A compilation of the optimistic lyrics that set the mood for a new administration, from the songs performed on the evening of President Biden’s inauguration.

Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
 Like a house of cards, one blow from cavin' in?
 Do you ever feel already buried deep?
 Six feet under screams, but no one seems to hear a thing?¹

 Let this day be the last
 Tomorrow there'll be sunshine
 And all this darkness past
 Big wheels roll through fields
 Where sunlight streams
 Meet me in a land of hope and dreams²

 Cause we're on our way to better
 Better's ahead, better's ahead
 It gets worse 'fore it gets better
 But better's ahead, better's ahead³

 Here comes the sun
 And I say it's all right
 Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
 Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here⁴

 It's a new dawn
 It's a new day
 It's a new life for me
 And I'm feeling good⁵

 It's times like these you learn to live again
 It's times like these you give and give again
 It's times like these you learn to love again
 It's times like these time and time again⁶

 It's time now to sing out—though the story never ends
 Let's celebrate! Remember a year in a life of friends⁷

 Then I look at you
 And the world's alright with me
 Just one look at you
 And I know it's gonna be
 A lovely day⁸

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The songs:

[1] Firework. Song by Katy Perry. Songwriters: Esther Dean / Sandy Julien Wilhelm / Tor Erik Hermansen / Mikkel Storleer Eriksen / Katheryn Hudson

[2] Land of Hope and Dreams. Song by Bruce Springsteen. Songwriters: Bruce Springsteen / Curtis Mayfield

[3] Better Days and Coming. Song by Ant Clemons and Justin Timberlake. Songwriters: Anthony Clemons Jr. / Jacob Kasher Hindlin / Justin Timberlake / Kenny Dixon

[4] Here Comes the Sun. Performed by Jon Bon Jovi. Song by the Beatles. Songwriter: George Harrison

[5] Feeling good. Performed by John Legend. Song by Nina Simone. Songwriters: Leslie Bricusse / Anthony Newley

[6] Times Like These. Song by Foo Fighters. Songwriters: Dave Grohl / Taylor Hawkins / Nate Mendel / Chris Shiflett

[7] Seasons of Love. Song from the Broadway Musical Rent. Songwriters: Jonathan D. Larson

[8] Lovely day. Performed by Demi Lovato. Song by Bill Withers. Songwriters: Bill Withers / Skip Scarborough