How are you feeling today?
There’s a song for that.
Hello friend,
Music feeds my soul—encouraging, relaxing, energizing, and holding all the feelings words cannot express. I can’t imagine a world without melodies, harmonies, strong beats, and soothing refrains.
Eight hours of driving to visit family this week gave me ample time to enjoy several old CDs full of my favorite songs across the musical spectrum. I began to listen more closely to the lyrics, and stories, all reflecting life—the good, the difficult, and sublime.
Some songs offered a rousing beat to keep me alert while others brought back memories of times and places I had forgotten. As I traveled the back roads of Texas through fields and over rolling hills with clouds and blue sky leading me home, I found wisdom, inspiration, and hope.
I could fill a book with my favorite song lyrics, but today, I’ll share the few that touched me as I rambled home.
“I’ve got to tell you I've been rackin' my brain / Hopin' to find a way out / I’ve had enough of this continual rain / Changes are comin', no doubt / It's been a too long time / With no peace of mind / And I'm ready for the times / To get better.”
—Crystal Gayle, “Ready for the Time To Get Better” ( Written by Allen Reynolds)
“Don’t worry, about a thing, cuz every little thing is gonna be alright.”
—Bob Marley, “Three Little Birds”
“Lean on me. I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on.”
—Bill Withers, “Lean on Me”
“I hope you don’t mind that I put down in the words how wonderful life is while you’re in the world.”
—Elton John, “Your Song”
“I see skies of blue / And clouds of white / The bright blessed day / The dark sacred night / And I think to myself / What a wonderful world.”
—Louis Armstrong, “What a Wonderful World”
“… If you got a chance, take it, take it while you got a chance / If you got a dream, /chase it, 'cause a dream won't chase you back / If you're gonna love somebody / Hold 'em as long and as strong and as close as you can / ’Til you can’t/“
—Cody Johnson, “Till You Can’t”
"Imagine all the people / Living life in peace"
—John Lennon, “Imagine”
Need a break? Find that old vinyl, tune into your favorite station, or maybe you still own a cassette player—pop in that well-worn mixed tape.
We need one another. What happens when we collaborate?
This short animated video describes seven interesting facts about music. You might be surprised how music affects our cognition, dreams, and mental health.
I don’t know about you, but I am “Ready for the Times to Get Better.” If you need a friend, “Lean on Me” and live life to the fullest “Til You Can’t.”
"Maybe it's not too late / To learn how to love and forget how to hate."
—Ozzy Osbourne, “Crazy Train”
If you would like to read more from me, visit my website. I’ll be there waiting for you.
With gratitude,
Kathryn
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Beautiful, Kathryn! Thank you for sharing your music library! I love Louis and listen to this song almost every day! It helps me to see the beauty in everything!
Where would we be without music. And, who would we be? I cannot imagine... Thanks so dearly, my lovely friend.