Saturday's Songs for the Soul: PBS, Tom Hanks & The Dave Clark Five's Glad All Over

Thought for the Day: This week I viewed a PBS special showing of the induction of the Dave Clark Five into the Rock and Roll Music Hall of Fame. On the show, Tom Hanks presented the award to the band. The entire show was wonderful and if it is broadcast on your PBS station I would highly recommend it. Because of the show I chose a song that I might not have chosen before hearing Tom Hanks speak about this group. I remember the excitement surrounding the British Invasion of The Beatles and The Dave Clark Five, but realized while listening as an adult and a psychologist, that their songs were truly songs for the soul....

Saturday's Songs for the Soul: Music Trivia: What 5 Beatles' Songs Topped Billboard Charts on April 4, 1964

Thought for the Day: Today's post is a tribute to the The Beatles. Yesterday, while listening to WFUV on the radio, I heard it was the 50th anniversary of their unique accomplishment, five Beatles' songs topped the Billboard charts. The Beatles have inspired the world for 50 years. Their lyrics and classic melodies have captured the essence of the feelings of love, helped inspire us to hope for peace and made us laugh. Their impact on generations is surely not only a musical, but also a psychological phenomenon. Take a look at how they impacted on the audiences of teenagers in the 60's. These 5 hits will be today's songs for the soul. Can you guess which 5 Beatles songs they topped the charts 50 years ago?

Saturday's Songs for the Soul: Top 10 Songs 4 the Soul of 2013

Thought for the Day: Last year I started posting Saturday's Songs for the Soul in honor of my brother, Larry Bogdanow, who passed away from brain cancer. Larry was a true Renaissance man who loved the all forms of art. He was also amazing at finding new music and renditions of the classics by varied artists. As gifts he would put together cd mixes which all who received them cherish to this day. Since I am celebrating the 2nd anniversary of the start of this blog all month and 79,400 page views since it's inception, I will be sharing the top 10 Songs for the Soul posts from 2013. Today I will share the 1st 5 (from #10 to #5 in popularity by # of page views which may not be fair since as people began to view the blog more often posts got more exposure!). In 2 weeks, I will post the top 5 posts from this series.

Saturday's Songs for the Soul: Bono & Pavarotti: Inspiration for the New Year

Thought for the Day: As we near the end of 2013 and look forward to 2014, I chose an interesting longer music video from YouTube. It features 2 songs. First Bono lead singer from the group, U2,  & social activist, delivers a powerful rendition of the song, "One." The lyrics:

"One love, One blood, One life. You got to do what you should. One life With each other Sisters, brothers. One life But we're not the same. We get to Carry each other. Carry each other."

are a strong message to carry with us into the new year. He uses his celebrity to fight for social justice, end poverty & war worldwide.
     After "One,"  the great tenor, Luciano Pavarotti, joins Bono to sing Ave Maria, with Bono singing the English translation. May the words inspire us to find ways to bring peace to our troubled world.

Saturday's Songs for the Soul: An Uplifting Tribute to Zach Sobiech & Art Looking for a Title

Image looking for a title by Michael Bogdanow Suggestions welcome

Thought for the Day:  When I viewed this video earlier this week, I  knew I had to share it today on Songs for the Soul. It is a very moving tribute to Zach Sobiech, a songwriter who who died of cancer at age 18. In a video about his last days of life, he said, "You don't have to know you are dying to start living." Last May I posted Zach singing this song, Clouds, a few days after he passed away. It is hard not to tear up while listening to this as many of the members of the choir were also wiping tears as they sang. His parents were there as well. His song is offering support to his loved ones and generating donations to fight cancer.

This morning, on Facebook, my brother, Michael Bogdanow, posted the amazing new piece of art which I posted above, with a request for suggestions for a title. I asked his permission to post the image on my blog & he graciously agreed. I am biased, since he is my brother, but really love the image & think it fits with the song which I had chosen days ago. So please feel free to post ideas for titles to the image above.

Saturday's Songs for the Soul: Gordon Lightfoot & Changes

Thought for the Day: The last couple of weeks I shared some of my readers' stories & songs that had special meaning for them over the years. Today, I'm sharing a song that brings back great memories for me. As I began to prepare this post, I was thinking about the fall & the changing of seasons. I'd love for you to share other songs about changes that have helped you cope with the inevitable changes in life, as well. I may share them here, if it's ok with you.

