Literature may explore the universal themes of life, but songs pose all the important questions. Here are the ones I could think of:
How do you mend a broken heart? --The BeeGees
Will the circle be unbroken? --Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Does anybody really know what time it is? --Chicago
How long has this been going on? --The Eagles
Do you feel like I do? --Peter Frampton
How does it feel, to be on your own, with no direction home, a complete unknown, just like a rolling stone? --Bob Dylan
What’s love got to do with it? --Tina Turner
How high’s the water, papa? --Johnny Cash
How many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man? --Bob Dylan
What’s goin’ on? --Marvin Gaye
How do ya like me now? --Toby Keith
When will I be loved? --Linda Ronstadt
Do you believe in magic? --The Lovin’ Spoonful
What’s the matter with the clothes I’m wearing? --Billy Joel
Why am I so soft in the middle now? --Paul Simon
But isn’t it ironic, don’t ya think? --Alanis Morissette
Who’s making love to your old lady while you’re out making love? --Johnny Taylor
Can you add to the list?
I thought it was really interesting that the first two plays I went to last week both hinged on point of view. Of course, Wicked tells the Wizard of Oz story from the point of view of the Wicked Witch of the West, and boy do things look different through her eyes. Three Days of Rain starts off with the adult children's view of their parents, and the second act goes back in time, revealing that the parents' actions and motivations were exactly the opposite of how the children had interpreted them. Plays like this remind me to be more careful of how I judge the actions of others. And it makes me wonder how often my own actions and intentions are totally misunderstood.
