Song of the Year
Posted at 5:15 AM on December 29, 2008
by Dale Connelly
(56 Comments)
Is there a song that describes 2008 for you?
I'm not necessarily talking about a song that was new this year, but rather, one that could represent what the year meant, personally.
We're all familiar with the biggest stories. If the economy defined the year for you, feel free to go directly to the blues. Or "Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?".
If it was the election, something majestic might be in order, or an old favorite from the civil rights movement, like "We Shall Overcome".
Or back to the blues, if your politics lead you there.
There are also smaller stories. Maybe these will matter most in the long run.
At our house, transition was the theme. My wife and I both went through a few changes at our workplaces. What was even more important; we graduated a high school senior and sent him off to college. One of my enduring memories of 2008 is set on that warm June evening when we stood in the high school parking lot with hundreds of enthusiastic teenagers and their families as they celebrated their accomplishments and expressed their profound relief.
For that reason alone, my song of the year has to be "Stepstone".
I stood on the stepstone when schooldays was o'er,
Long for the time to go by.
Now that it's gone, I stand here tonight,
and bid this old stepstone goodbye.
Goodbye to my stepstone, goodbye to my home,
God bless the ones that I leave with a sigh.
Fields will be widening and I will be gone
To ramble this wide world alone.
A little melancholy, I know. But there's some optimism in it, and plenty of gratitude. Even though my favorite version of the song was recorded back in 1944, when I hear it, I'll always think of 2008.
So, what's your "Song of the Year"?
Comments (56)
Really interesting question! My head is completely empty of songs right now, so I'll be waiting to hear some of the other folks' suggestions.
We sent our oldest off to college in 2006 and will do the same with our younger child in 2009, so those transition songs are pretty meaningful. There's a whole different sense to sending off your first child from that of sending off your last (and the beckoning empty nest. . .), so they definitely can't share a playlist!
P.S. I'm way more interested in getting to work early nowadays so I can hear more RH. Getting up at 3:30 for the last Morning Show was a turning point--there must be a song for that.
First, I am doing fine, thanks!
My gosh, I remember when Gus was a toddler, being held up to the microphone at the MN State Fair to do the station ID. Then I saw him grow to a talented and nice young man, and off he goes to college...all the best to him.
I went through the year end wrap entry on the "Ponderings" blog on my website to come up with a song. With my year of challenge, I could only think of one which comes from the Southern Gospel world called "Through The Fire" by the Crabb Family. It says we weren't promised the load wouldn't be heavy, but help would come in time and we'd be taken through the fire.
My choice is far too obvious. There were other songs that caught me up this year. For a week I played the same song over and over on my car sound system: "Between Girl and Gone."
And yet the "song" of the year has to be Will I Am's "Yes We Can." I am an older guy, and this election might be the high point of my life. For many months I have popped into YouTube and run this song, and I think its message of hope never failed to trigger floods of tears. To have come through the one of the ugliest periods of history and then to break into the sunlight of a new era is so deeply thrilling I find I can still barely believe it happened.
But it did. It is happening. It is possible again now to hope.
Yes we can.
A great question, Dale..the song for me that immediately popped into my head was Joni Mitchell's "River".
Nothing like the thrill of hearing your name on the radio! Thanks for all you do to fill my head with songs.
I'm reading about all of you sending children off to college and remembering when I did that and . . . feeling kind of old. It's been a few years since my kids went off to college and my big transition for this year was becoming a grandfather for the first time.
I don't know what song would fit, but certainly something that's full of hope for the future, because meeting this wonderful little girl for the first time and seeing all the plans, hopes, and dreams her mom and dad have for her, there can't be anything but optimism for what lies ahead for us . . . .
what happened to Prairie Sun?
My choice of a song for 2008 is Stephen Sondheim's "I'm Stlll Here" from Follies.
Good times and bum times, I've seen them all
And, my dear, I'm still here
Plush velvet sometimes
Sometimes just pretzels and beer, but I'm here
.....
I've run the gamut, A to Z
Three cheers and dammit, C'est la vie
I got through all of last year, and I'm here
Lord knows, at least I was there, and I'm here
Look who's here, I'm still here
That, or Paul Simon's "Still Crazy After All These Years," for similar reasons.
