Saturday marks the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Beck and Palin may hope to hijack it but they haven’t a “prayer”.

So, to celebrate the man and his powerful, historic speech, today’s theme is about hope, dreams and caring about things that matter.

What else could I lead with than this?

Imagine – John Lennon

All you Need is Love – The Beatles

Peace Train – Cat Stevens

Teach Your Children Well – CSN

In Dreams – Roy Orbison

Dream a Little Dream – Louis Armstrong

Lights, camera, action…cue the music!

The theme for this Friday’s Music thread is a return to a favorite, music from movies. Feel free to share music and scenes from movies with or without music that are memorable.

Since I’ve hit a lot of my favorites in previous editions, here are some less well known clips:

Lady Sings the Blues – Ain’t Nobody’s Business if I Do

Sweet and Lowdown – I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles

Harold and Maude – Trouble

Harold and Maude – If You Want To Sing Out

The Rutles – Cheese and Onions

Spinal Tap – Big Bottom

Your turn!

You’ve blogged about important issues all week, you’ve earned a chance to relax and recharge. It’s Music Time.

So, this week’s theme for this thread is all about putting aside the weight of the world’s events for a while and just enjoying being alive on this amazing Planet. Share the songs that just make you happy, that make you want to dance, make you smile  and make you sing along every time!

I’ll kick off my picks with one that’s become one of my 7 year old’s favorite songs, she calls it “The Big Baby” song because of the CD’s cover art:

Tubthumping – Chumbawamba

What a Wonderful World – Joey Ramone

Mr. Blue Sky – ELO

Brand New Day – Sting

All You Need is Love – The Beatles

Today’s music thread is about nostalgia, songs that remind you of times in your past or the past itself. Songs that take you back to a memorable moment in time, whether it’s just a year ago or decades ago. First loves in high school, moments with your own children, exciting adventures and meaningful times.

One of the first songs I remember hearing as a  young child was what played on every radio station back then:

I Wanna Hold Your Hand – The Beatles

I remember being on the school bus and someone’s radio playing:

I Heard It Through The Grapevine – Marvin Gaye

One of  the first concerts I went to:

Dogs – Pink Floyd

Ah, those ol’ New Wave days and a hairstyle I’d rather forget:

Everybody Wants to Rule the World – Tears for Fears

The rebellious Grunge days and the first Lollapaloozas, mosh pits and railing against Bush 1:

Alive – Pearl Jam

Your turn!

This week we lost one of our bigger-than-life colleagues in the world of Progressive blogging, HumeSkeptic.

Much has been shared about him here and at other blogs. Even if you didn’t know him, you’re invited to join in on this musical tribute with songs about remembering or celebrating those that have passed or those in your life that really matter to you.

The Very Thought of You – Billie Holiday

Miss You – Rolling Stones

You’re My Best Friend – Queen

Kind and Generous – Natalie Merchant

Time of Your Life – Green Day

My Way – Frank Sinatra

Sometimes you just need to shake things up, order something different at your favorite restaurant, listen to new music, elect a guy named Barack president, etc.

So today’s music thread is about the start of the new and the end of the old, new ideas, new music, new horizons and new loves. And endings! Goodbye to the old and hello to something new!

Brand New Day – Sting

End of the Line – Traveling Wilburys

Changes – David Bowie

New Frontier – Donald Fagen

This weekend we celebrate the 4th of July, an occasion to celebrate American independence with American flags and coolers that are made in China along with  fireworks and beer that are made in Mexico.

To kick off this holiday weekend, today’s music theme is about America, freedom and independence, in thought and practice.

So grab your Made in India sparklers and let the party begin!

Neil Young – Rockin in the Free World

John Melancamp – Little Pink Houses

Simon and Garfunkel – America

Bruce Springsteen – My Hometown

The Kinks – Catch Me Now I’m Fallin’

West Side Story – America

Ray Charles – America the Beautiful

Happy 4th of July!!!

Schools out today for many today so this week’s Friday Music Thread is all about taking it easy in the good ol’ summertime. Celebrations, vacations, sun, surf, BBQs, concerts, summer romances, you name it. If it’s about taking it easy and recharging our “fun” batteries, post it!

Here are a few naturals to begin:

Vacation – The Go Gos

Summertime Blues – The Who

Summertime – Janis Joplin

Summer of ’69 – Bryan Adams

Boys of Summer – Don Henley

Centerfield – John Fogerty

Afternoon Delight – Starland Vocal Band

This week, the primary elections across the country confirmed one universal theme…honesty has no decent place in politics. From the propaganda in the California from Whitman and Fiorina, to the voter suppression that helped Blanche Lincoln win in Arkansas, to the seemingly fraudulent election in South Carolina of Alvin Green in the east, election season really brings home how woven into our democracy lyin’ and cheatin’ is.

