so i'm working on this final project, for this class. i'm using a video splash intro to my website about panhandling -- it explores the human side of panhandlers (ie: who are these people, what are their stories, etc).

and i'm doing a montage of black and white photos of panhandlers, with stastics, much like a PSA (public service announcement) about panhandling.

but i need THE perfect song to narrate it.
it needs to set a tone of empathy, and motivation, and compassion, and understanding, etc.

help.
please.

I know I'm going to hate myself for this but the first song that sprang to mind was Melanie C's "If that were me" which is a song about street people I think... It might be about war children. I can't remember.

The song is horribly trite, but the words might fit what you are looking for.

I hate to sound generic, but I immediately thought of What's Going On by Marvin Gaye.

How 'bout The Flying Lizards' cover of "Money (That's What I Want)..." That's always a good one.

mehhh..

i'm trying to find something sentimental and semi-obscure. i dont want anyone to think "omg a psa with a sheryl crow song, how kewl!!!"

Yeah, the last thing you need is some Melissa Ehteridge screaming song.

Go with something that you think would fit their point of view, not a non-hobo's.

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In all seriousness, now....how 'bout a Cocteau Twins song? They're poignant and sentimental (but not TOO depressing), pretty, marginally obscure, and she doesn't use real words, so they can pretty much apply to anything...

Even when she does use real, non-abstract lyrics, they sound so Welsh no one will know what the fuck she's saying to care.

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I've got it! "Helpless" by Neil Young. It's a gorgeous song, the lyrics are appropriate, and it's transcendent: It would appeal to a wide range of listeners.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/17ucaq

This isn't the best quality, but you get the idea...

panhandlers are scum and have been romanticised enough.
why manipulate people's emotions even more with use of a perfectly good song?

empathy, compassion and understanding are all well and good, but enough is enough.
i feel worse for the people they harass.

a lot of them don't even need the money. it sounds retarded but is true.
some of these people have perfectly good homes and can clear over a hundred bucks a day.
true some are druggies/mentally ill. but i see a lot of lazy bastards and dumb fucks out from the suburbs.

even though it's an ear-gougingly horrible song, i recommend 'why don't you get a job' by the offspring.

It's already been done by Phil Collins.

See:http://youtube.com/watch?v=59dXGN2EDCc

i grew up in extreme poverty, and phil collins greatest hits was the only cd i had all through 90's. it's probably responsible for my horrible taste in music, even though i hate his songs now and think he looks like a kiddy toucher.

my mom got it for me for .30 cents at a thrift shop.

the only cd player we had was in an old junk car, so i had to go and play it out there when the battery was running.

and as i got older i used to say i was going out to listen to my phil collins cd, but actually beat off in the car because i didn't have a room of my own.

one time while i was jerking off the car flooded with carbon monoxide and i nearly died.
its a good think my parents by fluke came to tell me they were going to pick up a bucket of chicken and some slaw, because otherwise i would have died.
but my pants were down, because i passed out while beating off. it was embarrassing.

i've gone with aimee mann's 'wise up':

...fade in

" You're sure
There's a cure
And you have finally found it
You think
One drink
Will shrink you 'til you're underground
And living down
But it's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
It's not going to stop"

fade out...

i'm uploading it right now. but shan't post it on the kr, as it has my full name in it.

Is this PSA for the UK, USA, or other?

other.


whats going on by 4 non blondes
makes me want to throw pocket change at people.

fora destinationnnn,
mmmmmhmmm
:fade outs:

suggestion.

Sebadoh - Spoiled.

It's acoustic, and it has vocals. But the tune is short, haunting and beautiful. I thought it might go well with the homeless kind of theme.

I uploaded it for ya:
http://download.yousendit.com/44FC0E1353F7C660

Leftovacrack Crack City Rockers

I see you've made a choice, but there's a song called "How to Save a Life." I can't remember who does it but it's pretty current.

us.
san francisco, specifically.

You Say Party! We Say Die - The Gap Between The Rich and The Poor

video

to give it a contemporary feel.