Good Mornin'! Through this last year, 2008, a song that resonated for me is "Don't Give Up" by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush. A relatively contemporary song but the message is inspiring and the music is soulful plus the singing artistry is beautiful!
Thanks for the great radioheartland!
Patricia
P.S. This weekend my partner set up a system whereby we can listen downstairs through the TV and XBox network rather than the limitations of our upstairs office. So now you're everywhere!
thank you for Prairie Sun, i know i'm not the only one out there who looks forward to it every monday at 7
how about that song from Annie ? i'm retired, i've lost a lot of money in my ira and will have to keep working a few more years , part time, to recoup even part of it, so i'd like to think the that sun really will come up tomorrow, or maybe the next day.....
also , thanx for the Gus update
How about Don't Worry, Be Happy? It has been a very sad time, but we can still follow the "advice".
Good Morning Dale, Mike and all ~
I remember the skit you did when Gus was born, Dale! You were a very happy new dad.
This past year many of my conversations ended with the phrase, "We live in interesting times." How about some songs from the CD "Comfort Keepers"? I like "Pack Up Your Sorrows" by Iris Dement and Louden Wainright III.
Friends, family and church helped me get through the last year. Was able to ignore the political wrangling, somehow survived the layoff in my department and figured out how to manage the decrease in funds due to my husband's lack of work. It was the canceling of the Morning Show that was the last straw- I burst into tears when I heard about it - maybe because it was a vital part of the support system I used to help get through everyday challenges.
I am very grateful for RH, and hope it will grow and flourish for many years to come!
I'm so excited to be able to tune in to your show at work with my new speakers I got for Christmas!
The song that comes to mind for me is Free Life by Dan Wilson. It always resonates for me when I hear it and from now on I will always think of the last State Fair Morning show in 2008 whenever it plays.
Will you do a State Fair Show with Radio Haertland?
Kate
Hi, Dale...
So happy you are still with me in the morning. I, too, was shocked and saddened when I heard The Morning Show was to be no more. Now if I could just figure out how to pipe this into the rest of my house, I'd be a happy camper.
How about "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Outa My Hair?"
Thanks for many years of listening pleasure!
I'd have to say the song going through my head off and on for months now (especially since November) has been, "Every Little Thing Is Going to Be Alright" by Bob Marley. That may not be the actual title - but that's the chorus, so that's what gets stuck in my old pea brain. It's optimistic - and I have been accused of optimism more than once. "Don't worry 'bout a thing...'cuz every little thing is gonna be alright..." Yeah, that about sums it up. Thanks for a lovely start to my week, Dale!
The first idea that popped into my head for song of 2008 is "Stormy Monday" by Eva Cassidy. I think it's a good song because it certainly signifies the struggles most of us have had this year, with every day seemingly worse than the previous one, and we're just waiting for the weekend in the hope that it might be just a little better then. Also, Eva's voice is so beautiful, it gives us hope and joy even when we are struggling day-to-day.
Dale, you need to play more Eva on the show and in the daily playlist. Don't forget her, please.
All the requests that you have been playing have set my synapse to firing. How about dedicated to 2008 - "I'm Tryin' to Forget You" (It may be just "Trying" - not sure) and for 2009 as a follow up to Pres-Elect Obama's theme - "The Times They Are a Changin'" by Bob Dylan or Dylan's "The Answer Is Blowin' in the Wind."
Lots of great requests and songs chosen by you, Dale. Fun!
Thank you again,
Patricia
Without a doubt, Peter Mayer's "Looking for the Dove" off his Midwinter album - maybe too serious for this morning, but it rings true.
Without another doubt, Peter Mayer's "One More Circle Around the Sun"- It seems to say it all.
Monty Python's -Always Look On The Bright Side of Life. Art Garfunkel's version doesn't contain the word sh-t, which is what life throws at us sometimes. I love music that makes me laugh. Many of the songs on Radio Heartland are good medicine for the funny bone.
More McGarrigles...