I learned the song, "Changes," many years ago. It was written by an extraordinary singer songwriter, Phil Ochs. However, I learned it from Canadian friends who were on a leadership training program with me in Israel after I graduated from high school. Somehow, since Canadian singer songwriter,  Gordon Lightfoot, made it famous in Canada, I was led to believe he wrote it. The lyrics & the melody are haunting beautiful. In songwriting when there is perfect pairing of words & melody, the song is said to have "prosody." Prosody helps a song communicate the emotions attached to the story.

I have not listened to "Changes" for many years. We played & sang the song so many times that it began to lose it's meaning for me. However, today, when I played it, it brought back the nostalgia & bittersweet feelings associated with the changes that are part of life.

I decided to share one of Lightfoot's other songs which I always loved as well, "Early Morning Rain."

In addition, if you would like to learn more about Lightfoot & his life & career, there is a longer video from a canadian Television show, 16X9 in 2012 with the 74 year old troubadour.

 Have a great weekend.

Sat's Songs 4 the Soul: A Song Symbolizing a 21 Year Relationaship

Thought for the Day: Last week, I shared a song & a story about the significance of the song from one of my readers. I asked for others to share their songs & stories of how a song has helped them over the years. This week I have another story from a reader. Please keep sharing songs, I love to hear how they have helped you. Here's our conversation written with +Arlene Pick 's permission:

Arlene Pick Sep 28, 2013 + 1 2 1 Wind. Beneath. My Wings. Bette. Midler.  Barbara Lavi Sep 28, 2013 +Arlene Pick That is a wonderful song. I actually met the songwriter a few years ago. Do you have a story to go along with the song? When you 1st heard it, how it helped you, who it reminds you of? Arlene Pick Sep 28, 2013 I chose this song for our wedding. Because my Albert. Lifted my hopes that. I was someone special. In his LIFE. 21 yrs. ago. 10/ 92  Barbara Lavi Sep 28, 2013 Edit That is a wonderful story. Is it OK to share it on my blog? Albert must be a special person. Happy Anniversary soon! So in honor of Albert & Arlene's (You can see them together in her profile picture) 21 years of making one another feel special, I am sharing "Wind Beneath My Wings" performed by Bette Midler. The song was written by Jeff Silbar and Larry Henley. I had the honor of meeting & speaking with Larry Henley at the Frank Brown Songwriter's Festival in Florabama several years ago. I have always loved the song as well. Today, one of my grand children will be celebrating their Bar Mitzvah. My children & their children bring me great joy & are the "Wind Beneath My Wings" as well. I hope that in my work I will help make the world a better place for them & their children.

Saturday's Songs for the Soul: A Bushel and a Peck & A Grandmother's Love

Thought for the Day: Last week, I asked people to share songs can have a strong psychological impact on us by bringing back positive feelings from the past, like a "pocket full of star shine" saved for a "rainy day" in the song "Catch a Falling Star" does for me. Today, I'd like to share one of your stories and songs. It came from Lisa Lewis, MD.

Here's the conversation we had on Google+ about her pocket full of star shine song, which she did not seem to realize where the memories and good feelings came from:

Lisa Lewis, MD

Sep 23, 2013

Reply

Lovely. What a positive message. I have long sang Amazing Grace and....believe it or not... "I love you, a Bushel and a Peck....."!  Now there's an oldy.

Barbara Lavi

Sep 23, 2013

+Lisa Lewis, MD
There must be a story behind the bushel & a peck for you. Who would sing it to you? Do you remember specific times when you sang it as a child? I have taught my children songs that were special to me & hope they will teach their kids...

Lisa Lewis, MD

Sep 23, 2013

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+Barbara Lavi You are spot on. My beloved grandmother used to sing "Bushel and a Peck" to us. I truly can't recall singing it as a child. Yes, it's so enjoyable to pass these songs down. Thank you for sharing your post.

