We have a big celebration coming up, and we want to know: What is your favorite women- or disability-positive song and why? I know we have some music lovers out there! It can be from any genre or time period.

My current favorite: "Video" by India Arie. I love it because it is about loving who you are "individually" without trying to be something you are not.

@ Ashley: I am definitely a huge disco/funk 70s fan as well Gotta love Earth, Wind, and Fire and KC and The Sunshine Band! Also "Got to Be Real" I forget who sings it and "We are Family" by Sister Sledge and "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang. I know it may sound dorky, but of COURSE "Y.M.C.A." is just a given

(In case anyone was wondering, yes, I actually do know who all these bands are, lol!)

And as a side note -- anyone using Zune? I could send you links to songs (and v.versa). Just curious. btw, on Zune I am " nw selcouth"

Music definitely helps me. It helps distract me when I'm in pain, calms me when things are hard, motivates me to move around and get fired up when I need that...
Right now I'm heavy into listening to a lot of '70s funk. The songs that speak to me the most are:

"Express Yourself" by Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band
"...It's not what you look like when you're doin' what you're doin',
It's what you're doing when you're doing what you look like you're doin'..."
This is just about doing whatever it is that is *you* and that it's not what you look like, it's what you *do* that is important.

and

"Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf)" by Sly and the Family Stone
This one makes me think of all my really good friends that accept and love me for all of my parts: good, bad, weird, whatever, and are there for all the events: good, bad, weird, and whatever.
"... Thank you for lettin' me be myself again..."


They're much more general motivational songs. I'll keep thinking about ones that are more specifically woman- and disability-positive.

Now excuse me while I get out my polyester shirt with the giant collar, put on my platform shoes, and boogie on down to some funky horns and thumpin' bass lines..... <grin>

Yup, like Johnny Crescendo and "Numb"

I listen to music 24/7, even as I'm typing...

I agree with "Unwritten"

I LOVE Christina Aguilera so...

Beautiful

Fighter

Can't Hold us Down

Rihanna

Hard

G4L

Jewel

Hands

Pink

Stupid Girls

Don't Let Me Get Me

Beyonce

Flaws and All

Listen

Ne-yo

Miss Independent

Martina McBride

Independence Day

Anyway

Corinne Bailey Ray

Put Your Records On

Miley Cyrus

Can't be Tamed'

Carrie Underwood

So Small

Incubus

Drive

Three Doors Down

Let me Go

Green Day

Time of your Life

Aaliyah

Try Again

More than a Woman

TLC

Unpretty

Janet Jackson

Rhythm Nation

Madonna

Vogue

Mariah Carey

If you believe

Hero

Make it happen

Just to name a few...

I am a huge fan of Johnny Crescendo, the disability rights singer and activist. My absolutely favorite song of his is "You Don't Need Sympathy When You've Got Soul," followed closely by "Wheelchair Waltz."

They're both here, along with another song that some folks really like: "Strong Woman:" ("Sympathy" is just titled "Sympathy.)

http://www.myspace.com/johnnycrescendo

I'd like to suggest numb from linkin park. It really advocates being different, being your own person. Maybe not the happy style you're looking for but it really helped me

Oh and also "Don't you feel afraid" from Krezip
Krezip is a dutch band, but it's on youtube ;)

I like "You Get Me" too! 

Yes! Something I finally feel like I have the authority to comment on! Well I will list a few of my favorite motivational songs here and see what you think. I don't necessarily think of disability positive or not but most of these songs help me when I need to get motivated. Hope you enjoy!

Unwritten- Natasha Bedingfield

We Can- LeAnn Rimes (from legally blonde two!)

Remember the Name- Fort Minor

You've Got a Friend- James Taylor

Everybody -- Ingrid Michaelson

**Everything Is Everything- Lauryn Hill

What I Am -- Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians

Sunny Came Home- Shawn Colvin

**Get Up, Stand Up/Could you Be Loved-- Bob Marley

the list goes on... and there are many more powerful songs that I like, so if anybody actually reads this and is interested, I would be happy to share more with you

@ Mary, yes that is also a great song that you just reminded me of!

I also bought Tamra Hayden's first album after attending live at the GGC holiday party last year, and still love it! I know she supports this cause so I would like to give her a little shout out as well!

Jen,

I've been listening to her CD with "Video" for the past few weeks!

Peace,

Sarah 

The first one that came to mind was "You Get Me" by Michelle Branch from her 2001 album entitled "The Spirit Room". It really speaks to good allies who see me for

I also like the group performance of "The Times They Are A-Changin" featuring James Taylor, Graham Nash, and Cary Simon from the 1997 re-release of the 1979 "No Nukes" concert set. It is a classic non-violent protest anthem and thus good for getting me fired up about advocacy/activism.

If I think of more, I will be sure and post them.
KT

The lyrics to this song help sometimes: "I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down."