Such as "Travellin' on for Jesus"
How Can I Miss You If You Won’t Go Away?
by Skip Orlando
That's how I feel about 2008
Hi Dale,
Please play anything by Scott Joplin for my brother Richard. I just remembered it is his birthday today and it quite often gets forgotten in all the Holiday hubbub.
Thanks!
Elizabeth
Good Morning, Dale, Mike, & Fellow Listeners,
When you have time, will you please play Aaron Copeland’s Fanfare for the Common Man and Michael Johnson’s Ridin’ in the Sky? Thank you.
And thanks for the attractive, useful web site. It’s just great to know the name of the artists whose works you play—and all the other info + of course, the blog! 8-)
I'm a slow thinker...but it finally came to me: Leonard Cohen...either the song (title escapes me) about "that's where the light comes in" or Democracy is coming (to the USA). Perhaps you can think of the titles...thanks.
Thanks for continuing with Radio Heartland!! I was trying to figure out a way to continue with my favorite part of the morning when the radio station switched to the internet. Cranking the computer speakers from the living room while my kids and I had breakfast in the kitchen was not ideal, though it was better than listening to any other radio station. And then, for Christmas, my husband gave me a device to stream the radio station through my kitchen speakers!! Yea!! You're back with me for breakfast! My kids love the music also!
I tried to buy an HD radio in Willmar, MN. One clerk told me there was no such thing. Another asked around and found that that store did not carry them. I was hoping to buy a portable so at least I can listen when I am driving in the citites. Thanks so much for the additional hour. I have my laptop set up in the kitchen. I miss you in the car. Song for the year--Cohen's Hallelujiah--happy words but sad melody, kind of the way I fee.
I got married this past September, and my husband and I sang Greg Brown's song, "Ain't No One Like You" (from "Honey in the Lion's Head") which I heard for the first time on a small independent radio station out east this past spring -- so that's my 2008-defining song.
I also got a great new HD radio for Christmas so I'm excited to tune into radio heartland at work!
Thanks for keeping the morning show around.
Looking forward to 2009, I like the song "Tell Me Why You Like Roosevelt" as a hopeful portent.
I believe the song was written at a time when the Depression was in the past, and it serves as a reminder that bad times don't last forever.
I saw a Time magazine cover recently that took a photo of FDR and superimposed the face of Barack Obama on it - with a wide grin, little wire-frame glasses and a cigar clenched between his teeth. I like to think that Obama will be the "poor man's friend" in the coming year, much the way Roosevelt was.
I first heard the song sung by Jesse Winchester in the 70's, but there are other versions out there.
When I read the post about "How Can I Miss You When You Won't Go Away", the first thing that came to mind was George W. Bush. Is it just me?
Harry Nilsson's "Think About Your Troubles" from "The Point."
OK!You asked for some ideas to welcome 2009, Dale, so here are a couple:
For the New Year and in honor of Don in Rochester who blogged earlier to tell us about meeting his first grandchild, how about "You Are The New Day" by the King's Singers (?)
Also, Jan 1 is our 37th anniversary. John and I would be delighted to hear "Festa do Interior" by Gal Costa sometime between 8am and 9am, if that is possible.
Thank you.
Hi Dale! I've been listening pretty much constantly since you went on the air 12/12 and I've noticed some artists that are missing from Hal's playlist! Please add them to your mix if you're so inclined - I'm sure the audience will love them as I do:
Alice Peacock
James Keelaghan
Becky Schlegel
Cheryl Wheeler
David Wilcox
Ellis Paul
Garnet Rogers (play him more!!!)
Kenny White
Martyn Joseph
Ruthie Foster
Thanks Dale...love your show!
I'm happy to report that my personal Santa brought me a digital radio for Christmas and saved me from the talking heads on morning TV. Life since 12/11 has been dicy at our house! Now we are back to normal. Love my guy!
John Gorka's "Good Noise" is my pick for the song we should use to welcome 2009. This song plays on my Ipod almost daily as my reminder to try to have a positive effect on everyone around me. I have fallen into the woe-is-me style of thinking all too often this year, so I vow to make a good noise every day in 2009.
