Do you relate music to different times or events in your life? I think this is why many talk about “old school” or “classic” music is better than “that crap they make today.”
I have a song lyric or movie quote for many situations, and during my morning kickstart today I started thinking about some of the lyrics from great songs and how they apply to life.
Hope you enjoy it, and you will see my music favorites have no bounds other than time, because the greatest music was made years ago. That’s right. Cue the guy from the insurance commercial to keep me from turning into my parents.
Yo! (MTV raps anyone??) – add some of your favorite lyrics in the comments or shoot me an email.
Forgiveness as Freedom
I’ll start with some of the most important words I wish I had heard earlier in life. Hear me now – I’m not sure why some of us have such a concern for what others say or do and some of the anger and hurt caused when we perceive we are treated poorly. There are three parts to this which require individual discernment on when and how to deploy these approaches, one part stand up for ourselves and others and fight for our principles, one part care less of what others think or say about us, and one part forgiveness for transgressions because no one is perfect. When you are holding a grudge, forgiveness is the power play:
“It’ll clear the bitterness away
It can even set a prisoner free
There is no end to what it’s power can do
So, let it go and be amazed
By what you see through eyes of grace
The prisoner that it really frees is you
Forgiveness”
West, Matthew. “Forgiveness.” Into the Light, Sparrow Records, 2012.Family and Friends.
Standing Your Ground
And for those of us called to forgive, that doesn’t mean we roll over. It means we take responsibility for how we are feeling and remove the power that others hold over us when we let them. And you know this: We still fight for what we believe in and push back darkness where it exists.
“Well, I know what’s right
I got just one life
In a world that keeps on pushin’ me around
But I’ll stand my ground
And I won’t back down
(I won’t back hey, baby
There ain’t no easy way out (I won’t back down)
Hey I will stand my ground (I won’t back down)
And I won’t back down”
Petty, Tom. “I Won’t Back Down.” Full Moon Fever, MCA Records, 1989.
Love and Relationships
On relationships. With my wife Jessica, if I am not careful, we can get wrapped up in the day-to-day of building businesses and nurturing kids. Years ago, I was recruiting a real estate professional who was going through a tough time in her marriage. The words she used stuck with me. “My husband and I have become roommates and business partners.” Let’s not let that happen. Pearl Jam has some wisdom here:
“Did I say that I need you?
Did I say that I want you?
Oh, if I didn’t, I’m a fool you see
No one knows this more than me
As I come clean”
Pearl Jam. “Just Breathe.” Backspacer, Monkeywrench Records, 2009.
Faith, Family, and Priorities
At coffee with a friend recently, we were discussing family and faith, and he said, “If we are doing this right, it goes God, wife, kids in order of priority.” Then career and everything else. I agree with this, and yet isn’t it true that we can frequently fall into the trap of getting things out of order and over-sacrificing some areas.
In some cases, it feels like life revolves around our children or our career (or both). Both can sure try our patience, too. During the challenges, let’s remember that there is beauty and meaning through it all. Hoping for a brighter tomorrow is fine, but what about where we are right now, today? We were battling our daughter recently on bedtime, and when Jess and I finally laid down in bed a thought came to mind. A song I’d heard of yet had never listened to before, I put it on:
“You’re gonna miss this
You’re gonna want this back
You’re gonna wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast
These Are Some Good Times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you’re gonna miss this”
Adkins, Trace. “You’re Gonna Miss This.” American Man: Greatest Hits Volume II, Capitol Records Nashville, 2007.
Living Without Regret
And for anyone who may experience regret or feels out of harmony with personal and professional investments of time, here is a song that will jerk the tears right out of you and make you hug your loved ones a little harder even if it embarrasses them. Back to Matthew West:
“If today was my last day
I’d call my mom out of the blue
Take the time to say the words I seldom do
I’d leave my suitcase in the closet
And tell the world it’ll have to wait
Then I’d take my little girl on an ice cream date
What am I waiting for?
It ain’t like I’m gonna live forever
I don’t wanna miss it anymore
So from now on it’s now or never
I’m gonna hold on to what matters
And let the rest slip through my hands
What I would do
Is what I will do
While I can”
West, Matthew. “While I Can.” All In, Sparrow Records, 2017.
Fueling Energy and Focus
And while faith and family come first for me, I know there absolutely needs to be harmony – time to take care of myself and work hard and earn that living so I can provide for and protect them. By the way, if you’ve watched any of the videos linked above, it’s time to switch gears and get hyped. Over the years, I’ve had a few songs that helped me get to high energy before a speech, a meeting, an important event where I needed to be on point. Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” was my most frequent listen. At this point, I’ve worn it out a bit, but it bears mentioning here:
“You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime”
Eminem. “Lose Yourself.” 8 Mile: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture, Shady Records/Interscope Records, 2002.
Resilience in Hard Times
And for a message of resilience when life gets hard, Shawn Mendes:
“Help me, it’s like the walls are caving in
Sometimes I feel like giving up
But I just can’t
It isn’t in my blood”
Mendes, Shawn. “In My Blood.” Shawn Mendes, Island Records, 2018.
Here are a handful of others that help get the energy up and blood pumping for important work, or workouts:
- Goal getting: “They say it’s all been done but they haven’t seen the best of me, So I got one more run and it’s gonna be a sight to see” Panic! At The Disco. “High Hopes.” Pray for the Wicked, Fueled by Ramen, 2018. This is one of my favorite videos from “recent” years.
- Confidence: “I got more action than my man John Woo and I got mad hits like I was Rod Carew.” Beastie Boys. “Sure Shot.” Ill Communication, Grand Royal/Capitol Records, 1994. I forced this song to be on this list, possibly my favorite of all time.
- Gratitude: “Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel alright.” Marley, Bob. “One Love/People Get Ready.” Exodus, Island Records, 1977.
- Positive Mindset: “Here come bad news, talking this and that (Yeah!), Well, give me all you got, don’t hold it back (Yeah!), Well, I should probably warn you I’ll be just fine (Yeah!), No offense to you, Don’t waste your time, here’s why (Because I’m happy)” Williams, Pharrell. “Happy.” Despicable Me 2: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, Back Lot Music, 2013. And you are welcome in advance for this fun rendition by Walk Off The Earth.
Anyways, I could go on forever. I’ve tried to keep it clean here, but it would be less than authentic to not mention Wu Tang Clan as one of my favorite groups of all time. Maybe one day I’ll go back through their catalogue searching for meaning, however, they’ve got the beats and rhymes unlike any other since.
Let me hear from you!