Waiting on the World to Change: A Playlist for Our Nobel Peace Prize-Winning President

Congratulations, Mr. President. Seriously. Big fan. Big Prize. Still, here's a celebratory playlist that I really hope will inspire you to keep earning this glittering prize in the days and years to come.

EYES ON THE PRIZE - Bruce Springsteen
PEACE ON EARTH - U2
WAR - Edwin Star
(WHAT'S SO FUNNY 'BOUT) PEACE, LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING - Elvis Costello
PEACE TRAIN - Cat Stevens
PEACEKEEPER - Fleetwood Mac
ONE LOVE - Bob Marley
PEACE AND LOVE - Fountains Of Wayne
PEOPLE GET READY - The Impressions
PEOPLE HAVE A POWER - Patti Smith
BRING THE BOYS HOME - Freda Payne
GLITTERING PRIZE - Simple Minds
WAITING ON THE WORLD TO CHANGE - John Mayer
GIVE ME LOVE (GIVE ME PEACE ON EARTH) - George Harrison
WE GOTTA GET OUT OF THIS PLACE - The Animals
21 GUNS - Green Day
WAKE UP EVERYBODY - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
PEACE IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD - Paul McCartney
PEACE ON EARTH/LITTLE DRUMMER BOY - Bing Crosby & David Bowie
BLOWIN' IN THE WIND - Bob Dylan
BRING 'EM HOME - Bruce Springsteen

What would you add to the playlist for our winning President?

 

 

Follow David Wild on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Wildaboutmusic

Comments

[BarryLee]

Two songs I would add:

"America" by Joanne Shenandoah

This is not the "My Country Tis of Thee..." that some would remember from elementary school but a song written by an Oneida (one of the Iroquois nations) woman. The song has lyrics such as "everyone's inside the circle, and no one's left behind" and also relates to burying the weapons of war beneath the "tree of peace." (as explained in the Iroquois story of the Peacemaker's Journey)

"We're the Cops of the World" by Phil Ochs.

How can a song written in the middle 60's still be relevant today? It is sad commentary of our times and what we have endured for the past two decades. The President has the heart and style to change this image of the greedy, ugly American.

[stevefromkelso]

My choices today all come from THE STEVE MILLER BAND
Brave new world
I wanna be loved (but by only you)
Living in the USA
Perfect world
Children of the future
You've got the power
I want to make the world turn around

[David Wild - Huffpost Blogger]

And how about another Steve Miller classic for the last administration -- "Take The Money And Run."

[SILVANUS]

Great list, David, but I would add, for urgency, Mitchell's "If I Had a Heart I'd Cry" from her Shine album.

[David Wild - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you. consider it added to the playlist!

DW

[Sezin]

This is a great playlist, Mr. Wild!

However, aside from Freda Payne and Patti Smith it's a bit lacking in the female talent. Here's a few to balance out the gender scales a bit:

*'TIS OF THEE - Ani DiFranco
*PEACE SONG - Indigo Girls
*DEAR MR. PRESIDENT - Pink (Yes, it's a letter to our last president, but I include it here because our current president should not forget his mistakes.)
*I SAY A LITTLE PRAYER FOR YOU - Aretha Franklin
*GOD BLESS THE CHILD - Billie Holliday
*MY COUNTRY TIS OF THY PEOPLE - Buffy St. Marie
*HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN - Barbra Streisand
*MY BEST TO YOU - Joni Mitchell
*THE TRUTH IS ON MY SIDE - Aimee Mann
*I'VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES - Bessie Smith
*MR. WONDERFUL - Bette Midler
*REVOLUTION - Skin (from Skunk Anansie)
*SCARECROW - Melissa Etheridge (Dedicated to Matthew Shepard and a reminder that gay rights are civil rights)
*SOME DAYS YOU GOTTA DANCE - Dixie Chicks
*EVERYDAY HERO - Dolly Parton
*GIVE IT BACK TO THE INDIANS - Ella Fitzgerald
*TRY (JUST A LITTLE BIT HARDER) - Janis Joplin
*HAPPY WORKERS - Tori Amos
*I AM BLESSED - Nina Simone
*HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. PRESIDENT - Marilyn Monroe ;-)

Just to name a few.

Best regards,

Sezin

[David Wild - Huffpost Blogger]

Fantastic list Sezin!
You're point is well taken, and I appreciate the wit and wisdom you and all of these women bring to the moment.

FYI, I love seeing Buffy Saint Marie on the list. I will never forget doing an interview with Morrissey AND Joni M when Morrissey would not stop bringing up his love for Buffy. I was more amused than the great Joni.

