By tincanman
"Not till we are lost, in other words not till we have lost the world, do we begin to find ourselves, and realize where we are and the infinite extent of our relations." – Henry David Thoreau
Tinny walks into a Song Bar …
I had no agenda in mind when I suggested acceptance as a topic. I picked half a dozen topics for Peter, our Bar Landlord, semi-randomly, and he felt acceptance invited some thinking and was suitably broad.
But perhaps it was my subconscious at work because what has Covid been if not a lesson in acceptance? Your songs have reminded me to consider what I hang on to and if they’re worth keeping.
I had an enlightenment a few years ago that the cost of carrying my baggage was greater than the value of the baggage itself. Letting go wasn’t resignation or letting the bastards win, it was living my life with purpose. Someone with a better marketing company called it being present.
In the early weeks of Covid, our medical health officer got us to buy-in to her health orders with a daily soothing mantra: “Be calm, be kind, be safe. This isn’t forever, this is for now.” Acceptance can also be for forever, or some time far enough in the future that it might as well be. Suzanne Vega knew her day would come, for instance, just not when.
Of course some things are undeniably forever. The Grateful Dead know dead means dead. Oumou Sangaré and Blind Alfred & Orville Reed know there’s no escaping the caste or skin you are born in. Bob Dylan (sung by Aaron Neville) knows man is not going to stop finding reasons to go to war. Upcoming nuptials finally convince Morrissey (The Smiths) his crush wants someone else. Maybe this is why he became such an ass, but who knows.
You will never please everyone, Ricky Nelson famously sang, so get comfortable in your own skin, the sage and avuncular Gil Scott-Heron says. You’re going to be in it awhile. Richard Ashcroft (The Verve) became so comfortable in his that he offers to stand naked and tell us how happy he is. I’ll take his word for it.
Unconditional acceptance is also more or less forever. Dead Moon forgives a friend for deeds past, present or future, whereas Grant McLennan’s (Go-Betweens) apology has a best-by date. You know how that’s going to work out. Acceptance, Mark E. Smith (The Fall) and Ani DiFranco write, isn’t about accepting people as they are – it’s about accepting that you won’t change them.
That’s the grass is greener conundrum. You’ll miss what’s on your side of the fence if you stare too long at the other side, Nina Nastasia warns. You have to look though, Kasey Musgraves insists, or you won’t know what you’re missing. Too much acceptance can leave you wasting away your years breaking glasses in your mind, as Rumer calls it.
Wrapping up: Social media has taught me many things. One is schools have to start teaching grammar again. Don’t get me started. Another is that there is an infinite number of people out there. Block and unfollow the negative ones. Keep the ones who like you as you are.
Peace
Love
Out.
The Acceptance A-List Playlist:
Suzanne Vega - Song of the Stoic
The Grateful Dead - He's Gone
Oumou Sangaré - Fadjamou
Blind Alfred and Orville Reed - There'll Be No Distinction There
The Neville Brothers - With God on Our Side
The Smiths - I Know It’s Over
Rick Nelson - Garden Party
Gil Scott-Heron - When You Are Who You Are
Verve – Lucky Man
Dead Moon – It's O.K.
The Go-Betweens - Apology Accepted
The Fall – Blood Outta Stone
Ani DiFranco - As Is
Nina Nastasia - That’s All There Is
Kacey Musgraves - Merry Go 'Round
Rumer - Aretha
The Let it B-List Playlist:
Joni Mitchell - Song For Sharon
Electric Six - Rip It
The Herbaliser - Let It Go
The Dears - Whites Only
Jane Siberry - Mama Hereby
Tony Allen & the Afro Messengers - No Discrimination
Leonard Cohen - You Want It Darker
Sebadoh - The Freed Pig
Pink Martini - Que Sera, Sera
The Humblebums - Her Father Didn't Like Me Anyway
Dory Previn - Left Hand Lost
Mac Davis - Rock 'n' Roll (I Gave You The Best Years Of My Life)
The Carter Family - Hello Stranger
Velvet Underground - Foggy Notion
Guru’s Wildcard Pick:
Otis Gibbs – Sometimes Angels
If you are unable to view this video in your country, try listening to the song via this link.
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations from last week's topic: How will you take it? Songs about acceptance. The next topic will launch on Thursday at 1pm UK time.
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