Filling My Daughter's Mp3 Player

[Naughtyhamster]

I've found that Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Tori Amos, Janis Joplin, Alanis Morissette, and Toni Childs have some solidly freethinking and feminist songs. Donna Summer's "I Will Survive" kicks serious ass, especially for countering the whiny helpless female "he's gone and I can't live without him" crap out there. Christina Aguilera has some good ones for that too - "Underappreciated", for instance.

 

 

 

Especially with Cyndi Lauper's music the lyrics fly over most kids' heads if someone is concerned about some of the songs she performs. I was seven when She-Bop became controversial, and I thought that adults were stupid to make such a big deal over a song about girls dancing. I didn't know until I was nineteen, when a more sexually aware friend told me, that She-Bop was a song about female masturbation.

 

Tori Amos was from a Christian background ( her dad was a Baptist minister), but her music is very contemplating about religion. I love the video for her song "God" as she sings of why he never comes as rats run around and on her in a Hindu temple. Singing a mildly blasphemous song while caressing rats really got to me when I first heard the song and saw the video on YouTube.

 

However I can't find the official video, but here is a live performance of the song:

 

[Mongo]

Thank you EVERYONE!!!! Those are all great ideas!

 

I've found that Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Tori Amos, Janis Joplin, Alanis Morissette, and Toni Childs have some solidly freethinking and feminist songs. Donna Summer's "I Will Survive" kicks serious ass, especially for countering the whiny helpless female "he's gone and I can't live without him" crap out there. Christina Aguilera has some good ones for that too - "Underappreciated", for instance.

 

I Will Survive is a great tune. Like you I hate that whinny ass victim shit.

 

By way of clarification...

I understand how the inference of feminism got into the thread... I think there is alot in common to being free to choose your spiritual path and free to choose your sexual/gender path but that is not exactly my aim.

 

My aim is to take advantage of an opportunity to put a variety of ideas in front of her. Certainly feminist ideas are important for her to have knowledge about. I think my wife covers that off well enough.

 

My wife however believes in some sort of god and for a while went to a non-fundamentalist church with the kids. She's not going anymore and she doesn't push religion and I don't push non-religion.

 

I do however tell them to think for themselves and music is an excellent arena to make people think. The link between music and religion is strong so it makes a good tool for other ideas too.

 

Especially with Cyndi Lauper's music the lyrics fly over most kids' heads if someone is concerned about some of the songs she performs. I was seven when She-Bop became controversial, and I thought that adults were stupid to make such a big deal over a song about girls dancing. I didn't know until I was nineteen, when a more sexually aware friend told me, that She-Bop was a song about female masturbation.

That's so funny it kills me!!

That will definitely go in the mix!

 

If she ever figures it out she'll think daddy didn't know the difference. My joke!

 

I have a lot of stuff so far. I'm picking a variety of songs like ranging from Dead Skunk / Guitarzan / Leader of the Band / Karma Chameleon / Electric Avenue / On Broadway / Mellow Yellow and to Flower Duet. I couldn't resist putting Andre Bocelli - Por Ti Volare even though she (and her brother) have an aversion to classical let alone OPERA!!! Small doses of great songs - that's the trick.

 

However, in the free thinking / world view zone I found some of these in my collection...

Aretha Franklin - R E S P E C T

April Wine - We're Here For A Good Time

Bobby McFarren - Don't Worry Be Happy

Cat Stephens - Peace Train & Where Do The Children Play

Cyndi Lauper - several including She Bop (It was already in the mix - ha ha)

Kansas - Dust In The Wind

Leslie Gore - You Don't Own Me (This is another stand up for yourself songs)

Opus - Live is Life

Patrick Hernandez - Born to be Alive

Queen - We are the Champions

Tom Chchrane - Life Is A Highway

Three Dog Night - Black & White

Steam - Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye

 

I need to add some of the suggestions all of you made and look into some of the ones I'm not familiar with.

 

Mongo

[★ Citsonga ★]

I second the Rush suggestion.

 

Another band I can really identify with a lot is King's X. The guys were Christians when they got started and were marketed to Christian retailers, but along the way they have one by one become skeptics to one degree or another, and primary lead vocalist dUg Pinnick seems the most outspoken about his agnosticism. So, these days they're sort of an Ex-Christian kind of band.

