They vs. the y…
I wrote a song a long time ago I called “THEY”. I was in college at the time and I happened to find myself right in the middle of a very significant dilemma. I was working on an engineering and telecommunications degree I had thought was a good idea. It seemed to fit all the boxes of society’s success plan, yet I was beginning to see I had very little interest in the curriculum. There was also a strong political climate on the campus which was quite conservative and I even had some roommates wearing Izod shirts and speaking positively about “Reagan Youth”. I was kind of hoping college was going to be like the 60’s. Oh well, I guess not. At least the 80’s had MTV and some pretty cool music trends. But I saw that in a way I did not fit in. I didn’t see the reason, purpose, or “why” I was even pursuing such an education and investing so much time and money. To do what “THEY” told me to do? Yep, pretty much.
Shakespeare is famous for the quote, “To thine own self be true”. Perhaps this is what Monty Python was referring to as the “Holy Grail”. To be authentic, self-aware, to find meaning in life, to even enjoy life fully, we need to question the group of “THEY”. It is not easy, for me it is essentially a lifelong challenge, but a worthy one. Why are we here? What is our reason or “Why” for living? What is The “Why”? Well, philosophy aside, it the meaning behind my blog name TheY. Or The Y… I ended up with a nickname Jim Y. because my last name “Yancheson” was too hard to pronounce I suppose and sometimes it’s necessary to sort out all the Jim’s in the rooms quickly. I’m starting a blog because like being a cartoonist, I always dreamed of becoming a writer. So I finally did. My why, not their’s.
THEY
by Jim Why
They say they know what’s right for you.
They’ll even tell you what to do.
They act as if they know what’s best.
They’ll put themselves above the rest.
And they call, call from the wall in the way.
They say they know what’s wrong and right.
They’ll sway you with a vengeful might.
They pride themselves and seek control.
They’ll gladly guide your wayward soul.
And they’ll call, call from the wall in the way.
Hey, Hey, Hey! Who are they?!
Don’t you listen to the things they say!
Cause they don’t know what’s right for you.
No, they don’t know.
Only you do.
But they’ll call, call from the wall in the way.
They say they speak with good intent.
They’ll paint advice as heaven sent.
They condescend their pompous charm.
They’ll lead you down a road of harm.
And they’ll call, call from the wall in the way.
Hey, Hey, Hey! Who are they?!
Don’t you listen to the things they say!
Cause they don’t know what’s right for you.
No, they don’t know.
Only you do.
They say they know what’s right for you.
They’ll even tell you what to do.
They act as if they know what’s best.
They’ll put themselves above the rest.
And they’ll call, call from the wall in the way.
Who are They?
