Pete Townshend once said, “I felt that the elegance of pop music was that it was reflective: we were holding up a mirror to our audience and reflecting them philosophically and spiritually, rather than just reflecting society or something called ‘rock and roll.’”
Many rock artists could have been life coaches had their music careers not taken off. Here are a few examples:
The best advice for couples, siblings and friends from Bo Diddley:
- “Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself.”
Learn to relax from the Beatles:
- “Oh, that magic feeling, nowhere to go.”
Let Glenn Frey (may he rest in peace) and Don Henley teach you about the need for connection:
- “Your prison is walking through this world all alone.”
What Grandma said channeled by Stephen Stills (and can I point out that a lot of grandmothers could also be great life coaches?):
- “Fear is the lock, and laughter the key to your heart.”
Smile with CSN & Y:
- If you smile at me I will understand, cause that is something everybody
everywhere does in the same language.
Have fun and connect with the Friends of Distinction:
- I can dig it, he can dig it, she can dig it, we can dig it, they can dig it, you can dig it, oh let’s dig it. Can you dig it, baby?
Ask important questions with Lynyrd Skynard:
- “If I leave here tomorrow, will you still remember me?”
Tell him or her with Elvis:
- “Take my hand, take my whole life too, but I can’t help falling in love with you.”
Dig the Right philosophy with Marvin Gaye:
- “War is not the answer, because only love can conquer hate.”
Enjoy growing older with Bob Dylan:
- “I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.”
Grandma again with John Mellencamp:
- “An honest man’s pillow is his peace of mind.”
Acceptance with John Lennon:
- “There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be. It’s EASY!”
Understand how it works with Lennon and McCartney:
- “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”
And last, but certainly not least, with John again:
- “All you need is love.”
Long live rock and roll—put another dime (is it still a dime?) in the jukebox, baby.