Cats in the Cradle by Cat Stevens

The song Cats In The Cradle by Cat Stevens is a song about children who not raised directly by their parents. It is a story of a child who is put to the side by his father for work, but still never loses the love. Cat Stevens also describes how fast kids transition from kids into adults. If we don’t spend the time with them as much as possible, it slips before our eyes. Also, it shows how in our society the business transitions from one generation to the other. Before we know it, we are asking our kids to be with us and are neglected. This is not only a change of phase but a change in position for the child and his father.

God Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flats

In this song, the Rascal Flatts explain that even when you are getting over a bad break up, there will always be a place for a new love to come in and make you feel just as good. This song follows the concept of “when one door closes, another one opens” and shows us that even when we feel like there is no next phase, there always is. In the song, the lead singer explains that others who broke his heart,  “they were like Northern stars, pointing me on my way into your loving arms”. With this we see that the unexpected and unwanted can still push us forward into a new phase of our lives.

Graduation by Vitamin C

This timeless song about the big day is one that can really relate to our topic. In this song, we hear about one of the biggest days in many people’s lives, the end of their high school days. This transition is a big one, where kids move away and sort of move into the real world. Although this day is a huge change, the chorus tells us that “we remember all the times we had together, and as our lives change from whatever we will still be friends forever.” We see how regardless of the dramatic changes, they still hope that in the new phases of their lives they hope to stay friends.

Changes by David Bowie

“Changes” by David Bowie is a song all about time and changes in our lives. The lyrics: “a million dead-end streets every time I thought I'd got it made,” represents to us the idea of thinking you were at a point in your life but turning around to realize you weren’t ready yet. It can also be interpreted as someone looking back on their lives wondering why they did what they did and how they ended up at the point in their lives they're currently in. 

The Times They Are A Changin' by Bob Dylan

The Times they Are A Changin' by Bob Dylan is a classic song about fighting for what you believe in and making that change. This transition will come no matter what, whether you deny it or “prophesize it," but Dylan explains that we ourselves should be that change. Bob Dylan emphasized the idea that to be the change in your time, you have to stand up and make it. Then and only then can the world change into what you want it to be.

In My Life by The Beatles

The Song In My Life by The Beatles is a song about a man reminiscing on his life and seeing how many things have changed throughout it. Although old age seems like a scary thought, the song gives off a vibe of fulfillment from the singer, as he looks back on all the relationships and adventures he has created and enjoyed throughout his life.

100 Years by Five for Fighting

Five for Fighting’s legendary song about transitions in our lives show us that even though things may feel awful and hard at times, this is just one moment or stage in the huge part of your life.  The lyrics give the listener a feeling of value to every moment of our lives and shows that we should make the best of every one of them.

Forever Young by the Youth Group

Forever Young by the Youth Group is a song about living life to the fullest extent during each part of our lives. The lyrics give off a positive feeling about living and being young and carefree no matter what age you are. The lyrics say “life is a short trip,” explaining that the time we have while we are young should be spent to the best of our ability because very soon we will transition out of this childish time and into the real world. 

Move Along by the All American Rejects

The song Move Along by the All American Rejects is a song about how even when the worst comes at you, and even “when your hope is gone,” you must move along and move forward into the next “phase”. The lyrics read, “so a day when you’ve lost yourself completely, could be a night when your life ends." By this, we realize that we should never let one day break us down completely. There will always be a tomorrow, or to us, the next phase. 

Waiting on the World to Change by John Mayer

John Mayer's Waiting On The World To change is a perfect example of how every one is waiting and hoping for things to change, but no one is willing to do anything. He says, “ It's not that we don't care, we just know that the fight ain't fair." By saying this, he is showing that they do want things to change, but it is just not a fair fight. Although he himself is saying that he will wait for the world to change, it is obvious that he is holding up a mirror to society, and showing us that the world needs to change. If enough people want it and are willing to fight for it, the very bad phase in our world's time can be overcome.