Reader Elizabeth Allen-Smith recently sent the following email, looking for some help in choosing songs for a gig she's about to play.
Jim: I've listened to you and read your work for years and thought that if there was anyone who could help me it would have to be you - otherwise I may make some really bad choices!
Here's my problem: I am new to Freeport (one year as a new resident and small business - "Dragon Popcorn") and my business has been tapped repeatedly for not-for-profit events, etc.. (I am trying to make a good impression). One group (Relay For Life) is headed by a woman who heard me sing and asked me to perform "gratis" during their all night event. I have a strong voice and sing everything from country to heavy metal - I can do Grace Slick "with authority" as one person has told me. Please forgive me if this sounds like bragging - I just want you to understand my abilitiy so that you can offer advice if at all possible. I also love to cover Annie Lennox and Bonnie Raitt as well as Reba and K. D. Lang.
So - they want me to sing three to four songs. I have decided to do Etta James', "At Last" because that is my signature song and always brings a wonderful response, but for my other choices I wanted to do something appropriate for the setting - the fight against cancer. I am interested in doing something inspirational but I really don't want to do religious music. I would like to do something that would get the crowd involved but I can only think of "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing" (are you cringing?) or "From A Distance". I'd like to do a rock anthem but I can't think of anything!!! Additionally, country music out here would work just as well.
Please, please, please, can you help me? I'd gladly try bribery - I have over 50 types of gourmet popcorn...?! Any consideration would be HUGELY appreciated! -- Liz
Liz: First off, no bribery necessary!
Secondly, when you say strong female voice and inspirational, a couple of tunes pop into my head instantly: "Respect" and "Think" by Aretha Franklin, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, and, probably less appropriate for you on this occasion, "O Bondage, Up Yours!" by X-Ray Spex. Them's my choices, any way! But I'll throw it out on my blog, and let's see what else anybody else comes up with.
JIM
"Won't back down" by Tom Petty
Happy Birthday by Loretta Lynn
One Way or Another by Blondie
I love the song "Here Comes the Rain Again." If you are doing a running event, consider "Chicks Like Us, Baby We Were Born to Run."
You've Got A Friend by Carol King
These Are Days by 10,000 Maniacs
Extraordinary Machine by Fiona Apple
Just A Girl by No Doubt
Better by Regina Spektor
If you don't know them all, you might want to check them out. I think you'll agree that they are all
apropos (not to mention great songs).
Brass in Pocket or Mystery Achievement from the Pretenders.
PJ Harvey -- "Man-Size","Me Jane" or "50 Foot Queenie"
Doesn't get more female-empowering than that :-)