 

KING'S X - LOOKING FOR LOVE (from "Ear Candy") (check out the second verse)

 

I want to, I need to

I got to move on down the line

If not to, to make me

I should have stood behind the lines

What is this, what have you

What am I? Not what you see

So take me, so use me,

I'm stupid I don't want to

 

Oh, looking for love

Oh, looking for love

Oh, looking for love

Oh, looking for love

 

A standard, a program,

religion burns me at the stake

I questioned, I listened,

I worshippped. How can I relate?

I worked so hard at it

Oh Lord the bruises and the burns

I just don't, don't get it

I guess I lost my faith.

 

Oh, looking for love

Oh, looking for love

Oh, looking for love

Oh, looking for love

 

KING'S X - RUN (from "Ear Candy")

 

Yeah she told me, that if I wasn't good

He would get me, make me pay for everything I did

and she said that everybody bad would burn in Hell

I did what she told me and I became someone else

 

I had to run, I had to hide

In the world outside

A better chance, out there

If God is everywhere

 

I wait for nothing, take my chances let it ride

maybe there's an answer but it's buried by the lies

Somebody told me that it's just a waste of my time

But I can't get rid of all those bags I left behind

 

I had to run, I had to hide

In the world outside

A better chance, out there

If God is everywhere

 

KING'S X - BELIEVE (from "Manic Moonlight") (don't be too hard on yourself)

 

If your back is pinned against the wall

And the stress is killing you,

And the cross you carry on your back

Makes it hard for you to move

 

In yourself believe, it's all right

In yourself believe, you're all right

 

If you ran away to loose your soul

And you're scared to death you're wrong,

If you're past the point of turning back

And your innocence is gone

 

In yourself believe, it's all right

In yourself believe, it's all right

 

If it's something that you can't forget

That somebody did to you

If you've had your fill of being down

Then there's nothing left to prove,

 

In yourself believe, it's all right

In yourself believe, you're all right

 

KING'S X - GET AWAY (from "Ogre Tones") (note: there is some profanity in this one, if that is of concern to you)

 

Hey God, I watched the news tonight

Why are your people so fucking mean?

Hey God, that kid was locked up for 3 years

Why do the innocent suffer?

Where do you go to get away?

 

Hey God, they say you're perfect and in control

And I am falling apart

Hey God, the god of so many names

But who can I blame?

What the hell are you thinking?

Where do you go to get away?

 

We're standing here counting our fears

Abraham

Live in a desert there's nothing there

Abraham

Where do you go to get away?

 

KING'S X - I DON'T KNOW (from "XV") (this one features a different lead vocalist)

 

I can see it's not the ending

maybe it's my new beginning

'cause i don't know what i was saying

i don't know

 

who is looking in my mirror

thought he knew things so much clearer

but i don't know what i was saying

i don't know

 

please forgive me if i ever said to you

anything pretending that

i knew what you should do

'cause i don't know what i was saying

i don't know me anymore

 

did i say you need forgiveness

tell me that it's not my business

'cause i don't know what i was saying

i don't know

 

yeah i know it's not the ending

feels just like a new beginning

'cause i don't know what i was saying

i don't know

 

KING'S X - ALRIGHT (from "XV") (really catchy and uplifting song here)

 

And i was thinkin' i'll never get older,

so many die in the night,

when i was thinkin' we're over and done for,

when i was feeling no life,

you put your hand on my shoulder, and told me,

it's gonna be alright.

 

one day, (one day) it's gonna be, (it's gonna be)

alright, (alright), alright, (alright)

one day, (one day) it's gonna be, (it's gonna be)

alright, (alright) alright,(alright)

one day, (one day) i do believe, (it's gonna be)

it's gonna be, (i do believe) alright (alright)

 

when i was running and still going no where,

and steady losing my seat,

when i was crawling along on the way side,

i saw the dead in the street,

you put your hand on my shoulder,

and told me, do what you do and believe,

 

one day, (one day) it's gonna be, (i do believe)

alright, (it's gonna be) alright (alright)

one day, (one day) it's gonna be, (it's gonna be)

alright, (alright) alright,(alright)

one day, (alright) it's gonna be, (it's gonna be),

i do believe (alright),alright,

(alright, alright, alright, hey...)

 

gonna have a good time tonight ya'll, yeah, yeah,

gonna have a good time tonight ya'll, yeah, yeah,

 

and when you think that you'll never get over,

and there ain't nothing you got,

when all you feel, is the pain and the suffering,

and when you wish it would stop,

and in your heart and soul, you are broken,

and when you want to give up, i heard you say

 

one day, (one day) it's gonna be, (gonna be)

alright, (alright), alright, (alright)

one day, (one day) it's gonna be, (it's gonna be)

alright, (alright), alright (hey) one day, (one day)

i do believe,(i do believe) it's gonna be, (it's gonna be)

alright, (alright) one day,(alright) it's gonna be (alright)

alright, (alright), alright,(yeah!)

