12 Songs That Changed My Life
75How to Become a Better Singer Songwriter
12 Songs That Changed My Life
The Long and Winding Road by the Beatles
This song still gets to me, even after all these years.
Bridge Over Troubled Waters by Simon and Garfunkel
If I had a personal National Anthem, this would be it. They should give this song the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Times They Are A-changin' by Bob Dylan
Love him or hate him, you can't deny that he changed musical history forever.
This song is still a call to action to me.
Forever Young by Joan Baez
This song is a recipe for successful living. I'm guessing few people remember it, but I find it a true balm in an uncertain world.
Asleep in the Light by Keith Green
This song is an odd mix of Christian propaganda, humanitarianism and idealism.
Keith was a phenomenal musician and it broke my heart when he died in a plane crash with some of his children.
Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
Picture me alone on a dance floor at 18 at March Air Force Base before the crowd got there for the night's dance totally rocking out to this song, and you'll know why I'll always love it. It is sheer genius.
Fire and Rain by James Taylor
The first time I ever heard this I was on a bus heading down a country road to Jr. High School. For some reason I could always relate to songs about lost love.
Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
I always loved this song, but I loved it even more when I had a daughter with brown eyes. I used to sing it to her when she was a baby.
Lonely People by America
This song doesn't have many words, but always leaves me in a better mood.
At Seventeen by Janis Ian
Now this song is too whiny for me, but during my teenage years it struck a chord with me that spoke to my teenage angst.
Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell
This song is poetry set to music and I love her imagination and the images she paints.
It's a Wonderful World (the version by Louis Armstrong and the version by Sarah Brightman)
A song associated with a curse, because so many people who sang it have had untimely deaths. I'm sure I heard the Louis Armstrong version because my father was a big fan, but I was compelled to learn all the lyrics and to sing it after I heard Sarah Brightman's version on the Harem DVD and video on PBS.
What do all these songs have in common? Compelling melodies, lyrics that are understandable, meaningful, and that I can relate to.
The melody marries well to the lyrics.
They would sound just as good sung unplugged as they do with studio effects.
They helped my growth as a human being.
They've stood the test of time.
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you have great taste in music moonmaiden.....jimmy
"I hear a babies cry - I watch them grow - they'll learn more - Than I'll ever know - and I think to myself - What a wonderful world" - GREAT HUB, Moonmaiden! I love it.
Those are all great ones! Thanks!
i think we must be the same age. i love these songs!
I've just come across this Hub and must agree with Jimmy -- you have great taste in music! I am one of the few who does remember Joan Baez's version of "Forever Young". I may be wrong but I think it was written by Bob Dylan and also sung by him, but this was definitely a case when one of his songs was better suited to Baez.
I don't know a couple of these songs. But thanks for reminding me of 'Lonely People' by America. I love this song. America (the band) is definitely underrated, I think.
Great songs!
Bohemian Rhapsody -- still great after 12 million listens. So are the rest of these classics. Awesome list.
Dear Moonmaiden,
I loved this article. It's true that music can really change our lives. I know from personal experience.
What lead me to your article was a search of Sarah Brightman articles, because it's her music that has often touched my heart and soul. I was pleased to find her on your list.
I am also a fan of many of the other songs and artists you've mentioned, particularly "Both Sides Now" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
I think, by posting this list, you'll be guiding people to some great music which they, otherwise, might not have discovered.
Thanks a lot. I really enjoyed it!
Sincerely,
John
Great selection of songs, Moonmaiden, but I thought I ought to point out that Forever Young is actually a Dylan song off his album Planet Waves. He is one of my favourite singer-songwriters too!
Sorry everyone. I had to delete all the useful links that once made this an educational article because of hubpages new policies. If you are interested I suppose you'll have to look for the words on your favorite search engine. I wonder how many of my other articles are going to get the axe too.
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Paul Edmondson says:
2 years ago
Great songs. It's hard to beat James Taylor, Van Morrison, The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, and Paul Simon. I have great memories from many of these songs. Thanks for posting.