This category contains song quotes that have positive and inspirational aspects to them.
Over the last 30 years, songs have become more negative in content with every passing year, to the point where over the last 10 years it has begun to cross-over from the fringes and enter the main stream. Many of these musical performers have extreme levels of anger, rage, hate, frustration, rejection, and fear. Some of this may be well justified, but rather than stand up to the problems and rise above them and be inspirational, they would rather bring the listener down to levels of hate, misery, fear, despair, violence, corruption, and sickness.
Everybody is exposed to injustices or perceived injustices in life, but how well we succeed as individuals and a civilization greatly depends upon how we cope with these trying circumstances and challenges. Should we use our anger, rage, and fear to destroy and bring down all that is around us, or do we look at it constructively and channel and harness our energies into forces that can promote positive change?
In addition, the honesty and integrity of their excuses and alibis are questionable, because many of their lyrics and behavior go way beyond the original crime in which they have been victimized. Some of them appear to self-rationalize many of their actions with the sole intent of providing an excuse to self-indulge further without having to face any accountability to themselves or society.
We need to encourage all people to aspire to their greatest heights, capabilities, and dreams. We need to let them know that there are positive choices that lead to positive results. Some choices may not be as alluring and attractive as others, but are far more rewarding and more satisfying in the long run, as well as the only real legitimate solution. And we need to encourage people to rise above injustice, rather than contribute to more injustices.
Perhaps the single greatest thing that one can do in their life is to be a continuing positive influence for others. That is, to be a positive influence to family, relationships, friends, neighbors, coworkers, the community, and to anyone who is discouraged and down beaten.
Paul McCartney, who is considered by many as the greatest composer in modern times (with/without the Beatles), stated that people would still come up to him after 20 and 30 years and tell him what a profound positive influence their music had on them. He said that he felt fortunate that most of their songs had to do with peace, love, and encouraging people to do better and to have a better life. He was glad that they were there to help others get through the bad times in their lives.
If negative lyrics and entertainment can be used to promote negative outcomes, can positive lyrics and entertainment be used to promote positive outcomes? Can entertainment be used to bring out the best in people? How does one inspire human excellence in others?