I cringe when I can barely make out some of the words of songs blaring from an adjacent car, or in a trendy store, or on a television show, or anywhere else one would hear music. Music has changed. The days of the crooner with the beautiful love songs have diminished, there are still a couple of crooners around, but, honestly, I’ve never heard them on the radio. I take that back, I have heard Adelle on the radio. It’s a sad state we are in because there are songs that have great impacts on our lives. And, some of them are recent and among the songs that have no meaning, or demeaning lyrics. I had a thought to go over some of those songs that are timeless and have true meaning or uplift us in ways that in the world today we need desperately.
- “Unanswered Prayers” by Garth Brooks. I have heard many people refer to this song, some even from the pulpit.
2. “Three Wooden Crosses” by Randy Travis. This song about the fate of those riding on a bus, and the one who didn’t die, the hooker…sung from the son of that same hooker as he relates his decision to become a preacher truly touches the heart.
3. “My Way” by Frank Sinatra. What a reflection on a life lived. One person recognizing the pitfalls and mistakes, but still going forward.
4. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Jerry Lewis. Yes, I know it is from the musical ‘Carousel’, but I heard it every year as the famous humanitarian ended his 24 hours on television begging for money for ‘Jerry’s Kids’. I well remember seeing him break down in tears as he sang the song. Here is a link that has him explain why he sang that song at the end of the telethons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UHOxIbV59o
5. “Angels Among Us” by Alabama. We strive to hope that truly angels do walk among us, hence the popularity of the song, and tv shows and movies that have angels walking among us and helping the lost soul find his or her way.
6. “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction. One of the few songs today honoring the girl he likes/loves. Those songs from the days of Motown that everyone sings today still makes me wonder why there are so many degrading songs today.
7. “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten. Platten even admitted that she wrote ‘Fight Song’ to uplift herself out of circumstance.
8. “Roar” by Katy Perry. Stand up for yourself!
9. “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor. It relays the same message as some of the inspirational ‘rap’ songs I did a quick search on, however, without profanities and racial slurs.
10. “Do You Hear the People Sing” or “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables. These two songs, one a call to arms for what you believe (the reprise is the best, it speaks of a life beyond here, Heaven) and the other a fervent prayer pleading for someone else’s life, even if it costs you your own. Powerful songs.
Now, one might say, ‘But these songs don’t reflect real life.” In some cases, they do; it’s just a foreign life to some. It gives hope to turn around and create the life one wants. I grew up listening to Johnny Cash songs talking about remorse over prison, drug addiction, and life choices. I knew those scenarios were real life for some, and I knew I didn’t want that sadness in my life. So, those songs played a role in choices I made along the way, too. Perhaps, to overcome the sadness that creeps over us sometimes, we step away from the radio stations or play lists that are not pointing to a positive way. The goal this week is to find inspiration in music. Let it touch one’s heart and soul to uplift and feel better about one’s role in this world.
Carolyn Bendall 