Great song lyrics and great poetry have one thing in common. They both touch your soul.

Listening to the radio recently, I heard a couple of masterpieces, and was struck by the power of the lyrics.

Linda Creed and Michael Masser, writers of the "Greatest Love of All," communicate a message just as relevant today as when they wrote the song.

As I heard the George Benson and Whitney Houston versions play back-to-back, I focused on the deep meaning of the words...

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well
And let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty
They possess inside
Give them a sense of pride
To make it easier
Let the children's laughter
Remind us how we used to be

 

Everybody's searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone
Who fulfilled my needs
A lonely place to be
So I learned to depend on me.

 

I decided long ago
Never to walk in anyone's shadow
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I lived as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity

 

Because the greatest love of all
Was happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
Is the greatest love of all

 

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well
And let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty
They possess inside
Give them a sense of pride
To make it easier
Let the children's laughter
Remind us how we used to be

 

I decided long ago
Never to walk in anyone's shadow
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I lived as I believe.
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity

 

Because the greatest love of all
Was happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
Is the greatest love of all

 

And If by chance that special place
That you've been dreaming of
Leads you to a lonely place
Find your strength in love

 

The "Greatest Love of All" was originally featured in the 1977 autobiographical movie about Muhammad Ali.

Now, the 2nd song...

Bob Dylan once called William "Smokey" Robinson the greatest living poet of our time.

We know why, as the images of "I'll Try Something New," written by Smokey, offer some creative "woman pleasing fantasies," guys dream up that the ladies love to hear...

I'll Try Something New
wrtten by William "Smokey" Robinson

 

I will build you a castle with a tower so high
It reaches the moon
I'll gather melodies from birdies that fly
And compose you a tune
Give you lovin' warm as Mama's oven
And if that don't do
Then I'll try something new

 

I will take you away with me as far as I can
To Venus or Mars
There we will love with your hand in my hand
You'll be queen of the stars
And every day we can play on the Milky Way
And if that don't do
Then I'll try something new

 

I will bring you a flower from the floor of the sea
To wear in your hair
I'll do anything and everything to keep you happy
Girl to show you that I care
I'll pretend I'm jealous of all the fellas
And if that don't do
Then I'll try something new

 

I'll take the stars and count 'em and move a mountain
And if that don't do I'll try something new
On the moon above it's you that I love
If it don't do I'm gonna try something new

 

Oh well, if at first I don't succeed
try again is what I'll do
Always trying something else
Always trying something that is new

These lyrics should inspire writers young and old, that the "quality of the craft" of song writing still matters.

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