Songs of Encouragement

“If”
sung by Joni Mitchell
If you can keep your head
While all about your
People are losing theirs and blaming you
If you can trust yourself
When everybody doubts you
And make allowance for their doubting too.

If you can dream
And not make dreams your master
If you think
And not make intellect your game
If you can meet
With triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same

If you can fill the journey
Of a minute
With sixty seconds worth of wonder and delight
Then
The Earth is yours
And everything that’s in it
But more than that
I know
You’ll be alright
Cause you’ve got the fight
You’ve got the insight
Adopted by Joni Mitchell from Rudyard Kipling’s “If.”

For me it’s impossible to name my top all time favorite songs, so taking an idea from Nick Hornby's book “31 Songs” I hope to put into writing why I like select songs for various moods.

As Daughter prepared to leave this summer for the Midwest to pursue an education that will lead to a successful career in law, I burned a CD for her to play for the drive out there and to provide encouragement when the stress gets turned up.

When our conversations are over and it is just Daughter putting forth the effort alone, I wanted her to feel that sense of love and support whenever she feels the need.

Daughter’s encouragement and songs of love from pop (this list is dedicated to my nephew too who is also very bright and has a tremendous future):

• “Stop Your Sobbing” by the Pretenders
• “Don’t Worry Be Happy” by The Hit Crew
• “You Can Do It” by No Doubt
• “If” by Joni Mitchell
• “I Believe” by Frank Sinatra
• “High Hopes” by Frank Sinatra
• “Your Life is Now” by John Mellencamp
• “You’re Gonna Hear from Me” by Frank Sinatra
• “Come Blow Your Horn” by Frank Sinatra
• “Pick Yourself Up” by Dianne Reeves
• “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
• “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John
• “I am a Rock” by Simon & Garfunkel
• “Gonna Fly Now” (theme from “Rocky” by Bill Conti)
• “Razzle Dazzle” by Richard Gere & Cast from the movie “Chicago”
• “Nothing But the Best” by Frank Sinatra
• “Who Needs Sleep?” Barenaked Ladies
• “Father and Daughter” by Paul Simon
• “Lord Protect My Child” by Susan Tedeschi
• “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan & The Band
  
• “Better Things” by The Kinks
• “Don’t Forget to Dance” by The Kinks
• “Laugh and Be Happy” by Randy Newman

“Laugh and Be Happy”
by Randy Newman
Laugh and be happy
Don’t you ever wear a frown
Don’t let the bastards grind you down
Laugh and be happy
It’s a simple thing to do
Believe in your dreams
And your dreams will come true for you