This may be the product of a few sips too many at happy hour, but I’ve been sitting with my roommate for the last hour celebrating the end of a hell week and going through songs on her iPod. In that time, I’ve decided that there are a lot of good life lessons to be learned from song titles. They’re called clichés for a reason, you know? Because I think it’s interesting, and because I have a deadline in an hour and no other original thoughts, I’ve decided to share.
First of all, it must be said: “You Can’t Hurry Love.” Inappropriate crushes and dance floor hookups are all well and good, but you know, at some point you’ve just got to chill out. As Frankie Goes to Hollywood in their infinite wisdom told us, “Relax!” It’s way more attractive to seem like you’re really not that worried about it.
Another life lesson, completely unrelated but especially important for those still learning to live with a new roommate, comes from the Beatles: “Leave My Kitten Alone!” If something’s not yours, don’t kick it. We all have boundaries, and we all must learn to respect the boundaries of others.
More from the Beatles: “Let It Be.” According to my roommate, this applies to almost everything in life, and I happen to think she’s right. You can spend all the time you want being stressed out of your mind about tests and boys and/or girls and, you know, life, but at some point you’ve just got to suck it up and get through it. In the infinite wisdom of another former roommate, “Life, dude, life. It’s an oy vey.”
Which brings me to my next point: “Only the Good Die Young.” Part of the problem with not letting it be is that you end up missing out on stuff, because letting the trivialities consume you means having no time left for fun. Fun is good. Have fun.
However, don’t have too much fun—don’t be your “Own Worst Enemy.” Especially not you freshmen out on Friday and Saturday nights who really do end up “Sleeping in the Front Yard” with no knowledge of where you left your pants. Learn to strike the right balance. As Hannah Montana tells us, strive for “The Best of Both Worlds.”
While we’re on the subject of the Disney Channel, it must be said: “We’re All in This Together.” When you wake up without those pants, remember that there’s always someone you can call to bring you a bathrobe. We all screw up sometimes. We all end up doing things that are incredibly embarrassing when recounted later on, but these things are character-building and in the end they bring you closer to your friends. Chumbawumba, not in a song title but still equally astute, says, “I get knocked down, but I get up again.” Get up again, guys.
On a slightly more serious note, I think Avenue Q had it right when they declared that “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist.” It’s a weird thing to point out, but it goes with “Let it Be.” We all have our prejudices; we all judge too quickly. If we acknowledge that we’re all, at some point and on some issues, in the wrong, then we can all realize more quickly when we need to think more broadly and change. That could be “The Difference” between progress and stalemate, between change and the status quo—between Barack Obama and John McCain.
On that note, still reveling in the joyous glow of Election Day, I leave you with this: “Never Give Up on the Good Times.”
