And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree There will be an answer, let it be For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see There will be an answer, let it be
Imagine being able to go back in time to January 2020 and telling people what was going to happen the rest of the year. No one would believe you. How about trying to explain that nearly everyone ON THE PLANET wears a mask whenever they go outside or in a public place! Many restaurants are barely open and virtually no bars or clubs are open at all. Without rehashing the whole year, it’s safe to say 2020 was an unbelievable year.
If you are reading this, congratulations! You made it through 2020. I hope you and your family and friends all remained healthy. Unfortunately, we all know someone who did test positive, and many know someone who died. I’m sorry for your loss.
If you don’t know, and some of the younger readers may not, the above lyrics are to the Beatles’ song Let It Be. Just heard this song the other day for the millionth time, I think. Awesome song. Just like with so many other good songs I have heard dozens of times, I never really paid attention to the actual lyrics of Let It Be. Listen to the lyrics. Google it and read them. That song is over 50 years old and if you listen to the lyrics, you’d think it was written last year!
Something I have been doing for years is listening to Pink Floyd while doing cardio at the gym. Hard to explain, but many of their songs have a certain rhythm that is conducive to the monotony of running on a treadmill or climbing on a stepper. Many of their songs are long, as well. Four or five songs and 30 minutes on a treadmill is over! Recently, the song On the Turning Away has really caught my attention. Beautiful song.
On the turning away From the pale and downtrodden And the words they say Which we won't understand
Don't accept that what's happening Is just a case of others' suffering Or you'll find that you're joining in The turning away
On the Turning Away is over 30 years old on the album A Momentary Lapse of Reason.
We are definitely living in tough times. No doubt. We all have our own opinion as to why these times are so difficult, AND what brought them on in the first place. At the same time, it’s all so confusing. Technology has made our lives so much easier. Shouldn’t we be living in the best times yet of human existence? I’m sure there is an argument that technology has actually made our lives worse. The world is very small now. Maybe our brains were never meant to absorb this much information. Maybe knowing everyone’s opinion on every subject is not a good thing. Maybe 24 hour news networks was not a good idea! But I digress…
Getting back to these songs, the whole point is that every generation has a period of time that is difficult. What was Paul McCartney thinking about when he wrote Let It Be? The late 60’s was tumultuous to say the least! Vietnam, MLK, Bobby Kennedy, etc…
How about David Gilmour and On the Turning Away ? The mid to late 80’s were very intense too. Many thought nuclear war with the Soviet Union was imminent! There was also the crack epidemic and the scare of AIDS?
During these two periods in our history, these brilliant artists wrote these beautiful songs which transcend time. Seriously, listening to these songs is like viewing an incredibly beautiful sunset to me. It’s like being given a gift. And the amazing thing is they apply to the times we are living through today.
I wish I had the solution to some of our problems. I do know that being kind is a step. Not judging people is another. I think we all feel that there are nefarious forces working against us. Dividing us on purpose. It’s been said many times, you can not defeat hate with hate. Only love defeats hate. It may be corny for blog on a t-shirt website to suggest that we need to show love to all our neighbors on this planet. I guess I’m corny then.
I hope you all have a great 2021.
Peace Always,
The Beast Life