[ziggypop]

Hey David

Holy Moly!
Morrissey and Joni Mitchell in the same room!!!!
Be still my heart.

[Sezin]

Thank you, David! I just couldn't resist. :-)

Of course I would include Buffy! She is an integral part of American music and also as a symbol of a Native American consciousness from within the United States. My ulterior motive for including her was also as a reminder to our president not to forget Turtle Island's First Peoples, many of whom still live in third world conditions in the world's richest country. I do hope President Obama will make strives to improve their lives along with everyone else's.

And what a great story about Morrissey and Joni! I always knew there was something extra special about that man, and know I'm closer to understanding what it is. Thank you!

All the best,
Sezin

[BlueHorde]

Sometimes I think it might, finally, actually be happening

Democracy - Leonard Cohen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OETwbVBPI1U

[David Wild - Huffpost Blogger]

I like you intelligence and optimism, and I love Leonard Cohen

[Aramingo]

One for us: The times they are a'changin' - Dylan

And then one for each side from Three Dog Night:

Celebrate - for folks like us

Easy to be Hard - for those who belittle the accomplishment (I know it's from "Hair", but, still...)

[David Wild - Huffpost Blogger]

You're right -- it's become way too easy to be hard, at least in this context.

Thanks

[Aramingo]

How can people be so ugly?

[kapalabhati]

One U2

[David Wild - Huffpost Blogger]

Eternally relevent and inspiring

[joelaf]

Crack the Sky Safety in Numbers ( off the Nuclear Apathy album)
Elvis Costello What's so funny about Peace, Love and Understanding?

[L. Rozner]

What, no Depeche Mode anywhere? Their latest single is entitled "Peace"; or is their latest single "Perfect"? Either one will do.

[David Wild - Huffpost Blogger]

"Peace" it is!

[BobbyV123]

Award Tour - A Tribe Called Quest
The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades - Timbuk 3
Imagine - John Lennon
Pipes of Peace - Paul McCartney

[David Wild - Huffpost Blogger]

Those peace pipes need to be played more often
thanks

[sherbug]

What's Going On - Marvin Gaye (The whole CD)

[David Wild - Huffpost Blogger]

Always brilliant, sadly always relevent

[learntofly]

Give Peace a Chance - Beatles

[David Wild - Huffpost Blogger]

Ironically, as opposed to the last guy who screwed up the job, I think this President at least gives us a fighting chance at peace.

[L. Rozner]

Actually, that was John Lennon and The Plastic Ono band, but nice try though.

[LostFeliz]

"I Feel A Change Comin' On" By Bob Dylan from "Together Through Life"

[David Wild - Huffpost Blogger]

This from the guy who said the times were a changing way back when

[LMPE]

One Fine Day - The Chiffons

[David Wild - Huffpost Blogger]

Here's hoping it's one fine day soon.
And Phil Spector won't be out and about to enjoy it.

[Sportswoman]

FREEDOM-RICHIE HAVENS
SIMPLE SONG OF FREEDOM-TIM HARDIN
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE--BEATLES
WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW--JCKIE DESHANNON
ROCKIN IN THE FREE WORLD-NEIL YOUNG
PEACEFUL EASY FEELING-EAGLES
MASTERS OF WAR--DYLAN
EVE OF DESTRUCTION--BARRY MCGUIRE
LAST NIGHT I HAD THE STRANGEST DREAM--WEAVERS
IF I HAD A HAMMER-PETE SEEGER

[David Wild - Huffpost Blogger]

I like all those songs, and I'm an Eagles lover, but I do not have a "Peaceful Easy Feeling" yet

[Sportswoman]

PT.2--THE BLUESIER VERSION OPF PEACE ANDFREEDOM SONGS IN HONOR OF OUR PREZ:
PEACE IN THE VALLEY--THE SOUL STIRRERS
CROSSROADS--ERIC CLAPTON
IT'S GONNA WORK OUT FINE--IKE TURNER
TURN THE WORLD AROUND THE OTHER WAY--BIG MAYBELLE
HARD WORK BOOGIE--ST LOUIS JIMMY
GOD BLESS OUR NEW PRESIDENT--CHAMPION JACK DUPREE
FOUR YEARS OF TORMENT--MEMPHIS SLIM
BUCK FRANKLIN AND TEDDY BUNN--CROOKED WORLD BLUES
AFTER THE WAR--SON THOMAS
THIS RUGGED CROSS--STAPLES SINGERS
A CHANGE IS GONNA COME--SAM COOKE

[Sportswoman]

Hey, David, what happened to my blues list from--oh--6 hours ago?!