Here are this week’s five songs worth listening to, Inauguration Style.

This week, I wanted to feature some of the musical performances from the inauguration of Joe Biden, held Wednesday. It was an enjoyable day and night of television, with good music, outstanding poetry/performance and a message of light in the darkness.

Bruce Springsteen–Land of Hope and Dreams

The Boss. End of paragraph.

This train carries lost souls
I said, this train dreams will not be thwarted
This train faith will be rewarded
This train hear the steel wheels singin’
This train bells of freedom ringin’

Ant Clemons/Justin Timberlake–Better Days

Bruce was there in DC. Most of the night featured pre-produced video packages. It worked for the virtual experience that this entire last year has been. This was the one to remind us it okay to turn the page.

I know you’ve been kicked down
Slept on, let down, faith gone
Waited for too long for something to lean on (Lean on)
You feel weak, just be strong (Ooh)
Deep breath, stay calm
If you just press on, press on, press on
You gon’ see there’s a light at the end of the tunnel

Yolanda Adams–Hallelujah

Listen, let’s quickly move past the actual meaning of the lyrics behind the original Cohen version and just enjoy the vocal performance and the beautiful Lincoln Memorial, okay.

Black Pumas–Colors

This was actually the part of the night where I started live. Of course, me being me, my first thought was “hey, the ACL set”. Waddup, Austin!

Katy Perry–Firework

This was the finale for the night, complete with a fireworks show. Whiz, bangle, sparkle. Let’s go.

There were other performances–Foo Fighters, Andra Day, Demi Lovato, Bon Jovi–if you want to look up some of the others. For some reason, I can’t find the Ted Nugent performance on Youtube.

We’ll be back with five more next week. Until then, remember the immortal words…
“Songs are really just interesting things to be doing with the air.” Tom Waits