The Stories Contained in Song Lyrics

In my opinion, music has the potential to alter the world. However, the changes still have to start with the person. You can learn the secrets of the ages through song lyrics if you are capable of listening to music very honestly. I began to understand the transformative power of listening to song lyrics through a set of lyrics written by Linda Rondstadt years ago. It goes, "I've been cheated. Been mistreated. When will I be loved?"

I was studying the book Beloved by Toni Morrison when I was in college. I had a paper due in one day, but I was completely stressed out because of other school pressures. As a result, I had no clue what to write about.

I wanted to get rid of some of the stress so I took a nap and woke to the lyrics of Ms. Rondstadt’s song. It was buzzing in my ears, and I had the sudden feeling that I should pay close attention. Intuitively, I felt that the lyrics were important. The few lines from that song gave me all the insight I needed to write my paper in a very short time.

The line "When will I be loved?" turned out to be a doorway into my understanding of the book Beloved. I realized that the central character of the book just wanted to be loved. I was able to access enough creativity to write a terrific paper through that realization. I never again doubted the pure potentiality of song lyrics because of this experience.

My experience is just one illustration of the power of song lyrics. I recommend that you always pay close attention to any song lyrics that run through your head. The lyrics are no longer “our there” when they run through your head. You should write down the lyrics of the song that you are singing. This way you will imbue them with meaning, and you will gain a better understanding of what they are trying to convey.

If you look carefully at what you are singing, then you can gain great self-awareness and wisdom. It would be unwise to assume that these are just random song lyrics running though you mind. Since you are choosing to sing them, they must have a message.

In general, the message is about something you wish you had or about something that makes you feel scared. You will uncover clues as to what your deepest values and beliefs are through the songs that you are singing. You should pay attention to the song lyrics that run through your head so that you can grow.