What Song Inspires You?

News Type: Opinion — Wed Apr 9, 2008 1:52 PM EDT

entertainment, music, tv, television, american-idol, inspiration, songs, reality-shows, memoirs, season-7

Live Poll

Do you find music inspirational?

Absolutely, that's why I listen to it
46%
Some, depends on the song
50%
No, not really
3%
Other (specify in the comments)
0%

Total Votes: 539

Last night on American Idol, the Elite 8 say the song that most inspires them. I was a bit surprised at the range of songs they chose.

Several of the contestants stepped up to the plate with inspiration performances.

And it got me wondering what song would I pick as my inspirational choice (I promise that I won't sing, just write).

I've decided on Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance."

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making

It took me a long time to realize that the safe route wasn't always the best route. I was afraid of failure. I didn't realize that I would become a better person because of the chances I take, that the rewards outweigh the risks.

And that's a life lesson I hope to pass on to my kids and I think this song does a great job of relaying that message.

36 Votes
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5.3

Jump to discussion page: 1 2 3

{"commentId":1685675,"authorDomain":"tombombadil"}

Tom Bombadil

Since I just saw Jewel live tonight at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, I should definitely give her a shout out, with inspirational songs like "Hands" and this gorgeous tune:

Angel Standing By

{"commentId":1685675,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"tombombadil"}

4 votes

#51 - Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:59 AM EDT

{"commentId":1686502,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

vacelts

Tom was this your first trip to the Grand Ol' Opry? I grew up watching it and finally got to go for a live show a few years ago. My husband who is not a big country music fan even enjoyed himself.

{"commentId":1686502,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"vacelts"}

4 votes

#51.1 - Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:13 AM EDT

{"commentId":1688864,"authorDomain":"tombombadil"}

Tom Bombadil

I've gone a few times, but last night, I got to sit onstage and go backstage a few times. Jewel was hanging out with John Rich backstage. They were standing right next to me, but I didn't want to hassle them, so I just gave the little nod. She performed brilliantly onstage. Rich duetted with John Anderson on "Swingin'".

Even as we speak, they are both blogging: "OMG, we saw Tom Bombadil!"

{"commentId":1688864,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"tombombadil"}

4 votes

#51.2 - Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:40 AM EDT

{"commentId":1689171,"authorDomain":"mscyprah"}

Ms CYPRAH

Isn't that lovely to be a BIG STAR, Tom? May I bow humbly too in your presence...:o)

{"commentId":1689171,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"mscyprah"}

4 votes

#51.3 - Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:25 AM EDT

{"commentId":1689319,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

vacelts

Even as we speak, they are both blogging: "OMG, we saw Tom Bombadil!"

I'm sure they are. :-)

{"commentId":1689319,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"vacelts"}

3 votes

#51.4 - Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:25 AM EDT

{"commentId":1692808,"authorDomain":"tombombadil"}

Tom Bombadil

Ah, my brief brush with fame!

Actually, the best part of the night was sitting with the husband of a well-known country star and then enjoying his stories later over a very good meal. Nashville is a very cool town.

Waving at John Anderson and singing along with "Swingin'" was pretty good too.

{"commentId":1692808,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"tombombadil"}

3 votes

#51.5 - Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:15 AM EDT

{"commentId":1693301,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

vacelts

Oh, I bet those personal stories are priceless.

{"commentId":1693301,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"vacelts"}

2 votes

#51.6 - Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:48 AM EDT

{"commentId":1696847,"authorDomain":"tombombadil"}

Tom Bombadil

It was a great time. I do love Country Music and Country Music folks.

And, connected with comment #55.5, there's a special place in my heart for "Keep on the Sunny Side of Life."

{"commentId":1696847,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"tombombadil"}

3 votes

#51.7 - Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:11 AM EDT

{"commentId":1694372,"authorDomain":"Amaleb"}

Amaleb

Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris in : 1) All Roadrunning and 2) Rollin'On

{"commentId":1694372,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"Amaleb"}

2 votes

#52 - Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:38 PM EDT

{"commentId":1694470,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

vacelts

Thanks for the additions.

