CARLTON FLETCHER: Musicians’ words infuse every part of life

Sing me a song, sweet music man.

— Kenny Rogers

This all happened as a lark, this using a song quote at the head of each column I write. I’m sure the number of columns has creeped into the thousands over these years, but I’m never worried about running out of song lyrics.

One of those kinda cool things — but is it as much a knock as it is a compliment? hmmm — that’s happened over the years is that dozens of people have told me how much they like having that little song snippet leading off each column. A couple have even said, “I like the song lyrics; your columns … not so much.”

So as long as I’m allowed to keep doing this, I’ll keep using the song lyrics. One thing I’m pretty sure of: There are plenty of people out there like me for whom music is a major part of their lives, and having song lyrics lead into a discussion of a particular issue is a sweet touch.

To answer another query: Yes, I have written columns before that were built around a specific line from a song. But usually, I find a song that relates to the topic.

As a Thanksgiving treat — especially for those folks who like the song lyrics but not so much the columns — here are some random song lyrics to enjoy over the holidays. My suggestion: If you like the lyrics, find the songs and listen to them. Way better than pumpkin pie.

— “Philosophers and ploughmen each must know his part, To sow a new mentality closer to the heart.” — Rush

— “Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man that he didn’t, didn’t already have.” — America

— “Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy.” — Cat Stevens

— “Me, I work the mills just as long as I am able, and never meet the man whose name is on the label.” — James Taylor

— “The magic’s in the music, and the music’s in me.” — The Lovin’ Spoonful

— “I’m so glad I’ve got my own, so glad that I can see. My life’s a natural high, the man can’t put no thing on me.” — Curtis Mayfield

— “My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man. I’m just a living legacy to the leader of the band.” — Dan Fogelberg

 — “To conquer death, you only have to die.” — From Jesus Christ Superstar

— “We talked about the old times and we drank ourselves some beers. Still crazy after all these years.” — Paul Simon

— “You know I’d be a poorer man if I never saw an eagle fly.” — John Denver

— “You don’t have to be a weather man to know which way the wind blows.” — Bob Dylan

— “It may be lonely at the top, but it’s a bit– at the bottom.” — Jamey Johnson

— “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.” — The Beatles

— “I’d rather hurt you honestly than mislead you with a lie.” — Dan Hill

— “And your mementos will turn to dust, but that’s the price you pay. For every year’s a souvenir that slowly fades away.” — Billy Joel

— “A man in a silk suit hurries by, and as he catches a poor old ladies eye, just for fun he says, ‘Get a job’.” — Bruce Hornsby & the Range

— “I know what I want but I just don’t know how to go about getting it.” — Jimi Hendrix

— “I am, I said. I am, I cried. And I have lost and I can’t even say why. Leaving me lonely still.” — Neil Diamond

— “I’ve been on bottom and I’ve been on top. But mostly I’ve been in between. And where do you go when you get to the end of your dreams?” — Dan Fogelberg

— “You just come to visit us ’round election time.” — Stevie Wonder

And I’ll end with one of my absolute favorites:

— “I wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then.” — Bob Seger

Happy Thanksgiving to all.