By DiscoMonster
“O-o-h child things’ll get brighter,” sing The Five Stairsteps, and so thus inspired this theme.
Nordic darkness that dims days and causes sunlight affective disorder was the personal drive for this topic. I sought songs that would provide hope, comfort and joy until Sol Invictus once again lengthens the days.
I loved how people interpreted it, and suggested music that obviously made their days brighter, even if the lyrics were only vaguely on topic.
The wish for a brighter future and for that future to be lit by people who shine brighter in our lives was the overarching sentiment in most of the songs nominated last week. The nominations made it clear we long for lovely, sunlit days and that we wish to move into the light and be illuminated physically, intellectually and spiritually.
In contrast, some songs noted that brighter isn’t necessarily better and sang of uneven light or the pain of light brighter than 1,000 suns.
Despite the stark warnings, I went for positive songs. Here are a few words to describe what I love about the songs I’ve selected.
The Illuminating Alight On The Night A-List:
Roberto Fonseca - Mi Negra Ave Maria
I love the poetry; the realisation that a bright future is conditional… Most of all I love the recitation and the piano and the way it builds with the percussion. This tune is burnt into my memory
Stanton Davis’ Ghetto/Mysticism - Brighter Days/Brighter Daze
I just love the way this sounds as if it is about to collapse then suddenly finds structure and becomes utterly joyous.
Abigail Washburn - Bright Morning Stars
Her voice makes me believe in brighter days.
Slowdive - Brighter
Lush and textured. I sink into dreams listening to Slowdive.
Razorcuts - Brighter Now
An imperfect song but this awkward introspection struck a chord with me in 1988 as life became brighter than before.
Engineers - Brighter As We Fall
Gentle shoegaze that sways, swells and drifts with the air of the Cocteau Twins’s Blue Bell Knoll period. Can’t resist such tunes.
Simple Minds - New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84) was about the belief those years would be successful. For me they were indeed golden and brighter. I love the glistening promise of the krautrocking Simple Minds era.
Culture - Love Shines Brighter
The upbeat rhythm, the happiness in the lyrics, the warmth of the harmonies. A perfect song to hear when making breakfast. It makes the day brighter even when the sun won’t shine during the Finnish midwinter.
Fucked Up - Queen of Hearts
A beat to leap about to with joyous abandon. Lyrics to shout with unrestrained glee. Political activism. Boy meets Girl. Love. Beams and shafts of light brighten faces and belief. There is enlightenment and heart in the song’s romance.
Shankar Mahadevan - Gayatri Mantra (Contemporary mix)
I just love the instrumentation and the way it reverberates and resonates. Brightness, a gentle sway and deep textures.
Fun - We Are Young ft. Janelle Monáe
When my children sing this, my day is brighter. Love the massive chorus and I imagine my children singing it while surrounded by friends.
Joensuu 1685 - (You Shine) Brighter Than Light
A church organ that flares up and gleams in secular rejoicing. Such a rugged love song. The sort of thing I love.
Van Morrison - Bright Side of the Road
Exuberance and a rambling quality that reminds me I cross the street to catch the sun in winter and will hum this to myself.
Bill Withers - Lovely Day
Whenever this song comes on the radio, I smile and feel better.
Eula Cooper - Let Our Love Grow Higher
Jubilant northern soul meets busy funk. A tune to express yourself on the dancefloor as you reach up higher and look to brighter days.
Change, Luther Vandross - Searching
The bounce in the bass line and the groove in the percussion. The yearning vocals and the way different instruments sweep in and out. Dancefloor heaven as eyes lock and grow brighter.
Sauti Sol - Brighter Days featuring Soweto Gospel Choir
Such a big baggy beat as if they’d been listening to The Farm and The Soup Dragons in 1989. Makes me want to lift up my voice and join in.
Blisteringly Bright B-List Playlist:
Active Child - Brighter Day
Jim Croce - Tomorrow's Gonna Be A Brighter Day
Habib Koité & Eric Bibb - Send Us Brighter Days
Grateful Dead – Here Comes Sunshine
Novos Baianos - Preta Pretinha
Tommy James & The Shondells - Crystal Blue Persuasion
Lole y Manuel - Nuevo Día
Esperanza Spalding - Til The Next Full
Cajmere featuring Dajae - Brighter Days
Barrier - Dawn Breaks Through
Sigala – Brighter Days ft. Paul Janeway
The two YouTube and Spotify playlists below mix up the A and B selections above, so one is quieter and more reflective, and the other louder and more upbeat.
The Quieter, Softer Light Selection:
The Into The Blinding Light Louder Selection:
The Shed Light On What You Could’ve Won C-List Playlist:
Elsie Carlisle’s The Clouds Will Soon Roll By and the next 13 or so, after which is a bigger selection.
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations from last week's topic: How illuminating: songs about getting brighter. The next topic will launch on Thursday at 1pm UK time.
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