Lyrics of a lifetime

When paradise is no longer fit for you to live in
And your adolescent dreams are gone
Through the days you feel a little used up
And you don't know where your energy's gone wrong
It's just your soul feelin' a little downhearted
Sometimes life is too ridiculous to live
You count your friends all on one finger
I know it sounds crazy just the way that we live

Between a laugh and a tear
Smile in the mirror as you walk by
Between a laugh and a tear
And that's as good as it can get for us
And there ain't no reason to stop tryin'

When this cardboard town can no longer amuse you
You see through everything and nothin' seems worthwhile
And hypocrite used to be such a big word to you
And it don't seem to mean anything to you now
Just try to live each and every precious moment
Don't be discouraged by the future forget the past
That's old advise but it'll be good to you
I know there's a balance see it when I swing past

Between a laugh and a tear
Smile in the mirror as you walk by
Between a laugh and a tear
And that's as good as it can get for us
And there ain't no reason to stop tryin'
"Between a Laugh and a Tear"--John Mellencamp

This song best describes every moment in our lives at one time or another.  Now I'm not the biggest Mellencamp fan, that would be my husband's influence.  However, Mr. Mellencamp does have some great lyrics, about life.  Personally, I'm a Dave Matthews kinda girl, but there's just too many songs that I love.  But not a ton of lyrics that speak about life, maybe me personally.  But not LIFE.

I was introduced to music by my stepdad, Keith.  Buffalo Springfield "For What It's Worth" was the first song he made me listen to.  Then explained what it was about and said, 'I want this played at my funeral.'  We did.  Then there was some Dan Fogelberg, Cat Stevens (meh), James Taylor.  The list goes on and on.  My husband really got me into music, but mostly now it is about the lyrics.  Do the words mean anything?  Or is it just a little "Mr. Brownstone"-GNR? 

Kevin (my husband) taught me that the worst looking musicians are the best writers.  Look at Steve Earle?  Love his lyrics, not a fan of the music, but I love what he writes about.  Bruce Springstein?  I'd love to ask him about some of his songs.  How about The Who?  U-G-L-Y...but, Kevin says they are awesome, I could do without.  Do you like a little U2?  Did you know a lot of their songs have some type of Christian reference? (Where the streets have no name?).  By the way, he also thinks that Prince is the most underrated guitar player EVER!!!!

Everyone has a song, a lyric and usually those change as life goes on, but since the first day my husband played his guitar and sang Between a Laugh and a Tear, it fits every second of my life.