My Gen X Playlist: Change – Tears for Fears

I’ve often heard that the quickest route from point A to point B is a straight line. Let’s face it. Rarely do we find any road to be perfectly straight and sometimes we encounter detours along the way. For me, formulating perspectives follows the same vein. It reminds me of a tangled leaky garden hose in your yard. The more you try to straighten it out, the more it bends, blocking it’s flow. Sometimes you’re better off leaving the twists and turns, turning on the water and letting it take it’s own course, hoping everything straightens itself out in the end. Other times, everything is upended and it forces you to consider throwing out the old to usher in the new. I find my mind works in this way – tangling and untangling, and at times, tangling again. It’s definitely a garden hose of thoughts.

When I was younger, I thought about everything in terms of black or white, yes or no, good or bad. This didn’t leave much room for grays, maybes or shades of goodish and baddish in between. What I’ve come to learn is not everything is measured in absolutes. The most powerful force that triggered this change was empathy. There’s nothing like standing in another person’s sneakers to swirl the paint colors. Life has a way of throwing texture on that perfectly smooth wall and not everyone is safe from the splatter. There are a number of issues that have tangled, untangled and evolved over time. Living life, making mistakes and enduring hardships all allowed me to be open to see another side and at times, find a little grace. When I was a kid, my grandfather once said to me:

Sometimes you have to bend over and let someone kick you in the ass.

I had no clue what he meant at the time or what even prompted him to say that. Heck, I just thought it was funny because grandpa said ass. But maybe he was on to something there. This thing called life often wears that someone costume and it sure knows how to swing it’s foot. And while it hurts in the moment, maybe it’s not entirely a bad thing if it lends us to be open to other points of view or teaches us a little about humility, forgiveness and grace. I initially had no idea where I was going to go with this prompt, so I’m pleased where this eventually ended up. It definitely wasn’t a straight line. If nothing else, I’m just glad it reminded me of my grandpa saying ass. That thought still makes me smile.

In 1983, Tears for Fears released their debut album, The Hurting. I had no idea it was a loose concept album focusing on themes of psychological trauma and depression. Despite its darkness, the album was a huge commercial success. Change was one of the big hits from their debut album.

“Change” seems to delve into the themes of personal transformation, missed opportunities, and the challenges of maintaining relationships in the face of change. It speaks to the desire for growth and understanding, as well as the difficulties that arise when individuals and connections evolve.

– Songtell

Change doesn’t always have to be surrounded by the darkness that Tears for Fears paints it to be. Sure, it may not an easy process, but life isn’t always full of smooth roads. We just have to take it day to day – one twist in the garden hose at a time.

–

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

You walked into the room
I just had to laugh
The face you wore was cool
You were a photograph

When it's all too late
It's all too late

I did not have the time
I did not have the nerve
To ask you how you feel
Is this what you deserve?

When it's all too late
It's all too late

Change
You can change
Change
You can change

And something on your mind
Became a point of view
I lost your honesty
You lost the life in you

When it's all too late
It's all too late

We walk and talk in time
I walk and talk in two
Where does the end of me
Become the start of you?

When it's all too late
It's all too late

Change
You can change
Change
You can change

What has happened to
The friend that I once knew?
Has he gone away?

When it's all too late
It's all too late
Change

Change
You can change
Change
You can change

Change
You can change
Change
You can change

Change
You can change
Change
You can change