Failure is endemic to social impact work. Unfortunately, it’s also endemic to love. And thus, songwriters have always been able to tap into the bowels of failure to help us feel better in our lives. Here’s a “failure playlist” you can dive into when change-making knocks you down:
And so I cry sometimes, when I’m lying in bed
Just to get it all out, what’s in my head
And I’m…I’m feeling…a little peculiar
Until I wake in the morning and I step outside
And I take a deep breath and I get real high
And I…I scream from the top off my lungs
What’s going on???
You see my problem is this, I’m dreaming away
Wishing that heroes, they truly exist
I cry, watching the days
Can’t you see I’m a fool, in so many ways
But to lose all my senses, that is just so typically me
Oh baby, baby, oops, I did it again
You gotta know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
Know when to run
You’re a good soldier, choosing your battles
Pick yourself up and dust yourself off, and back in the saddle
You’re on the frontlines, everyone’s watching,
You know it’s serious, we’re getting closer, this isn’t over
The pressure’s on, you feel it
But you got it all, believe it!
When you fall, get up, oh oh
And if you fall, get up, eh eh
Rome was not built in a day
Opposition will come your way
But the harder the battle may seem
The sweeter is the victory
You can get it if you really want
You can get it if you really want
You can get it if you really want
But you must try, try and try, try and try
You’ll succeed at last
Related article: A nonprofit playlist to help you get through life
So no, I don’t want your number
No, I don’t want to give you mine and
No, I don’t want to meet you nowhere
No, I don’t want none of your time
I see you drivin’ round town
With the girl I love
And I’m like “**** you” (ooo, ooo, oooo)
I guess the [social] change in my pocket wasn’t enough
I’m like “**** you, and, uh, “**** her too”
And now my life has changed in oh so many ways
My independence seems to vanish in the haze
But every now and then I feel so insecure
I know that I just need you like I’ve never done before
Help me if you can, I’m feeling down
And I do appreciate you being ’round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won’t you please, please help me?
You say you’re lookin’ for someone
Never weak but always strong
To protect you and defend you
Whether you are right or wrong
Someone to open each and every door
But it ain’t me, babe
No, no, no, it ain’t me, babe
And because it’s the song that keeps on giving,
I think I did it again
I made you believe we’re more than just friends
Oh baby, it might seem like a crush
But it doesn’t mean, that I’m serious
‘Cause to lose all my senses, that is just so typically me
Oh baby, baby, oops, I did it again
‘Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate
Baby, I’m just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off