My Gen X Playlist: You’ve Got a Friend – James Taylor

I never thought I’d say this, but there are some advantages of being over fifty. One thing I have is the ability to hit the rewind button and let the tape run for awhile. I’ve got decades of material, both good and bad. As much as I don’t like to relive my epic fails, I am glad they exist in my catalogue. How else am I to learn? When things go bad, and trust me they will, I give myself two choices. One – bury my head in the sand, have a drink and try to never think about them again. Or, two – learn from them and ensure I never repeat them again. As much as I like number one, I try to opt for the latter. History tends to repeat itself if we are not careful. I’d like to avoid an encore performance if I can.

So, the prompt – something everyone should know. We are all human and have our missteps. Don’t let a mistake define who you are.

One mistake does not negate everything else you’ve done. It doesn’t erase all of the accomplishments you’ve achieved or everything you have ahead of you. What truly matters is how you handle the mistake and move forward from it.

I think this quote from George A. Custer sums it up perfectly:

It’s not how many times you get knocked down that count, it’s how many times you get back up.

– medium

Nobody is perfect. Oddly enough, I don’t think you can truly be successful if you never experience failure. As hard as it may sound, embrace failure. Use it for good instead of evil.

I’ve always liked James Taylor. It doesn’t hurt to lean on a friend after a massive misstep. Here is a favorite of mine – You’ve Got a Friend.

Taylor had plenty of struggles when he recorded that song, and what he went through were not the ones we often easily associate with folk singers. First of all, Taylor was suffering from depression so severe it sent him to the hospital. He’s also been battling with heroin addiction for quite some time. And during a motorcycle crash, Taylor had broken a whole lot of bones.

. . .  “You’ve Got A Friend,” a sweet and simple song about total empathy. It’s about a friend making the promise to always be around and help out.

– countrythangdaily

James Taylor is a good example of a life that is far from perfect, yet he is able to continue forward with a meaningful life. The best advice is to give and accept a little grace and do the best that you can.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

When you're down and troubled and you need a helping hand
and nothing, whoa, nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there
to brighten up even your darkest nights.

You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call and I'll be there, yeah, yeah,
you've got a friend.

If the sky above you should turn dark and full of clouds
and that old north wind should begin to blow,
keep your head together and call my name out loud.
Soon I will be knocking upon your door.
You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call and I'll be there.

Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend? People can be so cold.
They'll hurt you and desert you. Well, they'll take your soul if you let them,
oh yeah, but don't you let them.

You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call, Lord, I'll be there, yeah, yeah,
you've got a friend. You've got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend. Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.
Oh, yeah, yeah, you've got a friend.