I put together a playlist of my favorite songs that tell stories and are relatable to pretty much everyone. Each song is either a unique take on life, an answer to a question of life itself, or a life lesson being explored.

Touch of Grey: This is a pinnacle song by the Grateful Dead. Anyone who listens to music has probably heard this classic. The story that the singer, Jerry Garcia, is trying to convey is that “everything is going to be alright”. No matter how horrible life seems, it’s not that bad. It’s like the cliche saying of “there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.” It’s okay to feel down but don’t let it overwhelm you. In life, one should always be happy, but never satisfied, because one should always strive for that.

Foolish Heart: This is another dear classic of mine by Steve Perry. The meaning of the song is to never freely give away your love without being sure that there is something there. A song that can directly relate to this is Jamie’s Cryin’ by Van Halen. This song is about a girl named Jamie, who always runs back to this dude who only wants sex. Jamie doesn’t realize that she is being played by him. So she’s the one with the foolish heart while he is just messing with her.

I Can’t Get No (Satisfaction): This is one of the top classic rock classics of all time created by the Rolling Stones. One thing to notice is that “can’t get no” is a double negative which makes it a positive, meaning he can get satisfaction? Basically the song is stating that lead singer Mick Jagger  can’t get any satisfaction or pleasure. It’s driving him crazy as he’s in a constant loop of trying to get satisfaction but  getting no reward. He should really just try to find some happiness in the little things in life, instead of in the bigger things.

Dancing with Myself: Singer Billy Idol enjoys being himself by dancing alone, as there is nobody else around to dance with. This is  a great way to find happiness. We all do it. It’s just like singing in the shower, sure we may seem dorky, but we enjoy it. It’s a great way to become comfortable with oneself. In life, you need to be comfortable with yourself to truly understand the world. If you don’t know yourself, then you will not be able to understand other people.

Ramble on Rose: This song by the Grateful Dead is about a card game, but  it also has a different, deeper, meaning. It’s really saying to keep going on with your life even when you feel overwhelmed. The tune of the song has a nice easy melody to it making you feel like that Jerry Garcia, the singer of the song, is actually calming you down. The tells one to keep moving, but also to take a breather every once in awhile. But in the end, it’s alright.

El Paso: Previously sung by Marty Robbins, but famously performed by the Grateful Dead, this song is a ballad of a guy making rash decisions. He should’ve just taken a step back and think of what he’s actually doing. He killed a man to get a girl. He should’ve thought his actions through, and because of his disregard, the victims of the crime killed him. It is wise to always think decisions through.

Chains: This is one of my favorite Beatles songs. You can totally understand what Paul means when he says that his baby put chains on him. Basically, his significant other is holding him back from another girl he really loves. He already has a committed relationship.He wants to be with this other girl, but he can’t have her. He just can’t keep his pants on. Does he truly like this other girl?

The Waiting: This song written by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is about waiting. It’s been interpreted many ways, such as how it’s difficult for Tom Petty to wait getting on stage before a concert, or how it is difficult to wait rather than rush into a relationship. When you rush into a relationship it usually means you haven’t established a solid foundation. Later on while you’re in this relationship, you realize what you’ve built it on and then it destroys the relationship or forces you to rebuild it. You need a true foundation to establish a relationship so you can truly know and understand the person.

The Wheel: This is another great song by Jerry Garcia. The wheel is one the greatest symbols and is a symbol for life. “The wheel is turning and you can’t slow down.” I love that he shows that life is always moving and one can never take a break. It’s difficult to get a real take on life, so why not just let life take control of you? But you always have to keep moving and don’t let anything bring you down.

Wonderful World: This is a great song by Sam Cooke, but I personally like Jerry Garcia’s November eighteenth, 1993 performance in Richmond, Virginia. What Cooke is explaining in the song, is that he isn’t certain about a lot of things in life but the one thing he does know about it how he loves this person, probably a girl. He is also true to himself while still staying true to his love. He knows he is not an A student, and he doesn’t try to be or tell people that he is. He accepts who he is and I think that’s what everyone should try to strive for, but in high school it’s very difficult too.