 

KING'S X - OVER MY HEAD (live version from "Best Of King's X") (note: the lyrics aren't much and come from when they were in the Christian market, but this later live version has a very inspiring and heart-felt speech toward the end, if you don't mind profanity and can handle a track being 10 minutes long)

 

Music, music, I hear music

Music, I hear music, music, yeah

Music, oh, oh lord

Music over my head

 

Over my head, I hear music in the air

Over my head, I hear music

Over my head, It's loud and clear

It's going to my head

 

Music, music, I hear music

Music, I hear music, music

Music, oh, oh, oh Lord

Music over my head

 

I, I, I hear it so clear

I, I, I hear it so dear

I know, I know, I know I'm not crazy

It's going to my head

 

Music, music, I hear music

Music, I hear music, music, yeah

Music, oh, oh, oh Lord, she would sing

Music over my head, music over my head

Music, music, I hear music, oh

Music I hear music, Oh

 

Grandma used to sing, Grandma used to sing

Every night while she was praying

Over my head, Over my head

I hear music, oh Lord

 

Music, music, I hear music, I hear music

Music, I hear music, music, oh

Music, oh, oh, oh Lord, say it, hear it

Music over my head, music over my head

 

Music, music, I hear music, oh

Music, I hear music, music

Music, oh, oh, oh Lord

Music over my head, music over my head, my head

Music over my head, yeah

 

I, I hear the music

I, oh I hear the music, yeah

I, I hear the music she would sing

She would sing, I hear the music

And it's over my head

 

This is a song about my grandma, she raised me from a child. She was a very religious lady, she went to church every night, she read her Bible all the time, yeah. And late at night she'd be in her room, singing and dancing and shouting and carrying on like she used to do. Oh, my grandma, I remember, yeah. And I'd be in my room, feeling so alone, wondering why my mother left and my daddy never came around. And my grandma, she never said, "I love you." She called herself a Christian, and she never said, "I love you." She said, "Nobody wants you, nobody needs you, nobody loves you." Oh! And I grew up so confused, oh yeah. Now I don't say this for you to feel sorry for me, but I want to say this, if you'll listen to me for a second. If you plan on having kids, if you have children or you plan on having kids, make sure that your kids know that you love them more than anything in the whole wide world. More than anything in the whole wide world! No matter who they are, no matter what they look like, what they do, what kind of rock and roll they listen to or if they wear tattoos. Oh, love, yeah. 'Cause if you don't, if you don't show your children love, when they grow up they will grow up fucked up. And I know what I'm talking about, I had to work it out. Some of you know what I'm talking about. Somebody say, "Yeah." Somebody say, "Yeah." Somebody say, "Yeah." Come on and say, "Yeah." Somebody say, "Yeah." Somebody say, "Yeah." I know I can hear you, yeah. Oh!

 

Music, music, I hear music

Music, I hear music, music

Music, oh, oh, oh Lord, yeah

Music over my head

 

Music, oh music, oh music, it's over, it's over my head, yeah

And I remember just like it was yesterday

Come on

 

I see you out there

I know some of you know what I'm talking about

We've got to work it out

 

Music over my head, yeah

[Guest Davka]

I can't believe nobody's suggested XTC's Dear God. That needs to be there.

Woot! TYVM for turning me on to XTC - 1st time I heard this band, they kick ass!

[Purple]

I'd suggest Tegan and Sara, I especially like We were Married. How about some Kimya Dawson?

[PaulQ]

I can't believe nobody's suggested XTC's Dear God. That needs to be there.

Woot! TYVM for turning me on to XTC - 1st time I heard this band, they kick ass!

 

YVW. When they played Dear God on the radio back in the day, I was a believer, and I found the song terribly offensive. When I became an ex-Christian, this song became my anthem.

 

What I find even more interesting about XTC is the influence they had on future musicians, and even pop culture. For example, Crash Test Dummies did a cover of The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead which became synonymous with Dumb & Dumber:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToOisBgOSL4

 

Unfortunately, the only line many Xtians hear is, "Peter Pumpkinhead was too good/had him nailed to a chunk of wood," and ignore the rest; believing the song is about their beloved Christ. In fact, considering the lyrics, the song is a clear attack against the Catholic church. Consider the opening lines of the ballad:

 

Peter Pumpkinhead came to town

Spreading wisdom and cash around

Fed the starving and housed the poor

Showed the Vatican what gold's for

But he made too many enemies

Of the people who would keep us on our knees

Hooray for Peter Pumpkin

Who'll pray for Peter Pumpkinhead?

