Rock music lyrics over the past 60 years have run the gamut from deep thinking to total nonsense, from lovers’ heartbreak to sunny whimsy.  Sure, there are thousands of examples of just-for-fun words like “Be-bop-a-lula, she’s my baby” and “Wooly Bully,” but thanks to substantive songwriters, there are lyrics that can inspire, motivate, and teach.

Some songs have words that are truly profound, offering words of wisdom on how to live your life happily, safely and productively.  I’ve been researching and have come up with a list of some of my favorite lyrics that offer excellent advice:

“You can’t get always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you’ll find you get what you need…” — Mick Jagger, 1969

“I fought the law, and the law won…” — Sonny Curtis, 1958

“Dream on, dream until your dreams come true…” — Steven Tyler, 1973

“You know the times you impress me most are the times when you don’t even try…” — Joni Mitchell, 1972

“Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky, it slips away, and all your money won’t another minute buy, all we are is dust in the wind…” — Kerry Livgren, 1978

“Don’t sleep in the subway, darling, don’t stand in the pouring rain, the night is long, forget your foolish pride…” — Tony Hatch, 1967

“Don’t criticize what you can’t understand…” — Bob Dylan, 1963

“And it’s only the giving that makes you what you are…” — Ian Anderson, 1971

“You shouldn’t have took more than you gave, then we wouldn’t be in this mess today…” — Dave Mason, 1970

“Turn and face the strange changes, pretty soon now you’re gonna get older…” — David Bowie, 1971

“With a friend at hand, you will see the light, if your friends are there, then everything’s all right…” — Bernie Taupin, 1971

“You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away, and know when to run…” — Don Schlitz, 1976

“If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself, and then make a change…” — Michael Jackson and Glen Ballard, 1987

“Don’t hand me no lines and keep your hands to yourself…” — Dan Baird, 1986

“Don’t look back, a new day is breaking…” — Tom Scholz, 1978

“You just call out my name and you know, wherever I am, I’ll come running…” — Carole King, 1971

“Come on, people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another right now…” — Chet Powers, 1964

“You gotta go where you wanna go, do what you wanna do with whoever you want to do it with…” — John Phillips, 1966

“Don’t let it bring you down, it’s only castles burning, find someone who’s turning, and you will come around…” — Neil Young, 1970

“Love when you can, cry when you have to, be who you must, that’s a part of the plan…” — Dan Fogelberg, 1974

“Don’t be cruel to a heart that’s true…” — Otis Blackwell, 1956

“Remember:  One man’s ceiling is another man’s floor…” — Paul Simon, 1973

“And if it’s bad, don’t let it get you down, you can take it, and if it hurts, don’t let them see you cry, you can make it, hold your head up…” — Rod Argent, 1972

“Take my advice, all you gotta do is try, try a little tenderness…” — Jimmy Campbell and Harry Woods, 1932

“If you know what life is worth, you will look for yours on earth, and now you see the light, you stand up for your rights, get up, stand up!…” — Bob Marley, 1973

“Push a little harder, think a little deeper, you can make it if you try…” — Sly Stone, 1969

“There never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do once you find them…” — Jim Croce, 1973

“Life is very short, and there’s no time for fussing and fighting, my friend…” — John Lennon & Paul McCartney, 1965

“Don’t stop believing, hold on to that feeling…” — Steve Perry, 1981

“You can’t have it both ways, you’ve done all the taking, it’s your turn to give, treat me right, open your eyes…” — Pat Benatar, 1980

“Take your time, think a lot, think of everything you’ve got, you may still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not…” — Cat Stevens, 1970

“I’ve been up and down, and over and out, and I know one thing, each time I find myself flat on my face, I pick myself up and get back in the race, that’s life…” — Dean Kay, 1963

“You can’t hurry love, no, you just have to wait, you’ve got to trust, give it time, no matter how long it takes…” — Eddie Holland, 1966

“You, who are on the road, must have a code that you can live by, and so, become yourself, because the past is just a goodbye, teach your children well…” — Graham Nash, 1970

“You got to stop and smell the roses, you’ve got to count your many blessings every day…” — Mac Davis, 1974

“Don’t you worry ’bout a thing, ’cause I’ll be standing on the side when you check it out…” — Stevie Wonder, 1973

“When you see your ship go sailing, when you feel your heart is breaking, hold on tight to your dream…” — Jeff Lynne, 1981

“When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me speaking words of wisdom:  Let it be…” — Paul McCartney, 1969

“Lean on me, when you’re not strong, and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on…” — Bill Withers, 1972

“Try to realize it’s all within yourself, no one else can make you change, and to see you’re really only very small, and life flows on within you and without you…” — George Harrison, 1967

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