down
I’ve been shown up, but I’ve grown up
And I’m not down, No I’m not down

So I have lived, that kind of day
When none of your sorrows will go away
Go down and down and hit the floor
Down and down and down some more
Depression
But I know, there’ll be some way
When I can swing everything back my way
Like skyscrapers, rising up
Floor by floor, I’m not giving up

So you rock around and think that
You’re the toughest
In the world, the whole wide world
But you’re streets away from where
It gets the roughest
You ain’t been there”

By: Marty Thau

Marty Thau — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 08:22:30 +0000

I’d have to say that “Cheree” by Suicide on Red Star Records is the most inspirational song for me. But I must point out that I co-produced it and might be slightly biased. Still, check it out; it’s really a beautiful song and Alan Vega and Marty Rev do it justice.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 21:22:57 +0000

Usually, the voice of a woman is comforting or even corroborating… often, Diana Ross, a light voice, with energy, intelligence, sensuality; but, sometimes Miriam Makeba (an earthy voice), Aretha Franklin (a voice of anger and sorrow), or Cassandra Wilson (a voice of contemplation and attitude).

By: Tim "Napalm" Stegall

Tim "Napalm" Stegall — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 18:45:49 +0000

“Born With A Purpose” by Dr. Alimantado – written by the good Dr. after he was kicked nearly to death by thugs in Kingston for being a rasta. Introduced to me via Johnny Rotten’s legendary Capital Radio broadcast, prefaced with Lydon’s remarks that he used the song for strength and inspiration after he was attacked twice in the summer of ’77: “If you feel like you’ve got no reason for living/Don’t determine my life.” Also, “The Harder They Come” by Jimmy Cliff: “I’d rather be a free man in my grave/Than living as a puppet or a slave/And sure as the sun will shine/I’m going to get my share of what’s mine/And the the harder they come, the harder they fall/One and all….”

By: Mark Kemp

Mark Kemp — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:24:55 +0000

Hey, scratch that Mahalia and Nusrat stuff. I just fired up a cigarette with my Bic and had an epiphany: Make that “Free Bird,” man!

By: R S Hart

R S Hart — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:54:03 +0000

That’s the way-Led Zeppelin

By: Paul Penton

Paul Penton — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:21:54 +0000

It certainly has to be Sam Cooke with a “Change is Gonna Come,” which became the anthem of civil rights, and frankly, one of the greatest songs ever recorded or done by a living human. That opening string line almost makes my spine grow cold every time.

By: Bill C.

Bill C. — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:29:02 +0000

I’ll go with another Lou Reed song, The Blue Mask. Certainly the entire Fun House album from the Stooges. Or Sly’s There’s A Riot Goin’ On. I may be confusing inspiration with catharsis though.

Incidentally, is that the same Oh Happy Day song from The Thing With Two Heads movie? Now that’s inspiration.

By: Laura Levine

Laura Levine — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 06:04:46 +0000

Gloria Gaynor, natch!