I have long been fascinated by songs that use the phrase “alright”, as in “everything’s gonna be alright”. The common, comforting phrase appears in music over and over again.

Rock and Roll – The Velvet Underground

Little five year old Jenny, oppressed by her materialistic parents with two TVs and two Cadillacs, with absolutely nothing happening at all, until Jenny turns on that New York radio station and hears that fine fine Rock and Roll music, then It was alright.

Alright (Brad Carter Remix) – Red Carpet

Alright (2004)

An Ibiza favourite back in 2004, from the disappeared Belgium band, Red Carpet. The dreamy house track reminds the listener that:

The sun is gonna keep on shining
Risin’ on a new horizon
My love for you is gonna keep on rising
Everything is gonna be alright

Feeling Alright – Joe Cocker

Joe Cocker’s comforting vocals, with the piano and female backup vocalists adding to the effect, reassures himself, and the listener, that when someone messes with your heart, it’s more important that ever to be alright.

Boy you sure took me for a ride
And even now I sit and wonder why
That when I think of you I stop myself fron crying
I just can’t waist my time
I must keep tryin
Feeling alright

Feel Alright – Steve Earle

I Feel Alright (1970)

Steve Earle is a tough one. From his 1996 album I Feel Alright, he shows us that he can be a-okay, even after being through the worst:

Be careful what you wish for friend
Because I’ve been to hell and now I’m back again
I feel alright – I feel alright tonight

Float On – Modest Mouse

Good News For People Who Love Bad News (2004)

In this fan favourite we hear that all sorts of things can go wrong, but it ain’t no thing because:

And we’ll all float on, ok.
And we’ll all float on, alright.

I hope you are alright!