Cee-Lo Helps Bring 500 Greatest Sing-Along Songs to Life for Kids Charity

Last year Atlanta music manager Josh Rifkind brought Rolling Stone's Top 500 Songs Of All Time to life over the course of an epic 10-night concert. This year he's staging the 500 Greatest Sing-Along Songs, with all the proceeds again benefiting the 500 Songs For Kids Foundation. The event — which wraps tomorrow at Smith's Olde Bar in Atlanta — will conclude with Gnarls Barkley's Cee-Lo singing "Hey Jude," the Number 1 song on the bill. Other performers include Butch Walker on "Sister Christian," Arrested Development on "Livin' On A Prayer," Artist to Watch Brett Dennen on Feist's "1234" (see video, above) and Cracker, who performed their 1993 hit "Low." The 500 Kids Foundation brings live music to children in hospitals and special needs camps. "I started Songs For Kids Foundation because I thought I could have a profound impact on someone and something far bigger than myself," Rifkind says. "It's been unbelievable so far this year, and it's amazing to watch 1,500 musicians getting together for such an important cause. We're through 400 bands so far, 100 more to go!"

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

More Song Stories entries »

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