I Hear Music

If we had a “normal Republican President” it would still be difficult for many of us.  Yet this administration, now one week old, seem to have confused being against the Democrats with being against Democracy.

Art and culture will inspire us, wake us up and move us to action.  Don’t wait for art and music to move you, though.  It’s extremely important to make the right moves in these early stages.   Internet petitions and emails may not have much effect.  Yet  they can’t hurt.  Go back to postal mail.  Piles of letters are more impressive.  Make phone calls.  Go to rallies.  Hit the ground running.  Keep your eyes and ears open.

Talk to people, network, unite, strategize and get to work.  Now’s the Time.

January 29th, 2017

I’ll put out one of these playlists early in the year for the next four years.  I’m sure that there’ll be plenty of new songs and new music that will make the cut.   Some powerful work has not yet been written, performed or recorded.

As for this  year’s list, I’m sure I’ll add to it and refine it throughout 2017.  I’d like to add the release dates next to each song or piece of instrumental music.  This first list will be assembled very quickly, just off the top of my head.

I need to actually get all of these pieces of music together and put them on an actual CD or cassette or in an actual digital file.  Sounds are sound.  Listen up!

1. The Danger Zone by Ray Charles
2. Respect by Aretha Franklin
3. The Fool on the Hill by The Beatles
4. Thin Line Between Love and Hate by The Persuaders
5. Hate is the New Love by The Mekons
6. Now’s the Time by Charlie Parker
7. The Time Has Come Today by The Chambers Brothers
8. Get Up, Stand Up Bob Marley and the Wailers
9. There is Power in a Union by Joe Hill
10. How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live by Blind Alfred Reed
11. This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie
12. Winter in America by Gil-Scott Heron
13. Your Cash Ain’t Nothin’ But Trash by The Clovers
14. Lindbergh by Woody Guthrie
15. The Bourgeois Blues by Leadbelly
16. Alabama by John Coltrane
17. The Times They Are A-Changin’ by Bob Dylan
18. Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival
19. Sign o’ the Times by Prince
20. Fight the Power by The Isley Brothers
21. People Have the Power by Patti Smith
22. (For God’s Sake) Give More Power to the People by The Chi-Lites
23. Fight the Power by Public Enemy
24. Dancin’ In the Street by Martha and the Vandellas
25. You Haven’t Done Nothing by Stevie Wonder
26. It’s After the End of the World by Sun Ra and his Intergalactic Research Archestra
27. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised by Gil-Scott Heron
28. Television, the Drug of the Nation by the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy
29. La Femme Fétal by Digable Planets
30. What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye
31. What the World Needs Now is Love by  Jackie DeShannon
32. Stop this Car Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers
33. Let’s Face the Music and Dance by Fred Astaire
34. A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke
35. Hit the Road Jack by Ray Charles

Notes:  Number 31 What the World Needs Now is Love was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.  Number 33 was written by Irving Berlin in 1936, A quote from the Mekons’ song Hate is the New Love:  “Everyday is a battle/How we still love the war.”

Stop This Car, I’m Getting Out!

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