70's Songs That Taught Me About Overcoming!
My parents, known by their CB handles as ’T-Top’ and ‘Summer Breeze’, wrapped up the 70’s by welcoming me into the world. A few of the songs that made my list were sung to hush me up, I’m sure.
Let’s dig our way through the bushy beards to take a look at some songs from the 70’s that taught me about overcoming! Right on, man.
1. Don't Look Back - Boston
Overcomer Power Lyrics: "It took so long just to realize I’m much too strong not to compromise. Now I see what I am is holding me down, I’ll turn it around."
Motivational Boost: Big things happen when you get a clear perspective. It’s a shift in momentum that can change everything if you’re willing to learn from the struggles you’ve made it through. While your past can refine you, you’ll never grow and prosper by dwelling there. Eyes on the prize, kid!
2. Don't Stop - Fleetwood Mac
Overcomer Power Lyrics: "Don't stop thinking about tomorrow. Don’t stop, it’ll soon be here. It’ll be better than before, yesterday’s gone… Why not think about times to come and not about the things that you’ve done. If your life was bad to you, just think what tomorrow will do."
Motivational Boost: Elaborating on what Boston said, Fleetwood Mac encourages us to leave the past in the past and focus on where we want to be, not where we’ve been or the mistakes we’ve made. By nature, we have a tendency to rush into things and find it difficult to implement patience during the journey to our dreams. When you feel like change is not occurring fast enough and you want to give up, don’t stop thinking about your dreams and where you want to be. Believe there are better things ahead of you!
3. You've Got A Friend - James Taylor / Carole King
Overcomer Power Lyrics: "Ain't it good to know that you've got a friend? People can be so cold. They'll hurt you and desert you. They'll take your soul if you let them, but don't you let them.”
Motivational Boost: Friends come and go. While some can be negative and hateful, so many are helpful, supportive, encouraging, positive, and faithful! If you’ve been hurt in the past by a friend, it doesn’t mean you’ll never find another to offer the kind of friendship your heart longs for. Don’t allow dream crushers to steal your joy or lead you to give up on your dreams. Surround yourself with people who will be there when you need the most and believe in you when you don’t believe in yourself!
4. Shining Star - Earth, Wind, and Fire
Overcomer Power Lyrics:"When you wish upon a star, dreams will take you very far. When you wish upon a dream, life ain't always what it seems…. You're a shining star, no matter who you are. Shining bright to see what you can truly be."
Motivational Boost: Focusing on your dreams and keeping them in clear sight fuels your success. No matter who you are, where you’ve been, or what you’ve done, you’re a shining star who can overcome! (Oh my gosh, I’m practically a singer - song-writer now! New album dropping soon...)
5. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel
Overcomer Power Lyrics:"Your time has come to shine. All your dreams are on their way, see how they shine."
Motivational Boost: Willingness to bridge the gap from hard times to better ones is a characteristic I look for in a friend! It's difficult to get through adversity and it's especially worse trying to get through it alone. This is the kind of friend I want to be for others. (I hated this song as a kid, but with age comes wisdom… now, I get it!)
6. I Got A Name - Jim Croce
Overcomer Power Lyrics: "Like the fool I am and I'll always be, I got a dream… They can change their minds but they can't change me, I got a dream… Movin' me down the highway, rollin' me down the highway. Movin’ ahead so life won't pass me by."
Motivational Boost: If I were ranking these songs, this would be #1 in my 70’s song list (all improper English usage aside). Jim Croce is “far out” and the music and lyrics to this song make me feel fab. Bottom line, it doesn’t matter if others think I’m a fool for having my dreams; they’re mine and I’m following them. People can say or think what they want, but I don’t want my life to pass me by without knowing I did things that mattered, I lived fully, and I created a legacy.
[Author Insight: If it weren’t 100 degrees outside right now, I would definitely play this tune on repeat and drive down a country road with the volume WAY up and the windows WAY down.]
7. Sunshine On My Shoulers - John Denver
Overcomer Power Lyrics:"Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy"
Motivational Boost: While there aren’t a lot of overcomer lyrics in this song, the thought of having sunshine on my shoulders, especially on a cloudy, difficult day, changes my outlook from depressed and pessimistic to positive and hopeful. It reminds me that life is good… and so is Vitamin D.
8. Simple Man - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Overcomer Power Lyrics:"…take your time, don't live too fast. Troubles will come and they will pass …you'll find love, and don't forget… there is someone up above"
Motivational Boost: Here’s another song inspired by mama’s good advice (see the first one here). She laid it out, plain and simple; be patient and enjoy the journey, don’t wish life away, you’ll face hard things but you can overcome them, and you’re never alone because God is always with you. Thanks again, mama, for setting us up for success!
9. Dream On - Aerosmith
Overcomer Power Lyrics:"Dream on. Dream until your dream comes true."
Motivational Boost: ‘Dream On’ is a no-brainer. The past is gone and we can’t change it. Time is fleeting, but we can focus on our dreams and work daily to get closer to making them our reality. We must never give up on our dreams… we’ll keep dreaming until our they come true!
10. I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash
Overcomer Power Lyrics:"I think I can make it now, the pain is gone. All of the bad feelings have disappeared. Here is the rainbow I've been prayin' for! It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day."
Motivational Boost: This is how it looks to realize you’ve finally overcome! All of a sudden the situation is now behind you and your prayers have been answered. This song offers hope that we can get through whatever adversity we face. Another dose of Vitamin D in on the way!
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And there they are; the top 10 songs of the 70's that taught me about overcoming.
Which songs made your list? I'd love to know! Comment and share your favorite overcomer songs from the 70's on my Facebook page!
Be sure to stay tuned for my next post of '80's Songs That Taught Me About Overcoming!'