Thanks, Dale, for the new radio service. Even though I can only listen at work (no internet at home) it's so nice to have this source of great music. Thanks for not letting go of us folk music junkies!
My song of the year has to be Amaze Me, America by Girlyman on the Songs in the Key of Peace CD. I play it over and over and especially in an election year it touches me on many levels. It's hope and despair, the good and the bad, etc. (don't want to get too heavy here)-you get the picture-plus it is a great sing-along song for a wannabe musician!
I didn't catch your question earlier so now that I hear it on the rebroadcast, I assume you have left the station and may even be enjoying a mid-morning nap but I'm just dandy, thanks for asking!
There are so many songs that could represent 2008 for me but it has been a year with many changes including a career derailment like so many others these days. I think the best song for me would have to be "Free Life" by Dan Wilson, though "Pick Yourself Up" would have to be a close runner-up!
Hey, while I'm here... I liked the catchphrase "From the washboard to the fretboard" the first 600 times I heard it but perhaps it could be limited to just once or twice an hour? To me the repetition cheapens the service and makes it seem more like some of the commercial shlock out there; you're classier than that!
For me, a great song that could define the spirit of 2008 and could also help welcome 2009 is the Dixie Chicks' "I Hope." They co-wrote it with Keb' Mo' and it appears on their "Taking the Long Way" CD. They donated proceeds from this song to post-Katrina relief.
p.s. I'm delighted with the Cambridge SoundWorks HD radio I got for Christmas and recommend checking that brand out if you're looking for one.
My song for this year and next is the old Woody Guthrie anthem, "This land is your land." Especially the line about the back side of the No Trespassing sign.
My internal soundtrack of 2008 was mostly R.L. Burnside's version of Dylan's "Everything is Broken". No need to explain that!
Then, with Obama's victories in sight (as Cynthia's post reminded me), Leonard Cohen's "Anthem" started letting the hope and light in, and then good ol' Len called it again with "Democracy (Is Coming to the USA)".
This year ends with daylight getting longer and many voices quietly singing "You Are My Sunshine"...
And a reprise of "Democracy".
Think of this as a joke - but the cynic in me thinks Everything is Broken by Bob Dylan (or RL Burnside) is a fitting description of the current state of the world so that's my song for 2008...
Thanks, all, for the songs. Keep them coming!
I've got six hours to put together between now and New Year's Day.
Like the comedian said, "I'm here all week!"
And Mark, I know what you mean about the repetition on the "washboard to fretboard" line.
The monotony of my relentless announcements is one of the problems I hear as I listen, though we probably won't be able to address the issue until next week.
Would it help if I added a keyboard? How about a breadboard, a bedboard, some cardboard, a headboard, particle board, a surfboard and the board of directors?
Any other boards missing?
I must've spent at least a hundred bucks on songs I heard on The Morning Show and RH. Some were new to me, and others jogged my memory. Thanks a lot, really, I mean it. My analogy for 2008 is below.
The economy: Runaway Train by Eliza Gilkyson
Everyone said, Don't pay it any mind, there's a pot of gold waitin' at the end of the line. Just move with the eye of the hurricane. We'll never get off of this runaway train.
Thankfully, I live a simple life and had my finances in order so the economy hasn't affected me.
Dicey situations at work: Stuck in the Middle with You by Stealers Wheel
Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right...
Moving--again: I've Been Everywhere by Hank Snow
An advisory board? Of course, that's what this blog appears to be.
Off the top of my head, Tom Paxton's "Can't help but wonder where I'm bound" seems; apropos.
Interesting -- I'm listening to the morning's rebroadcast, and it just went from Hour 1 - Hour 3, skipping the 7:00 to 8:00 hour (and of course the Prairie Sun song). Will this be the pattern? My favorite would be if RH would rebroadcast all THREE hours from 11 - 2:00! Nothing selfish (or lazy) about me...
BH
Could Marnie who said:
"my husband gave me a device to stream the radio station through my kitchen speakers!!" tell us what device that was????
