We’re Putting The Band Back Together!

Some phrases say a lot with a little. They’re kinda like memes before memes were cool.

If memes are cool…

(Can’t say I’m digging the new WordPress editing system. Lots of extra hoops to jump through and who needs that? Keep it simple, WP!)

So I was talking to a friend recently, and we were discussing how a song you used to like can suddenly change and make you not like it. I had one oldie that I liked, and it was maybe a fave from my childhood, but it was an oldie when I was a kid, so I guess it’s an extra-oldie. (Why oldies? Pop radio plays the same ten songs over and over so I dial around to stay sane…)

Anyway, I thought it had a great tune and it was catchy, but when I heard it recently and listened to the actual words the guy sang in the song was heartbroken. (Ringo Starr, from The Beatles, and the song was Photograph. Allegedly he wrote it during his divorce and it became popular later.) He was saying, “All I’ve got is a photograph and I realize you’re not coming back anymore.”

That’s just words. Music. Rhymes.

Until one day you’re feeling down about something and you hear it, and then you’re like, wow, she’s not coming back, dude. Your life is forever different and – bad as it is, rough as it is – you have to get used to it.

Maybe having millions of dollars helps. I couldn’t say.

Probably it does.

There’s another tune, from the 80s. REO Speedwagon, “I Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore.” For me, that song was about a guy who had a fight with a girl and then some time had passed, and now he’s asking why he’s maintaining a distance.

And I can’t fight this feeling anymore
I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for

But before that, it has a different message:

“I can’t fight this feeling any longer
And yet I’m still afraid to let it flow
What started out as friendship, has grown stronger
I only wish I had the strength to let it show”

That’s totally different. Where you start listening to a song determines what you take from it.

Man, not having internet on our phones as kids allowed us to screw up a lot of song lyrics!

Anyway, what it matters is this:

It was 9/11 yesterday. 19 years ago, people left their houses on a routine day and their loved ones never saw them again.

Whatever crap you are carrying about someone, let it freaking go. One day soon enough you’ll be dead and between now and that day what do you wish you’d have done differently? What if that last day was today? Start doing it. Car wrecks happen, you know. Lightning strikes. Other things.

Reach the hell out. Worst case, you’ll discover they’re still an arse and you can rest easy knowing you were the bigger person. Or let putting up with their irritating attitude be your gift to them.

Life’s not short. It’s incredibly long and wonderful if we do the right things.

Help others more. It feels really good to have someone say thank you.

Find stuff that makes you laugh out loud and tell others about it, in person or on social media. (I have a friend from high school who does that and it’s a highlight almost every day when I see her Facebook posts.)

Put the band back together.

You might find out you have friendships you’ve enjoyed for a long time and are worth reigniting. You may find out there were good reasons to stay away. Probably a little of both – but as none of us are perfect, maybe consider they might be putting up with your crappy attitude a little too, as their gift to you, and if people are giving each other gifts… well, it’s a great start.