There Is No Path to Peace, Peace Is the Path

[Zzzptm]

Using a quote from Gandhi to set up this thread... not just peace between nations, but peace between people. Settling differences. Feeling at peace with the world. Making peace with one's past. Coming to terms. Arriving at serenity. Songs that make you feel like, well, everything's gonna be all right. Things will work out. We got hope.

Not to be confused with happiness or joy - exuberant exclamations of positivity. Peace is a quiet smile, a comfortable warmth, a low fire at night.

For me, one of the best songs about inner peace that I've loved for decades is none other than Spiral Architect by Black Sabbath:

Going for a live version did not disappoint, not one bit. Wondering who the roadie is that they roped in to play the mellotron or if it's a sound being piped in as Iommi solos... no, I think it's being played live, which is amazing in and of itself, those things were so damn finicky!

Love the changes Ozzy makes on the last chorus... wow, that made my day. I haven't heard this version before, but I'm glad that I did.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

My first pick, and the first song to spring to mind when I saw your little write up was...

The Stranglers - Golden Brown

From the 1981 album La Folie, this became the bands biggest hit single peaking at #2 in eal=rly 1982 (held off the top spot by The Jams - A Town Called Malice). It emerged that the song was about Herion which would have caused it to be banned if the bosses at the BBC had realised sooner!

[Charger]

Well I'm gonna kick things off with the one that I know the best before someone snaggs it away from me.

MEGADETH and PEACE SELLS

Speaking of live versions this one comes from a bit of a forgotten era of the band during the System Has Failed Tour...and I dig this version...it's different.

This maybe not so much about peace as about the acts needed to get to peace...or about the notion of peace.

[Vyn]

Number 1 from me is a Nick Lowe composition, originally done by Brinsley Schwarz, but I think done much better by these dudes:

Elvis Costello & The Attractions - (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding

It's about peace, and the pain of watching a world that rejects and mocks those who desire it.

[Charger]

My second pick is about the peace world will have after the mankind has destroyed itself.

This is from CATHEDRAL and it's called UTOPIAN BLASTER

Listen carefully to the solo as you might find the soloist quite familiar. 

[Zzzptm]

Sweet Iommi solo there! Enjoyed also The Stranglers - every now and then I misheard "Gordon Brown" for added fun. Elvis Costello doing a Nick Lowe number is a treat and that live version of Peace Sells totally rocked! (I'd say killed, but this is the peace thread!)

My second is "One Brown Mouse" by Jethro Tull. I would sing this as a lullaby to my kids, along with "Skating Away on the Thin Ice of a New Day."

A bit of nostalgia tugs at my memory, but it's overall a pleasant feeling to recall those days and to be glad I had them.

[Vyn]

Peaceful, Easy Feeling by the Eagles comes at number 2.

One of the few songs by anyone I can actually sing (used to, anyway). A song about finding peace and satisfaction with what one has.

[Vyn]

Third:

Closer to the Heart by Rush.

I've always liked this song.

[Charger]

My 3rd one comes from ANTHRAX!

This is about striving for peace by figuring out we are all one people and ONE WORLD

[Zzzptm]

"Well, Kilo, that song was a *bit* boisterous, you should consider..."

CHARGER POSTS ANTHRAX TRACK THAT MATCHES THEME

"Never mind, fits perfectly!"

Peace is found in all volumes, it would seem.

Vyn deffo has that 70s vibe going, and that got me to recall a great track from Smokey Robinson, one of the best songs for driving around the neighborhood on a happy afternoon.

... or maybe other relaxing afternoon activities... 

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Ok... removed, quite rightly... I shall whip myself with barbed wire for this transgression!!

Pick number 2, still NMA but a different track

New Model Army - Paekakariki Beach

It's peacful enough, not entirely sure it is "Peace" as such!

[Zzzptm]

I don't think there are any "wrong" answers here, feel free to put it back.

Today I turn to an old Grateful Dead tune from American Beauty, and I love this version with just Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir:

I got into the Dead back in college and they've got a number of songs that just fit me like a glove when I want to chill out and be happy.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Nah! The other song is more suitable!

My 3rd pick, and one from a group I thought would have many peaceful songs... but no, a handful at best!

Yes - Wonderous Stories

From 1977s Going for the One - they don't get much more peaceful than this!!

[Vyn]

From 1971 comes my number 5:

Peace Train by Cat Stevens

[Charger]

For my 4th pick I'll go with an OZZY song...might actually be the first one I've picked ever in these...

Not a massive fan of the song BUT it does however talk about how the threat of mutually assured destruction has helped keep the peace...so Ozzy says THANK GOD FOR THE BOMB!