Even more songs to raise your spirits

In these crazy times, even good news can make us nervous. When we gain victories, we worry they might be taken away. Seeing the schoolyard bullies who never grew up facing consequences can make us fearful of more dangers ahead.

As always, I turn to music for comfort and inspiration in difficult situations. This list of songs has a common theme. They speak about determination in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

“The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha

I saw Man of La Mancha when I was in high school. Of course, “The Impossible Dream” became one of my teenage theme songs. Unlike “Corner of the Sky,” I understood the song in the context of the story. As powerful and inspirational as the song is, it’s sung by a person everyone considered crazy. They called his principles archaic and foolish, and his desire to fight for good as, well, quixotic. That’s why the reprise of the song as Don Quixote is dying is the most important.