So, to recognize this great American pastime, the topic of today’s music thread is cheatin’, lyin’ and  deception of any kind.

Your Cheatin’ Heart -- Hank Williams Sr.

Liar -- Three Dog Night

Won’t Get Fooled Again -- The Who

Little Lies -- Fleetwood Mac

Lyin’ Eyes -- The Eagles

Lies -- The Thompson Twins

Better Man -- Pearl Jam

With a number of southern states having to cope with the immediate effects of the BP oil crisis (though, like slow moving oil, it will eventually spread to all of us in its impact), it seems appropriate to dedicate this week’s music thread to our friends in The South. Whether it’s Southern artists, songs about The South,  music that comes from The South (jazz, blues, zydeco, country, etc), whatever songs have a connection, feel free to choose any at all.

Let’s start this off with several dedicated to the biggest initial victim of this spill, Louisiana…hang in there N’awlins:

Jambalaya – Hank Williams

Mr. Bojangles – Sammy Davis Jr.

King Creole – Elvis Presley

Born On The Bayou – Creedence Clearwater Revival

Steely Dan – Pearl of the Quarter

Brown Sugar – Rolling Stones

House of The Rising Sun – The Animals

Moon Over Bourbon Street – Sting

And a couple from Tom Petty and Mr. Charles to round it out:

Rebels – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Southern Accent – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Gerogia – Ray Charles

Y’all’s turn!

It seems appropriate that in light of the racist law passing in AZ that this week’s Friday Music Thread is dedicated to “fighting the power”. Whether it’s authority figures oppressing others or even people not being treated fairly in a relationship, this thread is dedicated to those who stand up for their principles, for what’s right, just and fair.

Might as well start with the namesake song for this thread…

Fight The Power – Public Enemy

Keep On Rockin In The Free World – Neil Young

Testify – Rage Against The Machine

Do-Re-Me – Woody Guthrie

Not Ready To Make Nice – Dixie Chicks

I Fought The Law And The Law Won – The Clash

BushLeaguer – Pearl Jam

As a tribute to Earth Day, today’s theme is music about The Earth. That includes songs about our planet, nature, or just life on the third rock.

How can I start with any other song?

What a Wonderful World -- Joey Ramone

Fields of Gold -- Sting

Couldn’t Stand The Weather -- Stevie Ray Vaughan

It’s a Beautiful World -- Devo

Green Grass and High Tides -- The Outlaws

Blue Sky -- Allman Bros.

Mr. Blue Sky -- ELO

Yellow Submarine -- The Beatles

Rocky Mountain High -- John Denver

Now that April 15th is behind us, or as it’s now referred to, “Happy Birther’s Day”, we can put aside the thought of taxes for another year. We are, right now, Tax Free.

So, in keeping with that, today’s music thread theme is about being taxed (having or not having money, working hard at something) or not being taxed (taking it easy, feeling relieved, foot loose and fancy free).

Now don’t tax your brain trying to come up with videos!

First, some money-themed songs…bet you can guess my first pick:

Money -- Pink Floyd

Money -- N.A.S.A

Money -- The Beatles

Money -- Caberet (Liza Minnelli & Joel Grey)

Money For Nothing -- Dire Straits

Gimmie Some Money -- Spinal Tap

The Money Song -- Monty Python

Now, a few about not being taxed in a different way:

Hanginaround -- Counting Crows

Take It Easy -- The Eagles

On An Island -- David Gilmour

Margaritville -- Jimmy Buffett

Tired of Being Admired -- Blazing Saddles (Madeline Kahn)

Music can take you away from your troubles and worries but sometimes it can take you away to an actual place. Today’s theme is music that’s about or from another place, maybe a specific city or country or a bar, maybe it’s World Music that transports you to another culture.

So keep your passport and frequent flier card handy, off we go to travel around the country and the world.

Allow me to begin in the US, working our way west to east then going around the globe:

I Love LA – Randy Newman

Texas Flood – Stevie Ray Vaughan

Sweet Home Chicago – Eric Clapton & Buddy Guy

Ohio – CSNY

New York, New York – Frank Sinatra

London Calling – The Clash

San Tropez – Pink Floyd

China Girl – David Bowie

And to complete the circle:

Going To California – Led Zeppelin

Your turn now, our bags are packed, take us away!