{"commentId":1694470,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"vacelts"}

2 votes

#52.1 - Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:04 PM EDT

{"commentId":1696852,"authorDomain":"tombombadil"}

Tom Bombadil

That whole Knopfler/Harris project is brilliant. One of my favorite CDs, all the way around. Very easy on the ears and superb vocally, and the pathos is cathartic.

{"commentId":1696852,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"tombombadil"}

3 votes

#52.2 - Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:12 AM EDT

{"commentId":1698088,"authorDomain":"khenley415"}

kenley

How about some of the great songs by Brian Wilson?
1. God Only Knows
2. Wouldn't It Be Nice
3. In My Room

Or maybe Roy Orbison?
1. Only the Lonely
2. Crying

And my obscure vote:
Johnny Cash: Man in Black

{"commentId":1698088,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"khenley415"}

3 votes

#53 - Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:12 AM EDT

{"commentId":1698403,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

vacelts

You broke out some classics.

{"commentId":1698403,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"vacelts"}

3 votes

#53.1 - Wed Apr 16, 2008 12:04 PM EDT

{"commentId":1700988,"authorDomain":"incredulous"}

The Incredulous One

Great choices.

{"commentId":1700988,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"incredulous"}

4 votes

#53.2 - Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:49 PM EDT

{"commentId":1701344,"authorDomain":"tombombadil"}

Tom Bombadil

Stellar songs, all.

"God Only Knows" may be the most gorgeous pop song in history, alongside of "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King. Wilson's "Let it Shine" from his fantastic eponymous solo album in 1988 is also a brilliantly beautiful tune.

{"commentId":1701344,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"tombombadil"}

4 votes

#53.3 - Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:58 AM EDT

{"commentId":1698350,"authorDomain":"daffytaffy"}

No 1 AMERICA !

DADDY"S HANDS- KATHY MATEA
SOMEWHERE - BARBRA STREISAND

LYIN" EYES - EAGL

{"commentId":1698350,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"daffytaffy"}

#54 - Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:55 AM EDT

{"commentId":1699451,"authorDomain":"eskimobabee"}

eskimobabee

When I first heard this story I started to think of all the songs that inspire me and I tried to narrow them down. However one does stand out in my mind the most. It was a show tune from before my time and it the song went like this. I can hear the music in my head however I can only remember parts of the song:

Believe it or not I am flying on air. I never thought I could be so free
Flying away on a wing and a prayer.. believe it or not its just me.

Not sure why that touched me so much. I think its cause I think I live life on a wing and a prayer. I am not much for mapping out my life as much as just living. Other inspiratational songs would be

By Whitney Huston- Forgive me for forgetting the songs title: it went
I believe that children are our future, Teach them well and let them lead the way Show them all the beauty they posess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the childrens laughter remind us how it use to be....

Very beautiful and very insprational to a young mother like me.

{"commentId":1699451,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"eskimobabee"}

2 votes

#55 - Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:34 PM EDT

{"commentId":1699653,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

vacelts

The first song is Believe it or Not from the show The Greatest American Hero.

According to Wiki.

The television show is often noted for its popular theme song "Believe it or Not", sung by Joey Scarbury and written by Stephen Geyer and Mike Post. "Believe it or Not" debuted in Billboard's Top 40 on June 13, 1981, eventually peaking at #2 during the weeks of August 15 and August 22, and spending a total of 18 weeks in the Top 40. It is also one of the most popular of all TV theme songs.

The second song is The Greatest Love of All by Whitney Houston.

{"commentId":1699653,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"vacelts"}

2 votes

#55.1 - Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:06 PM EDT

{"commentId":1699669,"authorDomain":"mscyprah"}

Ms CYPRAH

The second song is The Greatest Love of All by Whitney Houston.

Yes, a very powerful song that, eskimobabee. Definitely one of my favourites. :o)

{"commentId":1699669,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"mscyprah"}

2 votes

#55.2 - Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:10 PM EDT

{"commentId":1700204,"authorDomain":"Arcturas"}

Arcturas

Before Whitney, George Benson did a great version of this song.