Barbara Lavi

Sep 23, 2013

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+Lisa Lewis, MD So the song brings back that wonderful feeling of a grandmother's love which you can pass on to your children. That reminds me of another experience which I will write about soon that brings back my grandmother's love. Thanks for sharing this. Can I post it on the blog?

Lisa Lewis, MD

Sep 23, 2013

Reply

Of course. It is a wonderful memory and my pleasure. Her name was Nadine.

So today, I dedicate "I Love You a Bushel and a Peck" to Nadine who used a catchy love song to let her granddaughter, Lisa, know how much she loved her. Her feelings live on for her granddaughter years later. Although the song is dated, the sentiment comes through loud & clear.  

"A Bushel and a Peck," is from the musical "Guys and Dolls." Since the musical was first performed in 1950,  it has had numerous revivals & is a popular choice for school and community theater productions. The music & lyrics were written by Frank Loesser. It was based on the book was by Jo Swerling & Abe Burrows. According to Wikipedia, "the book was based on two short stories by Damon Runyon,^[1] "The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown" and "Blood Pressure" and also borrows characters & plot elements from other Runyon stories – most notably "Pick the Winner".^[2] This rendition is by legendary actress & singer, Doris Day^.

I will share other songs that you tell me about in subsequent weeks, so if this triggers memories of songs that feed your soul, please tell me about the song & the story that goes with it. Have a wonderful weekend!

Throwback Saturday's Songs for the Soul: Catch A Falling Star

Throwback Saturday: I first posted this in September of 2013. I thought of it today as my brother Larry's birthday would have been next week. I guess I need to pull out the star this week. With all the bad weather we have had over the month of February, his star is helpful for me. Hope you are having a great weekend!

Thought for the Day: I chose an old song today. "Catch A Falling Star," sung by Perry Como. The song, written by Paul Vance & Lee Pockriss, was made famous by Perry Como's hit version, released in 1957. Although it is a love song, it is one that feeds my soul for two reasons. First, I love the sentiment of catching a star & keeping the star shine in your pocket for a "starless night." Wouldn't it be nice if we could pull out the good feelings we have on a wonderful day on the tough days of our lives? The second reason I have always liked this song is that my brother, Larry,  sang it in an elementary school performance. It reminds me of looking up to my older brother singing the song & how proud I was to be his sister. This song helps me hold on to precious moment. So I guess the words ring true for me. Songs can help cope with  rainy days. What songs have helped you in this way? I'd love to hear them & the stories that go with them. Have a wonderful last full day of summer!

Saturday's Songs for the Soul: "Tomorrow," A Three Minute Positive Psychology Lesson

Thought for the Day: I have always loved the song, "Tomorrow," from the musical, Annie. The music is by Charles Strouse  and the Lyrics are by Martin Charnin. It is a good example of a song that addresses all the sadness and sorrow in life, but also gives a sense of hope for tomorrow to be better. It's a mini-positive psychology lesson. The melody is uplifting although it also has a slow tempo. I hope your tomorrows bring better and better days. What songs give you a lift when you are feeling down?

Saturday's Songs for the Soul: Can You Guess the Musical "Free" Association: A Coke on a Hilltop to the Rocky Mountains to The Beatles

Thought for the Day: This week has been dedicated to the psychology of free & our love/hate relationship with free offers. My ambivalence about offering my e-book for a limited time for free on Amazon.com brought me to look at the history of advertising. When I thought about Songs for the Soul for today,  I went on a different journey. It led me to free associate to songs that brought up feelings about being free. It took me from an innovative commercial by Coca Cola set on a hilltop, to the John Denver's free spirited song, Rocky Mountain High &, finally, to "Money Can't Buy Me Love, by the Beatles. I had to leave out a few more songs that came up on my way, but wonder what songs conjure up feelings of being "free" for you. I'd love to here your selections. Enjoy the music & have a great weekend!


My Psychology Trivia answer uncovered the fact that Coca Cola was one of the 1st companies to introduce free giveaways. It reminded me that they were also at the forefront of the use of music in their marketing. The jingle in this brilliant "Hilltop" commercial (1971), "I'd Like to Give the World a Coke," felt like a flashback to the peace songs of the 60's. This memorable commercial made people associate Coca Cola with hopes for world peace & harmony. It was so successful that it was rewritten, leaving out references to Coca Cola, The song became a hit in both the US & the UK,"I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (in Perfect Harmony)" by both The New Seekers and  The Hillside Singers. 