Barb Hassing
mmbbhassing@usfamily.net
For 2008, my 50th year, it would have to be the Circle Game ... our oldest son graduated from college and is now (thank you, Lord) gainfully employed and our youngest is in his 3rd year of college and madly in love. Both of these things have meant I see much less of them both, including them not being home for Christmas.
My husband reminds me often of Don White's song "Rascal" in which he says "kids go to college, kids move away, dogs and husbands - that's who stays ... put that knife down, baby!"
Which reminds me ... please add Don White to your playlist - I think your listeners would love him! (www.donwhite.net)
My wife and I set the alarm for 6:58 this morning on the new HD radio I got her for our anniversary, hoping to hear The Prairie Sun Song at 7:00. We had a momentary disappointment when something else was played instead, but all was well when Dale explained that he had just forgotten to play the Sons of the Pioneers and then proceeded to spin the song as usual. Thanks for keeping up the tradition, Dale!
My suggestion for the Song of the Year that describes 2008 for me is REM's 'It's the End of the World as We Know It'. The title says it all, but the lyrics contain so many suggestions that can be associated with this year's news and events and our own responses to these that I find it very appropriate. I love the Heartland, great job.
As far as boards, don't forget boogieboard, snowboard, room and board, and bored out of my mind.
As far as a song for 2008, I'm going to have to go with "Pandemonium" from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. My life, what with making the high school to college transition has been fairly pandemoniumish, as have a lot of other things in the world.
My wife, Nancie, had her 50th birthday on Dec. 28. Two of her favorite things in life have been "The Morning Show" and "The Wizard of Oz." So it's clear what I would like to request for her--Over the Rainbow played on the new Dale Connelly show. There are so many great versions of this song, but two I know she likes are Eva Cassidy's wonderful version and the original by Judy Garland. Thanks for the new show!
My song for 2008 is "American Tune" by Paul Simon. Realistic but not resigned, and hopeful in a down-to-earth kind of way.
My song for 2008 is "New Day" by King Singers not only because of the election but also because of several changes/losses during 2008.....including TMS!
Thank you Dale for being part of the New Day by offering us Radio Heartland!!!
PS: Enter me in the trip to New Orleans deal:)
Jean
How about "There is a Tree Beyond this World"-by Ann Reed?
A song of hope. Thanks for your work.
My song of the year is "Turn of the Wheel" by James Keelaghan - so many references to themes that played out this year and a reminder that hope prevails
"Martin Luther wrote a paper he nailed it to the door Rosa Parks took her seat she couldn't take it anymore...The things we never challenge are the things that never change"...Fortunes often rise and often fortunes fall, but somehow there will be a balance in it all if you wait for a turn of the wheel....
Happy New Year and Bring on 2009!
two votes for Will I Am's 'Yes We Can.' Like Steve, it brings chills and tears every time. Can't wait for 1/20/09.
I originally thought that I didn't have a 2008 song. Then I heard Bobby McFerrin's Don't Worry, Be Happy song Tues morning and designate it my 2008 song.
I always prefix this story with ... my mother is fine and is walking under her own power ... usually w/o even a cane ... so as not to lead people on.
So on the day of my wedding this year, my 78 year old mother took a header down my stairs at my old farm house onto the landing (steep stairs). Fractured C1 & C2; C6 and C7 bulged. I honestly thought that was the last I'd see her alive. At one point her breathing even stopped. Luckily there were medical professionals in the family (bless all medical professionals!) and could delicately rotate her body and then she resumed breathing. Even after surgery mom couldn't even wiggle her toes.
A month or so at Regions and then to a rehab facility. I would visit before work every morning and one day ... especially anguished ... I got in my car to go to work after visiting and The Morning Show played the Bobby McFerrin's song. It brought tears to my eyes and the song rang home! I forgot to thank Dale and Jim Ed ... even though I didn't request the song! Still a long road ahead for the old girl but ... don't worry be happy! :-)
And yes ... the wedding finally occured after mom was strong enough to attend.
I listen from 6-6:30 every day. Dale, if you can think of another uplifting song please play. I partically like the King Singers song on Tues commemorating a new grand child.
Dave
Stan Rogers. "The Mary Ellen Carter."
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