What songs of resilience inspire you?

As far as Beatles songs, early Beatles music is more upbeat. What about sending the song, "Help" along with a message something like, "I'm here to HELP you through your challenges. Can't wait for our next Paul McCartney concert!"

I find "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw to be inspiring and upbeat and I have cancer. Making the most of whatever time you have is a good message for anyone. That being said, I'm not sure how it would go over if someone sends this song to you. Would it seem insensitive? Not sure. If he hasn't been told it's terminal, you wouldn't want to imply that it is. You know your friend, so... Maybe you could add a note that you're ready to share more adventures and good times together. ???

When I'm feeling down, sometimes I put on Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass from the 60s. That music is so upbeat to me you can't feel down when listening to it.

Prayers for your friend.

I'm also a music lover (incompetent player), guitar-centric for the most part... and was drawing a complete blank until REO Speedwagon's "Keep Pushin' On" from 48 years ago popped into my head. It has served me well many times (including now, with my own cancer).

I'm partial to the version from their live album:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ENPAS6Nlms (lyrics below)

I sometimes wonder about how long this cancer fight can go on, and think about comments others on here have made about turning it into a "manageable, chronic condition." Two and a half years for me so far, the last 17 months as stage-IV (pancreatic). The book "Endurance" about Shackleton's voyage to the Antarctic captivated me 25 years ago, and now inspires me to think about how much more his crew went through than I've had to. Highly recommended reading that might help distract your friend from his own situation for a while. (Read it yourself first and then decide?)
https://www.amazon.com/Endurance-Shackletons-Legendary-Antarctic-Expedition/dp/0375404031

"Keep Pushin" Lyrics:
---------------------------------------
I used to be lonely 'til I learned about livin' alone
I found other things to keep my mind on
And I'm gettin' to know myself a little bit better
Whoa-oh, I keep pushin' on
I keep pushin' on, yeah

Goin' through all the changes I made so many mistakes, oh yes, I did
Tryin' to leave behind the heartaches
And sometimes I think I was a little bit crazy, oh yeah
Whoa-oh, I keep pushin' on

Keep pushin', keep pushin'
(Keep pushin') keep pushin' on
Keep pushin', keep pushin'
You know you have got to be so strong (keep pushin')

Keep pushin', keep pushin'
Well, even if you think, your strength is gone (keep pushin')
(Keep pushin', keep pushin') keep pushin' on, yeah

Well, it's comin' together, I finally feel like a man, oh yes, I do
I never thought that I'd be where I am, oh
Every day, I wake a little bit higher
Whoa-oh, I keep pushin' on, oh yeah

Keep pushin', keep pushin'
(Keep pushin') keep pushin' on
(Keep pushin', keep pushin')
You know you have got to, got to, be so strong (keep pushin')

(Keep pushin', keep pushin')
Well, even if you think, your strength is gone (keep pushin')
(Keep pushin', keep pushin') keep pushin' on, whoa-oh yeah

Great ideas? Thank you so much!

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer 6 months ago and have been running 3x per week.

I listen to music while running and find Enya’s songs contemplative, others focused and especially comforting.

For me, it’s all about taking my mind off myself and on to more important matters.

I like all Enya’s work, but three that stand out and have special meaning to me include:

Thanks for asking such an important question!

Gosh, a great topic! @celia16 I often will go back in my mind to songs that have significance to me, or trigger good memories.

-Mozart's Elvira Madigan Suite is dear to my heart. It was something I whistled to my racehorses while training them. I didn't carry a stopwatch; instead I used different movements of the suite to time the training.
-Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel
-You Raise Me Up version by Josh Groban
-Amazing Grace [I have 9 different versions, only two have vocals]

What inspires one person may not be the same for someone else. Just like we are all so different. Thank you, all for awakening my sense of gratitude for listening [again].
Ginger

I can’t wait to listen to all this music! I look forward to selecting a couple to send my friend. I just got word he’s feeling very nauseous since his first treatment of this type. I realize many of you can relate to that.

I have a place in my heart for Crosby, Stills, and Nash that goes back to my high school and university years. The harmonies are perfection to me.

Southern Cross - the healing of lost love through an oceanic voyage by sailboat toward the Southern Cross constellation.

Eric Whitacre is a lauded American choral composer. He wrote this choral piece during the lockdown period of the pandemic in 2020 and it went viral with this premiere of virtual choirs.

Sing Gently

Two songs hit home for me during and after cancer - On Your Porch by the Format and Chasings Cars by Snow Patrol.

From On Your Porch:
Well, my dad was sick,
And my mom—she cared for him.
Her love—it nursed him back to life.
And me—I ran. I couldn't even look at him
For fear I'd have to say goodbye.

From Chasing Cars:
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

Because I came very close to dying after my 10 hr. esophageal cancer with gastric pull-through surgery which left me in a 2 mo. long coma, my death certificate was ready to sign. But my medical advocate said to give me more time, Sure enough 2 weeks later I awoke from the deep coma and surprised everyone. The song that really gets to me is We Are The Champions by Freddie Mercury & Queen. I've been told many times that I am a true champion to have beaten the odds of surviving when it seemed all hope was lost.

@bea4me
Wow, that is quite a story! Amazing!!!