Songs for Changing the World

I thought in light of this week's Together on Tuesday topic I would share some songs that inspire me to make the world a better place.

Some of these are by artists I love, and some are one hit wonders in my catalogue, but all lift my spirit, remind me of beauty in the world, and help me see my neighbor differently.



Better by Regina Spektor
This is music for a Russophile with a former Tori Amos obsession. This song makes me think of my Russian sisters, and I've sung it to J a time or two. And now that I've seen the video, my wild curls totally could have been included!

Grains by India.Arie
I think this woman is amazing. This song is interspersed in bits on the album, but someone spliced them all together here. Good plan. Among the most amazing performances I've ever seen was her song Lion and a Butterfly (I think) at the Half the Sky screening. This is the only recording I can find . . . and I LOVE this song. I will have a prize for anyone who finds the real deal.

I like Giants by Kimya Dawson
I don't know any other songs by Kimya Dawson, but these lyrics are spot-on, in my opinion. "We all become important when we realize our goal should be to figure out our role within the context of the whole."

All Will Be Well by The Gabe Dixon Band
I don't know where I heard this and I don't know any other of his work. This is a live version.

Peace Train by Cat Stevens aka Yusuf Islam
A classic. This is pretty recent, live from the Nobel Peace Prize awards.

Fix You by Coldplay
I've written before about how this song is all about our Russian children, growing up without their parents. The same feeling applies to the kiddos I work with here at home. Sometimes a song is perfect as it is.

Holy, Holy, Holy by Sufjan Stevens
I. Love. Sufjan Stevens. This lovely, simple hymn arrangement is from his Christmas album, and it isn't exactly representative of his work, but I love it.

So there. Everyone can change the world.