The Songs (a work-in-progress Song List)
Currently the song list is made up of covers (as opposed to original work), the lyrics of most being adapted to suit the specific circumstances pertaining to survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The clickable links (in blue) in the list below take you to the lyrics (or to adapted lyrics, where applicable) and to an audio link of the song for those curious about the melody. Some pages are still in the idea-stage and/or are under construction. Therefore, some of the clickable links do not yet lead to anything of substance. Thank you for your patience.
There are more songs here than will ultimately be performed; the list represents what are considered good candidates. The exact order of songs is also yet to be determined. Therefore, they are grouped here thematically. Ideas are welcome!
Introduction
We Will Speak to the tune of Andy Kim's "Rock Me Gently"
Singing For Our Lives by Holly Near
Sister My Eyes to the tune of Jackson Browne's "Doctor My eyes"
The Child: Living With Child Sexual Abuse
Numb Is the Best Rest You'll Get to the tune of "It's a Hard Life Wherever You Go" by Nanci Griffith
Nobody Knows by Pink and Billy Mann
Concrete Angel by Martina McBride
Learning To Be Silent from the musical "Footloose"
Rocket Kid to the tune of Elton John's "Rocket Man" -- Lyrics will be adapted to depict a dissociative state
Release Me by Martin Halla -- A song that gives voice to the child who had none. What would that child have said?
The unhealed Adult: Dysfunction, Self-disregard &
The Disorientating Effects of Remembering
Weatherman by Kris Delmhorst addresses attitudes in love relationships that refuse accountability
Eye of the Hurricane by David Wilcox addresses the danger of a particular addiction
Desperado by the Eagles about the effects of depression (a typical consequence of childhood sexual abuse)
In need of a song about the tortuous process of uncovering repressed memories
Alternatives to Addiction (i.e. "escapes" which are healthy, regenerative,
and not addictive)
Drift Away by Mentor Williams, made famous by Dobie Gray (for the soothing and transporting qualities of music)
(Still in search of a song to represent the beauty and awe of nature/the outdoors)
(Also still in search of a song to represent the peace and grounding of mutually-respectful love and friendship)
Transition
Something's Comin' Up by Barry Manilow
Anger, the End of Shame, and Grieving
(I Will Not Walk in) My Father's Shoes by Cliff Eberhardt (adapted lyrics not yet written)
New Mirror to the tune of "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac
Back of My Mind by John Hiatt
Listen from "the Dream Girls" (film version) by Preven, Cutler, Knowles & Krieger
The Way It Was to the tune of "The Way We Were" by Hamlisch, Bergman & Bergman
A New Life and New Community
These are some candidates:
Oh How Happy originally performed by the Jackson 5
Corner of the Sky from "Pippin" the musical
Sing About Life by Tiddas a short joyful song about the beauty of talking with and taking care of each other
I Want to Live by John Denver (adapted lyrics not yet written)
New Vision to the tune of "Life Uncommmon" by Jewel (adapted lyrics not yet written)
The Greatest Love of All by Michael Masser and Linda Creed
Shambala by Three Dog Night
Happy by Smokey Robinson and Michel Legrand (Theme song from "Lady Sings the Blues")
Gabriella's Song by Py Backman & Stefan Nilsson
Morning Glow by Steven Schwartz (adapted lyrics not yet written)
We Are Speaking to the tune of "I Am Woman" by Helen Reddy