I'm working on a special project for a hospitalized young woman I know. She's a 14 year old girl who just spent the last year recovering from a crippling infection (coma, brain inflammation). 

I've decided that as her cool older cousin when I visit her next I'm going to bring a complilation of ~3 CDs worth of music for her, and I'm completely open to suggestions as to the tracks I include.

Difficulty: She was home schooled and has been somewhat sheltered in her life - which means she hasn't really been exposed to pop culture like most 14 year olds might (this is both good and bad I suppose) - but the main tenor I want the playlist to strike is that it be uplifting enough as to assist with her recovery, but sensitive enough to the reality of suffering as to not be sacchrine. Moreover, it needs to be mature enough as to speak to her teenage angst but safe enough as to pass the scrutiny of conservative Catholic parents.

I have some assistance already, but I want to make it just right for her so I'm putting this out there in the hopes that it passes under the nose of someone more versed in music than I who might be able to suggest things I'd never think of but that would be just perfect for this situation.

Please give this a moment of thought. If I do this right, I know she'll absolutely love it.

/Oh and chess_kebabs, yes, "Fields of Gold" will be in there somewhere, haha

It may end up being a bit much given the situation, but I'm a sentimental sucker for The Flaming Lips' "Do You Realize?".

You also can't go wrong with the Beatles' Abbey Road Medley -- the entire last half of the album starting with "You Never Give Me Your Money"

I'm thinking of including a lot of the Beatles covers from the "Across the Universe" soundtrack.

As far as specifically Christian music, I have Lifehouse and Counting Crowns.

Ah you might be right about some Floyd. I'm going to go look Nick Drake up now, thanks for the suggestion. Any song that stands out as exemplary/ that made you think he'd be good?

Good call on the Floyd and Nick Drake, although the latter might be a little too downbeat.  Rael, try Pink Moon, Time of No Reply, Things Behind the Sun or Hazey Jane by Nick Drake.

Might I also suggest "In My Life" by the Beatles, "Watching the Wheels" by John Lennon and almost any song off of "All Things Must Pass" by George Harrison.

A couple more, "Dock at the Bay" by Otis Redding, and "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong (OK, pushing saccharine, I know, but great songs nonetheless)

OK, one more:  Bob Marley's  "Three Little Birds"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGnYw-OuCnI&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjHkj-uSt_Y&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnaRUpar_bY

That one always lifts my mood.

The next is inappropriate but I always try to get people to check this song out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcj59M4Iz7w&feature=related

Every teenager should like the Beatles.

What about the song by the 'lighthouse family'; "forever".

Jethro Tull - "Nothing is easy" always puts me in a good mood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZZ35zOtmFc

Let's see...My son is 17 and he is a boy.  He likes Pink Floyd but I'm not sure whether a 14 year old girl would.  It is really hard to say what she would like, not knowing her.  I might suggest Creed or if she likes country, Big and Rich. 

My 22 year old daughter likes Fergie...each person is so different.  My 4 year old likes Fergie too.

Something by Creed??

Well, like I said we are all different.  Creed's message is hopeful though sometimes maybe a little too melancholy.  Do you have any suggestions Lisa?

I would look into some groups called Leeland, some David Crowder Band, I like Salvador's "Black Flower" I think it's called, if she's at all into rap... I know an artists named Flame with Cross Movement his album "Our World Fallen" would be fitting, I think it's hard to not include my man Stevie Wonder... I could name so much... but those are my first thoughts

Leeland

David Crowder Band

Salvador : Into Motion: "Black Flower"

Flame : Our World Fallen

Stevie Wonder

If you want more or specifics let me know.