In thinking about songs that give a sense of being free & in tune with the world, John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High" came to mind. It certainly relays the feelings evoked when experiencing the beauty of nature, which is a free "high." It was written by John Denver and Mike Taylor about Colorado. It is one of two official state songs of Colorado. Although there was controversy for a while questioning whether there may have been references to drug induced highs, the song is a classic which rises above the controversy.

 

My third selection arose because I had to search for a less overused & obvious quote about things that are "free" for Words of Wisdom this week. The quote I found by Steve Jobs begins with the comment that "(His) favorite things in life don't cost money. " This part of the quote brought me to the 60's Beatles hit, "Money Can't Buy Me Love."

Stay tuned for more information soon to find out when the free download of my book will be available on Amazon.com.

Photo Credits
Campfire: http-/www.flickr.com/photos/tshermankb/8675961718/.jpg
Musical notes: http-/www.flickr.com/photos/calsidyrose/4031988955/.jpg

Saturday's Songs for the Soul: Brad Paisley Singing "He Didn't Have to Be"

Thought for Today:  Tomorrow is  Father's Day. Often we neglect the step-dads who filled in for their step-children day in, day out as the dad they didn't have to be. They are like the beautiful shining light in the above photo. Many children of divorce or who's fathers have passed away are afraid that it is disloyal to their "biological" fathers to give them any love, respect or gratitude. Often they don't seem to notice or appreciate that constant light they have received from their step-fathers until they are grown & have children of their own. I decided to make this e-card & play a song for them.

Saturday's Songs for the Soul: Rising Up Singing & Building Self Confidence

 

Image: 'Music makes me happy ....'

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21560098@N06/4547639583

Found on flickrcc.net

Thought for the Day: The rest of this week's blog posts have been focused on the psychology of self confidence: how it is built & how it can be reinforced. Therefore, I chose a few songs that relate to how rising up singing can build self confidence. In the 1st 2 songs, "The Greatest" & "You Can Let Go Now Daddy," the hero in the song is building self confidence.  Read on to see how the artists, Kenny Rodgers & Crystal Shawanda, also boosted their self esteem by recording these songs.  In the third song, "Here Come the Memories,"a singer songwriter, Sally Spring, epitomizes how an amazing voice & passion for music helped build self confidence.

There are many more songs that exhibit how self confidence can be nurtured. "Summertime," "High Hopes," gospel & protest songs come to mind. Do you have a favorite? I'd love to hear the confidence building songs that inspire you, so feel free to share them in the comments section & I may share them in a later post.

^{I hope you enjoy the music & come back for Sunday's Comic Strips tomorrow. Have a great weekend!  
                 Barbara}
 

 

"The Greatest"

"The Greatest" written by Don Schlitz & performed by by Kenny Rodgers, has meaning on two levels. The obvious one is the story line which shows how a child builds his self esteem.   If you have never heard it, you are in for a wonderful surprise. The less obvious back story relates to the artist, Kenny Rogers, one of Country Music's greatest artists, who was able to show the Music Industry that older artists can have hits. Many people do not know that older artists in country music are discriminated against & have difficulty getting air time. The images on the video found on You Tube are also inspiring. 

 

"You Can Let Go Now Daddy"

The second song, "You Can Let Go Now Daddy," was the first single by the Canadian country music artist Crystal Shawanda. It is a touching testimony to how a father's relationship to his daughter leads to the development of self confidence & independence. It was also a huge hit for the artist on her first album.

 

"Here Come the Memories" 

The third song is a testimony to the determination, perseverance & passion which led to Sally Spring's confidence in herself. As a young child she loved to sing & wanted to make music. She taught herself to play the guitar & became a performer despite a a physical difference. I met Sally in 2007 at the New Song Festival where we studied together. She is a wonderful talented singer songwriter from NC who is an inspiration to all, but rarely says a word about the challenges she overcame to make music. She humbly says it's just a part of who she is & she does not see it as anything out of the ordinary. Her CDs have charted #1 in Europe & #2 worldwide.