death of a friend

[Ryan]

My cousin's friend died in a car accident a couple of weeks back.  I want to get him some CD's for Christmas to help him through this tough time.  I'm looking for songs that are uplifting and that span the topics of friendship, persistance through tough times, loss of a loved one, family, etc.  Does anyone have suggestions?

[markie]

sounds like you need to dip into the smiths back catologue.
 
 I would avoid the primitives though.

[Dandy01]

This makes me think of a Thursday song on the same subject, if he is in a Screamo mood.  Should be on their latest, War all the Time.

[brennser]

The The 'Love is Stronger than Death', from the Dusk CD

[ggw]

Originally posted by mark e smith:
  sounds like you need to dip into the smiths back catologue.

Nothing says "uplifting" like morrissey.

[mankie]

I was thinking "Hold on to your Friends" by the Mozzer, but it's hardly uplifting.
 
 Gerry and the Pacemakers..."You'll never walk alone"???
 
 Elton John, "song for Guy" which is an instrumental he wrote for a member of his road crew who passed away. Then there's "Funeral for a friend" by Elton, but that's another instrumental.
 
 I have to say, I'm at a loss, all the songs I'm thinking of about friends lean negatively, betrayal, etc.

[markie]

Originally posted by brennser:
  The The 'Love is Stronger than Death', from the Dusk CD

With the line,
 
 "Me and my (dead) friend were talking, on the cold light of morning......."
 
 good album though.

[chaz]

Flaming Lips - Soft Bulletin.  Fits your list of needs almost perfectly, imho.
 
 And I don't know if they fit the bill, but Let it Be by The Replacements and Zen Arcade by Husker Du both helped me through some tough times.
 
 And I've also found Pet Sounds to be quite beautiful and uplifing.

[Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer]

Give your friend some Old 97's. Nothing depressing about Rhett and the boys.

[mankie]

GOT ONE!
 
 (Bob Dylan)
 
 When you are sad and you are lonesome
 and you just can't find a friend
 Just remember
 death is not the end
 
 And when all that you've held sacred
 falls down and does not mend
 Just remember
 death is not the end
 
 Not the end
 no, not the end
 Just remember
 death is not the end
 
 Now, when you're standing at a crossroads
 that you cannot comprehend
 Just remember
 death is not the end
 
 And when all your dreams have vanished
 and you don't know what's around the bend
 Just remember
 death is not the end
 
 Not the end
 no, not the end
 Just remember
 death is not the end
 
 The tree of life is growing
 where the spirit never dies
 And the bright lights of salvation shine
 in dark and empty skies
 
 When the cities are on fire
 with the burning flesh of men
 Just remember
 death is not the end
 
 Not the end
 no, not the end
 Just remember
 death is not the end
 
 Now when the rain-clouds gather around you
 and the heavy rain descends
 Just remember
 death is not the end
 
 And if nobody is close beside you
 with a soulful hands to lend
 Just remember
 death is not the end
 
 Not the end
 no, not the end
 Just remember
 death is not the end
 
 Not the end
 no, not the end
 Just remember
 death is not the end
 
 
 Waterboys do a lovely version if Dylan doesn't do it for you.

[markie]

Well I really like this:
 
 I never cried the way I cried over you
 As I put down the telephone and the world it carried on
 Somewhere else, someone else is cryong too
 Another man has lost a friend, I bet he feels the way I do
 Although I'm left without, I know your love within
 As I watch the sun go down, watching the world fade away
 All the memories of you come rushing back to me
 As I watch the sun go down, watching the world fade away
 All I want to do id kiss you goodbye
 
 Summer comes and I remember how we'd march
 We'd march for love and peace, together arm in arm
 Tears have turned, turned to anger and contempt
 I'll never let you down, a battle I have found
 And all the dreams we had, I will carry on
 As I watch the sun go down, watching the world fade away
 All the memories of you come rushing back to me
 As I watch the sun go down, watching the world fade away
 All I want to do id kiss you once goodbye, goodbye
 Goodbye, goodbye
 
 And all the dreams we had, I will carry on
 As I watch the sun go down, watching the world fade away
 All the memories of you come rushing back to me
 As I watch the sun go down, watching the world fade away
 All I want to do id kiss you once goodbye, goodbye
 Goodbye, goodbye
 
 
 But somehow this strikes me as being more appropriate:
 
 here you go
 way too fast
 dont slow down
 gonna crash
 you should watch
 watch your step
 dont lookout
 gonna break your neck
 
 so shut - shut your mouth
 cos im not listening anyhow
 ive had enough - enough of you
 you know to last a lifetime through
 
 so what do you want of me
 got no words of sympathy
 and if i go around with you
 you know that i'll get messed up too with you
 with you
 
 nana nana na nana nana naaaaa
 nana nana na nana nana naaaaa
 
 here you go
 way too fast
 dont slowdown
 gonna crash
 you dont know
 whats been going down
 youve been running
 allover town
 
 so shut - shut your mouth
 cos im not listening anyhow
 ive had enough - enough of you
 you know to last a lifetime through
 
 so what do you want of me
 got no cure for misery
 and if i go about with you
 you know that ill get messed up too with you
 with you
 
 nana nana na nana nana naaaa
 nana nana na nana nana naaaa.....

[Venerable Bede]

Originally posted by mankie:
  GOT ONE!
 
 (Bob Dylan)
 
 When you are sad and you are lonesome
 and you just can't find a friend
 Just remember
 death is not the end
 
 
 Waterboys do a lovely version if Dylan doesn't do it for you.

there's a version of it on nick cave's "murder ballads". . .sung by nick, shane, kylie, pj harvey, and two others that i can't remember. . .each verse has a different singer on it

[kurosawa-b/w]

I'm so sorry to hear about your cousin and his friend. That must be horrible.
 
 As for my suggestion, I find Polyphonic Spree songs especially uplifting but that might not be his cup of tea. If it was me in that situation, I would probably prefer to listen to loud, shouty music...

[flawd101]

i dont think my music will help no matter what the lyrics say........it only makes me calm and happy.....try some pop punk....

[walkman]

Originally posted by chaz:
  Flaming Lips - Soft Bulletin.  Fits your list of needs almost perfectly, imho.
 
 And I don't know if they fit the bill, but Let it Be by The Replacements and Zen Arcade by Husker Du both helped me through some tough times.
 
 And I've also found Pet Sounds to be quite beautiful and uplifing.

I think those are all excellent suggestions, Chaz.  May I suggest adding The Byrds â?? Sweetheart of the Rodeo?