 

Right off the bat, the Vatican is rightfully attacked; and who do they think the people are who will "Keep us on our knees?" That's exactly what "They" want us to do when we pray.

 

The other problem is that XTC rarely gets recognized as the creator of this ballad; often, Crash Test Dummies get the credit. I do like the Crash Test Dummies, and they have some great songs that I like, but XTC deserves credit where it's due.

 

Sarah McLachlan did her own cover of "Dear God," providing a more "Haunting" atmosphere than the original:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UjLPIv-lLQ

 

The importance of this cover is that it demonstrates the influence XTC had on other artists.

 

I admit, I am a bit of a music geek.

[Deva]

The year 1973 was a great one -

 

Argent - "Hold Your Head Up" - one of the greatest songs ever for overall self-esteem.

 

Not the same type message but great songs:

 

Badfinger - "Day After Day"

"No Matter What"

"Baby Blue"

"Carry On Till Tomorrow"

[Ozymandias]

A big song for me in the 90s was Toad the Wet Sprocket's "Pray Your Gods," about the unfair demands that deities seem to make on us poor mortal souls.

 

A more recent favorite (and less kid appropriate) is Keane's "Pretend That You're Alone Now." Probably a little too explicitly sensual for a younger person, but I find it helpful to stretch my mind a bit.

[Skeptic]

I was raised on classic rock, so my suggestions would be Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Kansas (Dust in the Wind is an awesome song), Blue Oyster Cult, Eric Clapton, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Queen, etc. TMBG is a cool band. Even the little kid songs they write are cool. You have to put String of Pearls on there. That song is amazing.

also comes to mind, as does Superstition by Stevie Wonder.

[PaulQ]

Just for good measure, throw in "Green Onions" by Booker T. and the M.G.'s. A little Glen Miller wouldn't hurt either. Just to round out the collection, you understand.

 

[Ro-bear]

"Let the Mystery Be", by Iris Dement.

 

Go to Youtube and look this video up; you'll be glad you did. It's a nonconfrontational candid admission of agnosticism. Plus Iris is charming and talented.

[FiddlingAround]

I'm a little biased (being a huge fan and all) but anything by Flogging Molly is fantastic. Dave King, who writes/sings the lyrics, grew up Catholic and now I believe would be a good candidate for this forum. He still employs a lot of the language, but uses it to advocate a much more mentally independent way of life. As for the music, it's an amazing blend of Irish trad and rock. Here's the lyrics to one song that's particularly applicable. Bit of obscure in some places, but you'll get the point.

 

Don't Let Me Die Still Wondering

I walk these streets where my soulless feet

Haunt the ground where it was I once tread.

On Grafton's Arcade pours the rich commerce rain

But the voices I no longer hear speak.

 

Heaven's to blame, so on that I'll abstain.

Best clean the church from my cracked fingernail.

But don't let me die still wondering what it was I left behind.

 

From god's golden plate, begrudgers they eat

While their bellies burst, ignorance bliss.

Never they roam, a wonderless home

Is as far as their sorry eyes see.

 

Give me a rusty old goat, well trampled and soaked

Until these ashes and blood mingle deep

But don't let me die still wondering what it was I left behind

 

Though I've been that face before, slammed every open door,

Squandered once scattered beliefs,

When the waves come crashing in, I'll swim as the ocean swims,

Out with the morning tide and back for my tea.

 

So I'll do as I please, like the well-tempered breeze,

Blowing which way I see fit.

I'll gray with the clay, seven days till the day

When they throw me on the potter's scrap heap.

 

But take my advice. You'll have to bury me twice.

'Cause the first time I won't rest easily.

But don't let me die still wondering what it was I left behind.

 

So don't let me die still wondering what it was I left behind.

I want a race well won, ahead of the gun,

With a dance before the far finish line.

So no life-long regrets, only well-feathered steps,

Till these shoes I can no longer shine.

But don't let me die still wandering for the love I left behind.

