Sly

I was listening to Sly and the Family Stone the other day: Everyday People, Que Sera Sera, Dance to the Music, I Want to Take you Higher, Stand, Family Affair, You Can Make it if You Try. I was feeling so good listening and singing along when I realized how lucky I was to be raised listening to those songs. 


We had several of their albums in my parents vinyl collection. Yes, the music is infectiously soulful and funky, but what struck me were the messages contained within. My outlook on life--generally optimistic, open-minded, fun-loving, hard-working-- can be summed up quite accurately in Sly and the Family Stone lyrics. 


Made me wonder what kids are listening to these days and how it will color their world view. Here is my life philosophy summed up by Sly, Freddie, Larry, Rosemary, Greg and Cynthia: 


Everyday People

Sometimes I'm right and I can be wrong

My own beliefs are in my song

The butcher, the banker, the drummer and then

Makes no difference what group I'm in

I am everyday people . . . 

I am no better and neither are you

We are the same whatever we do

You love me you hate me you know me and then

You can't figure out the bag l'm in

I am everyday people 

Stand 

In the end you'll still be you
One that's done all the things you set out to do
Stand
There's a cross for you to bear
Things to go through if you're going anywhere
Stand
For the things you know are right
It s the truth that the truth makes them so uptight
Stand
All the things you want are real
You have you to complete and there is no deal
Stand. stand, stand

Family Affair

One child grows up to be

Somebody that just loves to learn

And another child grows up to be

Somebody you'd just love to burn

Mom loves the both of them

You see it's in the blood

Both kids are good to Mom

'Blood's thicker than mud'

You can Make it if you Try

You can make it if you try

Push a little harder

Think a little deeper

Don't let the plastic bring you down

And this one, you must hear for yourself: