Having established my fogie credentials last time, let’s turn our attention to the greatest decade in rock ‘n roll, 1967-1976. These days, I spend most of my radio time listening to KVRK, the local Christian rock station, but when they’re playing something I don’t like, I’ll sometimes wander off to the classic rock station for a bit. Occasionally I’ll think, “that’s a good line, I need to start writing those down.” I’ve been thinking that for probably ten years. Now I finally have. With apologies to Robert Fulgham, here’s classic rock with you all you need to know.
Education
When I think about all the crap I learned in high school, it’s a wonder I can think at all.
Kodachrome, Paul Simon
Contentment
You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometimes, you just might find
You get what you need.
You Can’t Always Get What You Want, Rolling Stones
Introspection
I can never see what’s right and what is wrong.
Amie, Pure Prairie League
Won’t you please, please tell me what we’ve learned?
I know it sounds absurd, but please tell me who I am.
The Logical Song, Supertramp
You can travel 10,000 miles and still stay where you are.
Sequel, Harry Chapin
Everyone’s looking for something.
Sweet Dreams, Eurythmics
What’ll you do when you get lonely, and nobody’s waiting by your side?
Layla, Eric Clapton
All I want is to have my peace of mind.
Peace of Mind, Boston
It’s so easy to blow up your problems.
Moving in Stereo, The Cars
I want to know what love is.
I Want to Know (What Love Is), Foreigner
I was a prisoner of doubt.
Straight On, Heart
And so you finally ask yourself just how big you are?
Thick as a Brick, Jethro Tull
Though my eyes could see I still was a blind man.
Carry On, Wayward Son, Kansas
I have become comfortably numb.
Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd
Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time.
Rock and Roll, Led Zeppelin
So often times it happens, that you live your life in chains
And you never even know you have the key.
Already Gone, Eagles
Money
Money so they say is the root of all evil today.
Money, Pink Floyd
Helping Others
If I shiver please give me a blanket, keep me warm, let me wear your coat.
Baba O’Reilly, The Who
Feed the babies who don’t have enough to eat.
Fly Like An Eagle, Steve Miller
Life
I found the simple life ain’t so simple.
Runnin’ with the Devil, Van Halen
Don’t you know that you are a shooting star?
Shooting Star, Bad Company
Life is just a dream here.
Welcome to My Nightmare, Alice Cooper
Maybe tomorrow the Good Lord will take you away.
Dream On, Aerosmith
Save my life, I’m going down for the last time.
Never Been Any Reason, Head East
Be a simple kind of man.
Simple Man, Lynyrd Skynyrd
Talk is cheap.
Promises in the Dark, Pat Benatar
Relationship with People
Every girl’s crazy ’bout a sharp dressed man.
Sharp Dressed Man, ZZ Top
You better find somebody to love.
Somebody to Love, Jefferson Airplane
You can’t hide your lying eyes.
Lyin’ Eyes, Eagles
I want you to want me, I need you to need me, I’d love you to love me.
I Want You to Want Me, Cheap Trick
These cuts I have, they need love to help them heal.
Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me, Elton John
I get by with a little help from my friends.
With A Little Help From My Friends, The Beatles
I’ve been searching for the daughter of the devil himself
I’ve been searchin’ for an angel in white;
I been waitin’ for a woman who’s a little of both
And I can feel her but she’s nowhere in sight.
One of These Nights, Eagles
This thing called love, I just can’t handle it.
Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Queen
Hold on loosely, but don’t let go.
When you squeeze too hard, you’re gonna lose control.
Hold On Loosely, 38 Special
Teach your children well.
Teach Your Children, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Relationship with God
I never did believe in miracles, but I’ve a feeling it’s time to try.
You Make Lovin’ Fun, Fleetwood Mac
We were liberated from the fall that’s all.
Won’t Get Fooled Again, The Who
Jesus is just all right with me.
Jesus is Just All Right, Doobie Brothers
I got a friend in Jesus.
Spirit in the Sky, Norman Greenbaum
A new road’s waiting, you touched my life.
Feeling That Way, Journey
When the final light is over, and it’s certain that the curtain’s gonna fall
I can hide inside your sweet sweet love, for ever more.
The Story in Your Eyes, Moody Blues
You are like a hurricane.
Like A Hurricane, Neil Young
Your love has set my soul on fire.
Heartbreaker, Pat Banatar
I know I’m worth nothing without you.
Bargain, The Who