{"commentId":1700204,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"Arcturas"}

3 votes

#55.3 - Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:18 PM EDT

{"commentId":1700329,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

vacelts

I don't know that I've ever heard the George Benson version.

{"commentId":1700329,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"vacelts"}

1 vote

#55.4 - Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:08 PM EDT

{"commentId":1700465,"authorDomain":"Arcturas"}

Arcturas

Here you go.

{"commentId":1700465,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"Arcturas"}

3 votes

#55.5 - Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:56 PM EDT

{"commentId":1701033,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

vacelts

Thank you. Very nice.

{"commentId":1701033,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"vacelts"}

1 vote

#55.6 - Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:06 PM EDT

{"commentId":1700449,"authorDomain":"vswoman"}

nataliewood

In Loving Memory by Alterbridge is always inspirational! The words say it all to anyone who has ever lost a loved one.

Billy Joel writes stories that I relate to as well as my home town boy..Bob Seger... I find Barbra Streisand's voice inspirational when she sings as well as Gino Vanelli. I also find great musicians inspirational since there doesn't seem to be a lot on the radio waves these days when record companies are run by lawyers and accountants who don't know good music if it came up and bit them, so that is why I love my IPOD! Radio is dead!....and I can listen to the wonderfully inspirational music I grew up listening to from the Allman Brothers to Alterbridge.

{"commentId":1700449,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"vswoman"}

3 votes

#56 - Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:50 PM EDT

{"commentId":1701041,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

vacelts

Thank goodness for Ipods.

{"commentId":1701041,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"vacelts"}

2 votes

#56.1 - Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:07 PM EDT

{"commentId":1701355,"authorDomain":"tombombadil"}

Tom Bombadil

Natalie, are you from Rochester or the Detroit area?

You have great music taste.

{"commentId":1701355,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"tombombadil"}

3 votes

#56.2 - Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:00 AM EDT

{"commentId":1720064,"authorDomain":"cocoa-chanel98"}

Nikki-270879

"I Hope You Dance" LeeAnn Womack
"Wind Beneath My Wings" Bette Midler
"The River" Noel Gourdin, *I cry everytime I hear this song!*
"Because You Love Me" Celine Dion
"Mercy, Mercy Me" Marvin Gaye
"Live Like You Were Dying" Tim McGraw *inspiration in its purest form*
"Say It Loud" James Brown
"Imagine Me" Kirk Franklin

{"commentId":1720064,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"cocoa-chanel98"}

1 vote

#57 - Tue Apr 22, 2008 9:15 AM EDT

{"commentId":1761297,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

vacelts

That's a nice list, especially since the top one is one of my favorites. :-)

{"commentId":1761297,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"vacelts"}

2 votes

#57.1 - Sat May 3, 2008 8:31 AM EDT

{"commentId":1751306,"authorDomain":"Smiles-274953"}

Smiles-274953

Wow, there is alot of variety here...
My personal favorites are:

Time in a Bottle...Jim Croce
Dream On...Aerosmith
Luca...Suzanne Vega
Arms Wide Open...Creed
A Moment Like This..Kelly Clarkson
Angel...Sarah McLachlan

{"commentId":1751306,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"Smiles-274953"}

3 votes

#58 - Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:08 PM EDT

{"commentId":1751429,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}

vacelts

Those are some pretty could choices, Smiles. I had a friend in high school who thought Jim Croce was the best thing since sliced bread.

{"commentId":1751429,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"vacelts"}

2 votes

#58.1 - Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:32 PM EDT

{"commentId":1760905,"authorDomain":"tombombadil"}

Tom Bombadil

"Time in a Bottle" and "I've Got a Name" are two faves of mine.

And, being from Alabama, I will say, "You don't mess around with Slim."

{"commentId":1760905,"threadId":"247697","contentId":"1420498","authorDomain":"tombombadil"}

2 votes

#58.2 - Sat May 3, 2008 1:28 AM EDT

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