There comes a time in every man's life,
When he has to make a choice.
Does he turn and run, or stand and fight...
If you felt your invisible feathers ruffling as you read the title of this piece, then take a deep breath, let it out slowly...and get over yourself.
As a wise man once observed, you are what you do. Generally speaking, you can always do something positive. Something to improve your situation and, critically, the situation of those around you who may be depending upon you to stop being a self-pitying, panic-stricken douche long enough to protect and to comfort them. All the empirical data I have seen on the subject supports the conclusion that such an undertaking goes much better when accompanied by music.
Without ado, further or otherwise...
You cannot do anything without a positive mental attitude. Do not take my word for it. Ask Craig Finn and his buddies:
"Stay Positive"
The Hold Steady
Given all the well-respected physicians (and I am looking at you and saluting you, Dr. Fauci) who caution against any one human getting too close to any other human, at this point perhaps the person most likely to kiss you is you, which according to Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars, is perfectly acceptable behavior:
"Uptown Funk"
Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars
Whether you have been a Warren Zevon fan forever or you know nothing of his work beyond (perhaps) "Lawyers, Guns, and Money" or "Werewolves of London", in no time at all you will be tapping your toes and singing along with the chorus of the not-yet-official Anthem of Social Distancing:
"Splendid Isolation"
Warren Zevon
With Opening Day of the 2020 Major League Baseball season now projected to be mid-May at the earliest, we are likely at least two months away from spending any portion of a Sunday watching a game. Why not spend three or four minutes touring baseball's history with the legendary John Fogerty as your guide? It will not replace live baseball but it might bring a smile to your face, even if just for a little while. All in all, it is a pretty good deal:
"Centerfield"
John Fogerty
When written almost thirty years ago, it described a fantastic, fictional world where disorder was the order of the day and chaos lurked around every corner...and yet, hope still sprung eternal. The fact that the lyrics now hit much closer to home than originally contemplated only reinforces their power:
"Better Days"
Southside Johnny & the Jukes
It is when times are hard and it when it seems the darkest that we all need to look deep inside of ourselves and remind ourselves who we are and just what the fuck it is of which we are made. We will get through this, not merely for ourselves, but for those who count on us most of all, because at day's end, failure is not an option:
"I Won't Back Down"
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Lest you think that Pop Pop's mantra of "Never Panic" is an idea expressed by a lone voice in the wilderness, I assure you it is not. As evidence of my position, I present no less of an authority than the late, great Bob Marley:
"Three Little Birds"
Bob Marley & the Wailers
Suzanne told me this past week that Maggie loves singing "This Land is Your Land". What neither of them knew is that Woody Guthrie wrote it as a protest in response to Irving Berlin's "God Bless America". Guthrie believed that Berlin's tune was too rah-rah and jingoistic and, worse yet, it spoke of an America that no longer existed in the aftermath of the Great Depression. What the Franchise did not know - and could not have known - is that the song she loves singing is one of Pop Pop's favorite songs. For her listening enjoyment, and for your own, here is Bruce Springsteen's version of it, recorded on the Born in the USA tour thirty-five years ago:
"This Land is Your Land"
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
Any day is a great day to listen to Dave Grohl and his band, Foo Fighters. The Foos occupy an appropriately large amount of space on my iPod. I have covered a hell of a lot of miles with Grohl growling in my ears. Today, though, perhaps you want to take a minute or two in quiet reflection. If you do, then do I have the Foo for you:
"Times Like These"
Foo Fighters
Finally, these days there are far too many Americans getting gobsmacked by life. Days might be getting longer but it still feels as if it gets late early around here. Truth be told, for too many Americans, it is going to get measurably worse before it starts to get better. For those of us who have our health, have our jobs, and have our homes, it is worth remembering that any chain is only as strong as its weakest link. If you are positioned to help someone you know who needs it, then do it. As the song says, there's plenty here for the taking - for all of us:
"American Land"
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
Be careful out there.
-AK
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