Inspirational Lyric Quotes: A Call to Action

In this day and age, when our governments are out of control, when wars of greed are waged right before our eyes and the destruction of the environment proceeds even when all the technologies we need to live in harmony with nature already exist, it's easy to feel helpless and even hopeless at times.  When all we see in the news and media are so-called world leaders bickering about this and that, making policies that are designed not to help but to maintain their own power, it's easy to think that the only power for change lies with those who are high up in the formal hierarchy.  How easy it is to give up the  responsibility each and every one of us has to make life all it can be, to help each other out and to be wise stewards of the earth, when we seem powerless compared to our governments and the multinational conglomerates that are eating the world.  No period in time has been perfect, yet we need more than ever to reclaim our own power to make the changes we need to see in the world.  The government has failed us, change is not forthcoming, it will take more than high hopes to make things better.   Any one person can only do so much, but imagine if we all did what we believed was right, if we all did our utmost to wrong the many injustices- personal, social, environmental that we see in the world.  So many people seem to think that merely complaining about the lousy job our elected representives are doing is going to make god things happen.  While it's good to be educated on what's happening at the level of policy, making a change is not really about forcing someone else to do something.  It's not about making a top down policy designed to solve huge problems.  It's about doing what we can, where we are, with what we have.  We need all the help we can get for this mission.  For those who need some inspiration to break out complacency, here are songs to spur you to action.  Consider the lyrical quotes, but make sure to listen to the songs if at all possible.  They serve as a reminder to take responsibility to do what's right, regardless of what the 1% with the majority of the world's wealth are doing (although this is addressed to those people as well).  Due to the eminently quotable nature of some of these songs, large portions will be quoted.        

Bob Marley was a figure who was beloved for his music as well as his outspokenness on issues regarding freedom, peace, and oppression.  His song lyrics serve as a rallying cry as well as comfort to those who feel helpless in a mad world.  In "Redemption Song", he gives soul support to the downtrodden souls of the world when he sings:
 
"Emancipate yourself 
From mental slavery   
None but ourselves can free our minds

Have no fear for atomic energy
'Cause none of them can stop the time

How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look
Some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfill the book"

In contrast to virtually all his other songs, which are upbeat, the most well known version of this song is sung only with the spare accompaniment of an acoustic guitar.  This song, sung and played by one man, reinforces the theme of personal responsibility and power.  Rather than sounding lonely or vulnerable, the song show just how much power one man can have to speak out, inspire, and create positive change.  

More lyric quotes from a well-known, more upbeat song by Bob Marley which has no doubt given many people the impetus to take action against wrong :
                   
"Get up, stand up, Stand up for your rights. Get up, stand up, Don't give up the fight."

Whether you love him or hate him for possibly having molested children, Michael Jackson has touched the hearts of millions of people.  Although he has his share of racy, provocative songs, he would not have the fiercely loyal and loving fan base that he does if he didn't also have some of the most inspiring songs in terms of direct, heartfelt lyrics and the awesome music to back it up.  One of his greatest songs for inspiring us to "be the change we want to see in the world (Gandhi)" is "Man in the Mirror", in which he give us the famous song lyric quotes:

"I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him To change
his ways
And no message
Could have been
Any clearer
If you want to make the world
A better place
Take a look at yourself,
And then make a change"

Yes, Michael!  Thank you for putting this truth into song!

For more revolutionary quotes from lyrics, which perhaps ring even more true now than when was when the song was released decades ago, you must listen to the soul classic "Straighten it Out" by the great Ernie Hines.
 
"Hope of the world is in our generation
It's all left up to us
To change this present situation

Take a lesson from my elders
Don't make the same mistake
Let's fill the world with love
Get rid of all the hate

Our Elders taught us one thing
But practiced another
Just look what happened
To the Indian and the Brother

Hope of the world is in our generation
It's all left up to us
To change this present situation

Our leaders make us fight
We don't know what for
If they want people killed
Let them fight the war
It's gotta end somewhere
This killing's gotta cease
If no one went to fight
We could all live in Peace

Our generation
It's all left up to us
Our generation
Let's do just what we must

To straighten it out
Straighten it out
Straighten it out
We can straighten it out"

Thank you, Ernie.  It appears that our generation still has more work to do to make a bad situation right. 

For more music and lyrics quotes that don't beat around the bush with its message and is backed by a badass groove, check out "The Way We Live" by Raw Soul Express, a song that is not as well known as some other soul songs but packs sweet, powerful punch:

"The way we live
Is what we give

...If there's at least one thing we know
We've got to reap just what we sow
And so we strive to find a better way

The way we live
Is what we give

We believe in what we sing
And what we play
And try to live it in our lives
Each and every day
'Cause we're no different than you
We've got tribulations too

And so we strive
To try and find
A better way

The way we live
Is what we give"

Remember this the next time you find yourself fuming about the latest incidence of incompetence or abuse of power
by the "people in charge".  It doesn't take famous lyric quotes to make you do what you know is the right thing, even if it seems like you're working away at a wall of injustice one grain of sand at a time.  I once thought it was just lip service to say that together, we can make a difference, but I can say with gratitude that I've reached a point in life where I now believe wholeheartedly in the truth of the statement.  We can do it!  Nor do we have to wait until the perfect moment to do something good- these songs all point to living in the moment, to doing things every day, to make the change right now.

I feel that it's important to add that making a positive change doesn't have to be going to a war protest or helping out at the soup kitchen- awesome things to do if you are able, and props to those that do.  But making a change can start with taking care of ourselves, of doing what we need to make our own lives better.  I'm not talking about going out and buying yourself a BMW, but of taking care of your health and happiness.  We're much more effective if we are enthusiastic about life, and that means we have to be sound of mind and body.  I don't believe in sacrificing one's own happiness for that of others, but I do believe in Gandhi's admonishment to "live simply, so that others may simply live".  Simple changes which make a big difference when you add it all up include things like growing your own food, even a portion of it.  We can stop buying from big corporations that qualify for the label "evil"- companies like McDonald's Coca-Cola, MONSANTO (if there's evil in the world, Monsanto's it.  Do some research on this company).  These are companies which at the best, make products that are very harmful to health when consumed with any regularity.  Monsanto has a large part in seeing to it that genetically modified foods are in most things you can buy in the United States, and has been successful in lobbying to keep such foods from being even labelled.  Buying organic, at least for a portion of your eating needs, will have positive effects on the sad state of affairs that is the United States' food policy.
You've heard of the little things you can do to help, like install low flow showers and low flush toilets- whoever you are, chances are there's a ton of simple things you could do today to be part of positive change.  From there, we can move onto bigger things.  There's really no limit to our creativity and what we can do as individuals, and the effect is multiplied exponentially if we join forces with others.
I will end this article with two quotes that, while not music lyric quotes, but good for the soul nonetheless.

"Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond
measure.
-Marianne Williamson

When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.
-Audre Lorde