 

Alternately, you could go with a few songs from Bad Religion. "Requiem for Dissent" is one of my favorites. And "Dearly Beloved" became very important to me as I was leaving Christianity because it captured a large part of the experience so well. I don't have the whole song memorized like I do with Flogging Molly, but here's a quote that captures the essence:

 

Here's a story of an honest man losing religion

Climbing the pulpit steps before an eager congregation

But while praying came a wicked inspiration

Brothers, sisters, this is what he said

 

Dearly beloved, dearly beloved, dearly beloved,

I can't relate to you, I can't relate to you.

 

Very important to me, as no longer being able to even remember what it felt like to believe with the unquestioning passion of my fundie family played a large role in my no longer believing at all. Just couldn't relate...

 

But seriously, Flogging Molly is great. Give them a listen.

[Astreja]

I'll second "They Might Be Giants", any of their "grown up" music.

Thirded. I particularly like their song "Experimental Film."

 

A short list of songs which consistently make My top 100 of all time:

 

• Moody Blues: "The Story In Your Eyes"
  
• Enya: "Book of Days" (Go for the Irish version from the album Shepherd Moons)
  
• Yes: "Your Move"
  
• The Strawbs: "Autumn Suite" (from Hero and Heroine)
  
• Steve Hackett: "Icarus Ascending" (from Please Don't Touch). Fantastic vocals by Richie Havens.
  
• Cream: "Badge"
  
• Badfinger: "Day After Day"
  
• Steely Dan: "Midnite Cruiser"
  
• The Who: "Won't Get Fooled Again"
  
• Sugarloaf: "Green Eyed Lady"
  
• The Police: "Message in a Bottle"
  
• Joe Jackson: "Stepping Out"
  
• Saga: "Wind Him Up"
  
• Midnight Oil: "Beds Are Burning"

If you can find them, also throw in "New Horizons in Music Appreciation" and "Schleptet in E Flat Major" by P.D.Q. Bach.

 

And Abbey Road, Surfing With the Alien, and Dark Side of the Moon in their entirety.

[Guest Davka]

Joe Jackson - you can't mention him without including 'real men.' Possibly his best ever.

[DarthOkkata]

Well, if you're not considering the Lily Allen 'Fuck You' song, this probably won't work either, but it's worth mentioning on any list like this.

 

John R. Butler 'Hand of the Almighty'

 

 

On a less comedic note, Drowning Pool 'Sermon'

 

 

Both might be a bit much for a young one, but both are decent 'Atheist music'.

[Neon Genesis]

For more classic rock, I recommend Joan Jett, in particular her song Bad Reputation. Lyrics from the song

I dont give a damn bout my reputation

Youre living in the past its a new generation

A girl can do what she wants to do and thats

What Im gonna do

An I dont give a damn bout my bad reputation

[★ Citsonga ★]

For more classic rock, I recommend Joan Jett, in particular her song Bad Reputation.

 

Yeah, Joan Jett was pretty cool. It's a shame that the only song that gets played on radio anymore is "I Love Rock 'N' Roll." My favorite song of hers is "I Hate Myself For Loving You," and I really like "Little Liar" a lot too.

[Brought None]

Bob Dylan's body of work.

 

His "The Times They Are A-Changin" is a favorite of mine.

 

"With God On Our Side" is a powerful one too.

[★ Citsonga ★]

Oh yeah, definitely check out the Indigo Girls. They've got a lot of really good stuff. They're basically a folk duo with some pop, rock and country influences. I especially like their earlier stuff, but their later stuff isn't bad either.

 

Check out songs like "Closer To Fine," "World Falls," "Galileo," "Watershed," "Let It Be Me," "Blood And Fire," "Joking," "Welcome Me," "Go," "Ghost," "Jonas & Ezekial," "1 2 3," "Sister," "Peace Tonight," "Become You," "The Wood Song," "Tether," "Free In You," "Perfect World," "Deconstruction," "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee," "The Girl With The Weight Of The World In Her Hands."

[Guest ozzy]

you should definitely try something from red hot chilli peppers (i suggest the californication album)

[Caretaker]

I have a horde of Elton John, Billy Joel, Queen, Eric Clapton, and Eagles.

 

 

Layla!

You got me on my knees!

Layla!

I'm Beggin' Darlin' please

Layla!

Darlin' won't you ease my worried mind!

[Nomadic techno-gypsy]

Mined Control by Stephen Marley is pretty good (as far as religious music goes, it's pretty "think for yourself")

I"m also a huge fan of Wookiefoot, GFE ("Bigger than it Really Is" album) and Immortal Technique (though there is some profanity there, maybe not appropriate)