It’s Easter Week, and there is much, well, unholy stuff happening all around us this week. We need some good old-fashioned spiritual cheerin’ up.

I’m not talking dirge-like hymns and church services, but rather a few musical reminders of a higher power. Nothing does that like music.

If you’re feeling a bit drained and down, here are some of my favorite tunes, new and older, that give me a little pick-me-up.

Warning: I’m jumping around the genres here, so you’re about to get everything from rockabilly to rap.

“Head’n Out West” by The Altar Billies

Passover season gets some love as well. Hey, the Book of Exodus in psychobilly? Yes, please!

“This Little Light of Mine” by The Dead South

Canadian bluegrass band The Dead South did this tune during quarantine, the same time my own dad was dying of cancer. This tune was a source of some happy departures from his reality. It’s still a great, uplifting, and rousing song, especially as Easter approaches.

“I’ll Fly Away” by Flatfoot 56

Irish punkers from Chicago who are as happy in a mosh pit as they are uplifting their faith. Seriously, I want to hang with these guys, and I’m happy to see them still out there rockin’.

“Right Over Wrong” by Alex Jean

We hear and see way too much of the negative that comes from social media, but a few months ago rapper Alex Jean shared some wonderful words of redemption, and others who followed suit. Not everyone out there is to corrupt. Some are out there to uplift their God and other people. Amen, sir.

To all those who celebrate Easter, hope your upcoming week is blessed and beautiful. To those who don’t, I with you the same. You can’t control the madness of the world, but we can control our own actions (and reactions), faith, and sense of humor.

Love you all.