Blog #101--Still More Music Lyrics That Inspire

As I’ve stated in previous blogs, a number of music lyrics have inspired me. I was excited to share some of these classic lines in my book “It’s a Secret, So Pass It On: a Toolbox For Life,” only to discover the fees required to use those lyrics were too pricey, and I refused to break copyright laws. Lyrics from such famous artists and groups as Paul Simon, Supertramp, Jethro Tull, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Moody Blues, Billy Joel, Dixie Chicks, Stevie Wonder, BeeGees and numerous others left an indelible imprint on my mind and heart, and their lyrics would have added credibility to my book’s conclusions.

I alluded to them in the book, but readers are required to research the lyrics for themselves. While the internet includes several websites that have been approved to disseminate music lyrics, most people don’t take the time to look them up. Such is the pity because much could be learned from these truly gifted writers and performers.

The younger generations may prefer newer artists and songs, but in my experience there have been fewer inspired verses written in the past 30 years than were introduced in the 1960s-1970s. I have provided a brief summation of these lyrics both in my book and blogs I’ve written since the book’s publication, but I can’t force anyone to do the research or benefit from the experience.

Despite these limitations, I would like to share a few more titles for your consideration, including some I didn’t mention in my book. One of the first songs to make me think as a youngster was “Que Sera Sera.” Written by Ray Evans, it is now sometimes called a “moldy oldy,” which only serves to ridicule its value in today’s society. While I disagree with one line of the song, the translation has great truth within it.

According to the Random House Dictionary, the title is translated literally as “what will be, will be.” The Oxford Dictionary elaborates by saying: “...used to convey a fatalistic recognition that future events are out of the speaker’s control.” It is unfortunate that some have a negative connotation for the word “fatalistic” because I’m confident the title of the song is as simple and accurate a definition of how our lives really work as any I’ve seen. Unlike one of the song’s lines of verse, I am also confident that we can see the future. Prophecies are limited only by our expectations, ego constructs that exaggerate or falsify visions of the future.

Another song which expands upon the concept of predestination is Pete Seeger’s “Turn, Turn, Turn (To Everything There Is A Season),” made famous by the Byrds. Incorporating quotes from the Book of Ecclesiastics in the Christian Bible, this song explains how there is a proper time for all things to transpire. Every dream can ultimately come to fruition, but in its own time.

We can’t force it to happen when we want, but many of us fail to learn this truism. Hitting our heads against a brick wall only leads to headaches, but we strive for the impossible nonetheless. If we sit back and allow our fondest dreams to transpire at their own rate, we will eventually see them come to fruition.

Harry Chapin wrote a little ditty called “Cat’s in the Cradle” that received tremendous feedback. It is an excellent example of how our lives reach a complete circle, with our children growing up to be more or less like us. When our children repeat our behaviors as adults, they show us how limited we are by our instincts and environment.

The Beatles wrote and performed a number of simplistic but bouncy and highly popular songs which made them famous, but they also evolved as individuals. John Lennon was deeper in his perspective than Paul McCartney, so lyrics from several of his songs make us think. One I didn’t mention in my book is called “Instant Karma,” the lyrics of which I recommend for those willing to research them.

While some considered him less important for the group’s success than the two just mentioned, George Harrison was also important to their success. His life ended far too soon for my taste. One song I especially like by him is called “Within You Without You.” I highly recommend it, as well as classics like “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Here Comes the Sun,” “My Sweet Lord,” and “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.”

I would like also to recommend “Rainbow Connection” by Paul Williams. It was sung as an especially poignant climax to “The Muppet Movie” by Kermit the Frog. To me, it represents our connection to eternal aspects of our existence where all truth resides. Ray Stevens no doubt means what he sings in “Everything Is Beautiful.” As he eloquently states, there is value in overcoming judgments and bias. The key is to have open minds and hearts.

I enjoy a number of songs by Earth, Wind and Fire, but the one I like best is “Fantasy.” It was written by Eddie Del Barrio, Maurice White and Verdine Adams White. Like many artists, they were eager to share eternal insights gained through inspiration. The fact we are forever connected with each other is an important concept, and their uplifting music adds depth to their lyrics. The song “Spinning Wheel” by Blood, Sweat and Tears, written by Troy Michael Johnson and Tim R. Rushlow, is one of a number of songs that refer to the spinning nature of everything in our universe and the wheel of life within which we reside.

Along the same lines, Peter Yarrow wrote “The Great Mandala (Wheel of Life)” and sang it as part of the group Peter, Paul and Mary. This group was brilliant at sharing folk songs, some of which had been popular before they began their careers. I encourage readers to check out all their songs. Some of my other favorites include “The Song Is Love” by Dixon/Kniss/Stookey/Yarrow and Travis, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” by Seeger, “Rolling Home” by Eric Andersen, “If I Had a Hammer” by Lee Hays and Seeger and “Lemon Tree” by Will Holt. They also sang the Bob Dylan hit “Blowin’ In the Wind.”

Led Zeppelin was extremely popular in its day. Two songs of theirs I especially like are “Stairway To Heaven” by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant and “Kashmir” by Page, Plant and John Bonham. The former describes those who are spoiled by success into believing they are special and above others on Earth. “Kashmir” was inspired by spiritual experiences they shared. It has a haunting melody to go with its deep thoughts.

Inspired songs, like books and poetry, are excellent tools to help us explore what we all know to be true deep inside us. Some are better than others for that purpose, but we don’t know which are keys to our mental and spiritual growth until we experience them. I hope the songs I’ve referred to in my book and subsequent blogs will be a good starting point to a bright future for everyone concerned.

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