I Still Believe

I wanted to share some songs of defiance, inspiration - and, most of all, hope - as one of the most important days in the history of the United States dawns. 

Let's start with Patti Smith, from her 1988 album Dream of Life:

Another from 1988 - Tracy Chapman's "Talkin' About A Revolution":

Next, one of my all-time favorite songs, and one I've posted several times here, by The Kinks:

Another from one of my all-time favorite albums, Big Country's The Crossing (1983). This version will get the blood flowing, guaranteed!

Of course, I have to include one from my very favorite all-time album, Darkness on the Edge of Town - "The Promised Land."

            

I'll end with a song from a criminally underrated band that I cannot believe I have never featured in a post before. The Call are probably best known for their song "The Walls Came Down," but they put out a number of excellent albums and had a well-deserved reputation as an incendiary live band. I had the good fortune to see them a number of times, and can attest to their power.

Lead singer/songwriter Michael Been (who passed away much too soon in 2010 at the age of 60) in particular was a riveting live performer.  Check out his bass playing on this version of "I Still Believe," from their 1986 album Reconciled (which also features the remarkable "Everywhere I Go"):

 

I'm out on my own

I'm walking the streets

Look at the faces that I meet

I feel like I'm lost

And I want to go home

What do I feel?

What do I know?

But I still believe

I still believe

Through the shame

Through the grief

Through the heartache

Through the tears

Through the waiting

And through the years

For people like us

In places like this

Who need all the hope

That we can get

I still believe

I still believe too. And later today we can take the first steps on the journey to take back our country. See you there.